Indian Tacos Sept. 7 to Benefit Cody Lambotte

Cross Country Results At Mission Valley Invitational

The Rossville BullDawg Cross Country team enjoyed a beautiful day at the Mission Valley Invitation Meet on Thursday, August 30th.  With two individual champions, many medalists and personal best times, it was a great day.  Rossville XC athletes will be in action at the Wamego Invitational next Saturday, September 8th.

8th Grade Boys - Hayden Sanders placed 21st, Tres Faith placed 14th, and Wade Twombly placed 10th.

7th Grade Girls - Keera Lacock placed 12th.

8th Grade Girls - Cassie Fund placed 3rd, and Amelia Foster placed 1st with a 2-mile time of 13:46.

Varsity Boys 5k - Out of 71 Runners, Bronc Reser placed 57th, Ben Price placed 27th, Justin Jordan placed 25th, and Zach Archer placed 16th. 

Varsity Girls 5k - Out of 60 runners, Alexis Zabala placed 17th, Meagan Huston placed 15th, Julia Streit placed 3rd, and Katie Dohrman placed 1st with a 5k time of 22:21.

Garrett Jones

Rossville Jr/Sr High School

Head Cross Country Coach

Celebrating Kansas Cowboys

Calling all cowboys at heart! 

The Kansas Historical Society family event celebrating the cowboy will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 15, 2018. It features activities on the grounds and in the Museum. Kansas Historical Society members admitted free!

For details,  go to:
https://www.kshs.org/p/west-fest-celebrating-kansas-cowboys/19070

LelLee Parr Has New Book Published

Message from KelLee Parr:

For those who haven't heard, I have been working on a book about The Willows for the past two years. In 2016 I wrote "My Little Valentine" about my mother and biological grandmother's reunion. In the process of telling their story, I began to learn more about The Willows and became fascinated with its history and Kansas City being known as the Adoption Hub of America. I decided I wanted to learn more so I began researching and have met some incredible people along the way. 

My new book is called "Mansion on a Hill." My mother always joked saying she wondered if her birth mother lived in a mansion on a hill somewhere, not knowing she herself was actually born in a mansion on a hill. Attached is a link to my website and you can read more. The eBook version is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and other vendors. You can even preview it and leave a review there. People have started finding the eBook version and asking about a paperback book version so I figured I better go ahead and share that the paperback is coming soon. I hope it is available in two or three weeks. It is at the printers and then I have to receive a proof copy and approve it. I don't know how long that is going to take, but I will let you know the minute I know. I'll be adding more information about it here when you can order from me if you want a signed copy. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did in researching and learning about The Willows. www.mylittlevalentinebook.com

Looking Ahead For 2018 Football

From the Capital Journal:
    The 2017 losing season was the first for the  Rossville Bulldawgs since going 4-5 in 2001, which also marked the last time the program failed to reach the playoffs before last year’s absence. The two wins marked the fewest in a season since the 1986 team went 0-9.
    As tough as last year, was, Rossville really wasn’t that far away from putting together a solid season. One of the wins came against Class 4A Division II playoff qualifier Burlington and arguably the best outing of the season was a 14-0 loss to arch rival Silver Lake, which finished 12-1.
    But after finding ways to pull out victories in tight games during its state-title runs, Rossville couldn’t replicate that a year ago. The Bulldawgs lost a late lead and fell in overtime of their district opener with Mission Valley and then suffered a two-point loss to Council Grove in the district finale.
    “We were right there,” Hammes said. “Our first district game, we were ahead and let it get away from us and that was kind of the turning point for us. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in a good way. It’s all a learning experience and I hope those experiences last year were helpful for us.“
    Whereas Rossville only returned three starters last year, the Bulldawgs enter the 2018 season with a young, yet experienced bunch. Eight starters are back on offense, while nine return on defense.
    The most glaring hole that needs to be filled is arguably the most important one, quarterback. The position has been a star-studded one in recent years with the likes of All-State Top 11 picks Tucker Horak and Jacob Bradshaw and last year’s starter, Sheldon Hulbert accounted for 2,251 of Rossville’s 2,749 total yards and 18 of the team’s 22 touchdowns.
    Rossville spent the offseason with a trio of candidates to fill those shoes — senior Garrett Carver sophomore Bo Reeves and freshman Torrey Horak. Carver, who was Hulbert’s back-up last year, likely has the inside track, but Hammes said all three bring something to the table.

