Looking Back

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, April 2, 1924.)

This is sure a backward spring. From the looks of the weather and as wet as the ground is, there will not be many oats sown this week and it is the last week of March.

The proposition of issuing bonds in the sum of $32,000 for the purpose of establishing a municipal water works system in Diagonal, lost Monday by the small margin of 32 votes.

A deal was recently consummated through which Erle Middlesworth sold the Snow White Bakery on Depot Street to Ell Ogden and John McNerney, possession being given yesterday morning. Mr. Middlesworth learned the bakers trade with Mr. McNerney when he conducted a restaurant and bakery in the Odd Fellow building on the northwest corner of the square and seven years ago opened the Snow White Bakery.

Kellerton~Lawrence Manning recently purchased the half interest of his partner, John Reynard, in the Manning & Reynard Clothing store and will conduct business alone after the 1st of April.

Tingley~Roy McDowell has purchased the W.E. McDowell dray line and W.E. McDowell will move to the farm.

In Adair county last fall, County Engineer Lemkuhl erected some experimental snow fences along the highways where the drifting of snow usually results. In some cases horizontal grate-type fences were used. These proved to be most effective. Fences made of lath cribbing material, with the strips running vertical were not as effective.

The experiments showed that snow will drift worse through a fence with slats running vertical than when the slats run horizontal. The horizontal strips seem to break the carrying power of the wind.

Marriage: March 14, Marian Fisher and Harry Motsinger.

Births: March 25, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Cad Mannasmith…March 22, a daughter Helen, to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Millsap.

Obituaries in this edition were: Thomas Jefferson Silvers, Jacob Stone, and Juan Gustin.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, March 31, 1949.)

A two-way short wave communication system will soon be installed by the Rideta Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Mount Ayr, according to J.W. Young, manager.

The communication system will solve an old problem-how to keep in contact with construction crews, linemen and service men, sometimes many miles apart. It will save valuable time, mileage and money.

Marriage: February 22, Naomi Knight and Wallace Staples…March 13, Julia Stephens and Ivan Barker…March 11 Hilda Davidson and Rex Lamb.

Births: Last week a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Junior Brown…March 4, a son, Gene, to Mr. and Mrs. Forest Rusco…March 20, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Beymer…March 21, a son, Rodney, to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cadenhead…March 19, a son, Randall, to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Frost…March 17, a son, Michael, to Mr. and Mrs. Albert O’Connell…March 23, a daughter, Susan, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Holmes…March 8, a son, Bill to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Weldon.

Obituaries in this edition were: Francis Warrick, James Ernest Michael and Robert Franklin Kimble.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday,  April 4, 1974.)

Newcomers to Mount Ayr are the Randy McDonnells, James Webbs and Mrs. Myrtle Bryant and families.

Another Mount Ayr business has changed hands this week. Bev’s Pantry, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Matt Bevington, has been sold to Raymond Umbarger and his daughters, who will operate the cafe under the name of Patty-Lynn Cafe.

The Bevingtons have owned the cafe located on the north side of the square in Mount Ayr for the past 11 years.

Open April 10 under  new management, Theanna’s Beauty Salon located on the south side of the square in Mount Ayr. Diane Elmer will be the new manager.

Marriages: Jaunary 6, Connie Wilkes and Don Mathes.

Births: March 30, a son, Robert, to Mr. and Mrs. Craig Lynch…April 4, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bickers.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, March 25, 1999.)

A new business was welcomed to the community this week by Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting at the Edward-Jones investment office along Hwy 2 east of Mount Ayr. Randy Gregg heads up the office there.

Ed Shields of Mount Ayr, a 1972 graduate of Graceland College and manager of the Graceland College Bookstore, was installed as president of the Mid-State Assoc. of College Stores at it’s spring meeting on Tuesday March 9 in Kansas City, MO.

Four local wrestlers advance to the state AAU youth wrestling tournament by qualifying at a district tournament held at Indianola recently.

Placing second in his weight class and a 4th grader, Matt Wimer of Mount Ayr. The other qualifiers for Mount Ayr community junior high wrestlers were, 2nd Andy Ford at 152 lbs. Placing 4th Kevin Trullinger at 165 and 1st place Mark Trullinger at 185 lbs.

Top ratings at all-state speech. Four MACHS students received division 1 ratings and one was invited to attend the All-State Speech Festival at University of Northern Iowa later in April.

Named as an all-state speech participant was Laura Jones. Rachel Derscheid, Amy Hynek and Scott Lauristen all received one ratings.

The Ringgold County Friends of Agriculture award wa presented to Bill and Nancy Daughton at the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce agricultural banquet Monday night.

Marriage: January 6, Connie Wilkes and Don Mathis.

Births: March 10, a son, Marshal, to Cory and Beth Knedler.

Obituaries in this edition were: Katherine “Katie” Marie Tully and Richard A. Baird.

(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, March 27, 2014.)

State Senator Joni Ernst and State Representative Cecil Dolecheck met with over a dozen constituents at the legislative coffee hosted by Iowa State Extension on Saturday, March 22.

Main items of discussion concerned the legalization of medical marijuana, anti-bullying, legislation and revenue to maintain roads and bridges.

The MACHS concert band performed outdoors at Epcot Center in Florida. A total of 21 student musicians and 14 chaperones enjoyed their spring break touring.

Mount Ayr senior Matt Poore has been selected for the 2014 Iowa High School Speech Assoc. All-State Festival. He will perform at the UNI in Cedar Falls on March 31.

Births: March 20,  a son, Brian, to Kassandra Morvant and Brian Comer.

Obituaries in this edition were: Everett Denton King and Darlene Louise Bedier Reasoner.