Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, July 15, 1994)

10 YEARS AGO

Smiling Shriners figure-eighting on three-wheelers, crown-wearing queens waving from the backs of convertibles, and a colorful clown walking a goat ? these were just a few of the sights seen by Washingtonians filling sidewalks around the downtown square, Saturday afternoon at Ridiculous Day?s annual parade.

The winner of Washington County Fair?s first annual Kiss-A-Pig Contest reaped her reward, yesterday afternoon. With the financial support of friends, neighbors, 4-H?ers and co-workers, Crooked Creek 4-H Club leader Pam Davis earned the honor of smooching a lovely, made-up pig.

Fair-goers were asked to vote for their favorite of six candidates, this week, by tossing spare change into designated ?ballot boxes.? The ?polls? took in a total of $655.85, with $100 earmarked for Washington County 4-H Endowment, and the rest to benefit the fair building fund.

Not to leave well enough alone, emcee Greg Giardino announced that Limecreek Livewires 4-H leader Howard Bohr had issued a challenge: if the audience members present could raise another $100 right then, Bohr would also kiss the pig.

Within 10 minutes, hats passed around brought in another $332.59. To honor such generosity, said Giardino, the other Kiss-A-Pig contestants present, State Pork Queen Courtney Knupp and 4-H County Council president Kristine Schneider, would also show the pig a little love.

20 YEARS AGO

Washington County attorney Jerry Partridge recently had his opinion published in Prosecutors Perspective, a National Institute of Justice trade publication. Partridge reviewed a paper on enforcing violations by youthful driving offenders at the request of an assistant director in the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Andrew Bartlett and Sandra Thorne, both of Washington, have been named to the dean?s list at Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., for the spring term.

John Wagler, Wayland, will celebrate his 100th birthday with an open house July 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church fellowship hall, Wayland.

30 YEARS AGO

C.C. Shimon of Kalona has retired from the Kalona Fire Department after being a member for 52 years. He served as chief from 1949-1983.

Washington County Sheriff?s deputies are still searching for the driver of a car that rolled into a ditch and caught fire Wednesday night, about five miles south of Washington on W-55. According to officials, the Washington Fire Department and sheriff?s deputies responded to the fire call about 10:30 p.m., but the driver had already left the scene. Investigation is continuing and the car was a total loss.

Eleanor Cresswell is this year?s champion speller among Washington County?s senior citizens. For two hours Thursday afternoon at the YMCA, 92-year-old Miss Cresswell, a resident of the United Presbyterian Home here, withstood the challenge of 15 other top spellers from Wellman, Kalona, Riverside and Washington.

40 YEARS AGO

Many persons have noticed three metallic birds gliding in the air above the entrance of Halcyon House and wondered about their origin. The sculpture was designed by Washington lawyer Edmund Morrison and fabricated by Claire Keating, owner of Keating Steel Fabrication Company. Morrison explained the figurines represent the Halcyon bird, which, in Greek mythology, was symbolic of graceful, peaceful living.

A new executive director began working at the Washington YMCA Monday, July 9. Don Turner, the new official, has been involved in YMCA activities for 12 years.

Rosemary Nemmers of Washington finished in second place in the senior division of the championship flight in the women?s state golf tournament in Des Moines. She carded a 264 total.

50 YEARS AGO

Members of the Washington Country Club celebrated the Fourth of July with golf tournaments, a picnic and fireworks Saturday.

Capt. and Mrs. Jerry Johnson and children, Linda and John, have left after a visit here with his mother, Mrs. Sam Munson. Capt. Johnson has been a jet fighter pilot in England the past three years.