Our Yesterdays

A miscellaneous shower was held in the Methodist Church social room Tuesday evening for donna Caughlan Sievers. Sixty-one guests attended. Mrs. Larry Sievers was at the guest book, Diana Carris was at the gift book, and Kathy Sievers helped the honored guest with the gifts at her table. Other girls helping with the gifts were Nancy Downey, Patty Prenger, Judy Winn, Carolyn tucker, and Jane Zeman. Mrs. RH Swartzwelter sang for the program. Mrs. Irvin Sievers and Mrs. Dick Caughlan, mothers of the young couple, poured tea.

Packwood Third Grade News: The perfect attendance record was shattered Tuesday by Phyllis Van Blaricome, who was absent because of a bad cold. The room enjoyed a Halloween party sponsored by Mrs. Nelle Bennett, our room mother. Mrs. Donna Van Blaricome served beautifully decorated jack-o'-lantern cookies and Mrs. Bennett passed out homemade taffy and red delicious apples. Mrs. Ardith Nelson was to be in charge of games, however time did not permit. The following girls are taking baton lessons: Martha Bradfield, Janet Conger, Wyona Mitchell, Vicki Myers, Susie Sasseen, Dixie Silvers, and Mary Silvers.

Packwood Fourth Grade News: The fourth graders have put away their funny faces and Halloween decorations after a party held Thursday afternoon. They enjoyed the traditional parade and delicious refreshments served by Janine Salterberg and her mother. Several of the girls are taking baton lessons. Those in class on Monday nights are: Sandra Swanson, Debbie Dickey, Barbara Marshall, Suzie Adam, and Salley Mikach.

40 years ago, November 1983

Election results for area towns:

As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday following a stream of 191 voters in Richland from noon to 8 p.m., the results of the city election revealed a close race for mayor that left no margin for comfort. Incumbent Harlan VanVoorst received 94 votes while opponent Cedric Wolcott was one vote ahead with 95 votes. With the tallying of the four absentee ballots, the totals were VanVoorst 95 and Wolcott 98. So, at the final tally Wolcott was the winner by three votes. In the race for the five two-year city council seats, the leader following Tuesday night’s count was present council member Steve Pfeifer with 169. Behind his was Caryl Cavner with 134, then Larry Emery with 111. Filling out the council seats were Davis Eidahl with 104 and Virgil Curtis with 103. Barb Hadley placed just out of the running with 96, while Michael Noel received 58 and Mary J. Horras 57. Dick Downey received 11 write-in votes.

In Packwood, 76 voters selected unopposed incumbent Harold Wiggins as mayor with 73 votes. The five selected for the two-year council terms were Jolaine Hill with 70, David Dickey with 69, Eugene Miksch with 64, John Middlecoop receiving 47 and Donald Grimes with 44. Others running were Lyle Wolf with 37 and Virgil Chandler with 36.

Ollie had 49 voters Tuesday that elected Kathy Thompson with 48 votes and Francis Fye with 44 to the two-year council seats open.

Brighton residents were awakened around 3 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 by the local fire alarm with Lt. Clifford Elmore was notified by Roger Smith and a Mr. Gustufson that a brick building on Washington Street in Brighton was on fire. The building was occupied by Brighton International Hairport, owned and operated by Mrs. Gerry Smith. She had purchased the two-story brick building June 1, 1983 from Clifford and Donna Elmore. Capt. Wayne Gould of the Brighton Volunteer Fire Department said the fire apparently started near the furnace and spread throughout the building causing considerable damage to the interior. The firefighters were at the scene for about two hours. They also called the Richland Department when the source of the fire couldn’t be immediately found because of the intense smoke. The unoccupied upstairs apartment was also water and smoke damaged. Mrs. Smith is undecided as to her future plans at this time.

A break-in was reported at Caughlan Implement Company at Richland on Oct. 31, 1983. Entrance to the building was gained by forcing the front door. Taken were two lawn and garden tractors with mower decks, one snowmobile, one weed trimmer and edger, one electronic insect killer, nine sets of socket wrenches and a large quantity of snowmobile clothing. Investigation is being made by the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland Police Department.