30 years ago

may 29. 1996

At a meeting Thursday, Marion County Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for Western Wireless (Cellular One) to erect a tower to boost cellular telephone reception between McPherson and Emporia.

The 480-foot tower will be in Wilson Township, west of Marion, on property owned by Rex Siebert.

A ribbon-cutting May 17 at Gambino’s welcomed new owners Jay and Judy Smith. The restaurant’s grand opening was May 18.

Ramie Bina and Rachel Janzen are pictured as they put final touches on artwork decorating the bottom of a wading pool that opened this past week in Marion. Pools at both Marion and Florence are now in operation for the summer.

More than 400 alumni of Florence Memorial High School gathered Saturday evening in the former school’s gymnasium to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary. Theme of the reunion was “Centurion Celebration.”

Bill Griffith of Marion High School won the Class 3A state championship in javelin Saturday at Wichita with a throw of 188 feet 3 inches.

Door prize winners in the recent 50th anniversary open house of Shelter Insurance in Marion included Sylvia Helmer, Melvin Honeyfield, Larry McLain, and Royal Smith.

Anita Hancock, who teaches music at Marion Elementary School, also sings with the Wichita Chamber Chorale. This spring she accompanied the chorale as it traveled to Orleans, France, to participate in a Joan of Arc festival.

Hancock is pictured having dinner at a Paris restaurant with friend Judy Priest and Priest’s daughter, Miriam Priest Newman, who joined the chorale on its trip.