The Newsleaf

14/05/2026

Just a reminder note:
Saturday June 6 is our annual ACCHS Reunion Reception from 2PM to 5PM. Come see your friends and visit. There will be a short business meeting about 3PM. No reservations needed. Just show up.
Spread the word and tell your friends.

24/03/2026

Time to get some goodies

21/03/2026

The Atchison County Drama Club at ACCJSHS, Effingham, announces the performances of its spring play, “The Many Disguises of Robin Hood,” written by Brian Guehring, and produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company, Inc. Performances are Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m., in the ACCJSHS auditorium, Effingham. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens, and free for children 5 and under with a paid admission. Set in merry ol’ England during the time of the Crusades, The Many Disguises of Robin Hood begins in the town of Nottingham, near Sherwood Forest, where the townspeople are overtaxed and overwhelmed. Luckily, the mysterious Robin Hood (Cora-Bella Tull) is giving them hope by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Helping Robin is a band of outlaws, including Little John (Harrison Bare), Jill Scarlett (Trinity Brooks), Alana Dale (Kai Phillips), and Sister Tuck (Kenna Joice-Waggle).With such disguises as a puppeteer, minstrel, and old man, Robin Hood continually tricks the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham (Nathan Palmer), his spoiled daughter, Luciana (Ashleigh Tull), and the evil Prince John (Ethan Brooks). Eventually, Robin relies on the merry band of outlaws and childhood friend, the brave Maid Marian (Avery Gilliland), to use all of their trickery, swords, arrows and wits to escape the gallows. Rounding out the cast are Queen Elenor (Bristol Eagle), Bold Beth (Makenna Grace), Much the Cook (Alyssa VanDever), the outlaw puppeteers (Tessa McAlexander and Madison Martin), the foresters (Jose Cisneros and Max Miller), and a mysterious knight (Colton Lowe). The backstage and tech crew for the spring play includes Emma Borders, Alex Clawson, Wyatt Daniels, Jacob Jackson, and Kymber Phillips. The set designer and technical director is Tim Walters, and the play is directed by Noelle Walters. Each performance will include a free-will donation dessert bar, with proceeds benefiting future drama club productions. For further information, check the USD 377 website (usd377.org) or contact Noelle Walters ([email protected]).

17/03/2026

Carolee Edith Prickett, 79, of Nortonville, KS, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026, surrounded by family at her home.

Carolee was born on July 7, 1946, in Seattle, WA, the daughter of LaVerne H. and Elizabeth Ann (Mohler) Bollinger. On December 26th, 1965, Carolee was united in marriage to James W. “Jim” Prickett in Seattle, WA.

Carolee graduated from Ingraham High School, Seattle, WA in 1964, then attended McPherson College where she graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1989, she received her master’s in special education from Washburn University, Topeka, KS. She taught Home Economics at Jefferson County North High School Wi******er, KS. She also taught Special Education at ACCHS in Effingham, KS (where she also served as a cheer coach and Sponsor), JCN High School, Wi******er, KS and Valley Falls High School, Valley Falls, KS. Mrs. Prickett was an employee of Northeast Kansas Education Service Center (Keystone Learning Services) where she taught Special Education at ACCHS, Effingham, and Valley Falls High School, Valley Falls, KS.

Between her years serving in Education, Carolee worked with Jim as an insurance agent and office manager for Northeast Kansas Insurance and Real Estate Agency and served as the board secretary of the Bank of Nortonville. Carolee enjoyed gardening, quilting, sewing, ceramics, collecting cardinals, decorating, cooking, swimming, tennis, thrifting with her daughter and golfing with Jim. She was a member of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi at Washburn University.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jim of the home. Two children, Tamara (Michael) Postma of Ozawkie, KS and Jeffrey (Kristy) Prickett, Nortonville, KS; a sister Peggy Yount, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Toni Prickett, Hutchison, KS; brother-in-law Lowell (Barbara) Flory, McPherson, KS, and seven grandchildren; Katherine Casto, Elle Strother, Graci Postma, Emili Postma, Aubrey, Ryker, and Brody Prickett and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, LaVerne and Elizabeth Bollinger; stepmother Dorothy Bollinger, sister Barbara Flory and brother-in law William (Peggy) Yount, grandsons Drake Banks and Kyler Postma.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Nortonville, KS. A Memorial service will follow at 6:00 PM, followed by a Lenten Service. Graveside services and burial will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg, KS. Memorial contributions are suggested for Alzheimer’s Research and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton and O’Trimble Funeral Home who are entrusted with the services. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

14/02/2026

There are also meal tickets available. It starts at 5pm

14/02/2026

The first show of the Hughes Brothers was a big hit. There are a few more tickets for the evening performance left. Come out to ACCHS and support the theater improvements project.

10/02/2026

Gloria Mae (Boldridge) Wallingford, born on August 13, 1936, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the daughter of Floyd and Mattie Ruth (Beadles) Boldridge, gracefully departed this world on February 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. With a heart that united her family in love and laughter, she quietly passed surrounded by her beloved kin, enveloped in the warmth of their presence as she journeyed into the arms of Jesus.

