Today is April 18, the 108th day of the year. So, there are 257 days left in 2019. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (April 15-21) in history:
20 years ago
Greenfield Police Chief Jacob Mathews said he could double the police force for about $300 a year by using volunteer reserve officers. He felt he would then be able to use them as a hiring pool when openings came up for an officer with a better chance of them staying in the area. The reserves would have uniforms and weapons and have the same authority as officers when on duty and supervised. The only cost would be $1 annual salary to make them eligible for workmen’s compensation and about $300 hike in the city’s insurance premium.
After 72 years in Creston, the Business and Professional Women’s organization disbanded. During a dinner meeting, the group officially called it quits after a decline in membership. The group was chartered Oct. 10, 1927.
Creston School board approved low bids for roofing projects at Jefferson and Lincoln elementary buildings. Dr. Robert Kuhl, board president, said that by approving this, they were saying the enrollment projections did not allow closing a building, and hoped rumors about closing Jefferson would stop.
50 years ago
Ten members of the faculty of Creston Schools submitted resignations and three others were retired under a board policy requiring retirement when a teacher reaches 65. The 10 included Marilyn Bailie, Grace Blaschke, Frances Briley, Evelyn Reed, John Reich, Rite Schmitter, Ron White, David Koos, Neil Jones and Sue Davidson. The three being retired were Helen Beck, Lenora Carlson and Olen Danner.
East Union High School presented the musical, “Li’l Abner.” Ralph Lundquist starred in the role of Li’l Abner and Cindy Amos was Daisy May in the show adapted from the Al Capp comic strip. The production was directed by Jim Thaden.
A Orient-Macksburg vocal quartet of Paul Larsen, Carla Campbell, Carol Woods and Don Draman appeared on TV on the Bill Riley State Fair Talent Search.
An ad from Palm Clothing promoted “Prom Time” – prom formal wear available in white, red and blue; seersucker or red batik; and included a coat, trousers, tie, cummerbund and suspenders for $10.
Mrs. John (Deloris) Latham of Creston was one of 56 Avon representatives who were sweepstakes winners in a three-week sales competition. She received a mink stole, washer and dryer, color television set and $250 in savings bonds.
As legislation in 38 states was pending on lowering the voting age from 21, some states were proposing clauses in order for younger people to vote. In Montana, a senator wanted anyone 19 and 20 that wanted to vote be required to “get a shave and a haircut and be like the rest of us.” In Wyoming, they wanted their hair “at a length and grooming to meet standards prescribed by the military service.” A senator in Milwaukee argued, “If we continue to deny the right to vote to young people, it’s possible they’ll be even more inclined to join militant minority groups.”
In “Bits of Creston History,” a snowstorm March 14-17, 1872, was called “the severest storm I have ever witnessed” by a 70-year-old. During those days, scarcely any person ventured outdoors. Train service was entirely paralyzed with not a wheel moving. At that time, the population was about 100, and without coal coming in on the trains, some were forced to do without fuel.
Strand Theater was showing “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing and James Fox.