The most recent additions to Richard Schleicher’s bull riding achievements wereplacingsecond in the state for the season average in points and placing third in the state at the Wrangler Kansas Junior High Rodeo Association event at Whitewater, Kansas.

Kriley Farms and Cletus Graf brought in the first loads of wheat to the Farmers Union Elevator in Stockton and the Woodston Coop, respectively. The test weights were averaging about 60 plus, with the moisture content dry.

The County’s oil valuation was down 38% from the year before. Butch Post had been hired s the new Emergency Management Preparedness Director for Rooks County.

Stockton sixth-grade student Richard Schleicher had won the National “Fight The Bite’” poster contest he had entered. The contest, which was sponsored by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and the DEET Education Program had invited fifth-and sixthgrade students to create posters that encouraged children and adults to protect themselves against mosquito and tick bites, and the diseases they cause. Art teacher Barb Hensonhaddecidedtouse the contest as a class project. It wasn’t surprising to know that Richard’s entry post boasted a boy riding a mosquito, much like a bullrider would, holding a can of spray DEET. Richard was honored in Atlanta with the expenses paid for his entire family to witness the award ceremony, where Richard was the recipient of an award plaque and a $1,000.00 U. S. Savings Bond. Anna Hahn won a state award with her entry of a camping ground complete with a yellow tent and a boy standing in front of it while his dad is spraying a can of DEET. The slogan read, “I can’t believe that I can avoid mosquitoes.”

The Rooks County Relay For Life’s theme was “Cruisin’ For A Cure.” The event was held at the Stockton Tiger Football Field and Stadium with thirteen teams walking throughout the night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Over $18,000.00 was raised.

Ken and Maxine Bates attended the graduation of their granddaughter, Brittany Bates, from Fairfield University in Connecticut. They also spent a short time in Iowa in the home of their daughter, Dee and grandsons Tyson and Kale Wicks, as well as several days in Chevy Chase Maryland in the home of their son, Brad, and his wife, Kim.

183Laneshadpresented Doug and Kori Bigge with a check for $1,500.00 as the result of a No Tap Tournament where there were 99 participants. Owners Jerry and Patti Sterling donated the lineage fees back to the Bigges to help with medical expenses.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago Kansas State University All-American and former NFL Green Bay Packer Verl Switzer was the guest speaker at the Stockton Awards Banquet. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Kank Atwood, Jacksonville, Fla, who had served in WWII, swore in his great-grandnephew, Thomas Jay Atwood, to serve in the Air Force for four years.

The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, held at the Rooks County Fairgrounds for third and fourth graders from area schools, had been held. Seventy-eight students from Stockton, Palco, and Sacred Heart Grade Schools attended. It was an entire day spent learning how to be safe around the farm and at home.

Stockton High School alumnus Cody Foster (Class of 1995) had gifted scholarship money to the school and named the scholarship after teachers Darrell and Shelia Latham. The Webster Dam Babes had enjoyed an evening and eats at the Dairy Queen in Plainville.