Burlington Football Game Progress

    The Dawgs scored on both of their first quarter drives to lead at the end of the first quarter 12-0.

    The Burlington Wildcats toughened up on defense and went to a spread offense in the second quarter.  The Wildcats scored a TD and two point conversion while the Dawgs scored six points to up their lead to 18-8 at the end of the half.  During the first quarter,  the Wildcats employed a single wing formation with unbalanced line.  But, that wasn't working very well so they typically lined up in a spread formation and threw quite a bit in the second quarter.
    The single wing with unbalanced line is the same formation that the Bulldogs used very effectively in the late 1950s.

    In the third quarter,  the Wildcats went back to the single wing primarily and moved the ball better than earlier in the game.    Their defense was better than the first half and held the Dawgs scoreless.  They scored 8 points and the Dawg lead  was cut 18-16 at the end of the third.

    Early in the fourth quarter,  the Dawgs scored on a long pass play to go up 25-16 and then added another TD to take a 31-16 lead.  But the Wildcats were not ready to give up and they quickly scored again to narrow the Dawg lead to 31-24.   But the Dawgs still had some fight and Trevor Dawson scored quickly to go up 38-24.   But,  the quarter and the scoring wasn't over yet and the Wildcats added another TD pass to get within 38-32.   The Dawgs went in ball control mode and were able to run the clock out while still in the 38-32 lead.

Sherrie Christian Passes Away

    Sherrie Kay Christian, 76, of Rossville, passed away on October 4, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by her family.
    She was born in Salina, Kansas on September 3, 1941 the daughter of Kenneth L. and Dorothy Louise (Crane) Goodman.  She attended State Street Grade School, Holliday Junior High and was a 1959 graduate of Topeka High School.
    Sherrie worked the switchboard for Armco Steel, Fleming Foods and Payless Shoe Source.  She was a school bus driver for 13 years for USD #321, and had most recently worked as the office manager for Minute Man Press in Lawrence, Ks.
    She was a member of Rossville Christian Church where she served as a trustee on the board for over 20 years, and was a volunteer for the vacation bible school, Sunday school teacher, Bible Study Leader, and served funeral luncheons.  She was a faithful servant of her church and her faith was very important to her.
    Sherrie was also a member of A.B.W.A. Sunflower Chapter, the Quilting Club in Texas and “The String” Quilting Club.  She was an organizer of get-togethers with her junior high classmates.  Sherrie was instrumental in starting and supporting the Cancer Support Group at St. Francis Hospital.
    She enjoyed quilting, golfing, traveling, cruising, cooking, canning, and was an excellent seamstress.  Sherrie and Roger were big supporters of any events which involved their children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews.  She and her husband spent winters in Alamo, Texas where they resided at the Trophy Gardens RV Resort.
    She is survived by her husband, Roger of the home, two sons, Ty (Teri) Christian of Topeka, and Tad (Janine) Christian of Atlanta, GA., six grandchildren, Keri Christian, Derek (Abigail) Christian, Brittany Sapp (Dan Elder),  Austin Snyder, Samantha Christian, Alexandria Christian, two great grandsons, Brody and Beau, and her siblings, Dee Bisel of Lawrence, Duane Smelser of Montrose, CO, Jeanette (Howard) Binkley of Littleton, CO, Dan (Sandy) Goodman of Mustang, OK, and several favorite nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary Jean Goodman and Lyle and Dorothy Louise Smelser, and a brother, Steve Smelser.
    Sherrie will lie at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where her family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Rossville Christian Church, 411 Spruce Street, Rossville, Kansas.  Interment will follow in the Rossville Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Rossville Christian Church, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

MEL Football Standings

The MEL football standings as of 10-2-17 are below

                     League  Overall

Riley County … 4-0 … 5-0
Silver Lake    …4-0 … 5-0
Rock Creek  … 2-2 … 2-3
Rossville       … 1-3 … 1-4
St. Marys      … 0-2 … 2-3
Wabaunsee   … 0-4 … 0-5

Willard Bridge Imploded

    Workers about 9 a.m. Wednesday carried out the first of two planned implosions to bring down part of the former Willard Bridge over the Kansas River, Shawnee County public works director Tom Vlach confirmed.
   The rest of the article,  and also videos by Derek Brunin and Doc Blodgett can the read/seen at:
http://cjonline.com/news/local/local-government/2017-10-04/watch-willard-bridge-implosion-wednesday-west-topeka

CJ Football Predictions

This is the list of MEL teams in the Capital-Journal football predictions.    Favored team to the left and the expected point differential in the middle column.

