JOHN BUNYAN (b.1620-d.1688). Though a tinker by trade, Bunyan was an English Puritan who spent most of his life as an itinerant preacher, pastor, and author. He is especially remembered for his allegory of the Christian life called "The Pilgrim's Progress." One of his many lesser known writings was entitled "A Few Sighs from Hell." This was an exposition on Luke 16:19-31 in which Jesus tells the fate of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 16:24-25 says, "Then he (the rich man in hell) cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.'" Concerning this, Bunyan wrote, “The wicked's good things will shortly have an end; they will last no longer with them, than this life, or their lifetime. That scripture was not written in vain."

The menus for the week beginning Monday, September 21, are as follows: Monday—Chicken strips, scalloped potatoes, seasoned carrots, bread, mandarin oranges. Tuesday—Waikiki meatballs, rice, broccoli, bead, rosy applesauce. Wednesday—Pork roast in gravy, mashed potatoes, onions/carrots/ cabbage, bread, emerald pears. Thursday—Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, bread, peaches. Friday—Tuna salad, tomato soup, pineapple, bun, cookie.

Dr. Ross Kee, the son of Stockton High School graduate Allen and Marcy (Newell) Kee of Beloit, recently purchased a dental practice in La Crosse from Dr. Barry A. Paige. Paige had dedicated 42 years of service to Rush County before making the decision to retire and move to Tucson, Ariz.

The Kansas Department of Transportation began a resurfacing project on 10 miles of I-70 in Thomas County Friday, Sept. 11.

A total of 706 students completed associate, bachelor’s or graduate degrees at Fort Hays State University in the summer 2020 term. The university conferred 169 graduate degrees (master’s, Education Specialist and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees), 526 bachelor’s degrees, and 11 associate degrees.

At the regular meeting of the Stockton City Commission on Tuesday, September 1st, the commissioners first approved the Consent Agenda for the evening. Included in the agenda were the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll in the amount of $53,544.19, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants in the amount of $36,734.77, the City of Stockton warrants in the amount of $406,470.82 the City of Stockton gross payroll in the amount of $96,043.36 and the minutes of the August 18th regular meeting and the August 24th special meeting.

Don and Norma Braun celebrated 50 years of marriage last Saturday. They were married September 5, 1970 at St.

MAEVE KATE WILKENS JULY 29, 2020 Maeve Kate Wilkens was born Wednesday, July 29th, 2020, at Hays Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.

After twelve and a half years of service as the Rooks County Courthouse’s custodian Roque Garcia gave his notice of retirement to be effective at the end of September to the commissioners at the regular meeting of the Commission on Monday, August 31st. Garcia stated he would start advertising for the position. He stated that he appreciated everyone’s support throughout the years he has worked for the County. Garcia also presented the commissioners with a quote from Glassman Corporation for air purifier ionizers for the HVAC system in the courthouse. The commissioners said no to the quote at this time.