Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, Nov. 19, 2004)

10 YEARS AGO

RICHMOND ? Robert Chapek of Richmond arranged for the bronze plaque that honors 20 of the Civil War veterans buried in the Richmond Public Cemetery. The plaque and the flag were dedicated Sunday, in a ceremony conducted by members of Richmond AMVETS Post 107.

The names of 20 Civil War veterans buried in Richmond Public Cemetery grace the bronze plaque on the back of the cemetery?s identification monument. The plan to honor the veterans began about three years ago with Robert Chapek of Richmond and H.H. Peterseim of Kalona.

Brian Langr and Willie Snow were recently selected for participation in the 19th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival of the Iowa Choral Association.

Langr is the son of Tom and Mary Langr. Snow is the son of Ed and Paula McConnell. Both are seventh-grade students at Washington Junior High School, where their music teacher is Mr. Jewell.

The newest addition to Sunset Park and the city?s sidewalk program is being constructed this week. The new sidewalk is adjacent to West Madison Street. A second sidewalk may be built in Sunset Park, weather permitting.

20 YEARS AGO

AINSWORTH ? There?s a good reason the city passed an ordinance last year prohibiting semitrailer truck parking and traffic on most of the city?s streets, Mayor John Hazelett said. So, when someone yanked the city-installed signs saying ?No Semi Trailers Allowed? and tossed them into Hazelett?s yard, he was understandably miffed. ?The signs are there to protect the streets,? Hazelett, a trucker himself, said. ?All it does is cost the city more money to put them back up.?

It was quite obviously a deal Mike Salter could not pass up. Despite roots that run deep in his adopted hometown, Salter said ?yes? when a friend asked him to join an anesthesia partnership in Pella. Salter, who has been Washington County Hospital?s only anesthetist since 1981, will be leaving Dec. 1.

30 YEARS AGO

Lester D. Yoder retired Nov 1 as president and general manager of Yoder Feeds Inc. of Frytown. Phillip G. Yoder succeeds him. Lester Yoder said he will remain chairman of the board and serve in a consulting capacity for the company which was founded by his father, Jonas Yoder, in 1934.

Larry Kerr, a graduate of Washington High School, is a member of the Ellsworth Community College football team and will be playing in the Like Cola Bowl at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Kerr is offensive tackle for the Panthers, coached by former WACO mentor Lloyd Sisco. Sisco says the former Demon standout is being heavily recruited by several major colleges.

For the first time in the history of the Y?s Men?s community theater productions, the service club will combine talents with the Washington High School drama department to produce the musical ?Bye-bye, Birdie? this winter.

40 YEARS AGO

A new morning Kiwanis Club named the Washington Am?ers was organized in Washington, Friday and Jack Eaton, local painting and decorating contractor, was elected its first president.

For the first time in three years, Iowans will receive a plate instead of a sticker when they begin paying their automobile licensing fees, Dec. 2. And the new plates will usher in a new licensing system that combines letters and numbers.

50 YEARS AGO

Mrs. John Phleger and Mrs. Robert Day were in Cedar Rapids, Monday attending a meeting of community YMCAs from Iowa.

Donald Westen of Minneapolis, Minn., spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Westen. Donald is an electrical technician at Gould National Batteries Inc. at St. Paul and is attending night classes in engineering at the University of Minnesota.