Mike and Denise Kemp announced they had changed the name of the Stockton Funeral Chapel to the Kemp Family Funeral Chapel. On August 24, 2007, the P.A.R.K.

For the first time in recent history, the number of students attending USD 271 had increased over the previous year, though it was a modest increase. Enrollment for the 2007- 2008 school year in the district was 346, adding nine students over the previous year.

A large crowd in attendance at the Rooks County Free Fair on Friday night was treated to one of country music’s rising stars — Taylor Swift, who “wow’d” the crowd with such hits as “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops On My Guitar.” Following her knock-out performance, Taylor Swift hung around signing autographs for two hours after the show.

Braving the heat, Rooks County Farm Bureau members served the meal at the barbeque on Sunday night, kicking off the 128th Rooks County Free Fair. Helping serve the meal were David Reed, Dana Pieper of Palco, Staci Ketelsen, Jennifer Braun, Mike Braun, Ellie and Repp Braun.

What started out as a routine flight in his Beechcraft Bonanza six-passenger airplane on Sunday morning, Aug. 5, 2007 became a test of Jonathan Berkley’s flight training when, flying at about 6,000 feet, he heard a loud bang in the engine. Jonathan’s parents, James and Vicki Berkley, had driven to Lawrence on that Saturday with their daughter Renee to help her settle back into her second year of college life at Kansas University. The plan was for Jonathan to pick his parents up the following day at the Lawrence airport since they had traveled to KU in Renee’s car. After he had been in the air for about 90 minutes, the plane began shaking and warning lights lighting up on the instrument panel. Jonathan notified air traffic control of his engine problems, and by that time, smoke was coming out of the engine and into the cabin. Radio control out of Topeka/Lawrence was in constant contact with Jonathan as he visually looked for a place to land. Highway K91 was visible to him, and he informed traffic control of his plan for an emergency landing. Since the engine had been cut, Jonathan was set to glide the plane down, but there was one more obstacle to overcome, and that was to glide his plane under a powerline that went across the road. Though much of that stretch of highway is hilly with curves, the Kansas Highway Patrol officer who filled out the aviation accident form told Jonathan that he had literally found the only straight stretch of Highway K92.

This was THAT year, because THIS was the year that Taylor Swift was coming to town to perform at the Rooks County Free Fair on Friday, August 17, 2007! Jack Ingram was also scheduled to share the stage on concert night.

A summer tradition was being revived on Saturday, July 28, in Woodston when their Summer Picnic would again be held on Main Street. The special event was sponsored by Woodston Coop, Stockton National Bank, Kiser Ag, Dino Discount, Bar D Ranch LLC, Leo Walker, Peterson Hay and Taylor’s Supply.

The town of Stockton turned out on Saturday, July 14 to greet Father Duane Roy during his visit back to his hometown. Father Roy, a Benedictine priest, had spent the previous 36 years doing mission work in Brazil. Roy, along with a contingent of monks, priests and a nun, were in Stockton for a visit to his hometown as part of a month-long visit to Kansas in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Benedict’s Monastery in Atchison. Two trees on Main Street were planted in front of Nova Theatre in his honor, and a friendship tree presentation in front of the Rooks County Bakery during the morning hours.

Jake Brooke was the new Webster State Park Ranger, taking over for Zach Kesler who had been named the park’s manager. Jake’s duties out at the lake included maintenance, checking permits and law enforcement.

The “Know Your Neighbor” column, written by Linda Roy Cross, featured Pat Ballard, age 81. Having been born in a town called Paradise must have affected her outlook on life, because Pat found joy everywhere. When she was born, she said her parents received a gift of a pair of baby shoes that had “Pat” written on them. That friend always said that he named her. Wearing tennis shoes, purple kneelength shorts and a white embossed t-shirt that said, “Grandmas are God’s special gift to children,” Pat spoke of one humorous episode after another. “My favorite t-shirt says, ‘I don’t suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.’”