Our Yesterdays

1976

When one’s eyes sweep down the long row of pens on the North Star Fur Farm at first you believe you are seeing something unreal as you are seeing animals so rare it is unbelievable. These animals belong to Dean Conger of Ollie, a widely known outdoor man who has a storehouse of knowledge in the science of genetics and the way to apply them to produce the beautiful mutation colors. He has pioneered in the development of the pink, pearl, lavender, and violet mink. For 22 years Dean has been trying to unlock the door to produce the most beautiful pastel mink in the world. Last year he produced eight of them and this year will produce several more. Most brown colors have a red rusty look but these are so clear that they radiate an almost lavender blue through the brown. They are the ultimate in brown mink. It has taken a long time, a lot of money, and a lot of disappointments to produce them. You have to keep trying and adding factors, and eliminating some, to produce race mutations. Some are so rare that you may only get one in 10 thousand. The ranch also raises skunk kittens in shades of brown, red, white, gold, and black colors. Conger descents them and ships them all over the United States to pet dealers who sell them through their shops. You also see raccoons in deep shades of red, gold, black, and brown; and one of the rarest, a blue female which he hopes to produce a beautiful blue mutation strain of raccoon. There are also silver and red foxes, ferrets, some black and tan coonhounds, and fancy blooded quarter horses. Dean says, “at one time, I had the only herd in the world of some of these animals until I sold them. You have to sell some of them even if you hate to.” Dean is also a large fur buyer through the winter months.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wonderlich and Kristen entertained relatives in their home at a pre-Christmas buffet supper. Those present were Dr. and Mrs. Arlen Wonderlich, Annalie and Krischa, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wonderlich and Robbie, Jorge Sanchez, Mrs. Iona Brolliar and Mrs. Marian Brolliar.

A family dinner was held at the Robert Wonderlich home Sunday in honor of their granddaughter, Annalie Wonderlich, for her third birthday. Those present were Dr. and Mrs. Arlen Wonderlich, Annalie and Krischa, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wonderlich and Kristen, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wonderlich, J.L. Wonderlich, Mrs. Iona Brolliar, and Mrs. Marion Brolliar, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wonderlich and Robbie and Jorge Sanchez.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sobaski entertained their family Christmas Eve at dinner and a gift exchange in their home. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sobaski and Ricky Lee, Mr. and Mrs. David Dumont, Jason and Rodney, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dickey, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sobaski and Joshua, Peggy Hall and Judy Caviness and Mrs. Lena Sobaski of Brighton.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dickey of Packwood are the parents of a son born Dec. 22 at the Ottumwa Hospital. The little boy has been named Scott Cameron, and he weighed eight pounds, 10 ounces. Grandparents are Don Rinaberger of Fairfield and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dickey of Packwood.

1981

Dave and Angela Eidahl, Dr. T.R. Wolf, and Suzy Carter all placed first in the 16th annual W.L. Eidahl Holiday Classic Road Race held in Newton last Saturday. The race was named after W.L. Eidahl, the former coach and athletic director at Newton High School, who started the race 16 years ago. Dr. Wolf placed first in the Masters Class, Dave Eidahl won the six-mile walk, and Angela Eidahl and Sizy Carter placed first in the three-mile walk. Tammy Carter placed second in the women’s three-mile run.

All the family of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Bond were home for dinner and a gift exchange on Sunday, Dec. 21. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis bond and Brian of Centerville, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bond, Marlin and Dwight of Fairfield, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bond, Diane, Tony and Carla, David Rhodes, Marlene Yates, Brandon and Shawn. Supper guests on Monday evening were Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCormick, Jennifer and Tess, and Marlene Yates, Brandon and Shawn.

Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bond and family on Christmas Day were Carol’s family — Mrs. Edith Wagner and Don of Williamsburg, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wagner and family, and Jon Wagner of Dubuque, Connie Hartman and family of Cedar Rapids, Dorothy Wagner of Wellman, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Luther and family of California.

Diane Bond and Lisa Reighard left Dec. 26 to attend the Youth Quake in San Bernadino, California. They will return January 1.

Guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Blakely and family on Christmas Eve were Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Pat Moore of Pulaski, Jim Moore and Jimmy Moore of Clinton, Julie Moore of Iowa City, Janette Fankhouser of Ollie and Connie Ruggles of Packwood.

The Charlie Blakely family, Connie Ruggles and Janette Fankhauser were guests of the Gilbert Leathers family for Sunday dinner and a gift exchange.