… 76    … ROCK CREEK … 10.1  … St. Marys … 65.9
… 90.9 … Rossville           … 26.3 …  BURLINGTON … 64.6
… 98.5 … Silver Lake          … 3.1  … RILEY COUNTY … 95.4
… 71.9 … Jackson Heights … 6.1  … WABAUNSEE … 65.8

Cassie Punchard Is Student Of Week

  Cassie Punchard  took pride in her school by taking the time to clean the parking lot after a football game. This selfless act is a great representation on the herself and the Rossville student body.

Third At Silver Lake Invitational Golf

The RHS golf team was third at the Silver Lake Invitational, Oct 2, 2017, at Western Hills Golf Course.  Jesse Sowers placed 9th individually at 55 strokes.  Other team members were Kathleen Schuler  56, Jamie Brockcamp 59 and Dawn Ledeboer 62.


1.  Holton               203
2.  Jeff West           207
3.  Rossville           232
4.  Silver Lake       232
5.  Hayden             239
6.  Osage City        247
7.  St. Marys          250
8.  West Franklin   250

1. Scheider, Jefferson West, 44 
2. Stevens, Holton, 46 
3. Holaday, Holton, 47 
4. Williams, Jefferson West, 50 
5. Karlovitz, Hayden, 51 
6. Stoneking, West Franklin, 54 
7. Kreagan, Silver Lake, 54 
8. Lindstrom, Silver Lake, 55 
9. Sowers, Rossville, 55 
10. Michaelis, Jefferson West, 55

Dawgs and Bears Split In Volleyball

In their Oct 3 volleyball matches,  St. Marys defeated Rossville 18-25 and 18-25 in round one.  But the Dawgs came back to win the next closely contested games  32-30 and 28-26.

Silver Lake Invitational Volleyball

    The RHS girls played in the Silver Lake Invitational tournament on Sept. 30 and finished in third place.  They defeated Sabetha and Royal Valley,  then lost to St. Marys and Silver Lake before defeasting Jeff West for third place.

Opponent                Scores  
Sabetha              25-14, 25-13
Royal Valley      24-25, 25-22, 25-12
St. Marys            19-25, 25-17,13-25
Silver Lake         22-25, 20-25
Jeff West             25-19, 25-21   

Sharon Delaine Kidney Passes Away

St. Marys:  Sharon Delaine Kidney 74, Loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother passed away Monday, October 02, 2017 at a Topeka Hospital

She was born May 8, 1943, at Great Bend the daughter of Elvin P. and Thelma M. Rediger Flanders.  She grew up in the Great Bend and graduated from Great Bend High in 1961.  Delaine moved to the St. Marys community in 1974.  She graduated from Kaw Valley Technical School in Topeka.

Delaine was an LPN and had worked for Dr. Brown in St. Marys and for the Rossville Medical Clinic.  She and her husband Keith owned and operated Katie's Corner in St. Marys.  Delaine was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Clarence Daryl Flanders.

On October 14, 1989, she was united in marriage to H. Keith Kidney at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  He survives of the home.

Other survivors include her children, Trina DeVader, St. Marys, Kurt (Geri) Esfeld, Liberty, MO; Annette (Paul) Fiedler and Teresa Herrington all of St. Marys; her sister, Anita Doreen Snyder, Spring Hill; 11 grandchildren, Allison (Jeremy), Ethan, Abigail, Kelsey, Rachel, Rebecca Andrea, Carley, Jayna, Laura and Shane; two great-granddaughters, Lindsey and Harper.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 6, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Mary.  Delaine will lie in state after 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until the rosary at 7:00.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or to the St. Marys Manor Bus Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

JoAnn Swenson (56) Passes Away

Photo from 1956 RHS Yearbook

JoAnn Swenson went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at White Oak Manor of Burlington with her daughter by her side.

JoAnn was born September 12, 1938 in Salina, Kansas to Walden and Pauline Swenson. Having spent her first few years living on the family farm she acquired her loving spirit for helping people and caring for animals.

After attaining several telephone companies the family eventually settled in Rossville, Kansas. It was here that JoAnn's gifts of singing, piano, and acting shone brightly as she participated in church, school, and community activities. After graduating Valedictorian from Rossville High, she attended Kansas University where she majored in Music Therapy and was a member of AOp sorority. One of her most memorable experiences was when she sang "Crimson and Blue" at the Campanile for KU 1957 Homecoming. While at college she met her husband, Jim Londerholm, who was an All American athlete in Track and Field for KU. Their daughter, Sherri, was born during their years in Kansas City.

JoAnn loved to bring joy and laughter to people. While living in Jacksonville, Florida she acted and sang in skits she wrote to benefit Toys For Tots while working for the Chamber of Commerce. She did the same in her career with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida and North Carolina. JoAnn was vital in organizing the Junior Olympics in Jacksonville during the 1980's as well. Clowning was also a favorite hobby. She especially loved performing at her grandson's school Fall Festival!