Class of 69 Reunion

RHS Class of 1969 Fifty Year Reunion 

August 9-11, 2019

Start making plans now

Flint Hills Video

Here is a one minute video of flying over the Flint Hills.
https://www.facebook.com/fox4kc/videos/10156015482213645/UzpfSTEwODYxNjU2Njk6MTAyMTI2MjExMjkyNTgyNzU/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyPSKoTatO_UtTZVyl3xSyVVWLzWzs8ZawUpfsGyN2K7Q%3AAdw3KTBAf4xj-bCaFZI10R7dd14a7CUy0ia6Qhg9BzJ77w

Library Board Acknowledges Adrienne Olejnik

August 27, 2018

Rossville, KS – As she transitions to new challenges and opportunities, the Rossville Community Library Board gratefully acknowledges Adrienne Olejnik for her devotion and dedication to the Rossville Community Library since she took the position in spring of 2010. Adrienne transformed the collection and revitalized the facilities during her time at Rossville. The library, a community resource since 1968, has served generations of patrons. Adrienne has assured that the library meets the expectations and needs of the users of the information age we inhabit by providing up-to-date technology, engaging, educational programming, and access to resources relevant to the busy lives we lead.

Board member Sean Bird said, “Adrienne’s leadership and vision established a foundation for the future of the library and of Rossville that will pay dividends for years to come. Through her strategic direction, Rossville Community Library has become one of the gems on Main Street, and it will continue to serve our citizens at the outstanding level we have grown to expect.“

Please come by the library during our normal hours Monday through Thursday to wish Adrienne well and help us celebrate her exceptional efforts as director.

Moravan Hall Dance Sept 22

J.D.'s Polka Band will be at the Moravan Hall on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 7 - 10:30 PM

Volleyball Team Third At Wellsville

    The Rossville volleyball team competed in their first tournament of the season at Wellsville on Aug. 25.  They finished in third place and came away with a 3-2 season record thus far.  The matches went as follows.

Waverly                25-23, 23-25, 25-20
Prairie View         25-23, 23-25, 25-20
Wellsville             14-25, 19-25
Burlington            21-25, 25-22, 23-25
Baldwin City        25-14, 25-15

Eleanor Jones Passes Away

    Eleanor Illston Jones, 93, of Worthington, Ohio died August 21, 2018.   She was born in Ithaca, New York on November 6, 1924, the daughter of the late Cady P. Illston and Laura Buck Illston.  She is survived by three sons: David (Joyce) Jones of Columbus, Matt Jones and Peter (Jenny) Jones of Worthington; two daughters: Annie (Adrian) Bennett of Columbus and Amy Jones of Arlington, VA; and by a large extended family.  She was preceded in death by her son Evan Jones of Worthington.

    She was proud of her professional accomplishments.  At the Harding Hospital and the Harding-Evans Foundation she worked to educate the community about mental illness, enhance the hospital’s relationship with the community and raise funds to build multiple buildings on the Harding campus.  She was a Fellow of the National Association for Hospital Development, member of the Ohio Association for Hospital Development and served on the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce.

    Her volunteer contributions to the community were many.  She founded and was first president of Tele-Mom, a support organization for mothers; was instrumental in the development of the Worthington Martin Luther King celebration and was a member and chair of the Worthington Community Relations Commission.  Her far ranging interests included a love of cars. A long-time member of the Sports Car Club of America, she reveled in attending and working the races at Mid Ohio. Her many contributions to the community were recognized with a tree planted in her honor on the Worthington Green.

The church has always been an important part of her life.  She grew up in the church in Ithaca and while living in Kansas for 16 years, she partnered with her husband to nurture a small church in Rossville, KS.  And she loved the Worthington Church –worshiping there, seeing it grow over time, serving as a Stephen Minister, serving on many committees, and working in the office.  The music program gave her enormous pleasure and renewal.

