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RAWLiNS CouNTY

VOL. 21, NO. 16 ATWOOD, KS 67730 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Serving in bad times and in good —

Firefighters deserve community support

Nathen Wright Nick Bearley Andrew Marshall Jim Beamgard Tim Solko

By Tara Hayden

There is a time for every-thing and a season for everyactivity under the heavens,both the Bible and TheByrds have taught. The Rawlins County Fire-

man’s Appreciation Ball is atime to laugh and a time todance.

The special night, aimedto say “thanks” to the fire-fighters for all their longnights and hot days — par-ticularly this summer — isset for Saturday, Jan. 19.

Darkest hours

America is in the midst ofwidespread devastation.Hurricanes have washedaway homes and hope; aschool massacre has left thenation heartbroken and ter-rified enough to send chil-dren off to school inbulletproof backpacks. There are, however, peo-

ple “out there” — right herein Rawlins County — armedto serve in the darkest hours,

willing to save their fellowman and his land.Among those are Rawlins

County’s 65 volunteer fire-fighters, men and womenwho, no matter their per-sonal life goals, are unifiedfor one reason: to save livesand livelihoods.Their job as volunteers

was particularly demandingthis past summer of recordtemperatures and dry condi-tions. According to SharleneNelson of Rawlins CountyDispatch, the county’s fire-men responded to 27 differ-ent fires from June 11 toJune 29. In one six-hour period,

from 6 p.m., to midnight,June 30, approximately 22fires were reported to Rawl-ins County Dispatch.Four more fires broke out

July 1 and another one July2. During the rest of themonth of July, county fire-fighters responded to eightmore fires. Firefighters have a way of

putting events into perspec-tive and anticipating their

actions, though the rescueworkers can never reallyknow what the situation willbe when they arrive at thescene. For example, theyknow a grass fire, thougheconomically devastating, isnot as devastating as seeinga lifeless body and they actaccordingly.Tim Solko, a veteran 33-

year firefighter and chief ofRFD 1 and Herndon CityFire Department, explainsthat a firefighter’s responsebegins to come automati-cally after a number ofyears.Just as airplane atten-

dants demonstrate the meth-ods of emergency landingsand air masks, firefightershave a protocol to calmthemselves so they are ableto save others.“[During a grass fire] you

only think about the peopleyou carry in the back of thetruck,” Solko said, explain-ing the process of gettingthrough tough fire situa-

Rawlins County Fireman’s Appreciation Ball

Who: Anastasia Bergling organized the event.

What: Prime Rib Dinner, full bar including signature drink,coffee bar, cake and, yes, dancing to “Selby and the Insomni-acs.” $50/ticket or $90 for two tickets.

When: 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19

Where: Columbian Hall, Atwood

Why: To thank local firefighting volunteers and to raisemoney for their departments.

How: Help the fundraising effort1). Purchase tickets to this fun night. Call Annie at Kirk’s Auto,626-3103, or stop by and talk to her for more information.2). Volunteer to serve on the decorating, kitchen, clean-up orany other committee.3). Donate money or goods to hold the ball.4). Participate in either the Rifle or Spa Basket drawing.5). Those unable to attend the entire event are welcome to at-tend the dance only starting at 8 p.m., for $20 at the door.

See ‘Firefighters,’ Page 8

SquARe DeAL

Happy New Year 2013!

Doctor, familyready for

midwest livingBy Rosalie Ross

Dr. Zane Zimmerman is busy thesedays getting acquainted with a newhospital and meeting patients, as wellas making new friends in the commu-nity.“I was drawn to Atwood because of

the level of interest people are show-ing in their hospital and the way theysupport it,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “Isee a lot of optimism in this commu-nity and that makes me optimisticabout raising my family here.”The doctor grew up on a ranch

near Harrah, Okla., before going tothe University of Oklahoma.He went to medical school at Ohio

University in Athens, Ohio and didhis residency in Clarion Hospital inPennsylvania.“I want to focus on family prac-

tice,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “I cameback to the midwest to practice after Ilearned there’s a tremendous need fordoctors in this area.”

Presently, he and his wife, Melissa,

“A Voice for New Frontiers”

Photo by Rosalie Ross

Dr. Zane Zimmerman and his wife,Melissa,gather around the Christ-mas tree with their children, SethWesley, 6, Josephine, 7, Judah’, 9,and Raquel, 10 months. The family isseeking suitable housing so theycan move to Atwood.

We Three KingsWisemen (from left) JosephDozbaba, Tru Dewey and Xan-thier Brenn carry gifts for BabyJesus during God Little Saint’sPres-school Christmas pro-gram Dec. 20 at RedeemerLutheran Church.

Photo by Beth Holle

See ‘Doctor,’ Page 8

New Year’s schedule set for Square Deal

Due to the New Year’sholiday falling on Tuesday,the Square Deal deadlinesare as follows: copy and dis-play advertising for the Jan.3 issue is noon, Monday,Dec. 31. The newspaper willbe printed and mailed asusual.The Square Deal will be

closed New Year’s Day.

News at a Glance

By Kathy Davis-Vrbas

The Rawlins County SchoolBoard voted Monday evening to putthe Herndon School building up forsale by sealed bid.Meeting in regular session Dec.

20, the board decided to acceptsealed bids on the building untilFeb. 18.Also, the board voted to deed the

metal building on the school cam-

pus over to Rawlins County.Superintendent Adam McDaniel

informed the board the district hadreceived $9,521 from the $10,521claim filed with its insurance com-pany for losses resulting from abreak-in earlier this year. Theamount received reflected a $1,000deductible, he said. The insurance did not cover re-

placement of show choir outfits

Board puts Herndon Schoolbuilding up for sealed bid

See ‘School,’ Page 2