Tailgate fest pushed up to next Friday

A tailgate party, originally set for this afternoon to help kick off U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities campaign has been pushed back until Friday.

A schedule will be announced soon, organizers said.

U.S. Cellular is providing up to $150,000 to the school that receives the most votes. Seventeen others will receive $50,000.

The three Allen County school districts — Iola USD 257, Humboldt USD 258 and Marmaton Valley USD 256 — have agreed to pool their efforts and split any possible winnings equally. Thus, a vote for Iola Middle School is considered a vote for all three districts.

Votes can be cast by picking up entry codes at the U.S. Cellular office at 700 N. State St.

Unlike last year, each voter may cast only one vote.

Campaign gains momentum

About $1.6 million has been raised to help buy new equipment for the new Allen County Hospital, said Jim Gilpin, chairman of the United for Excellence campaign. 

“That’s one-third of our goal,” Gilpin said to a crowd gathered at Allen County Country Club Thursday evening to celebrate fundraising progress. 

Almost $5 million is needed to make every wish come true, including the purchase of an MRI machine, a more sophisticated CT scanner, new patient beds, and other things. 

The hospital will set itself apart from area competition with the purchase of a 64-slice CT machine, said Cris Rivera, chief executive officer of ACH. The $732,000 machine has the ability to create more detailed images of a person’s internal organs, said David Paul, director of imaging at the hospital.

Paul suggested using the image of a sliced loaf of bread as to how a CT scanner works.

“If you have 15 slices, you’re missing a ton of what you can see. If you have 64 slices, varied in width, you then have the ability to reconstruct the images into a three-dimensional format through a software program, giving you amazing detail.

“The heart is the most challenging organ to get a good picture of because it is constantly in motion — at least we want it to be,” he said with a smile. “Motion is one of the enemies of imaging. The faster you can scan, the greater imaging capabilities you’ll receive.”

With the purchase of a $1.1 million MRI machine, the hospital will be able to provide those imaging services in-house, also setting it apart from other area hospitals.

Currently, a mobile MRI services visits the hospital several times a week. 

 

GIFTS HAVE come in the form of outright cash, and gifts of stock, land and life insurance policies.

A recent program of giving a tax rebate for up to 70 percent of gifts was overwhelmingly successful, said Karen Gilpin, a United for Excellence member.

Organizers had up to 18 months to gather $190,000 in gifts. 

“We did it in seven days,” Gilpin said. The program was through the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

The size of gifts also comes with naming opportunities, said Karen Gilpin. She and Mary Ann Arnott used a layout of the new hospital to show what rooms and areas could be named after individuals. The entire hospital campus, for example, can be named after an individual for a gift of $1 million or more. 

Football great Peyton Manning, for example, has a hospital in Indianapolis renamed Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent. In Dallas, the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical Center will be named the William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, after its former governor.

Other naming opportunities exist for the lobby, surgery areas, waiting rooms, nursery, patient rooms, and many other sites. 

Gifts to the campaign are all tax-deductible.

Punt, Pass & Kick competition is Sept. 22 in Iola

Iola Recreation is hosting an NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition Saturday, Sept. 22.

It is for boys and girls ages 6 to 15, based on age as of Dec. 31, 2012. Boys and girls compete separately in five age divisions.

The free competition is from 9 a.m. until noon at the Davis Athletic Fields which are north of Riverside Park and where the flag football and soccer games are played.

Individual competition time is about 15 minutes. Age group winners for boys and girls qualify for a regional competition. Regional winners advance to NFL team competition for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Call the recreation office at 620-365-4990 for more information.

ACC’s Mertens earns honor

Hayley Mertens, Allen Community College sophomore, was named NJCAA Division II Volleyball Player of the Week for Sept. 3-9.

Mertens excelled on the court with double-double performances in all five matches. For the week, Mertens averaged 4.36 kills and 3.91 digs per set. The sophomore’s best effort came in a five-set victory over Rend Lake College (Ill.) where she compiled 25 kills and 22 digs.

Mertens is an outside hitter from Kingman.


Cubs fall in TVL

NEODESHA  — A sluggish start coupled with an ill-timed penalty late in the contest did in Humboldt High Friday evening.

The Cubs were battling toe-to-toe with host Neodesha High, and thought they had picked up a crucial first down on a botched snap on a punt attempt of all things.

But the first down was nullified because of a penalty, forcing the Cubs to kick, for real this time.

“Who knows what happens if we pick up that first down,” Humboldt assistant coach Mike Miller said.

The Bluestreaks were there to take advantage down the stretch, scoring a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to win 33-23.

The loss drops Humboldt to 2-1 on the season. The Cubs return home next Friday to host Oswego.

Neodesha got the early jump, scoring on the first play from scrimmage, then again two minutes later to lead 13-0.

The Cubs were scoreless until the waning seconds of the first half.

