Woodston News

Our grandson, Josiah Melton, a new resident of Seattle, has not been happy this week. It seems Seattle has had several days of historical high temperatures, which is very unusual for that area. The heat index was 105. Only 30% of Seattle residences have air-conditioning. Josiah’s apartment building does not. He was able to purchase additional fans but they are getting snatched up. Josiah and roommates have gone to movie theaters, paddle-boarding and swimming.

My sister and brother-in-law, the Iseli’s of Marion County Lake, were treated to a 3-4 inch downpour on Friday, June 25. Severe wind, tree damage, and flooding resulted. Our son, Dan Melton and Michele of Walton also had heavy rain and tree damage and a power outage for almost 3 hours. Besides the very light shower we received, a half inch of rain was received late Friday evening.

Several weeks ago, I bumped into a man in Hays Wal-Mart wearing a KU outfit. Naturally, I had to comment and he found out I was from Stockton. He began to explain how he was connected to the fundraising for the Shriner’s Bowl and other sports camps. He mentioned the VanEaton brothers, Look brothers, and Rip and Pat Poore. This guy was Larry Jantz, a former Mid-Continent League referee. I mentioned we sit by former Smith Center coach Barta at KSU football games and that just opened up more sports trivia and information. I made a phone call to Quentin Van Eaton to find out who this Mr. Jantz really was and he was amused and said he was an “informative” guy on sports and trivia but also had a good heart for raising funds for the Shriner’s Hospital.

Sunday morning, June 27, brought fourteen members and guests to worship at Cedar Christian Church. The opening hymn was, “Praise Him! Praise Him!” Harry Purdum, our speaker from Stockton, offered prayers and read scripture from the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 5, verses 7 through 9. Steven gathered the offering and “Sweet Hour of Prayer” was sung. The Lord’s Prayer was recited in unison. Steven and Linda Melton served Communion. Harry’s message dealt with suffering. We learned several things: Suffering is usually a result of wrong doing (but not always); suffering will change you; and you will learn and mature from suffering. Harry shared a Charlie Brown cartoon based on Chapter 5 of the Book of Job. Suffering can happen when we fall off of God’s path for us. We need to be confident in our faith in God. The closing hymn was, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Members signed a card for the Purdum’s 60th wedding anniversary to be celebrated Saturday, July 3, in Stockton. Angie Thieman’s parents, Randy and Rhonda Thieman of Cross Plains, Indiana, are here visiting and were guests. Darel Boston, Norton, will be with us next Sunday.

Over Sunday and early Monday, we received another .60 of an inch of rain. Appreciate the moisture but not beneficial for wheat harvest. Usually harvest is nearing the end around July 4th but won’t be the case this year. My sister at Marion had almost a total of eight inches at Marion County Lake and surrounding area.

Thursday, June 10, Leo and Bonita Oliva, rural Woodston, met daughter Stephanie Toelle, Jacksonville, Fla., and granddaughter Courtney Toelle for lunch at the Circle C Cafe in Glade, then toured the Sternberg Museum in Hays plus other sites of interest. After lunch on Friday, Leo, Stephanie and Courtney traveled to Council Grove to attend Michael Martin Murphy’s concert observing the 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail. The following evening they attended the Symphony in the Flint Hills. Courtney just received her Master’s Degree in Art History and Museum Management from Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio. She and her mother had spent nearly a week visiting Kansas relatives.

Saturday, June 12, Bonita traveled to Lake Wilson to join friends camping and kayaking. The group included a number of musicians who enjoyed jamming. Two birthdays were celebrated, and Bonita observed the 20th Anniversary of her bicycle accident on June 11, 2001, on her first Bike Across Kansas near Greensburg.

Wednesday evening, June 15, Bonita joined Katerina, Tanner and William Pabst to attend Charlie’s T-ball game at the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex in Hays.

Bonita and Leo had lunch at Kathy Pabst’s home in Logan Saturday, June 19. Grandson Tyson and Paige Pabst and family, from Manhattan, were visiting for the weekend. Dan Pabst also attended. Later in the afternoon they all went to the swimming pool to admire great-grandson Ivan’s newly-learned swimming skills. Great-grandson Marshall and great-granddaughter Della also enjoyed the water.

Friday evening, June 25, Leo and Bonita, and Tom Hull, Progressive Care, Alton, met three of Tom’s nieces at Malee’s Authentic Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Stockton, and shared an enjoyable evening. Nieces Alix Kassing, Summerville, S.C.; Consuelo Hitchcock, Washington, D.C.; and Louisa Spampinato, Brooklyn, N.Y. spent several days reconnecting with family, friends and their Kansas roots.

After a supper hosted by Downer Hull Sunday evening, June 27, family and friends toured the restored home of their ancestor W. G. Thomas, hosted by Bonita. Rhubarb dessert and ice cream were served. Guests were Consuelo Hitchcock, Washington, D.C.; Alix Kassing, Springville, S.C.; Louisa Spampinato, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Downer Hull, Kyle Hull, Jace Hull, all of Woodston; Renee McReynolds Laird, Castle Rock, Colo.; Aubrey Appelhans, Hays; Ellie Bellerive, Stockton; Tabitha Kohl, Overland Park; and Bret, Deanne and Wyatt Wilson, Osborne.