tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 8269

Dean Calvin Dodge

Dean Calvin Dodge, 95, died Thursday (March 17, 2022) at Homestead Health Center in Wichita KS. Dean was born on November 21, 1926, in Kansas City, Kansas to Clifford and Dorthea (Johnson) Dodge. In 1944, he graduated from Topeka High School and then was drafted into the military, serving in both the Army and the Air Force with his twin brother, Dale. Dean worked for the BNSF railroad for many years as an auditor. He retired from BNSF and worked for Topeka Public Television for several years. Dean loved classical music, playing the violin and the oboe throughout his lifetime. During his time with the Topeka Symphony, he developed reeds made from milo stalks. The reeds provided a different tone for the oboe and clarinet; and were used by his peers in various musical performances while he lived in Topeka. Also, while in Topeka, Dean was known for the gooseberries he grew. A local diner would make pies from his gooseberries. Gooseberry pie remained his favorite along with strawberry rhubarb. After moving to Kansas Christian Home Independent Living in Newton, Dean sang in the choir of the First Christian Church in Newton for many years.

Verna M. Harder

Verna M. Harder, 86, of Newton passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, March 20,2022. Verna was born Verna Mae Chapple to George Harold Chapple and Anna Mary (Sommerfeld) Chapple on September 18, 1935.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Counting blessings With all that’s going on in the world, I decided it’s time to count my Blessings. First, I have faith in Christ.

The people of Yemen suffer atrocities, too

The ghastly blockade and bombardment of Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is now entering its eighth year. The United Nations estimated last fall that the Yemen death toll would top 377,000 people by the end of 2021.

Bring a Bit of Spring Indoors

Many gardeners are busy pruning shrubs to remove winter damage, control the size, or provide a bit of shaping before the season is well under way. Save some of the branches or cut a few from spring flowering shrubs to brighten your indoors. You’ll enjoy the added spring color provided by branches of forsythia, quince, pussy willows, and other spring flowering shrubs for bouquets and arrangements.

In the garden: Dealing with ‘sticker grass’

I’ve been asked the question of what is the sticker grass called and how do I get rid of it? Grassy sandbur is the “sticker” plant that looks like a grass. It will often invade thin lawns, especially in dry years.