Our Yesterdays

2015

Alex and Sarah Chambers of Carlise, Iowa are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Rae Chambers. She was born Friday, July 10, 2015 in Des Moines. Olivia weighed seven pounds, five ounces, and was 20-1/2 inches in length. Grandparents are Ray and Renota Chambers of Packwood, and Dave and Lori Dustin of Pleasantville. Great-grandparents are Jo Chambers of Packwood, and Dick and Janet Gregory of Fort Madison.

Kelsey Molkenthin of Ollie, has been awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration and Financial Services from AIB College of Business. Commencement exercises were held June 7 at Community Choice Credit Union Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Des Moines.

Donald Atwood will be celebrating his 90th birthday with an open house on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Prairie View United Methodist Church. His family invites everyone to come enjoy a light supper and birthday cake, and to bring a birthday card and a memory to share with Don as they celebrate his special day. They request no gifts, please. Don’s actual birthday is August 11.

Manor House Care Center is honored to have many volunteers join the ranks in a wide variety of ways. Residents were doubly blessed to have Chelsea Lanphier, the granddaughter of Marolyn Shirkey, share her talent of mint making with them on Thursday, July 16. Chelsea, a 16-year-old from Pekin High School, learned to make mints from her Grandma Shirkey and she has made mints for weddings and baby showers as well as a 4-H project. Chelsea showed her 4-H mint project at the Jefferson County Fair.

The Richland High School Alumni Tea was held July 18, 2015 at the Richland United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. There were 68 alumni and guests present. A business meeting was held and the tea followed. Dean Elmore, from the class of 1955, gave the opening prayer. Officers for 2016 will be Shirley Niece, president; Jerry Nichols, vice president; Kathryn Robertson, secretary; and Jim Wolcott, treasurer. The classes of 1945 and 1955 were honored. Evelyn (Sheridan) Small was the only attendee from the class of 1945. She told about events at school at that time. There were six members of the class of 1955: Bradley Young, Janice (Nordyke) Underwood, Ann (Hoekstra) Snyder, Bernadine (Baker) Forinash, Joan (Baker) Olson, and Dean Elmore. Janice Underwood spoke for their class with memories that various classmates had sent about their high school days. Other alumni honored were Janet (Hendrickson) Klein from the class of 1938 as being the oldest member present. Two were honored from the class of 1939, Clois (Derby) Talley and Maurice Tinnes. The sign-in table had Janet (Hendrickson) Klein and her sister Lugene (Hendrickson) Krieger, 1940, welcome alumni members and guests. The Woolson Friends Church ladies served refreshments.

1975

Don Niece was installed as the new president of the Richland Lions Club. Other officers installed are first vice president, Clifford Pepper; second vice president, Lawrence Baker; third vice president, Leroy Robison; secretary-treasurer, Russell Band for his fifth term; Lion tamer, Ed Kerber; tail twister, Robert Sobaski; Amos Adam and Ray Mourer, directors one-year; Keith Krewson and Sam Ritchie, directors two-years.

1960

There was a small twister at the P. J. Harken and C.C. Rogers farms during the rain and windstorm and some hail last week. A windmill was blown down at the Harken farm and much damage to trees. At the Rogers’ farm, a new steel corncrib only two years old was twisted out of shape, the roof blown loose and also twisted out of shape. A large tree was blown down on the Rogers’ yard causing much damage to fences and other trees in the yard. Other minor damage was done.

In a special non-official meeting of members of the town council, certain measures in regard to widening Highway 77 through the town of Richland were discussed. Proposal by the state highway commission is to give Richland a street of nearly sixty feet wide and to be paved. No definite action was taken by the council pending a meeting with state officials. Work on Highway 77 from Richland north to the junction of Highway 92 is hoped to be completed this year.

Fire destroyed the home occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Merle Lankford and son Keith, six miles southeast of Richland. The house and all contents were a complete loss. The house was on the Junior Winters farm to which the Lankford’s had moved earlier this year.

1940

Jake Hendrickson bought the late Billy Hall property in the southwest part of Richland, and Superintendent C.E. Tharp the R.O. Wright property where he and Mrs. Tharp now reside. Louie Egbert has bought the lot and barn back of the Leonard Cox home and will build a house upon it soon. Louie and his wife have resided in the Frank Moyer house for the past year. This has been sold to Mike Starr.

The Byers Bros shows are here and getting underway for Big Days. From appearances they are a well equipped and clean bunch of folks. The activities will begin with a ball game played on Pringle Field between the Ottumwa Merchants and our own Merchants Team.

Lester Van Dyke is driving a brand-new De Lux Chevrolet. He recently upgraded from the Model A he had been driving.

Dr. Chester Demaree formerly of Packwood and Mrs. Demaree have moved into the Wm Hall property in the southwest part of Richland.

Leo Paxson reports his oats threshed averaged 70 bushels. They were a new strain of Boon oats developed by the Iowa State College.

Two fire alarms were sounded last week. One was in Bob Morgan’s apartment in the Thompson house, the other the pool hall awning. Only slight damage.

The Frank Mayers are happy when they can add conveniences and attractions to their home. Paul Harlan and Bill Sable enclosed their front porch with screens last week.