Looking Back With Lora Stull
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, June 2, 1920.)
Friday, June 4 is Clean Up Day-If every vestige of dirt is not removed from the good town of Mount Ayr Friday of this week, it won’t be on account of lack of enthusiasm on the part of members of the Village Improvement Society or because every resident of the town will not have an opportunity to join in the crusade planned by that useful society. The plan is to make one united, determined effort to rid the streets and alleys of rubbish of all kinds, to remove all manure piles and other breeding places for flies-in short, to make the town absolutely clean physically. Friday is spring house cleaning day and every nook and corner must receive attention. Everyone is invited and expected to help.
The National Republican convention meets at Chicago on June 8, 1920. It’s chief business will be to name a candidate for the presidency. It will consist of about a thousand carefully chosen delegates. In choosing the nominee some process of elimination must be applied. The “steam roller” must be used to get rid of the “undesirables.”
Marriages: May 26, Lee Kelley and Goldie Gibson…June 1, Glee Foster and Pauline Griffith.
Births: Mr. and Mrs. Ora Harsh are the proud parents of a baby girl.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, June 7, 1945.)
The Rideta Electric Cooperative, Inc., announces that one hundred additional miles of electric lines will be erected by their contractor, the A.A. Electric Co. of Chicago, IL, during the summer and early fall months. Approximately 65 miles of these 100 miles of lines will be erected in Ringgold County, the major share to be located north of Mount Ayr and the remaining 35 miles will be constructed south of Leon, south of Afton and west of Clearfield, in Decatur, Union, and Taylor counties.
Memorial services for Pvt. Glee Spencer and Staff Sgt. Doyle Spencer, sons of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Spencer of this city, gave their lives while in the service of their country. Glee was killed in action December 23, 1944 at Hostert, Luxenbourg and Doyle was KIA at Ninefeby, Germany on February 9, 1945. The memorial service was held June 3 at the United Methodist Church of this city.
Service Selections: For heroism in action against the Japs at Munoz in February, Pfc. Roger Farmer of Kellerton has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Brig. General C.E. Hurdis, commanding general of the 6th Division. Farmer braved a hail of enemy fire to go 50 yds ahead of his company’s’ position to help evacuate a wounded man to a place of safety. He is a messenger in a front-line infantry company…Cpl. Merrill Reynolds, of Clearfield, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for “meritorious achievement” in action against the enemy on March 25, 1945, in Germany…Sgt. Clair Miller, brother of Virgil of this city, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal for “distinguishing” himself by gallantry in action in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany on April 6, 1945…Sgt. Virgil Bolinger, was KIA on May 8 while on duty with the 24th Infantry Division on Mindanao Island in the Pacific.
Marriages; May 27, Mary Beasley and William Griffith…May 21, Patricia Baker and Herbert Dillenburg.
Births: May 27, a son, Charles Wayne Jr. to Staff Sgt. and Mrs. C.M. McGehee.
Obituaries in this edition were: Asa J. Kemerling, Glee Elton Spencer, Doyle Elvin Spencer and Arthur A. Cornwall.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 21, 1970.)
Vaccine for Rubella (German Measles) was administered Thursday afternoon and evening to 969 children during clinics held in the Grand Valley, Mount Ayr, and Diagonal Community schools.
It’s carnival time in Mount Ayr. Dan Cunning, Jaycees president, announces that Evans United Shows, which will play the annual Appreciation Days here in September, will come to town Tuesday for a bonus appearance.
The Ringgold County Speedway will open for its 15th season of stock car racing Sunday night at 8 p.m. According to speedway president, Jack Hutchinson, a successful season is in view and he expects a big crowd on hand to get things started.
Five Mount Ayr Community trackmen will be participating in the state Class A track meet at Jefferson this Saturday. The Mount Ayr contingent will be led by Ed Defenbaugh running the 440 yd dash; Paul Fell will compete in the high jump and the mile relay team of Defenbaugh, William Burchett, Jeff Brown and Doug Poore.
Marriages: March 28, Alice Fowler and Leslie Maki…May 14, Janet Bradley and Jerry Haley.
Births: May 14, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Deemer.
Obituaries in this edition: Doris Lorraine Davenport Axtell and Robert Elroy Higday.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 18, 1995.)
The top senior vocal music student at Mount Ayr Community high school each year is presented with the American Choral Director’s Association music award by the Ringgold Singers. Monday night Elisa Jones was presented the award.
Mount Ayr council deals with many new projects coming here. The municipal parking lot plans were approved and land transferred, a presentation on a second new subdivision was made, discussion of purchasing right of way for a county road widening held and questions raised about the cost of hooking on to a new sewer line in the regular meeting Monday night and a special meeting held Monday, May 8.
Raiderette track standout, Melissa Eighmy earned a trip to the girls state track meet in two events at the district track meet in Mount Ayr Tuesday. Eighmy, a freshman, will compete in the long jump and the 400 meter hurdles.
Members of the Raider track team qualifying for the state tournament in Des Moines next week include, Robert Martin, Regan Mason, Chip Williams, Adam Dredge, Casey Smith, Ryan Reynolds, Chip Brundage and Clint Dredge.
Obituaries in this edition were: Lyndon Charles Richards and Leland Andrew Dalbey.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 13, 2010.)
A lengthy special meeting of the Mount Ayr Community school board called for discussion of the superintendent search ended with the resignation of board member, Larry Giles and a new focus on seeking an interim superintendent if sharing will not work out.
The Mount Ayr American Legion is making preparations to host the Sea to Shinning Sea Ride Across America in June. The 4,000 mile bicycle ride, being held by a group of disabled American Veterans, is designed to provide dramatic proof that disabled Americans can lead productive lives and accomplish feats most people only dream of. The 42 to 44 veterans will stop overnight in Mount Ayr June 28 on their way from California to Virginia.
Two new employees have been hired to staff the Diagonal branch of Iowa State Savings Bank, which is anticipated to open later this summer. Beth Gourley and Danielle Newton-Grace have joined ISSB and are currently being trained in the duties of their positions.
Births: December 12, 2009, a daughter, Krishna Masamune Carr-Anderson.
Obituary in this edition was, Mabel Marie Holmes Adams.