Thursday, March 13, 2003 Volume 78, Number 11 Bird City T imes Bird City, Kansas 67731 6 Pages 65 Cents City maintenance discussed Monday The Bird City Council met March fice. The council members are Mayor David Hickert offered similar to the Sixteenth Street Mall fence in town. Jerry Toler was given requested vacation time in April. The 3 to discuss and act on a variety of aware of the problem and the city two solutions, in addition to the in Denver,” he said. This, of course, permission to operate a popcorn council approved the request contin- subjects including city mainte- has dealt with what all agree is a city’s maintenance crew giving would be open to further discussion. vending trailer along U.S. 36 this gent that it did not conflict with the nance, building and business per- poor design of the building’s loca- more time to snow removal and No decision was made for sum- summer and the Hometown Market Cheylin High School prom and that mits and animal control. tion. The main defects are that the sand application: 1) he suggested mer help and park upkeep but appli- was granted a Cereal Malt Beverage the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s office City maintenance concerns about post office has a northern exposure, that postal patrons park a few feet cations are being accepted. The License. would be able to cover Bird City in snow removal, summer parks up- which does not allow for enough to the east in front of the Memorial north wall of the old movie theater Police chief Stan Harp offered Chief Harp’s absence. keep and property appearance were sunshine and heat to take care of the Park where the sun shines more of- building is close to collapse and the proposals for an animal cage to hold Other items Mayor Hickert’s addressed. Two citizens were frozen ground, and water from ten and the gutter is generally clear; owners have been contacted to stray dogs and be used to transfer proclamation that April will be Fair present wanted to have more effort other areas naturally collects in and 2) that the city consider closing make the situation safer. them to the nearest area pound since Housing Month and the council given to the removal of snow and ice what is a low spot in this part of off that block of the city and create A building permit was approved Bird City does not have the facili- moved forward in efforts for a new in the gutter in front of the post of- town. a non-traffic mall area “perhaps to Chris Cisneros for a privacy ties to kennel dogs. Chief Harp also tornado siren. Screening scheduled

Cheylin School District, in con- discuss the results of the screening. junction with Early Childhood Ser- If there is an indication that further vices Staff, will be sponsoring hear- evaluation is needed, an assessment ing, vision and Developmental is available at no cost to the parents. Screenings for all children from birth Screenings will take approxi- to school age, on Wednesday, March mately 30 minutes for infants 0-6 19. These screenings are free of months, one hour for those 6 charge, and though children entering months through 2 years and 90 min- kindergarten next fall must partici- utes for children 3 to 5 years old If pate, parents are encouraged to bring bringing two or more children, you all children not already in school. may go through the screening first Parents are the primary and most with one child and then the other, or influential teachers their children will you may bring another adult so that ever have. These screenings will help the children can be screened at one parents discover their child’s devel- time. Another option is to schedule opmental stage and how best to en- one child in the morning and one in courage their ever changing skills. the afternoon, bringing them one at These screenings also help the school a time. district plan and prepare for future stu- The screenings will be held at the dents in order to try and offer the best Methodist Church in Bird City on educational experience. Wednesday, March 19. They are Parents are encouraged to accom- free but appointments are needed pany their children through the and can be made by calling the screening process so that parents Cheylin Elementary School secre- and staff can share observations and tary at (785) 734-2351. Attendance awards