But she said her most important and rewarding roles were in the family.  She was a Mom to six, and proudly had nine grandchildren (Ruth, Paul, Amy, Adam, Katherine, Michael, Matthew, Regan and Kirsten), nine great grandchildren (Sarah, Rebecca, Chance, Andrew, Allisin, Tyler, Sydney, Isabella and Josey) and two great-great grandchildren (Henry and Oliver).  Her joy was hosting and cooking for large family gatherings and being surrounded by the generations.

    In addition to the official clan, “family” included many others. Adults and children alike knew that Franklin Court was a “safe house” where respite could be had and where a dose of comfort or tough love would be dispensed as needed.  

    She shared her wisdom freely, but gently.  Posted on her refrigerator were her Four Steps to a Good Life:

• Pay attention
• Count your blessings
• Be responsible for the space you take up
• Do something for others

    Like everyone, she had losses and disappointments.  When she reflected on those hard times she often quoted two sources that gave her strength and perspective.  For strength she looked to her faith and often quoted Phillipians “…for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content …  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

    For perspective she looked to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  She often described her life in the same way Dorothy described Oz upon her return: “Some of it was not very nice, but most of it was beautiful.”   Hers was a beautiful life.

    Services will be held at the Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High Street in Worthington on Monday, August 27 at 2:00 pm.  Opportunities to visit with the family at the church will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 26 and one hour preceding the Monday service.

    For those who would like to do so, the family suggests donations in her name to the Worthington United Methodist Church, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Ithaca, NY) or a charity that has meaning for the giver.

Eleanor's husband, Don Jones,  was pastor of the Rossville Methodist Church for 16 years and several of their children graduated from RHS.

Football Team Outlook

     Here is a video and long article about the Rossville football team.
     A check of existing records going back to 2001 shows that the Bulldogs have been in the playoffs every year until 2017/
http://www.wibw.com/content/news/Kansas-Prep-Zone-Preview-Rossville-Bulldogs-491514441.html

Girl's Golf At Jeff West

Jefferson West scramble  At Village Greens (in Meriden)

Team scores

Holton 166, Silver Lake 185, Jefferson West 191, Rossville 194.

Individual scores

1. S. Holaday and F. Holaday, Holton, 76;
2. Lindstrom and Field, Silver Lake, 85;
3. Stevens and Hundley, Holton, 90;
4. Williams and Holthaus, Jefferson West, 92;
5. Hudson and Foster, Rossville, 94;
6. Yager and Starr, Jefferson West, 99.

Bryan Kidney Is New Director Of Finance

The City of Independence today announced the hiring of Bryan Kidney as the new Director of Finance and Administration following a nationwide search. This position oversees Human Resources, Finance and Technology Services for the City. Assistant City Manager Lauren Palmer had been acting director following a reorganization of the previously listed departments in May.

“Bryan was the unanimous choice of everyone involved in the selection process,” City Manager Zach Walker said. “His demonstrated success with improving efficiency, productivity and team morale make him the ideal candidate for this important leadership role in Independence. Bryan will make great contributions toward the Independence for All goals of customer service and financial sustainability.”

Kidney comes to the City of Independence from Lawrence, Kan., where he has acted as Director of Finance/Treasurer since 2015. His 25-year career includes a mix of municipal government and private sector positions.

“I was so impressed by the staff team in Independence and the vision outlined in the City’s strategic plan,” Kidney said. “I look forward to putting my skills to work to develop and improve the City’s core internal services of finance, human resources and information technology.”

Kidney graduated from Emporia State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting.  He began his career as a Staff Auditor with BT & Co., P.a., and has since worked as Director of Finance & Operations for Pottawatomie County, Assistant Finance Director for the City of Manhattan, Director of Finance/Interim City Administrator for the City of Gardner, Kan., Director of Finance/Treasurer for the City of Shawnee, Kan., and Vice President/Municipal Advisor at Springsted, Incorporated. He is active at both the National and local level of the Government Finance Officers Association, serving in leadership positions in the Kansas and Eastern Kansas Chapters. Kidney is married with three adult children.