World War II Veterans from northcentral Kansas were honored at the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. on September 10, 2008. U.S. Representative Jerry Moran posed for group and individual pictures and spent the day with the heroes. Moran’s father was one of the members on this Honor Flight.

Rooks County Health Center board president Jeff VanDyke cut the ribbon amid thunderous applause, as the new facility was dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 7. Pictured were: Plainville Chamber of Commerce representative Jacque Bartunek, COO Bill Stahl, Governor Kathleen Sebelius, board member Jon Voss, Chief of Staff Jennifer Brull, MD, board members Chuck Comeau and Sheila Hachmeister, director of the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation and Communications & Development Director Kathy Ramsay, CEO Julie Price, U.S. Representative Jerry Moran, and board member Charles Allphin.

The new 59,410 sq. ft. Rooks County Health Center (RCH), located one mile north of Plainville on U.S. Highway 183

Ronald McDonald was posed with Larry and B J Poore at the Ronald McDonald House auction in St. Louis.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago A whole new set of administrators was featured in a color photo on the front page of the Aug. 21, 2008 Sentinel.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago This was Fair Week, 2008! The 129th Rooks County Free Fair got off to a fantastic start with the Free Hamburger Feed held on Sunday, Aug. 10th.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago As you look at the new Rooks County Health Center nearing completion one mile north of Plainville, you might wonder how this building design came to pass. Before thedesign was completed, the board of directors, administration and many staff members in a collaborative effort considered how the health center could continue to provide and improve their quality of care.

The primary election was slated for Aug. 5, 2008, and only Republicans had filed for county sheriff and county commissioner, District 2, so the primary would decide these races unless a write-in candidate is successful in November. Incumbent sheriff Roger Mongeau was being challenged by Randy Axelson, Jennine Spiess and Daryl Thornburg of Stockton, and Ryan Cellmer of Plainville. Incumbent county commissioner Gary LeRock was facing John Ruder, both of Plainville, in the primary. For county commissioner, District 3, Sherlyn Kats, Stockton, was opposing incumbent Patrick Hageman, Natoma. The winner of that primary would advance to the general election Nov. 4 to face Democrat Ted Lambert, Palco.

Opening of the new hospital was delayed by building damage from the storm that had demolished the construction trailer and some of the storage containers on site. A new date of September 22nd was given as the scheduled opening date.

The Emerald City Gala Dinner Theatre kicked off Stockton’s Summer Festival on Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Nova Theatre with over 90 advance tickets sold for the evening. The cast for the children’s play “The Magical Land of Oz,” included the following talented actors and actresses: Cayden Conyac, Hannah Wildeman, Allison Saunders, Cecelia Beck, Lexi Winklepleck, Emily Conyac, Emily Grace Long, Morgan Beougher, Delilah Griebel, Braden Higdon, Andrea Buss, Dacota Starbuck, MaryLynn Griebel, Miranda Wildeman, Audrey Green, Hannah Lindsey, MaKayla Reed, Caitlin Lingg, Chandler Nyp and KayCee Chesney. The play was sponsored by the Pat Berkley Taylor Memorial Fund and the Stockton Area Arts Council. Those “behind the scenes” who made it all happen included director Joan Balderston, Sheila Latham, Ruth Phelps, Terri Bennett, Bonnie LaRue, Joanne Steeples, Maxine Bates, Paulette Wildeman, Elaine Maddy, Char Heenan, Janice Miller, Jane Cunningham, Madison Reed, Jonathan Reed, Bart and Donna Hamilton, Katie Baughman, Wayne and Diane Madison, Vicki Novotny, and Sandi Rogers.