Our Yesterdays

January 2005

A public hearing was held at the Packwood Community Building Dec. 28 to discuss and vote on a proposed new fire station. Over a dozen people, including Fire Department members, citizens, and City Council members attended the meeting. Mayor Dickey called the meeting to order and stipulated the procedure for the meeting. There was much discussion about the location of the proposed fire station and two major concerns were expressed: the possible loss of parking spaces on Main Street and the bay doors facing west, creating heating loss when they are opened. The general consensus was that people were not opposed to a new fire station but had some concerns about those two topics. After much, and at times, heated discussion Mayor Dickey closed discussions. The ordinance was read and a motion was made to accept it as read. On a roll-call vote, however, the ordinance did not pass, with council member Dickey voting yes, and Chandler and Snow voting no.

Thomas Woodard, age 32, of Ollie was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Wapello County. According to a report from the Iowa State Patrol, Woodard was northbound on V43 and as he approached the intersection of 100th Street his 1990 Dodge Ram van left the roadway and struck a cement culvert. The vehicle overturned in the ditch and partially ejected Woodard, pinning him under the vehicle. Emergency personnel extracted Woodard from his vehicle. He was transported by Air Care to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Milford and Elaine Watson were visited by their granddaughter Brianna over the Christmas holiday.

Ann and Jr. Snyder had their kids and grandkids for the Christmas holidays. David Snyder and family weren’t able to make it.

Scott, Sherry, Brittany, Garry Sievers, and Edith Morrow, spent the Christmas holidays in Florida, visiting Donna and Garry Sievers and Scott’s sister Cindy and family.

Bill and Sue Gill, and Doris Gill, went to Keosauqua December 31 for the funeral of Jane Scearcy.

Naomi Lock and Bill and Lelia Dvorak were dinner guests of Sam and Irene Ritchie on Wednesday.

Tim and Nancy Parsons were hosts to a New Year’s Eve party with the following guests: Rita and Dennis Eastman, bill and Lelia Dvorak, Rosanne and Dan Rogers, Dennis Lock, and Gayle Geiger.

Sam and Irene Ritchie attended a New Year’s Eve party at the home of Lanny and Marg Brinning. Also present were Mel and Judy Maeder, Richard and Carol Bond, Milford and Elaine Watson, and Gary and Roberta Oswalt.

Wayne and Iola Parsons enjoyed supper with Bud and Helen Adam on New Year’s Eve.

Kermit and Janet Hinshaw had dinner with John and Emily Emonin on New Year’s Day.

Dave and Laurie Bennett and family spent New Year’s Eve with Chad and Dawn Reed and family. The Greg Dyer family was also present.

Dennis and Kris Lock attended a belated Christmas gathering of the Kelly family in Iowa City.

The family of Wayne and Iola Parsons enjoyed a belated Christmas on Sunday at their home. Guests were Thayer and Nikki Westercamp, Blake, Alexis, and Haley, Matthew and Jen Parsons and Maya all of Oskaloosa; Phil and Jessica Parsons of North Liberty; Matt and Kim Spray and Skylar of Fairfield; Tim and Nancy Parsons and Dennis and Rita Eastman of Packwood; and Gayle Geiger of Liberty, Missouri.

Randall Lee Erwin of rural Hedrick was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 78 near Martinsburg. Erwin was traveling west on Highway 78 one mile east of the junction of Highways 78 and 149 when he lost control of his vehicle on the icy pavement. Erwin was thrown from the vehicle when it went into the south ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Keokuk County Medical Examiner.

Patty McCurren and Tony Stephens are now grandparents. Their daughter Tara and husband James had a baby girl named Nevaeh Giberson.

Marion Rotzinger is home from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is doing quite well and is able to drive.

Charlie Steen celebrated his second birthday on January 7. His parents, Mary and Scott, hosted a birthday party Friday evening.