JoAnn loved to travel. She, her sisters, and mother took many trips together throughout the years. They traveled around the country visiting family and took numerous cruises to beautiful places.

JoAnn was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. She loved her family very much. Her beautiful smile and "can do" spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walden "Walt" Howard Swenson and Pauline (Fenton) Swenson; and brother in law, Dr. William "Bill" Vaught, Jr.

Surviving are her daughter, Sherri (Londerholm) Gibson and husband Tim of Simpsonville, SC; two grandchildren, Cameron Gibson of Indianapolis, Indiana and Christina Otto and husband Jesse of Easley, SC; two sisters, Diane Vaught of Burlington and Joyce Harper and husband Steve of Chapel Hill; several nieces and nephews including Lori Duncan and husband Jeff, Creighton Vaught and wife Libby, Jill Barham and husband Brandon, and Stephanie Carmody and husband Dennis; several great nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends prior to the memorial service at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home from 1:00 until 1:45 PM.

Memorials may be made to , Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance – Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.

Published in TheTimesNews.com on Oct. 1, 2017

Helen (Trahoon) (41) Matney Passes Away

Helen W. Matney, 94, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017.

She was born December 26, 1922, in Rossville, Kansas, the daughter of Louis and Thresa (McConnell) Trahoon. She was a 1941 graduate of Rossville High School. Helen moved to Topeka in 1942.

Helen was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, retiring in 1983.

Mrs. Matney was a member of the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville. She was very active in the Kaw Valley Club of the Kansas Oldtime Fiddlers, Pickers & Singers where she had served as treasurer. She was also a member of the Ladies of the Moose, Topeka, Telephone Pioneers Club, and had volunteered for the Red Cross. 

Helen married Gene A. Matney on October 15, 1948 in Topeka. He preceded her in death on October 5, 2009. Survivors include a brother, Rolland E. (Ruby) Trahoon, Topeka; seven nieces, Janice Ables, Susan (Tim) Gaggero, Mellody (David) Harrison, Tammy (Jeff) Butler, Stacy Trahoon, Lisa (Mike) Firsick and Kelly Cole; three nephews, Steven Trahoon, Floyd (Debbie) Trahoon, Jr. and Rolland (Deb) Trahoon II; several great-nieces and nephews; great-great nieces; and a brother-in-law, Dean Tregemba, Kansas City, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Floyd Trahoon and Shirley Tregemba. 

Helen loved visiting with the elderly and attending car races in Knoxville, TN.

A funeral ceremony will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka. Interment will follow at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka. Helen will lie in state after 3 p.m., Monday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS 66604 or to Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, KS 66614. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Tucker Horak Gets 16 Yards

Tucker Horak had two carries for 16 yards in Pittsburg State's 35-20 loss to Washburn U. on Sat.

Wendi Horak To PSU Athletics Hall Of Fame

Pittsburg State University is pleased to announce its 2017 induction class into the Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. The group – comprised of seven former standout Gorillas – will be formally inducted during ceremonies on campus in September.

PSU's Class of 2017 is headlined by a cast of decorated athletes:  Nathan Baker (2001-04), an All-American offensive lineman and winner of the inaugural Gene Upshaw Award as a member of Pitt State's 2004 NCAA Division II National Runner-Up squad; Jenny (Pracht) Townsend (1994-96), a three-time All-MIAA performer in women's basketball and the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in 1996; Wendi (Rickson) Horak (1992-94), a three-time All-MIAA performer in softball and school record setter in several offensive batting categories; Brad Shorter (1997-98), an All-American catcher in baseball, the school's career batting average leader and a CoSIDA Academic All-American; and Julie (Smith) Spears (1996-99), a national champion discus thrower and three-time All-American in women's track & field.

http://www.pittstategorillas.com/news/2017/6/8/general-pitt-state-athletics-announces-hall-of-fame-class-of-2017.aspx

Wendi (Rickson) Horak, Softball Athlete, 1992-94 (BS, 1994)
~  MIAA All-Conference, 1992-93 (So. Div., 3B, '92; 1st, 3B, '93)
~  Set PSU single season record with .461 batting avg. in 1993; Hit .461 with 13 doubles, 4 HRs,
    40 RBI in 1993
~  Set PSU career records for runs (112), hits (185), doubles (39), home runs (16) & RBI (121)
~  Helped PSU to 36-8 record and program's first NCAA-II Tournament berth in '93 and a school
    record 48 wins (48-15), the program's only MIAA regular season title and a repeat berth to the
    NCAA Tournament