What Was Going On 14 Years Ago As you look at the new Rooks County Health Center nearing completion one mile north of Plainville, you might wonder how this building design came to pass. Before thedesign was completed, the board of directors, administration and many staff members in a collaborative effort considered how the health center could continue to provide and improve their quality of care.

The primary election was slated for Aug. 5, 2008, and only Republicans had filed for county sheriff and county commissioner, District 2, so the primary would decide these races unless a write-in candidate is successful in November. Incumbent sheriff Roger Mongeau was being challenged by Randy Axelson, Jennine Spiess and Daryl Thornburg of Stockton, and Ryan Cellmer of Plainville. Incumbent county commissioner Gary LeRock was facing John Ruder, both of Plainville, in the primary. For county commissioner, District 3, Sherlyn Kats, Stockton, was opposing incumbent Patrick Hageman, Natoma. The winner of that primary would advance to the general election Nov. 4 to face Democrat Ted Lambert, Palco.

Opening of the new hospital was delayed by building damage from the storm that had demolished the construction trailer and some of the storage containers on site. A new date of September 22nd was given as the scheduled opening date.

The Emerald City Gala Dinner Theatre kicked off Stockton’s Summer Festival on Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Nova Theatre with over 90 advance tickets sold for the evening. The cast for the children’s play “The Magical Land of Oz,” included the following talented actors and actresses: Cayden Conyac, Hannah Wildeman, Allison Saunders, Cecelia Beck, Lexi Winklepleck, Emily Conyac, Emily Grace Long, Morgan Beougher, Delilah Griebel, Braden Higdon, Andrea Buss, Dacota Starbuck, MaryLynn Griebel, Miranda Wildeman, Audrey Green, Hannah Lindsey, MaKayla Reed, Caitlin Lingg, Chandler Nyp and KayCee Chesney. The play was sponsored by the Pat Berkley Taylor Memorial Fund and the Stockton Area Arts Council. Those “behind the scenes” who made it all happen included director Joan Balderston, Sheila Latham, Ruth Phelps, Terri Bennett, Bonnie LaRue, Joanne Steeples, Maxine Bates, Paulette Wildeman, Elaine Maddy, Char Heenan, Janice Miller, Jane Cunningham, Madison Reed, Jonathan Reed, Bart and Donna Hamilton, Katie Baughman, Wayne and Diane Madison, Vicki Novotny, and Sandi Rogers.

The Rooks County Health Center staff was preparing for transition into the new hospital in a little over two months. RCH had been perfecting their transition plan and working with area emergency response agencies, the Kansas Department of Health and the local government to make certain all were informed of precise move details.

The Stockton Area Arts Council held a pizza party at Stockton City Hall on June 26 for everyone who volunteered their time and artistic abilities to the newest and most colorful addition to the town of Stockton. The Children’s Mural is truly a work of art and something in which everyone can take pride, as it did take a village to make this dream a reality.

Oil valuations for 2008 were up nearly $17.9 million from the year before, a 46% increase. The 2008 wheat harvest was running behind due to the devastating storms of a couple weeks earlier.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago During the summer of 2006, children in Stockton were asked to take pictures and make suggestions as to what they would like to improve or see added to their town. That was how the Children’s Advisory Committee was formed.

For the past three Thursdays, Stockton and the surrounding areas had been hit hard by dangerous storms. The home of Janet Chesney and son John Page at the corner of Ash and South Fifth streets was crushed in Thursday night’s storm by a huge tree that was thrown on top of it. Janet and John were home at the time, as well as LINK worker Brenda Brady, who was visiting. When they decided it was time to get to the basement, they didn’t get there in time. The tree crashed through the roof, Janet and John were hit on the head and knocked down, and John was unconscious for a brief period. Both were taken to the hospital as a precaution and then released. Brenda was not injured.

The Stockton area was again hit with a severe thunderstorm. Not only did we experience the usual heavy wind and small hail, but the city of Woodston saw firsthand the fury of a tornado. It felt like a storm was brewing all day long as the air was heavy with humidity and it was hot at 90 degrees. That evening we received another inch and a half of rain and small hail being thrown at us by very strong winds. North and west of town was hit harder with enough hail to look like snow drifts on some wheat fields, taking care of the harvest for their owners.