Jane Cunningham: “It is an honor to be in such good company with the past Peony Festival Grand Marshals.”.

We honored our 8th grade, high school, and college graduates this week, as well as their parents and family. It is a big honor and one that comes with hopes, dreams and responsibilities. Pastor Brian’s emphasis this week was to speak to the gradu-ates about the beauty of this world and the lessons we come to know.

GOD IS BIGGER! We all have reasons to be anxious at times—financial needs, friction in relationships, health challenges. The list goes on. It was no different in Bible times. People have always had reasons to worry. But many have refused to fall prey to anxiousness, worry, fretting. Joseph certainly found himself in difficult circumstances. His brothers of a different mother sold him into a life of slavery and then duped dear ol' dad into thinking his favored son was dead. Down in Egypt, Joseph faced his new normal—new culture, new language, new everything. Yet Scripture gives no indication of Joseph being overwhelmed with anxiety. Why? Because he knew in his heart that "God meant it for good" (Gen. 50:20). In other words, God was bigger than his new normal and could be trusted! Another example? Consider the contrast between Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6. The king of Syria was bent on attacking Israel. He twice moved in his armies and encamped in a "unknown" location in Israel, but Elisha both times warned the king of Israel of their location. Finding out that the prophet Elisha was the culprit foiling his plans, the king of Syria sent his army, by the cover of night, to the city of Dothan to capture him. In the morning, Elisha's servant arose early and went outside and saw the predicament. Hurrying back inside, he exclaimed, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (v. 15). Elisha calmly stated, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." He then prayed, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." What did the servant see? "And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." What did the servant learn? God was bigger than his anxious fears! God's in control! The apostle Paul put it this way, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." GOD IS BIGGER!

The meeting of the Rooks County 4-H Council was called to order by Megan Roy on May 10th, 2021. There was a letter sent out to each leader stating we don’t have to wear masks at our meetings and we also don’t have to put in a request to have meetings in person. We do, however, still wear them to K-State 4-H events, as well as events that are held at other buildings that are a requirement from K-State and themselves. Masks are still required at Rock Springs 4-H Camp but can be taken off during swimming, activities, and eating. The YQCA/Livestock Ethics Training was to be held May 25th and May 26th at the Harding Hall 4-H Building at 6:30 p.m. We talked about the digital arena showmanship boards and it was moved and seconded that we let Anna Muir buy the tv and supplies for $1,500. We then moved to New Business. We talked about the 4-H Food Stand Manager position and decided to make up an advertisement and get someone to fill the spot.—Reporter, Missy Ard

Steve and I were in Abilene Saturday, May 23, for the wedding of my great-nephew, Logan Lexow, Chapman, to Sydney Hocker of Abilene. Sydney is a registered nurse at Salina Regional and Logan is a salesman for Prairie Land John Deere in Clay Center. It was really good to see and visit with family again. Steve returned home after the reception held at Sand Springs Wedding and Events Venue, and I spent the night at Dan Melton’s home at Walton. On Sunday, Dan and I pulled a U-Haul with grandson, Josiah’s belongings and began a long trip to Seattle, Washington. Josiah and his mother, Michele, had left on Saturday morning to make the trip. Josiah graduated from Wichita State University with a Business Degree in Marketing Real Estate. He is joining friends already going to school and working in Seattle.

For those who heard the fire whistle blow in Stockton on Friday evening, May 21st, the 9-1-1 call came in on the mapping for the area due to a computer glitch. The call was not in the district or in Rooks County.

The meeting was called to order on Monday, April 19th, 2021 with Roll Call having 21 members answering roll and one guest. Show and Tell was presented during roll call. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved with Kenda Ross making motion to accept as printed and seconded by Diane Maddy. Motion passed. The Treasurer’s Report was given. Idona was given a replacement check with the motion made by Jana Slansky and seconded by Judy Nuss. Karen McCune presented a bill for the making of four Quilts of Valor. Motion made by Kenda Ross to pay the bill and it was seconded by Darlinea Dinkel. Motion carried. Plainville had 12 at their Sew Day, and Stockton had seven. The next Sew Days are Plainville on May 12th, and Stockton on May 15th. Old Business was our t-shirt order. Terrii Collins will check on when the shirts will be ready. Peony Festival participation for our Guild was discussed. It was decided due to the holiday weekend and most people already having plans that we would try to participate in the Pumpkin Patch Festival in the fall. During New Business it was announced that a class will be given by Connie Haselhorst of the Hunter Star. The class schedule will be June 25th and June 26. Idona is also offering a Block of the Month class. During Committee Reports, it was decided not to have a virtual quilt show. The Fair booth will display our crayon quilts. Jana Slansky brought out the quilt panels and talked about our group sewing some and donating them to local Rooks County babies. No motion was made, so it is tabled until next month. The program for the evening was Quilts Button Bingo and was presented by Lynda Falley. We played several games and the final winner of the leftover Fat Quarters was Darlinea Dinkel. The Door Prize, brought by Terrii Collins, was won by Darlinea Dinkel. The Fat Quarters were won by Bertha McGann. Next month’s Fat Quarters design is flowers and hostesses are Jennifer Guffey and Terrii Collins.—Sent in by Secretary Terrii Collins.

Steve Reed and Stanley Reed both of Denver, Colo., and Jill Blackwill of Quinter are hosting a celebration in honor of their parents’ 50th Wedding Anniversary. Loren and Clarene Goodheart were married on June 1, 1971 at the Wa-Keeney United Methodist Church, and have resided in Stockton throughout their married life.

The Rooks County Commissioners signed a state disaster declaration for the County during the regular weekly meeting held on Tuesday, May 18th. Emergency preparedness director Butch Post had informed the commissioners that the governor has issued a statewide disaster due to the recent flooding throughout the state. The road and bridge crew will now take pictures of washed out roads, etc., gather information and send copies of the paperwork to Post who will then forward it on so the County can receive disaster funding.

mon Lorenzo Tarbell Co. D, 76th New York Infantry Regiment Simon Lorenzo Tarbell was born on August 4, 1843, in East Freetown, Courtland County, New York.