HOMETOWN MARKET signs is raised to the roof at 112 W. Bressler. Hanging the signs are volunteers Andrew Johnson, dropped at 2003 fair Don Wright and Ernie Ketzner. Times staff photos by Casey McCormick By Lezlie Hilt ¥ The Jack Ford family had asked After years of having Attendance about planting a tree in memory of Awards at the fair, the fair board Jack. The members asked if the fam- New market opened members voted to no longer have ily knew that they would have to care the drawing. In past years, the fair for the trees after planting it. The fam- board has given away $2,000. ily was aware of this and the members doors Wednesday Art Krueger had approached a thought when they went down to board member and said the people work on the roofing perhaps the fam- By Casey McCormick ing, haul off and many other needed from the Senior Center would still ily would like to come down and they The wait is over for Bird City services were done by either local sell the tickets at fair however they could decide on a spot for a tree.. households as the Hometown volunteers or local contract labor. If wanted the fair board to set up the ¥ Mr. Bursch had spoke to a Market on 112 W. Bressler a job could not be done by someone tables and then be in charge of the printer in Goodland about printing opened its doors on Wednesday. in Bird City who had the skills and money after it is taken. the fair books. Mr. Bursch felt like Brenda Johnson and staff have resources Century II found workers In the last few years the fair board it would cost too much. Agent worked hard to put the final from nearby towns. had made little money off the Atten- Johnson said she would get a quote touches on the long awaited re- There was one exception. Perfor- dance Awards and last year, the from Kansas State. opening of the grocery store. mance Refrigeration Systems had to drawing only cleared around $100. ¥ Member Jared Douthit said that Shelves are fully stocked, cases be brought in from Denver Ernie to After much discussion, the board Douthit Brothers would possibly packed and services are ready and assist with the complete replace- decided that it was time to quit that plant the corn for the fair barbecue so are area shoppers. ment of the cooling and freezer sys- promotion. Mr. Krueger said that this year as long as the board sup- “I’ve been putting off going out tem. John Swenson and Miguel the senior citizens would still help plied the seed and when it came time of town to shop,” said local resi- Perez spent many hours away from with taking money at the gates and to pick the corn they would need to dent Carol Black. “I sure need a lot their families working hard on what help wherever they could at the fair. have people to help. of things.” could be called the backbone of this Insurance ¥ Mark Mills was approached by The windows of the building store. Bird City residents became Last year the insurance for the fair Steve Orth, who had read the gas have been covered with white pa- very familiar with these two gentle- was $2,400; this year the bill was meter at the fairgrounds. He said that per for months as the transforma- men as they spent time here. $3,124. apparently after the Safety Day was tion within took place. So most Mr. Swenson, the project man- Photography held at the fairgrounds Jan. 18, the people in this small town do not ager, said this is a “very, very pleas- Casey Johnson, county agent, furnace had never been shut off. The know what to expect or how much ant town to work in ... with a laid was present representing the Exten- board has a bill of $800. After much has gone on behind the store front. back atmosphere and friendly sion Council. Some 4-H’ers had discussion as to who was negligent Thanks to the vision of Century II, people.” Mr. Perez liked that there asked if there could be a class for and who would pay, the board read plans for this remodel began sev- was “no traffic and no problems.” panoramic and contact prints in that the contract states that it is the eral months back and the group Bird City hopes they will visit again. photography. This way they renter’s responsibility to leave the made it happen. The Hometown Market will be wouldn’t have to increase the size building in the condition it was found With the community in mind, open Monday through Saturday, 8 to an 8 by 10. They felt like if these (and that included the temperature), the majority of this project was a.m. to 6 p.m. The store’s phone two divisions were added, the they decided that the hospital or the performed by local people. Elec- number is 785-734-5020. THE SHELVES of the Hometown Market are stocked with project would increase in size. state office that held the Safety Day trical, plumbing, painting, clean- ample supplies of groceries. In other business would be responsible for paying the bill. Cheylin Cold temps students finally turn enjoy rally to the 60s

Cheylin High School’s Future Community Temperatures went from a very cold 8 and Career Leaders of America members degrees on March 4 to a balmy 66 degrees participated in a Road Rally Thursday night. on March 6. Eight teams of students were given clues in The weekend was supposed to be warm riddles which directed them to locations in but Cheyenne County was on the edge and Bird City. Fighting the excitement of compe- the weekend was spent cold and blustery tition, the drivers were aware that they must with wind chills dropping below zero. observe stop signs and traffic rules. Decision Weather reports that the spring After a pre-race pizza supper, the anxious equinox is right around the corner. By teams drove into the night. Faculty sponsors March 17, the length of day wil be up to 12 Babs Antholz and Melanie Hill remained at hours and the temperatures will go up too. the school in case students became stumped This last week of cold temperatures may by the riddles. The winning team, headed by be the last spell this winter. However, there Hayley Young, did not need help, returning may be some snow as this has happened to the high school after about an hour. many times in the past. Although some residents wondered why there DRIVING INTO THE NIGHT, Cheylin students hunted throughout Bird City for certain locations given to them Just keep in mind -- spring is just a few was unusual activity on their streets that evening weeks away. the club members had a safe and fun time. through riddles. Times staff photo by Casey McCormick