Kansas State University’s first residence hall to be built in more than 50 years will be dedicated in a public ceremony Saturday, April 1.

The dedication will take place at 11 a.m., with a reception immediately following. Guided tours of the hall will begin at 9 a.m. Parking will be available in Bill Snyder Family Stadium’s east lot, with a continuous shuttle to transport guests to Wefald Hall. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be in the conference area of Kramer Dining Center.

Wefald Hall is a coeducational residence hall in the Kramer Community, which includes Goodnow and Marlatt halls, on the west side of campus. Its eight floors contain space for 540 students in one- and two-person rooms with walk-in closets and high ceilings. Study spaces, kitchenettes and a lobby are available on each floor, and the hall’s community bathrooms feature a collection of single-use units. Wefald’s lobby includes Cornerstone Coffee & Bakery, which is open to the public.

Adjacent to the hall is the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Kramer Dining Center, an all-you-care-to-eat facility open to residents seven days a week. Students can also take advantage of Overtime Grill, a late-night dining option that is available to the Manhattan community.

Wefald Hall was named for former Kansas State University President Jon Wefald, who served from 1986-2009. Wefald will speak at the ceremony.

All Geary County employees and elected officials will be required to participate in a defensive driving class.

County Commissioner Charles Stimatze reported this will occur on April 11th through the county’s insurance company, “will lower our rates, our insurance and it’ll also, should help personally when they take this class well help their personal insurance be lowered.”

There will be two class sessions on the 11th for the employees and officials to choose from as far as attendance is concerned.

Beacon Marine in Junction City will host an Open House on Saturday, April 1st.

The event will include free hot dogs and drinks, free two year additional Mercury motor warranties, prize drawings, and a free safety package on a new boat purchase.

The retailer will also feature a 10% discount on accessories, new boat rebates and military discounts, a Seminar class by Lowrance Pro staff, KS Team Trail fishing Pros techniques and family fishing in their pond.

The Open house is from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

The Kansas Association of Taxidermists held their 35th annual Competition and Convention on March 24th through 26th at the Four Points by Sheraton in Manhattan.

Judges evaluated over 100 entries from taxidermists from eight states – NE, OK, MO, SD, CO, AZ, AR, KS – at the event.

Awards were presented on Saturday, March 25th which included the first class of inductees into the Kansas Association of Taxidermists Hall of Fame. The four inducted include:  Don Rush, Junction City; Gary Penn, Milford, Tom Bowman, Wakefield; and Mike Beckman of Grinnell, KS.

This year’s convention included a ladies’ luncheon and kid’s painting contest. Avery Rush of Junction City arranged the kid’s event with programs from Sunset Zoo and the painting of 16 plaster owls by the future taxidermists.

The association was founded in 1982 as a way to promote the art and trade of taxidermy as well as to create an understanding with the general public on the artform.