Gloria's life was marked not only by her devotion to her family but also by her remarkable career and vibrant interests. She embarked on her professional journey in Topeka, KS, and then she married Gorman Wallingford on July 20, 1957, at Campbell Chapel in Atchison, and they shared a life of travelling the world through his role in the Navy. She was very active in her role as a Navy wife and learned so much about the cultures that they were experiencing. When she returned to the US, she served as a Secretary to the Criminal Justice Planner in Wichita, Kansas, before ascending to the role of Information Systems Supervising Trainer at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, MO, a position she held with distinction for twenty-four years preceding her retirement in 2000. Her passion for learning and dedication to her work were reflective of the very essence of who she was.

A proud graduate of ACCHS in 1954, Gloria furthered her education at Wichita State University, cultivating a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. This intellectual curiosity complemented her rich tapestry of interests, which included sewing countless clothing items and keepsakes for her family and crocheting, and she was a teacher of extensive cake decorating and ceramics. She loved fishing, bowling and she was an excellent cook. Many will cherish memories of times when Gloria was driving their motor home down the road. For over thirty years, she and Wally, embarked on countless adventures, each trip an opportunity to create cherished memories with loved ones. She was constantly taking care of everyone and everything, including being a hospice volunteer for many years.

Gloria was deeply rooted in her community as a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Elwood, Kansas, where she found spiritual connection and fellowship. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and served as an usher.

She is survived by her husband, Gorman C. Wallingford. Their sixty-eight-year union was a testament to enduring love and partnership, yielding three children: two daughters, Elizabeth Wallingford and Denise Wallingford, one son, John Wallingford; Her legacy extends to her siblings: two brothers, Leonard Boldridge, Dennis Boldridge, and five sisters: Carol Harvey, Shirley Gooch, Tammy Hibler, Brenda Boldridge and Annette Boldridge. Gloria was also the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren, and the loving great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and fulfillment. Gloria raised the three children of her own, but she loved so many other children like her own and provided a home for whoever she could throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Floyd and Mattie Ruth Boldridge, who undoubtedly instilled in her the values of love and resilience, and a sister, Betty Ruth King, whose memory she carried in her heart.

Services to celebrate the Life and Legacy of Gloria will be 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Atchison United Methodist Church, 501 Kansas Ave, Atchison, KS. Words of Comfort will be by Rev. Anthony Byrd of the First Baptist Church in Elwood. The family will gather with friends for a visitation before the service beginning at 12:00 noon at the church. She will be laid to rest at Pardee Cemetery.

21/01/2026

Atchison County Community Schools will host The Hughes Brothers Live Music Performance at the ACC Junior/Senior High School Auditorium in Effingham on Saturday, February 14, with shows at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM (evening ticket includes dinner and the show).

This special concert is part of “The Next Act” Auditorium Revival Project, a community effort to modernize the school auditorium so students can continue discovering their voices, sharing their stories, and growing through the arts. Planned improvements include enhanced sound, new lighting, digital scenic design, and new stage curtains.

Event Details
• The Hughes Brothers – Live Music Performance
• Saturday, February 14
• Showtimes: 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
• Location: ACCJSH Auditorium, 908 Tiger Road, Effingham
• Tickets:

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05/11/2025

The Atchison County Drama Club at ACCJSHS, Effingham, announces its fall production, The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein. The musical, based on the classic 1974 film by the same name, features music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, and a side-splitting script by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Performances will be November 14 & 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. and November 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Atchison County Community Junior Senior High School Auditorium. Admission is $4 for students or senior citizens, and $6 for adults. Children under 5 are free with a paid admission. Young Frankenstein is produced through special arrangement and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Music Theatre International (MTI).
Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein (Colton Lowe), Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ~pronounced "Fronk-en-steen"~ (Ethan Brooks) inherits the family estate in Transylvania upon his grandfather’s death. Leaving his fiancee Elizabeth (Cora Bella Tull) in New York, Frederick sets off to check out his inheritance. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor ~pronounced "Eye-gore"~ (Houston Schletzbaum), a leggy lab assistant, Inga (Avery Gilliland), and the castle caretaker Frau Blucher (Kenna Joice), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. The group tries to keep the experiments a secret from Inspector Kemp (Harrison Bare) and the town villagers, but The Monster (Nathan Palmer) escapes. Hilarity abounds as The Monster encounters a Hermit (Raul Melara), performs for the town’s approval, and becomes enchanted with Elizabeth. The musical has all the panache of the screen sensation, and with such memorable tunes as ”The Brain,” "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven to be monstrously good entertainment.
Rounding out the cast are featured characters and ensemble members Adilynne Bare, Jaxyn Bratton, Trinity Brooks, Audrey Brown, Ryker Diebolt, James Gaddis, Makenna Grace, Lexie Keimig, Camelia LaHue, Kaylee McKee, Katherine Phillips, Trinity Sigmon, Ava Speer, Carsyn Thomas, Ashleigh Trichel, and Aubrey Wiedmaier. The tech crew includes Emma Borders, Alex Clawson, Jacob Jackson, Kailee Kistler, Max Miller, Kymber Phillips, and Addison Wilbourn. The musical is directed by Noelle Walters and Amy Eckert. Tim Walters is the set designer, technical director, and lead craftsman.
There will be a free-will donation dessert bar at intermission of each performance. The proceeds help fund future Atchison County Drama Club projects and productions. For further information about the musical, please contact Amy Eckert ([email protected]) or Noelle Walters ([email protected]) at ACCJSHS, (913) 833-2240.