The entire community was shocked last Friday morning when it became known that Art Miles had died suddenly at his home southeast of town, where he had spent his whole life. Death was due to a heart ailment, which it was not known that he suffered. He will be greatly missed not only by his family but also by many friends.

* And So They Say: Pudy Larson: 'Chuck Schruben was gloating about beating the 'old ladies' at Bridge on Friday.' Dale Shelton: 'This snowy, damp weather is sure good for the dryer business at the laundry.' Merton VanEaton: My raccoon hasn't suffered any ill effects yet as a result of biting me.' Ernest Trible: 'I thought I had killed myself Sunday, but all I did was smash my thumb in the car door.' Charlie Baxter: 'Old Santa may be a little late this year on account of my running over one of his reindeer this fall.'

STOCKTON TIGER DARRICK TRIPE.

The new Stockton Medical Clinic officially opened to patients on December 5th. The clinic housed the full-time medical practices of Dr. Mike Oller, Dr. Beth Loney-Oller, and Genney Robben-Rahjes, APRN. Dr. Dan Sanchez and Dr. Lynn Fisher were available for appointments every Thursday.

Stockton has many couples who have achieved the proud distinction of having lived together in marital bliss for over fifty years, and several of them have been married for a good many more than fifty years. Still, it is to Mr. and Mrs. John Gartrell that the distinction of being the community's longest-wedded couple belongs. They marked the 66th anniversary of their marriage, which took place in Taylor County, Iowa, on November 27th, 1869. Nearly fifty years of that time have been spent in Rooks County.

At the invitation from Chris Kollman, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was in Stockton, spoke at the Stockton Rotary Club, and went pheasant hunting with Chris Kollman, Dale Winklepleck, and Zach Kesler. He had been in Hays to interview for the local cable access show, 'Talking Democracy.

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* And So They Say: Wanita Touslee: 'I was in six towns over the weekend, about the size or larger than Stockton, and none of the Main Street Christmas decorations were nearly as pretty as Stockton's.' Undersheriff Easter: 'Maybe someone should notify the Humane Society about how many turkeys were slaughtered last week.' Bob Lambert: 'Stockton looks better to me every day since coming back from Denver.' Lee Phelps: 'Some people don't realize yet that Christmas is just around the corner.' Lester Maddy: 'I get more mail since I moved to town than I did when I lived in the country. The gas company and the city utilities know me now.' Elaine Korb: 'My daughter Tessie's broken bones heal quickly because they've had so much practice—nine in 11 years.' Betty Hunter: 'My sister Pat Glendening, who is traveling in Europe, pulled a real switch this year for Thanksgiving— she was in Turkey.'

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If there is such a thing as a million-dollar rain, and there is no question but what there is, Rooks County got one on Tuesday. The official rain gauge recorded 1.36 inches of moisture. It was more like a spring than a fall rain. It came down gently, not raining hard at any time, and the ground soaked up every drop of it. The value of this moisture to the wheat is beyond estimate. Truly, we are headed towards a good crop next year.