McCRACKEN — Retired veterinarian Dr. James Kenyon will talk about his book “Golden Rule Days - A history and recollections of 109 closed Kansas High Schools,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at the McCracken City Building. The program is sponsored by McCracken Public Library.

Dr. Kenyon has written several books. He was born and raised on a third-generation grain and livestock farm in Kansas and he grew up caring for cattle, pigs, chickens and horses near the small town of Bogue, population 300. It was natural for him to record the histories of small town schools and thus the life and times of communities. It took the whole town to raise a child. There were six students in his high school graduating class. 

Kenyon served his community as a veterinarian for 35 years in a mixed animal practice in a beautiful Iowa college town. Through his mentoring, 18 students that worked for him went on to become veterinarians. He is a seven-time veterinarian for the Alaska Iditarod Dog Sled Race. He was named Iowa Veterinarian of the year and was the state president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. He was the chairman of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Today, Kenyon continues the family tradition with 24 years of service on his community’s school board. This made him the fourth generation (spanning three different centuries) of his family to serve as a school board member. The importance of teamwork and leadership learned in school have guided him through his adult years. 

Everyone is welcome to attend the program. Desserts and beverages will be served after the presentation. Freewill donations will be accepted.