Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, April 8, 2005)

10 YEARS AGO

A mission to provide potable water to Mexican villagers has begun. Dr. Robin Plattenberger and Richard Gilmore carried a water purifier with them on the ISU Extension Educational Travel Seminar the couple attended in March, to Mexico. They took the machine on their travels south, to the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico, and on a two-hour, seven-mile drive up a mountain to the village of Tlamacazapa.

After almost three years under a microscope, the proposed Washington County subdivision ordinance could be passed into law by the end of the month.

It took the addition of five lights, an air circulation fan, a barbed wire-topped fence and a window in a wall to reopen the Washington County Jail to full-time use under guidelines set by a state jail inspector.

20 YEARS AGO

WAYLAND ? WACO High School physics students have placed first in Iowa in a science-engineering contest. The team bested 35 other schools of all sizes participating in the statewide competition. Led by WACO science instructor Emil Schlatter, the team included Tyler Brooks, Kyle Ruth, Tony Klett, Shane Lee, Angela Leichty and Tony Hooper.

WELLMAN ? An unexpected $1,800 bill from city attorney Young for legal services rendered during the recent negotiations between the city and Casey?s General Stores over Casey?s planned expansion in Wellman triggered a verbal outburst from city councilman Ivan Ulin, Monday night.

Washington golfers have a new practice alternative thanks to Phil Long and Mike Bates, who opened their new Washington Driving Range, Saturday. The 300-yard range, just north of Washington Golf and Country Club, is open to golfers of all ages and skill levels who hope to improve their game or just enjoy hitting a few balls.

30 YEARS AGO

Three Washington High School students topped their divisions at Iowa-Office Education Leadership Conference last week in Des Moines. Jackie Allison, Mick Gaffey and Shelli Peiffer will represent Iowa at the national conference in Houston later this month.

Kalona Locker Inc. received three reserve grand champion awards at the Iowa Meat Processors Association annual meeting in Des Moines, last month. The locker earned plaques for its specialty ham, wieners and ring bologna. Melvin and Veva Herschberger have owned Kalona Locker for over 16 years.

Al and Nancy Schmidt of rural West Chester hosted a hog roast and cooperative dinner recently to honor Lyle Darbyshire who is retiring after 32 years of service with the Department of Agriculture.

40 YEARS AGO

The Dillon Grabers of Crawfordsville were named the Washington District Conservation Farm Family of the Year at a meeting of the district commissioners here Thursday evening. Graber has a 208-acre farm and has been a cooperator with the Soil District since 1947. He has built 17,000 feet of tile outlet terraces, a farm pond, an erosion control structure, has reworked grass waterways and installed tile.

Chris Sheldrup, a Washington High School student, was named president of the District Student Council at the spring workshop held in West Point. The district includes 35 schools with over 10,000 students.

The Washington area employment rate received its second major shock in two weeks Friday when Crane Company announced it will lay off approximately 70 employees. Perfex laid off about 60 workers on March 25.

50 YEARS AGO

The McCleery-Cumming Company of Washington, leading supplier of art calendars for advertising purposes, was the recipient of the 1965 Distinguished Service Award presented by the Specialty Advertising Association at its recent trade show at the Palmer House in Chicago.