March 29, 2024

Throwback Thursday

50 years ago — A recount of votes confirmed the election of Raymond.J. Jeffryes as Creston’s first ward councilman.

A fire in the F.W. Woolworth store at 119 North Maple destroyed about $400 worth of throw rugs and towels.

Creston cagers (2-1 overall, 1-1 Hawkeye Seven) couldn’t keep pace in a road game with a hot shooting Shenandoah team, losing their first game of the season, 87-68. Panther Rick Robinson led all scorers with 17.

1970 license plates went on sale, and Creston fireman Lowell Willets purchased plate 88-1 for his passenger car, pickup truck, and motorcycle, Melvin Woosley, who had shared the long wait at the courthouse, got plate 88-2 for his passenger car and antique vehicle plate 88-1 for his 1938 Chevrolet coupe.

The Creston local of the Carpenters union picketed at the new SWCC building, seeking recognition of the union as a bargaining agent.

Gene Clark was employee of the month at Hills-McCanna, where he was storekeeper in the pattern room. Gene kept track of all the patterns used in castings made in the foundry. Gene was married to the former Judy Page of Kent, and they had three daughters: Sally Jo, 8, Peggy Sue, 7, and Trudy Jane, 13 months.

In 1969, there were 18 counties in the US named “Union.” In December, 1969, the navy announced that the USS Union, an amphibious cargo ship named after those counties in the US, would be retired after its tour of duty in Vietnam.

Specialist Five Dickie L. Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woods of Lorimor, was awarded the bronze star for his service in Vietnam.

Lt. Gary Pennebaker of the US Army special forces, son of Dr. and Mrs. G.R. Pennebaker of Creston, began a tour of duty in Vietnam.

At the climax of the Union County 4-H awards banquet, the Grant Toppers boys club (leaders Louis White and Lawrence Driskill) and the Jolly Jills girls club (Mrs. Harold Kessler and Mrs. Howard Long) received the outstanding club awards.

Burglars took $9 in cash, ten cartons of cigarettes, eight six-packs of beer, and change from a pinball machine in a break-in at the Diagonal Tavern, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs, Joe Bata.

Following their road loss at Shenandoah, Panther cagers (3-1) rebounded with a home win by crushing Greenfield 81-27. Panther Craig Blazek led all scorers with 18. In 1969, CHS had yet to establish a basketball program for girls.