Our Yesterdays

Pekin rallies to 20-15 victory over Harmony: Jerry Blomme plunged over from the two-yard line in the final quarter to rally Pekin to an exciting 20-15 win over harmony at Bonaparte Friday night. The win enabled Pekin to tie Van Buren for third in Blackhawk play with a 4-3 record. Pekin jumped in from 12-0 as randy Schreiner hit Jerry Allison with 30- and 15-yard touchdown passes in the first two quarters before Harmony rallied for a 15-12 halftime lead on the arm of Mike Gunn. Randy Sauer added a two-point conversion for Pekin on a fake kick. Pekin completed 14 of 22 passes for 200 yards and added another 169 on the ground.

Don’t forget to vote: In Richland, the polling place is the City Hall. Candidates for office are: for mayor, Ronald Greeson; councilmen are Louie Egbert, Raymond Hadley, Ray Holmes, Chalmers Hoskins, and Donald Tucker.

Miss Nancy Dickinson, bride elect of Stephen Montgomery, was honored recently with a miscellaneous bridal shower held at the Richland Methodist Church. Mothers of Nancy’s classmates served as hostesses. Krystal Snow offered the guest book. The program consisted of a reading and song by Karen Rapp and Chris Underwood, accompanied by Carol Krewson. The mothers of the bridal couple, Mrs. Gilbert Dickinson and Mrs. W.W. Montgomery of Fairfield presided at the tea table.

Mr. and Mrs. George Northup of Ollie became the parents of a baby son, born October 25 at the Jefferson County Hospital.

40 years ago, November 1983

A miscellaneous bridal shower was held at the Ollie United Methodist Church for Lu Ann Phillips and Steve Swanson. Jan Underwood welcomed the guests and announced the program which consisted of a vocal duet by Anne Nelson and Denise Long, accompanied by Wanda Wonderlich, and readings by Normagene Wonderlich. Anne Nelson was at the guest book and assisting with the gifts were Wanda Rex, Carol Eighmy, Denise Long, and Anne Nelson. The mothers of the couple, ruth Phillips and Jo Swanson poured the coffee and punch.

A miscellaneous bridal shower was held Oct. 29 at the Ollie United Methodist Church for Deb Denly and Brian Horras. Jo Swanson welcomed the guests and announced the program which consisted of a vocal solo by Denise Denly accompanied by Julie Wilkening, and readings by Karen Williams. At the guest book was Sara Horras and Denise Denly. The mothers of the couple, Donna Denly and Marilyn Horras, poured the punch and coffee at the beautifully decorated tea table.

The Panthers football team defeated the Cardinal Comets 39-12 to end the regular season undefeated. Touchdowns were made from a pass by Doug Greeson to Ed Gibbs, and Duane Yoder returned a punt from 28 yards. Doug Adam ran from a yard out, Doug Atwood ran for a 25-yard touchdown, and Jim Morgan got a 31-yard touchdown.

For the second year in a row, the Pekin girls’ cross country team finished as runner-up at the state meet. This year, they came within one point of the championship, with Belle Plaine winning with 85 points and Pekin finishing second with 86. Francis Cooper and Julie Sands placed third and fifth. Delisa Blakely placed 31st, Shelley Ruggles was 47th, and Tami Van Voorst finished 62nd.

30 years ago, November 1993

On the afternoon of October 19, the Keokuk County Sheriff’s office investigated road construction site damage on county Road W15 and Highway 92. The damage consisted of a pair of automobile tire tracks which became progressively deeper, beginning about a half mile north of the Skunk River Bridge. When Keokuk County Deputy Greg Brower arrived on the scene, the auto which apparently caused the damage was embedded in the freshly poured concrete up to the auto’s frame. The car was operated by John Wellman, 46, of Davenport. Mr. Wellman, who is reported to be an FBI agent, allegedly drove through at least one barricade coming from the south and proceeded to drive on W15 despite attempts made by construction workers to stop him. The damage estimate made by the Keokuk County Engineer is $75,000. Charges are being considered by Keokuk County Attorney John Schroeder.