Our Yesterdays

Roger Harrington of Richland was honored recently for his one-year term as President of the Iowa Young Farmers Educational Association. He was presented a special plaque by the association at their annual meeting and winter institute held recently in Ames. Harrington is an active member of the Pekin chapter of the Iowa Young Farmers. This organization is sponsored by local vocational agriculture instructors throughout Iowa and the nation. Their purpose is to help young couples below the age of 35 enhance their farming operations.

The house recently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Lynn B. Swearingen at the northeast edge of Richland burned to the ground on Sunday morning, Feb. 12. The Richland Fire Department was called to the scene around 6 a.m. The house was the former John Grimes residence. The blaze was believed to hav started from a heat tape used to prevent pipes from freezing in the unoccupied dwelling.

Russell and Lucille Bond will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, March 11, 1984, at the Richland Lions Building from 2-4 p.m. Russell Ward Bond and Lucille Catherine Bray were united in marriage on March 10, 1934, in Sigourney by the Rev. Longnicker. They have four children: Richard Bond, who married Carol Wagner of Richland; Larry Bond, who married Norma Coffin of Fairfield; Marlene Leathers, who married David Leathers of Richland; and Dennis Bond, who married Mary Ann Barbaglia of Centerville. The couple also have 10 grandchildren.

Jim and Virginia Muntz of Packwood were honored for their 30th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 26, given by their children. The surprise event was a 1 p.m. dinner at Dickey’s Prairie Home with 18 family members present. The surprise was almost a complete one. The couple was presented with a corsage and boutonniere, gifts from their children. Those present at the dinner were their children, Bill, Deb, and Amy Conner of Libertyville; Vicy, Rick, and Emily Heald of Packwood; Randy, Bev, Wesley, and Alaina Muntz of Pekin; and Christy and Chester McKim of Fairfield. Also Bill and Katie Balmer of Bloomfield, and Bob and Irene Granamen of Martinsburg. After the dinner, the group went to the Muntz home where an anniversary cake was served with punch, nuts, and mints. A daisy bouquet, which was a gift from their children, centered the tea table. The cake was made and decorated by Vicky Heald. Additional guests at the home were their children, Richie and Rusty Muntz and Pam Withers, fiancée of Richie. Also Caroline Dickey and Ike and Jo Chambers attended. The Muntzs’ were married Feb. 27, 1954.

Pekin Senior Spotlight: Douglas A. Adam is the son of Richard and Marlys Adam. They attend the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield. Doug is also a Pekin Ruritan member. His classes this year are math analysis, English IV, chemistry, accounting I, advanced computers, PE, American government, and ag machinery. He has been active in football four years, was all-conference back, honorable mention by the Des Moines Register, and I.D.P.A. He was also on the Eastern Iowa All-State team. Wrestling four years, sectional and district qualifier years three and four, state qualifier his senior year. MVF, track year four, letter club all four years, FFA four years, treasurer year three and secretary year four. Doug feels Coach Rex has influenced him by advising him to “let the past go on by and to go onto the future.” His most memorable moment was playing and beating Tripoli 33-0 in the UNI dome his senior year. Doug regrets graduation because he won’t be able to play high school football again. Doug plans to attend Iowa State University and study Ag Business. Doug’s advice to his parents is to “Quit worrying, I am old enough to take care of myself.”

Pekin Senior Spotlight: Amy Adam is the daughter of John and Colleen Adam of rural Richland. Throughout high school she recalls her most memorable activities were participating in the plays, musicals, and jazz band. Amy says “they were all a blast.” Amy has been very active for the past four years. Her activities include band four years, majorette her senior year; vocal four years; swing choir four years; jazz band two years; CC team captain senior year; annual staff years three and four; FB cheerleader year two; track year two; BB manager year two; NHS years three and four; large group speech three years; Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, and Horror High. Amy’s classes this year are English IV, band, bookkeeping, vocal, PE, chemistry, computers, and government. After high school she plans on attending northeast Missouri State University and majoring in child development or special education. She wants to go into these areas because she loves children and feels that these are very worthwhile professions. Amy gives credit to her family for the kind of person she is. Her advice to her parents is, “Don’t worry about me; watch the other kids though.” If there was one thing to be changed at Pekin, she would like to see all of the great programs equally respected by parents and students alike. Her advice to the underclassmen is, “Be yourself. Don’t be afraid of the seniors, but don’t be cocky either. Be humble, earn respect.”