OUR YOUTH had fun learning to make a floral arrangement at Floral Design Day Camp held on June 7 at the Rooks County Fairgrounds in the Harding Hall 4-H Building. The Rooks/Phillips County Extension appreciates Denae Odle, far left, for sharing her expertise with the youth.

One of the hardest questions to answer as a Christian may very well be, “Why does God allow bad things to happen?” Pastor Brian had us look at John 11 this week to provide some scriptural background on how to answer this question or to better understand when we are going through hard times ourselves.

MANNING UP. With this Sunday being Father's Day, here are some thoughts to encourage all us dads. It might cause a bit of pain, but I believe it's clear that God wants dads to "man up." In Deuteronomy 6:5-7, God exhorted His people, saying, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Ouch! All dads need to ask ourselves, "Do I sincerely strive to love God with my whole heart, soul, and strength?" What would be the proof of striving to so love God? The answer: Keeping God's Word in my heart. If I am not spending time with God in His Word, how can I expect my children to know Him, believe Him, walk with Him, or grow up to pass love for God to their own children one day? Apparently, children ages 8-18 now spend about 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen. That's a problem. However, how long do we dads spend in front of our screens? And why in the world would we allow our children to waste their lives? If the shoe fits, it's time to "man up" and start training our children rather than delegating their training to others. In fact, God exhorts fathers in Ephesians 6:4, saying, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." The statement, "bring them up" is a command and means to be continually nourishing them up unto spiritual maturity. That's exactly what God exhorted through Moses. Whether we're sitting around the house, or walking down the road, at bed time, or first thing in the morning, dad's should be training our children in things spiritual. We all fall short. But this Father's Day is a great day for a reset! Yup! It's time to man up!

(The following article is taken from the unapproved minutes of the June th USD 271 Board of Education regular meeting minutes.) The regular meeting of the Stockton Unified School District No. 271 Board of Education was held Monday June 6th, 2022 in the District Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.

Washburn University is pleased to announce the students in its spring 2022 graduating class. More than 800 students completed their courses for certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.

183 Lanes in Stockton has closed down the lanes for the summer with “No Bowling” from Monday, June 13th through Thursday August 25th, with the leagues to start up again on Tuesday, September 6th. Please note there are some changes to the Summer Dining and Kitchen Hours.

On May 29th family gathered in Stockton at the home of Wilma Turnbull for a picnic on the patio, and later, birthday cake and ice cream in honor of Delores O’Rorke of Salina, who turned 90 on May 11. Unfortunately Delores was unable to attend. The June 1st birthday of Cheryl Dunning was also celebrated. Guests enjoying the occasion were: Dick and Connie Cramer of Hastings, Neb.; Brad and Marty Cramer of Kearney, Neb.; Steve and Cheryl Dunning, Bobby and Annie Pitts, and one-year-old Wilma Jean of Leawood; Hunter and Alana Dunning of Stilwell; Blaine and Jan Hageman of McPherson; Jill Turnbull, Jacob and Jonathan of Overland Park; and Jonita Williams, Troy and Anne Williams, Tristen and Colton, and Aunt Mary all of Stockton. Ronnie Williams was unable to attend. Steve and Blaine did a great job on the grill, and Wilma was happy to have several members of the family together.

John George Snyder Co. A, 9th Michigan Cavalry Regiment John George Snyder was born 17 June 1824 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the son of Melchoir and Susanna (Erdman) Snyder (both immigrants from Prussia).

Nancy Becker: “I submitted a photo of hail larger than a quarter to CH12 Storm Shots and it made the 10 o’clock weather news, even mentioning Stockton.” Terry Odle: “Since May 1 I have received 11.5 inches of rain.”.

The 69th Butler Reunion was held on June 5, 2022 at the Dutch Windmill —Wagner Park in Smith Center. It was a very nice, cotton day, and everyone enjoyed a good potluck dinner, taking pictures, and visiting with family members. Those attending included: Rich and Ray Butler of Great Bend; Keith Butler, and Barb Evans and Brooke Evans all of Russell; Tom Butler of Enid, Okla.; Roy and Geraldine Orr, Randy Orr and Daveyon Orr all of Gaylord; Linda Buster of Galva; Taylor, Jamie, Haegan, Haecie, and Holland Rippe of Osborne; Corrina and Kooper Hudsenpillar of Hays; Abette Bryan and Hadlee Bryan of Dover, Okla.; Corey Zanghi of Junction City; and Jim and Erny Kee, Derry, Erin, Omree, Joree, and Eloree Dibble, and Dylan, Kalie, Dane and Drake Dibble all of Stockton. It was fun spending the day together, and hopefully everyone can gather again next year. —Sent In