Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004)

10 YEARS AGO

N on Kiwanis exceeded its goal of 200 donors at its blood drive Thursday. Two hundred five donors showed up at United Presbyterian Church to give blood. Two hundred gift bags containing merchandise and coupons donated by local businesses were given to the donors as a thank-you gift.

Many children will have a merrier Christmas this year, thanks to some local organizations that have volunteered to help them out.

The employees at the Washington County Communications Center started the ?Everyone?s an Elf? program this year. Instead of buying gifts for each other, as they have done in the past, they bought gifts for children who need assistance. Members of other departments at the Safety Center decided to help out, too, and then the public got involved.

20 YEARS AGO

The pinning ceremony for nursing graduates from Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, was held Dec. 17. Julie Dodson, daughter of Ruth and Gene Dodson, West Chester, was a graduate. She is employed at University Hospitals, Iowa City.

The following students have been named to the dean?s list at Central College, Pella, for the fall term: Leanne McNeil, Ainsworth; Paul Kissell, Letts; Christopher Gentry, Ollie; Josh Bailey, Kara Bailey, both of Riverside; Gina Weber, Jennifer Weber, both of Sigourney; Katina Roth, Wayland; Laura Hendricks, Anita Miller, Trudy Norman, all of Wellman.

?Community Chest is our biggest source of support,? Lending Hands Inc. co-director Bert Beenblossom said of her adult day care?s connection with the local fundraising agency. ?It seemed like after we obtained funding from Community Chest, the community as a whole seemed to accept us.?

30 YEARS AGO

Ruth Johnston of Ainsworth was the grand prize winner today in a Christmas shopping spree promotion conducted by Washington retail merchants. In a drawing for a total of $1,200 in merchandise certificates, Johnston?s name was drawn for the $300 top prize. Also Wilma Campbell of rural Ainsworth won $200 worth of certificates and Pam Brackin of rural Washington, $100 worth.

Rodney Leland Davisson of Washington has been awarded the highest degree in the York Rite of Freemasonry for his leadership in each of the four bodies of the Masonic rite. He has been designated Knight of the York Cross of Honour and becomes one of a comparative handful of about 400 of the over four and a quarter million Freemasons to quality this year for the honorary degree.

Jamey Kerr, a third-grader at Brighton Elementary School, is the grand prize winner in The Evening Journal?s 1984 ?Letters to Santa? contest. Other winners are: Stephanie Pyle and Matt Wulf, second-graders at Lincoln Elementary, and Timothy Johnson, a Lincoln third-grader. All received cash prizes.

40 YEARS AGO

Hiroyuki Obari of Ibaraki, Japan, is staying in the Louis Larsen home for a few weeks, until possibly Jan. 12, on the Experiment in International Living program. He plans to teach English and is here to become better acquainted with ?conversational English.?

OS2 Michael E. Jackson, son of Mrs. Darlene E. Jackson of Washington returned Dec. 5 from a cruise of about six months aboard the USS Blakely, an escort ship. He is stationed in Charleston, S.C. Jackson was honored by being named ?Sailor of the Month? in June after he had left on the cruise. The honor is given for outstanding performance and leadership abilities.

50 YEARS AGO

Kermit Klopfenstein was named president of the consistory of St. Paul United Church of Christ at that group?s organizational meeting Monday evening. Harold Wilson is vice president; Mrs. Ed Miller, secretary; and Wayne Witthoft, treasurer.

The Men?s Music Club of Washington met Monday evening at the home of Charles Rademaker to hear a program of piano-organ duets by Calvin Wolf and Lawrence Zuehlke, and a number of selections on the marimba by Russell Ellinger of Ainsworth.