Community

The Great Bend Co-op recently announced Macksville Native Ned Oak has been selected to serve as branch manager in their Seward location.

The announcement, made via Facebook can be seen below.

We are excited to introduce Ned Oak, our new Seward Branch Manager. Ned is a Macksville native who has an impressive history of working in grain handling and location management. Ned and his wife, Lynn, reside in Macksville and enjoy spending time with their kids and grandkids! Ned also enjoys hunting, fishing, and metal detecting when he’s not running an elevator!

When asked why Ned made the move to Great Bend Co-op, he said “I am excited to work here because of how the co-op is structured. I have great help at Seward and great support from the Main Office. I also know several producers, so that is nice too!”

Stop by and meet Ned next time you are traveling to the big city of Seward, KS!

After a ten year journey, the Macksville City Library expansion project is underway.

“In 2011 this journey began, and our motto was “Dreaming Bigger!” according to an announcement from the library. “With help from the South Central Kansas Library System, we consulted an architect and drew up preliminary plans. We then approached the City Council and were told, ‘If you can raise the funds, you can build it…'”

And so they did.

“Now, 11 years down the road, and hundreds of memorials, many fundraisers, numerous grants, multiple gifts, raffles, and donations later, we are breaking ground for the new addition,” the announcement said. “On August 8th construction workers are planning to begin groundwork on the addition to the library.  B&R Builders, LLC will be in charge of the project, using plans from William Morris Associates, Architects.”

“The new addition will extend east of the existing building and will offer a programming space, children’s book area, a handicap accessible restroom/storm shelter, central heat and air, hot water, and much needed elbow room for patrons and visitors of the Macksville City Library,” the announcement continued.

The 2022 Mackfest schedule is out now. Check below for the day’s festivities.

The Macksville Public Library this week announced they are honored to share recent memorial books with patrons young and old.

“In memory of Bob Buckman, the first ten Hank the Cowdog books, by John Erickson, were donated, as well as the book, Sit. Stay. Love. Life Lessons from a Doggie, written by Chalaine Kilduff,” according to the announcement.

Bob loved dogs, the announcement said, adding “it is on good authority that he was once quoted as saying, ‘How can you raise kids without dogs?'”

“This librarian agrees, and goes one further,” the announcement continued. “How can you have a library without lots of books about dogs?!  So thankful to add to our collection. And, this past weekend a grandmother brought in four grandkids, with one specifically looking for a Hank the Cowdog book.”

Another recent memorial book was given in memory of Twylla Suiter.

“Twylla loved books, including those by Debbie Macomber,” the announcement said. “The author’s latest, The Best Is Yet to Come was given in Twylla’s name, and has already been read and recommended by two patrons.”

“Memorials were also given to the building fund in memory of Twylla,” it continued. “We are thankful to remember this avid reader and beloved community member and friend in this special way.”

The final memorial book spotlighted here was given in memory of Mark Zwink.

“Mark was a graduate of Macksville High School, a pitcher for the Mustangs, and a lifelong sports fan,” the announcement said. “The book given in his memory is Right Down the Middle: The Ralph Terry Story.“

For more information about these and other memorials, visit the library’s thanks and memorials page.

On June 28 Stafford County announced a new flag retirement box was available in the Stafford County Courthouse.

The box was located on the first floor of the courthouse.

The public has been asked to only please only place retired U.S. flags in the box.