Sherman County, Kansas is named for Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman who led the famous march from Atlanta to Savannah, Ga. He later was the General of the Army of the West and prosecuted the war against the Indians. He said "War is Hell," and believed if you make those people making war feel the pain they would quit fighting. He used this "total war" philosophy both in the Civil War and fighting with the American Indians in the West.
Citizens speak out about school district future
The Goodland High School auditorium was the scene Monday night of a town hall meeting between the Goodland School Board and more than 100 members of the community, with a mix of teachers, retired citizens and parents. Common threads running through audience comments was in general they would not support a bond issue to build a new school unless the board could agree and come up with a good plan. There was quite a bit of support for putting the junior high into the high school, but concerns were raised about the social consequences for the younger girls being exposed to the older high school boys. The evening started with a power-point presentation by Superintendent Shelly Angelos. In the information she presented was that full time equivalent student numbers in the Goodland school in 1998-99 was 1,155.5 and stood at 899 for the current school year. It has been projected the district will continue to lose about 13 a year so the projection for 2012-13 is 803.7.
Census forms arrive at Sherman County houses — Many people in Sherman County have received the official 2010 U.S. Census form in the past week and are asked to fill them out and mail the form back in the self stamped envelope by Count Day on April 1. Richard Gerdes, assistant regional manager in the Kansas Census office, said the 2010 Census Forms would be mailed beginning on Monday, but many people have received a form on their doorstep or in their door this week. Gerdes said no matter how people receive the 2010 Census Form, people are asked to fill out the simple 10-question form and mail it back by April 1. Every 10 years — as required by the U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) — every American household receives a form to be filled out and returned to help count everyone in the city, county, state and nation.
Run for The Wall plans overnight stop in Goodland
For 21 years the annual Run for The Wall has driven past Goodland on I-70, but this year for the XXII Run for The Wall the group will spend Saturday night, May 22, in Goodland and parade out on Sunday morning, May 23. Plans are being organized for the motorcycle group's arrival on Saturday evening with a supper at the old national guard armory. Joe and Jo Ann Wahrman, who have been part of the Run for The Wall for the past five years are gathering volunteers to put on the dinner on Saturday, May 22. Jo Ann Wahrman said Thursday plans are starting to come together for the supper with an agreement with Steve Evert to cook the meat. She said more volunteers are needed, and people willing to help pay for the dinner would be appreciated. She said people interested in helping can call her at (785) 890-3277 and leave a message. Wahrman said the plan is to have some light entertainment at the armory on Saturday, and that singer Andrea Townsend has said she would be in town and would be willing to sing for the riders.
Young hunters get field experience — Saturday was a little cold but the sun was out and 30 kids age 10-15 got to go to a youth hunt sponsored by High Plains Rooster Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Kegan Northdurft and Ethan Black each won a shot gun. The young hunters were accompanied by adults and guides who helped with planting the pheasants and chuckars for the dogs to find. All told there were about 100 people at the location on Melba Curry's land north and west of County Road 68 and west of County Road 17. This was the third year the hunt had been at this location. The kids heard about hunter safety, got to shoot at clay pigeons at Troy Mannis' shooting stand and got to shoot at pheasants and chuckars. First time shooters shot birds from a bird launcher. The rest got to hunt behind trained dogs.
Area deaths — Michael Stegeman, 67, Burlington, brother of Mary Jane (Tom) Sponsel of Edson, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. Private family memorial services will be held at a later date.