A botched Neodesha snap on a punt attempt led to a safety with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. Nathan Whitcomb and Trey Johnson took immediate advantage, connecting on a 42-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left on the clock to trail 13-10.

Whitcomb scored on a 47-yard run midway through the third quarter and then gave Humboldt the lead for the first time on another touchdown pass to Johnson, this one covering 11 yards.

But Neodesha’s Hayden Dierks scored on a one-yard run to give the Bluestreaks a 27-23 lead with 3:25 left. Justice Baird threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jake Crawford with 2:05 left to cap the scoring.

Whitcomb racked up 116 yards on 11 carries and completed 7 of 20 passes for 120 more yards. Jacob Carpenter added 23 yards on 13 carries. Johnson had 64 yards on four receptions. Tanner McNutt’s sole catch covered 34 yards.

Johnson and Dustin Prock recovered fumbles for the Cubs. Zack Osborn pulled in an interception.

Humboldt 0-10-7-6—23

Neodesha 13-0-6-14—33

Neodesha – Dierks 80 yd run (Anderson kick)

Neodesha — Crawford 9 yd run (kick failed)

Humboldt — Safety (bad snap on punt into end zone)

Humboldt — Johnson 42 yd pass from Whitcomb (Carpenter run)

Neodesha — Hanna 17 yd run (PAT failed)

Humboldt — Whitcomb 47 yd run (Boring kick)

Humboldt — Johnson 11 yd pass from Whitcomb (kick failed)

Neodesha – Dierks 1 yd run (Dierks run)

Neodesha­ Crawford 16 yd pass from Baird (PAT failed)

Humboldt Neodesha

First downs 10 20

Rushing yds 30-162 55-409

Passing yds 120 118

Total yds 282 527

Passing 7-20-2 4-5-1

Fumbles-lost 2-0 6-2

Punts-avg. 6/35 2/38

Penalties-yds 6-50 7-54

Marmaton Valley manhandles Randolph Blue Valley

MORAN — One week after a thrilling win that wasn’t secured until the final seconds, Marmaton Valley High made sure the outcome was decided much earlier this time around Friday.

The Wildcats cruised to a 34-0 halftime lead while thumping visiting Randolph Blue Valley 56-8. The victory improves the Wildcats’ record to 3-0 on the season.

And like its first two contests, including last week’s come-from-behind 46-42 win over Crest, Marmaton Valley did much of its damage on the ground. The Wildcats racked up 305 rushing yards.

Wildcat head coach Kent Houk chuckled at a recent Register description of his team’s running attack — we called it a “juggernaut.”

“Tonight, both of our running backs were juggernauts,” Houk said.

No single run typified Marmaton Valley’s ground dominance as much as Daylen Houk’s 50-yard touchdown run late in the first half, in which he broke five tackles en route to the end zone.

Houk, who also scored on runs of one and 41 yards in the contest, wound up with 163 yards on eight carries. Cole Becker rushed 15 times for 100 yards, including touchdown runs of nine, two and 30 yards. Becker’s 30-yard jaunt with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter ended the game, via Kansas’ eight-man mercy rule.

Ryan Smith accounted for Marmaton Valley’s other two scores, running in a 24-yard touchdown in the first quarter and opening the second half with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Sage Hall.

Smith rushed for 38 yards and passed for 41 more, completing 2 of 3 passes. Houk had the other reception for Marmaton Valley, covering 15 yards.

Becker led the way on defense with 14 tackles, followed by Carlos Gonzales with 10 and Daylen Houk and Nathan Smart with eight apiece.

“We’ve started out flat the last couple of weeks so we changed the way we prepared,” Coach Houk said. “We put together a nice drive to start the game. The interior of our offensive line did a good job and our backs were hitting the hole a lot harder than they had been.

“Our defense was really clicking tonight, too,” he continued. “We had four or five guys in on several tackles. The guys were really flying to the ball.”

Marmaton Valley hits the road for the first time in 2012 next Friday when it travels to Elk Valley.

Randolph BV 0-0-8-0—8

Marmaton Valley 8-26-6-16—56

MV — Smith 24 yd run (Smith run)

MV — Houk 1 yd run (Becker run)

MV — Becker 9 yd run (PAT failed)

MV — Becker 2 yd run (PAT failed)

MV — Houk 50 yd run (PAT failed)

MV — Hall 26 yd pass from Smith (PAT failed)

Randolph BV — Peter 14 yd run (Peter run)

MV — Houk 41 yd run (Becker run)

MV — Becker 30 yd run (Becker run)

Randolph MV

First downs 4 7

Rushing 22-36 34-305

Passing yds 38 41

Total yds 74 345

Passing 2-17-0 2-3-0

Fumbles 0-0 0-0

Punts 6/23 1/30

Penalties 6-45 3-35

Mind over matter is strength

“The most valuable thing we each own is our mind. Educate your mind and you are a very powerful person.”

