The
IOLA REGISTER
SHODEO Area youths compete Friday
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Baby battling malignant tumor By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
Killer Karaoke
When she was just over a year old, little Adele White developed noticeable weakness in her facial muscles that concerned her parents, Peter and Melissa White. “We took her to a doctor and he told us it should clear up in a couple of weeks,” said her mother, who grew up as Melissa Naff in Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High in 1997. The condition didn’t improve. Six weeks later, toward the end of March, the Whites had their daughter checked by a neurologist. An MRI image revealed a mass on her brain. The analysis was “it was a slow-growing benign tumor,” Melissa said. Not completely satisfied, the Whites went a step further. They consulted a doctor in St. Louis who had doubts the tumor was either slowgrowing or benign. Surgical exploration found the mass was an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, an aggressive malignancy. While treatment could have been done in St. Louis, the Whites opted for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas, which is closer to their home in Wichita. Adele, born Dec. 23, 2011, had her first round of weeklong chemotherapy starting on May 24.
“She had so many tubes” attached to her body, ports for cancer-fighting drugs as well as others to protect her small body from the medications’ effects, her mother recalled. A second round of chemotherapy, again lasting a week, began on June 29. Some tests were to have been done in Kansas City today and another MRI is scheduled next week, which will give the Whites a good idea about the state of Adeline’s recovery and what course should be taken next. “There is a possibility of surgery, but it’s more likely there will be more chemotherapy,” Melissa said. PETER WHITE, from Colorado whom Melissa met when they were students at Pittsburg State University, is employed by Cox Communications. She is a stay-at-home mom. They have three other children, Simon, 8, Mattie, 4, and Cabrini, 6. Anytime such a severe illness arises, expenses quickly mount. Transportation and lodging alone eat quickly into a family’s resources. To help financially, several of Melissa’s friends from Humboldt and the area will have a fundraiser Saturday afternoon and evening at Humboldt High School. See BABY | Page A4
Register/Susan Lynn
Jeremy McGinnis holds it together as Jerrica Mueller, owner of Town Square Tannery, applies hot wax to his leg. Assisting is Kendra Hays. Although this photo is just a setup, McGinnis, women’s soccer coach at Allen Community College, will in fact endure a hot wax treatment during Friday night’s “Killer Karaoke” contest beginning at 8:30 in front of Ulrich Furniture as part of the Charley Melvin activities.
Singers perform oddball dares By SUSAN LYNN susan@iolaregister.com
“It’s karaoke with a twist of ‘Fear Factor,’” is how Mike Ford describes the Killer Karaoke contest Friday night. Four contestants have agreed to keep singing while undergoing tests of endurance. The competition will be between Todd Francis, Jaime Knavel, Leah Cummings and Jeremy McGinnis, who will give their best effort to keep singing popular songs despite oddball adversities. Mike Jewell will act as emcee during the competition that is sure to be a crowd-
pleaser. The format is a feature of TruTV. “Only there, they do really gross things to contestants,” Ford said, including immersing contestants into snakefilled water tanks. “This is a very mild version,” of such entertainment, Ford said, although he doesn’t eliminate the off chance of a wayward pie or two. McGinnis has already agreed to keep singing while having his body hair waxed — easily the most hated beauty treatment among women. OTHER entertainment will
include a barbershop quartet at 8 p.m. on the bandstand followed at 8:30 with the telling of the story of Charley Melvin, also on the bandstand. Larry Manes of Moran will highlight the events from the 1905 bombings of three saloons in Iola by the deranged Charley Melvin. For those wanting to help out with any of the night’s activities, volunteers are always welcome — and needed, Ford said. The best way is by calling Damaris Kunkler, Thrive Allen County program director, at the Thrive office, 3658128.
Courtesy photo
Melissa White holds her daughter, Adele, who is undergoing treatment for a malignant tumor.
Country star to entertain crowds Music will be a strong component of the entertainment provided Friday night. Josey Milner, an up-andcoming country music star, will perform at two separate times and venues. From 7 to 7:45 p.m. Milner will be on the bandstand playing more old-time favorites as she plays the acoustic guitar. One of her favorite tunes is Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight.” Then from 11 p.m. to midnight Milner and her full band will play in front of the post office on West Street “to get the crowd pumped up for the race,” said Mike Ford of Crime Stoppers, which with Thrive Allen County is organizing the Charley Melvin
Mad Bomber Run for Your Life. Milner, 18, hails from Kansas City, Mo., and has opened for country star Josey Milner Chris Cagle, among others. In 2012 she released her new single, “Not Pretty Enough,” although she herself is a former teen rodeo and pageant princess. Milner’s performances will be free to the public. “She gave us a good deal,” said Damaris Kunkler, program director at Thrive Allen County. Proceeds from ticket sales for the run/walk will help defer the cost of Milner’s performances. Vol. 115, No. 181
total pounds lost pounds, most weight lost pounds, average weight lost
“Food used to be my major comfort. Now, I don’t live to eat, I eat to live. It was something to keep me on track and keep me focused.” - Melinda Wilson
registrants
“I really enjoyed it, it gave me an incentive.” - Roger Fogelman
teams largest team (Gates)
“It was wonderful to have people I consider my friends to support me. I feel great, it feels good to accomplish something.” - Shari Smith
minutes of activity
75 Cents
Iola, KS
Doors op pork din donation and an a Amon a Henry Ball, K-S original er Wood Iron Wo and a he dition, th for bask 22-calibe ets $5 ea Contri ing acce nity Nat Humbold For m Bill Hess dy Jaro, Organ proceeds Adele an