Winfield United for a Better Community volunteers will have a tree sale to benefit the outdoor classroom and native grass garden in the Winfield Public School’s front yard. Trees will be sold for $20 each from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the school at the corner of Winfield Road and Beecher Street.

The outdoor classroom project was the brainchild of WU member Phoebe Smith. She initially was notified by the DeKalb Farm Service that very little would grow at the site after it analyzed a soil sample she provided. Because of the site’s clay and gravel contents and a lack of all it takes to grow common Midwestern grains, soybeans, garden vegetables, fruits and annuals, the agency’s judgment was that plants would not survive.

WU’s Classroom Team Service branch decided to ignore the Farm Service instructions. Instead, team members removed Bluegrass from future planting beds and drilled 4-inch deep holes that would receive plugs of native, prehistoric plants that have adapted to this area’s harsh conditions. Varieties familiar to settlers living on the plains 100 years ago — but unfamiliar to today’s general public — were planted, such as Rattlesnake Master, Prairie Smoke and Quinine.

Smith reports the soil was so hard in spots, even team members wondered if anything would grow. After a short introduction, 225 Winfield School students, multiple home scholars, and various Boy and Girl Scouts with adult planting partners participated in introducing 100 specimens of prairie grasses and flowers into the site. Colorful non-native annuals were planted around the borders.

Haag among newsmakers

It was great to see Ken Haag in town for a visit from his current home in Sand Point, Idaho. The Haags were longtime Winfield residents and quite active in the community. Haag served on the Winfield District 34 School Board from 1967-76 and the Winfield Public Library Board for the first six years of its existence. He and his wife, Mary Jo, always assisted working behind the scenes at Winfield Historical Society functions.

Joyce and Clem Milder welcomed twin grandsons, Robert and Finian Milder, sons of Jim and Laura Milder of Delmar, Calif. The Milders made a quick trip to California for the twins’ baptism.

I’m happy to report Ellen McGrath not only made a rapid recovery from recent surgery, she was feeling so good she made a short trip to Texas.

Mary Lou and Jack Kozak welcomed granddaughter Mia Nicole McCall, who has been nicknamed M&M. To announce the arrival of their new sister, older brother Jack and older sister Jessica took packets of M&Ms to school to share with their classmates. 

50th anniversary nears

Rich Harwood of St. John’s Knights of Columbus and Joanne Busch of the Council of Catholic Women are planning a 50th anniversary reception for the Rev. John Sebahar, a former St. John’s pastor.

Although retired, Sebahar still celebrates Mass at St. John’s when a priest is needed.

The reception will begin after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 18. Sebahar was assigned to St. John’s when the new church was built.

Young at Hearts gather

A touch of spring greeted Young at Hearts members and guests at the April meeting. Mother Nature cooperated, with outdoor temperatures reaching the 70s. Coordinator Kathy Skrobutt and her husband, Len, covered the serving, buffet and dessert tables with purple, pale blue and yellow tablecloths.

What a fabulous feast was prepared, including beef and vegetables served with rice made by Joann Busch. Alice Besch made chicken and salad appetizers on special rye bread. Also offered were chicken a la king on roll halves, baked beans, sauerkraut and sausage provided by Lurene Saylor, and corn casserole by Lydia Foreman. Carol McPheters brought Jell-O and a tossed salad with mandarin orange segments, almonds and dressing.

Nurse Diane Murray took free blood-pressure screenings. St. John the Baptist’s pastor, the Rev. Frank Vitus, gave the invocation. Members and guests played cards or games of their choice after lunch.

Skrobutt announced the next Young at Hearts meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, with lunch served at noon.