Our Yesterdays

2015

The Hedrick and Richland American Legion Posts have selected Ryan Millikin and Malcolm Myers to represent their Posts at the 77th Annual American Legion “Hawkeye” Boys State in June, 2016. Both are currently juniors at Pekin High School. Millikin, the son of Joel and Jennell Millikin will be sponsored by the Hedrick Legion. Myers, the son of Mike and Jenny Myers will be sponsored by the Richland Legion.

Bill and Sue Gill spent Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6 with Blaine and Amber Gill and Allie in Knoxville. They stayed to take care of Camden while Blaine and Amber attended a Christmas party.

Shane and Tara Gill of Greenwood, Indiana welcomed their second daughter on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Willow Kathleen Gill weighed eight pounds and was 20 inches in length. She was welcomed home by two-year-old sister, Penelope.

Grandparents are Bill and Sue Gill of Richland, and Mark and Kathy Stone of Springfield, Illinois.

Jason Roberts of Brighton attended a family potluck on November 28. Approximately 20 people gathered at Hometown Inn and Suites meeting room in Washington. Guests arrived from Las Vegas, Washington, West Chester, and Brighton. Jason also attended a Thanksgiving dinner at the home of his aunt and uncle in Brighton.

Pat Remington met her sister Kathy of Chariton in Ottumwa for lunch on Nov. 27 and December 2.

Ginny Brinton spent Nov. 24 through Nov. 28 in Milan, Illinois visiting her brother, Fritz and Nancy Gowey. They were joined by the Gowey family for Thanksgiving Day.

Ginny Brinton attended the open house for Jean Black’s 80th birthday celebration. It was held Nov. 28 at the Senior Center in Washington.

Rita Berry of Bates City, Missouri, with son Isaac, a student in Springfield, Missouri visited her mother, Winifred Fritz Nov. 25 through November 28. They enjoyed Thanksgiving Day dinner together. That evening, Rita’s husband Tim with Megan arrived.

The evening of Nov. 27 Charles and Debi Fritz of Sigourney hosted a dinner at their home. Forty-eight relatives arrived including his mother, Winifred Fritz of Brighton and her mother of Libertyville.

Tim with Megan and Isaac left Saturday morning for his parent’s home in Galt, Missouri. Rita left shortly after. She headed to Keosauqua to visit her sister, Lucy Dietzman and family. Rita went on to Galt to meet up with her family.

On Nov. 29, providing the evening meal at Winifred’s home were her children Mary and Joel Boatright with Bridget Hollingsworth of Fairfield, and Tony and Lynn Fritz of Brighton.

Caryl Smith held a Thanksgiving Day celebration dinner at Polishville. Forty-nine friends and relatives arrived from Illinois, Wisconsin, Burlington, Iowa City, Fairfield, Keosauqua, Brighton, Washington, Packwood, and East Pleasant Plain.

Shirley Schooley was honored during the Nov. 29 Sunday morning worship service of Brighton United Church for her service award from AARP in Des Moines on November 5. She was given an award picturing her receiving her pin from AARP State Director Kent Sovern. Family and friends were in attendance at the morning service to congratulate her and enjoy cake and fellowship.

2000

A ceremony dedicating the two acres of ground in the softball and baseball complex in Richland was held. Originally, the area was owned by Jake and Rubye Hendrickson for fifty years, then passed on to their heirs through the J.W. Hendrickson trust. The children deeded the land to the City of Richland in December 1987. Jake and Rubye are remembered for their initiative and involvement and support of many community projects during their sixty years in Richland. The new Hendrickson Field fits in well next to Alumni Park, and has been very active with youth activities since its completion.

My Place Bar and Grill in Ollie has opened its doors. Sandy Dudley and Elmer Liebhart of Richland took over the business earlier this year.

After several mild winters, a real old-fashioned snowstorm struck the southeast Iowa area. Temperatures were in the teens, but northerly winds ushered in frigid cold and blew the heavy snow into large drifts. Area schools were closed for two days.

First School of Keokuk County

The first school of the county was taught in a schoolhouse constructed of logs, about 3 1/2 miles northeast of Richland. It was in 1842 and was taught by James McKinney. Richland Township also boasts of having possessed the only successful academy of the county. It was located in the town of Richland and was attended by pupils from all parts of the county. At one time it had in attendance over 200.