News for 9/25/19

Baby Announcement!!!

Chris and Megan Broeckelman of Natoma, Kansas, announce the birth of their son, Henry James Broeckelman, born on August 29, 2019, at Rooks County Health Center. Henry weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. Henry is welcomed home by his siblings, Kayden, Gabriel, Eli, Claire and Sophia. Henry is the grandson of Joel and Connie Bienhoff of Kensington, Kansas and Joe and Cathy Broeckelman of Selden, Kansas and the great-grandson of Gerald and Arvilla Juenemann of Selden, Kansas.

Clarifying Some Information

The courtyard/community garden project in the vacant area on Main Street was initiated by the town PRIDE group called: the Spirit Task Force. Billy Davis kindly donated the partial lot for this project. Funds were received from the Thomas Charitable Trust, Rathert Foundation, Lions Club, and several individuals contributed monetary donations as well. Planter boxes and flowers, decorative grasses, mulch, plus a nice, white fence were purchased with these funds and installed by the STF and community volunteers. The STF group also purchased and assembled numerous, new benches that now line main street for seating. The Thunder Ridge students, under the guidance of art teacher Patty Lowe, have worked in adding a beautiful, permanent mural to the space to replace the deteriorating mural on the building wall. The supplies and labor of installing the permanent mural canvas were provided by Prairie Land Electric, Co. This mural is intended to last and has completed the area nicely. Special thanks to Patty Lowe for working to complete this piece of art outside of school, donating many hours of her own time until the mural was complete.

The Spirit Task Force would like to thank all who helped out with donations and physical labor to accomplish this beautification of downtown Kensington.

RV Hookups at the Roadside Park

Thanks to grant funds, the City of Kensington recently made an exciting addition to the roadside park on hwy 36, as you’re traveling east leaving town. The grant was received from the Smith County Community Foundation and Dane G. Hansen.  Two RV hookups were installed at the roadside park. They can be reserved by contacting the city office at 476-2668 for $15/night, but reservations are not necessary. They are perfect for out of town family attending special events like birthday parties and weddings (and they’ve already been used for that) or for hunters, travelers, etc.  We are grateful to the SCCF and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for making it possible for more people to enjoy our park and our community.

Grauerholz Family Reunion Held

The family of the late Henry and Anna Grauerholz held their family reunion Sunday, September 1, at the St. John Lutheran parish hall. The Sophia Krein family were the hosts this year. Those attending from Nebraska were: Dennis and Lois VanWey; Ken and Deb VanWey; Madison, Amber and Benjamin Conway; Bella Goebel; Brandon, Tyler, Taylor and Brady Grauerholz; Jay and Lara VanWey; Justin, Tamra and Joseph Nixon; Lawrence and Kay Goll; Mary, Micah and Mason Sanfilippo; and Diana Christesen.

Attending from Colorado were: Delbert and Shirley Grauerholz; Brent, Mary, Mandy and Renee Grauerholz; Stephanie Grauerholz; Lofton and Malachi and Elijah; Matt, Cassie, Kinley and Marcus Norden; Ed and Janice Norden; Scott, Mindy, Madison and Grant McDowell; Jerry and Judy Mink. 

From South Dakota were: Luke, Amy, Beckett, Berkeley, and Brecken Norden. Attending from Texas were: Janelle and McKenzie Grau. 

Those from Kansas or the immediate area were: Tim, Christina, Bailee, Olivia and Kevin Scheer; John and Linda Scheer; Daniel, Amanda, Elias, and Tygan Poland; Aren and Elizabeth Coppoc; Scott, DeeDee and Jace Coppoc; Harvey and Evelyn Krein; Jack and Shirley Smith; Clint, Staci and Kamryn Thomas; Tracy and Michelle Hynes; Shannon, Kristi, Shelton and Hannah Rothchild; Marjorie and Lloyd Conrad; Ken and Carol Jacobs; Burnell and Bum Goll; Mick Hiesterman; Lindsey, Maverick and Madyson Redinger; Raegan and Sharon Kirchhoff; Ken and Carol Jacobs; Gary and Lela Eller; Andy Oldham and Marsha Kuhlman; Ann Edwards; Sarah Edwards and Emery Barrett; Darold and Joyce Grauerholz; Criag, Kasey, Lexi and MaKenzi Grauerholz; Darren and Cameron Grauerholz; Cheyenne Grauerholz and DJ; Doc and Bev Grauerholz, Todd, Chris and Jade Kirchhoff; Brittany Kirchhoff and Zach Payne; Steve and Deb Levin; Jeff and Mickie Levin; Otto Levin; Evelyn Levin;  Arthur and Marlene Kuhlman; Darrell and Elaine Bretton; Crystal and Ella Bretton; B.J., Melissa and Maycee Westbrook; Morgan Westrbook and Andrew Makings; and Bob and Donna Westbrook.

Grandparents' Day Lunch

Friday, September 13, Thunder Ridge Elementary (grades K-3), celebrated Grandparents' Day by hosting a special day for Grandparents, parents, and grand-friends, to come visit the school, spend some time in the classrooms, eat lunch with the kids, and even stay for lunch recess. 

Visitors arrived at 10:30 and went to the kids' classrooms. Different grades held different activities. Some grades sang songs; some had poems; some had student- led discussions about what they'd been learning. At 11:00, the adults and students enjoyed a wonderful lunch of spaghetti, green beans, salad bar, bread and milk. 68 grandparents/grand-friends were able to celebrate with the kids!! The kids loved having lunch with someone special! It was a wonderful turnout and a great way to show our community what a fantastic kids and school we have! 

Pictures by Nicki Grauerholz

Lucas Barnes (2nd grade) with his grandparents Sue and Derbin Barnes.

Carmen Koch (Kindergarten) with grandma Linda Gibson.

Adam Abbott (Kindergarten) with grandma Anne Abbott.

TR Calendar of Events

SEPTEMBER

Wed. 25-  Picture Retakes @ GS 8:00am, followed at MS 10:00am

Thur. 26-  MS VB/FB @ Tipton 4:00/6:00pm

Fri. 27-  7:00pm HS FB @ Almena (Northern Valley)

Sat. 28-  MS/HS Band to march @ Smith Center Old Settlers Day parade, leave HS @ 9:45am; 9:00am HS JV VB Tournament @ Hill City

Mon. 30-  6:00pm JV FB @ Lincoln

OCTOBER

Tue 1-  Dental Screening/Fluoride PreK-8th 10:00am; 4:00pm HS VB Tri @ Kensington vs. Natoma and Lincoln

Thur. 3- MS VB/FB at Agra w/Southern Cloud 3:00/5:00pm

Fri. 4-  7:00pm HS FB @ Sylvan Grove

Sat. 5- Kirwin Old Settlers Day – Parade 10:00am; 9:00am HS VB Rock Hills Tourney

Mat Makers Will Meet 

The mat makers will meet again September 28, from 9-noon, at the north Lutheran Church in Kensington. Everyone is welcome to see how this process works. Any high school student who needs service hours for resumes, scholarships, or organizations, might come check it out as well. It's a really fun project to get involved with!

ISO NEWS

Notice: Please get your news items to Erica no later than Sunday afternoon at 5:00pm. News submitted after Sunday will be in the paper the following week. Send your info to Erica Barnes at ebarnes8185@gmail.com with subject line: NEWS; or feel free to call 785-476-8185. For the full, in color edition, visit www.kensingtonks.net.

Weekly Inspiration

Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give. - Benjamin Carson

I'd rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not done. - Lucille Ball

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Martin Luther King