Just about a year ago, former Kansas State University head basketball coach Frank Martin spoke to Iola High and Iola Middle School students. He told them it is true that a mind a terrible thing to waste.

“I have three simple rules. Be on time. Be prepared. Give me what you’ve got,” Martin told the students.

“When you are on time, you get chances to do more. If you come prepared for math class or prepared for basketball practice, you learn more. And all I ask is give me all you’ve got every day.”

Iola High’s Mustangs head into a tough game Friday night. They face the fifth-ranked Coffeyville Field Kindley High Golden Tornado.

The Golden Tornado has faster and bigger players. They’ve outscored their first two opponents 83-6.

So what.

When you face a “superior” opponent, you must have the mindset of I can do this or in this case — we can do this. Athletics is about teamwork and pushing not just your body to do its best, but your mind.

Martin talked of educating your mind and how powerful a tool the mind is for all of us. It reminded me of the story my Mom always read to us when we were little — The Little Engine Who Could.

“I think I Can. I think I Can, I think I Can, I think I Can.” And before he knew it, the Little Engine was up the hill and heading down.

No matter the odds, we have to approach games and life with a positive outlook. We have to think we can do something and then give it all we have until the end.

Maybe we don’t win the game but if we give our best to the final whistle, we can be proud of the progress we’ve made. You never know until you try what the outcome is really going to be.

THE IHS FILLIES showed signs of their potential Saturday at home. They pushed Pittsburg High’s Purple Dragons right to the end not once but twice in the IHS Invitational tournament.

The Fillies’ volleyball team earned wins over current league (Pioneer) opponent Prairie View and former league (Southeast Kansas) opponent Labette County. They couldn’t handle Burlington, but no one else could, either. The Wildcats won the tournament.

Positive thinking, Fillies, as you head into this weekend’s tournament at Pittsburg High.

IOLA HIGH’s cross country runners and tennis players will probably love competing today. Why? The cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

The cross country runners are near Parsons at Big Hill Reservoir along with area runners from Humboldt, Marmaton Valley, Yates Center and Crest.

The Fillies’ tennis team is at Chanute.

IT’S GOING to be a great week of competition. Cheer on your favorite teams and keep a positive spin on things.


John Ziemba

Graveside services for John E. Ziemba will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 22 at Highland Cemetery in Iola. John passed away at the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring Hospice facility in Jacksonville, Fla., on July 13, 2012 and was later cremated.

John was born Feb. 29, 1924 in Chicago to Peter and Clara (Haas) Ziemba. He grew up in Chicago. John joined the U.S. Navy in December 1942 and served in World War II as a turret gunner and was honorably discharged in March of 1946.

In 1974, John and his family moved to Iola through Berg Manufacturing. In 1976, he owned and operated John’s Grocery at the corner of Madison and East Street. He enjoyed having a deli the workers at Walton Foundry could go to for lunch and have fresh sliced luncheon meat and his homemade potato salad. 

He worked for Quality Packaging for several years before returning to Midland Brake (Haldex). He retired in 1989.

In Iola, he was an active member of the Elks and American Legion. In Florida, he was a member of the VFW, Elks and Moose Lodge.

John married Darlene Jeanne Schueneman in 1960, who preceded him in death in May 1991. They had four daughters, Clarice and Lonnie Henkle, Iola, Jackie Mynes, Baldwin, Fla., Jolyn and Dale Brown, Sunrise, Fla., and Cathi and Dave Alonzo, Aurora, Ill. He also had a stepson, Raymond and Diana Stephens, Estill Springs, Tenn. He had 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

John also leaves behind his caring wife of 12 years, Maritza; a brother, Charles, Mt. Washington, Ken.; a sister-in-law, Cathy Schueneman, Jacksonville, Fla., and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Herbert and Wallace.

Floyd Ohmie

Floyd E. Ohmie, 84, Liberty, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at Robert J. Dole VAMC in Wichita.

The World War II veteran and avid farmer and carpenter is survived by six children, including Iolans Jim Ohmie, Sharon Thummel and Shirley Evans.

Private family services are planned later. Memorials may be left with the American Cancer Society and Cornerstone of Wichita, which is in charge of the arrangements.

Jasmyn Johnston

Jasmyn Elizabeth Johnston, infant daughter of Troy and Kimberly (Powell) Johnston, was born into eternal life on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

She is survived by her parents, Troy and Kimberly Johnston of Chanute; three siblings, C’airah, Keagan and Mallouri; grandparents, Paul and Juanita Johnston, Girard, Veta and Steve Moffitt, Osawatomie, and Tim and Lara Stevens, Humboldt; great-grandmothers, Karen Trester, Gas, Violet Stevens, Iola, Dorothy Gardner, Bolivar, Mo., and Veta Mensch, Springdale, Ark.; and great-great-grandmother, Maxine Mohler, Bolivar, Mo.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Gas City Cemetery.

Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.iolafunera.com.