Our Yesterdays

2004

Republican and Democratic Caucuses were held throughout the area. Coming out on top in the Democratic race was John Kerry, followed by John Edwards and Howard Dean. It was reported that over 122,000 Iowans turned out for their respective party caucus.

Significant progress was being made on the Skunk River Bridge north of Richland through the winter months. Construction crews were working on concrete piers spanning the river, and had moved the majority of their equipment to the north side.

The American Legion Post #504 discussed the election of sending boys to the annual Hawkeye Boys State to be held in the summer. The two boys elected to go were John Swanson and Schuyler Snakenberg, both of Ollie.

1999

Three Pekin High School students participated in the 1999 Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College in Decorah. Peter Eschenbrenner, Hedrick, Anne Sanders, Hedrick, and Stephanie Van Nostrand, Richland, were among 1,300 high school students from a seven-state area to take part in Luther?s 49th annual vocal music festival for students in grades 9-12.

1990

Gerry Hunt McDonald has announced she will be re-opening her beauty shop in her home on Railroad Street in Brighton under the name of Gerry’s Whiskers and Women. Gerry formerly owned a barber shop in Brighton until it was destroyed by fire.

Clyde Rapp will retire his position as manager of Thermagas, Co. of Richland after 32 years of dedication.

Baker’s Tire Service of Richland re-opened under the new name of Richland Tire and Service. The new owners, Dennis and Mary Stewart of Muscatine, will offer a full line of Good Year Tires and have also added mechanical work and car washing to their services. Everette and Donna Baker owned and operated the business for 24 years before retiring.

A new business recently opening in Richland is Cozy Inn Manufacturing located in the former Hopewell Church, approximately three miles north of Richland. Carl and Janet Ratcliff opened the business, which manufactures custom built furniture out of quality hardwoods.

1989

The public was invited to attend the Open House for the New Long Term Care Unit of the Washington County Hospital on January 29, 1989. The new facility is located at 413 East Tyler in Washington.

Installation services for the Rev. Edith Dunkin were held at the Packwood Christian Church. Rev. Dunkin was the pastor for the Uoked Parish in Packwood.

Scoutmaster Wayne Gould and members of his Brighton Boy Scout group enjoyed a weekend outing at Kent Park near Tiffin. Those attending were Damon Callahan, Jamie Rich, Billy Hyde, Darren Martin, Lincoln Smith, Jonathon Schadt, and Jerry Spanier.

1979

A film put out by the U.S. Trotting Association entitled “Cinderella Trotter” was currently playing in 50 movie theaters across the country. The movie was about Jodevin, a trotter owned by Kermit Hinshaw of Richland, and was premiered in Richland.

A building which once housed a lumber yard in Rubio caved in due to the sheer weight of snow accumulated its roof. The weight of snow on roof tops was testing the soundness of many structures in the area. Richland men were shoveling snow from the top of the Community Building for this reason.

1969

Emily Hinshaw received her degree in Speech Therapy at Kirksville, MO. She took six weeks training in Wapello County under the direction of Mrs. Wheeler, speech therapist. Emily had signed a contract as speech therapist for Van Buren County serving centers.

1960

The 1960 Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow in the Richland High School is Connie Derby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Derby. She received the highest score in a 50-minute written examination on homemaking knowledge and attitudes taken by graduating senior girls.

Four Democrats in Keokuk County have taken out nomination papers. Offices sought are those of sheriff, state representative, supervisor, and treasurer. Glenn Hawley took out papers for supervisor. Mr. Hawley, former Richland mayor, is making his first bid for a county office. Others seeking nomination are John “Bud” Wallerick, present sheriff, Keith Dunton of Thornburg for state representative, and William Burger, Sigourney, for county treasurer.

Opening of the Sasseen Hardware store in the building formerly owned by J. H. Plitt, is tentatively set for April. Mr. Plitt recently closed on the north side of the square in Richland and the Sasseens expect to complete arrangements for purchase. The Sasseens purchased the Greeson hardware business over five years ago on the south side of the square.

1940

Keith Steinbeck, who has been working in an aviation training school at Long Beach, California, made his first solo flight recently. This means that in addition to his work in the mechanical department, Keith has been “casting his eyes upward.”

J. N. King of Bronson, Iowa has been employed to become superintendent of the Pleasant Plain schools. Mr. King has been superintendent at Bronson for the past twenty years.

The Paul Stewart family has moved in the farm tilled for several years by the late Elliot Wayman, near the Hopewell church north of Richland.