Looking Back

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 13, 1924.)

The town of Beaconsfield suffered fire loss aggregating thousands of dollars last evening.

The fire, which was of unknown origin, was first discovered in the hardware store on the west side of the street and had gained such headway that it was not possible to cope with the flames, which soon spread to the adjoining buildings.

Four buildings together with the greater part of their contents were completely destroyed. The buildings destroyed included the Whittaker Hardware store, the Onstot Grocery, the Swift & Company cream station and the Hawk Barber Shop.

Ellston News~The mail service was badly interfered by the blizzard prevailing last week throughout the county for several days.

Marriage: February 2, Mary Bladon and Floyd Uglow.

Births: February 9, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dorn…January 28, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Norris…February 3, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Jones.

Obituaries in this edition were: Fred William Harden, Mary M. Magrath (infant), Mrs. T.W. Magrath, Paul Donald Detrick (child), and Ulyssis Theodore Mason.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 10, 1949.)

Benton girls win sectional in overtime~A basket by Mildred Bowen in the second overtime period of the finals in the girls sectional meet at Afton Saturday night gave Benton a 2 point margin victory over Shannon City and advanced the Ringgold county champions to the district tournament. Final score 45-43.

Marriage: January 5, Mary Henry and Billy Moore, January 23, Blanche Votava and Jerry Fillipi.

Birth: January 27, a daughter, Kathleen, to Mr. and Mrs. James Flanagan…January 9, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shaffer…January 23, a daughter, Cynthia, to Mr. and Mrs. James Speer…January 13, a daughter, Karen, to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Flemming…Born on Monday a son to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Mathany…January 29, a daughter, Anita, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dredge.

Obituaries in this edition were: George W. Bentley, Mary Ollie Stedman Rush, Malinda Jane Warren Richardson, Charles Richard Webb, Lydia A. McAninch and LeRoy Phil Butler.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday,  February 14, 1974.)

To attain membership in “100,000 Dollar Club” is the aspiration of all employees of the C.R. Anthony’s Company. Last week an employee of the local Anthony’s store, Mrs. Arnold Combs, was one of 17 to achieve that honor by selling over $100,000 in merchandise.

Mrs. Barton Abarr of Redding and Francis Smith of Tingley were made honorary members of the Ringgold county 4-H Clubs at the annual 4-H Leader Recognition Banquet held Thursday night.

Ralph Manning was the 7th MAC athlete to be recognized by the Mount Ayr Lions club for his successful participation in college athletics. He is the first wrestler to be so honored by the club which recognizes former Raider athletes.

Open house February 14-17 for Mount Ayr Furniture Co. at their new location, two blocks from the northeast corner of the square.

Marriages: January 13, Rick Stull and Lora Sickels…February 3, Sandra Sandage and Steven Clem.

Births: February 6, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Alan Longfellow…February 7, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hartman…February 12, twin sons, to Mr. and Mrs. Ron Mobley…February 9, daughter, Janelle, to Mr. and Mrs. Loren Mahr…February 7, a son, Timothy, to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bogan.

Obituaries in this edition were: Archie Robert McCahon, Nora B. Moon Drake, and Harry Drinkle Sheumaker.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 14, 1974.)

Longtime teachers retiring from Mount Ayr Community school. Resignations were accepted with deep appreciation for many years of service from two elementary teachers. Nancy Willey of Mount Ayr resigned after 33 years of teaching and Mary Overholtzer of Tingley resigned after 36 years of teaching, effective at the end of the current year.

Cindy Mitchell, owner of Forget-Me-Not Flowers, has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the Society of Iowa Florists and Growers. She earned her Iowa Master Florist Accreditation in 1992.

A Ringgold county student has been named to the dean’s list of Simpson College for the fall semester. Tami Trullinger of Tingley, a junior chemistry major, made the list of students who achieved a grade point average of at least 3.7 on the schools 4.0 scale.

Bill Taylor of Creston, formerly of Diagonal, has been named as director of the SW Small Business Development Center. The small business development center is a state funded program designed to assist residents in developing new businesses.

A MAC junior high student qualified for the state spelling bee by taking 3rd place at the Green Valley Area Education Agency spelling bee in Creston.  Jessica Rotert topped the three other Mount Ayr students who participated.

Obituaries in this edition were: Opal Rudeen Freeman Ellison, Marvin L. “Marv” Johnson, Robert Eugene Kibbe Sr., and Sidney Allen Long.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 13, 2014.)

On Friday, February 4, Mount Ayr activities director and Hall of Fame chair Delwyn Showalter announced the first induction class for the Mount Ayr Hall of Fame: Dawn Huff Elliott, 1990 graduate; Jack and Mildred Elliott, 1945 graduates; Vance Geiger, high school principal 1950-1969; Larry Hunter, 1968 graduate; Joe McNeill, Dave Still, high school football coaches and Peggy Whitson, astronaut.

County employees honored at their meeting Monday, the RC Supervisors presented service awards to county employees for their dedicated service to the county. Sharla Norris, 20 years pubic health; Deborah Gilliland, 20 years, public health; Becky Fletchall, 15 years, public health; Tara Lynch 15 years; Kisha Martin, 10 years, RC Recorder; Scott Derscheid, 5 years, RC Sheirff office; Mike Sobotka, RC Sheriff, 15 years; Spencer Lumbard, courthouse janitor, 15 years; and Steve Trullinger, 20 years, secondary roads.

Obituary in this edition was, Rena Rae Walters Smith.