Peekin’ into the past

Five Years Ago
Jan. 31, 2013
    Operation PC Cares will continue in Phillips County, now coordinated by the local Bank of the West branch in Holyoke. Since September 2007, residents of Phillips County have shown they truly care, making it possible for over 200 packages to be sent to servicemen and women through the Operation PC Cares program sponsored by Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.
    As of Jan. 28, sisters Misti Redman and Holli Purkeypile were open and ready for business at the new Strandz Salon, located at 101 E. Emerson St. in Holyoke.
    
Ten Years Ago
Jan. 31, 2008
    Elisa Sagehorn, a senior at Holyoke High School, was the winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for the youth division.
    Following a two-year refurbishing project, a World War II 37 mm anti-tank gun is now on display in front of the City of Holyoke office. For many years, the anti-tank gun was located at City Park.
    After owning her own business for 12 years, Misti Redman is selling her business to fellow hairdresser Veronica Marroquin so she can have more time with her family. The two cosmetologists will combine under Veronica’s Hair and Nail Salon at 145 E. Denver St., where Misti’s Mane Attractions is currently housed.
    
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Feb. 4, 1993
    A multipurpose building committee requested input and direction when they presented the rough draft of a plan for a countywide building at the fairgrounds to a group of close to 20 on Jan. 30. Several years ago, a group of individuals concerned about the condition of facilities at the fairgrounds began to evaluate the idea of a multipurpose building to be used not only at fair time but year-round by the whole county.
    Former Holyoke resident Allen Howland will be a contestant on the popular “Jeopardy” television show Feb. 11.
    
Fifty Years Ago
Feb. 1, 1968
    A break-in at Holyoke Drug Co. Sunday night or early Monday netted burglars cash and merchandise. The Jecminek Montgomery Ward agency here was also entered, but apparently nothing was stolen.
    LaVerne’s Downtown Beauty Salon, owned and operated by Mrs. George Rober, will be opened today in the building formerly occupied by Elaine’s Beauty Salon at 117 N. Interocean Ave., just north of the Phillips 66 station.
    Three brothers from the Denver area were found guilty of grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft here last night, following a three-day trial before District Judge Francis L. Shallenberger. The brothers were found guilty of the theft of wheat from the Paoli Farmers Co-op elevator on Sept. 25, 1967.
    
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Feb. 4, 1943
    Plans were discussed at the meeting of the Holyoke Civilian Defense Council Wednesday night to promote a car sharing pool so information would be available as to drivers making trips to other points and passengers seeking rides from Holyoke, the project having for its objective the conservation of rubber.
    Rationing of canned and frozen fruits and vegetables and dried fruits will start March 1. Grocery store sales of these commodities will cease at midnight Feb. 20 and will not be resumed until the ration date. This “freeze” period was set by officials to allow grocers to stock up and prepare for the complicated point rationing system.
    On account of the loss of a good deal of business to Holyoke business firms because there is no mail service out of Holyoke after 2:30 in the afternoon, efforts are being made by residents of the town to secure some sort of mail service out of Holyoke at night. One of the principal losses in business is from traveling salesmen who do not stop over here at night because there is no way for them to mail their orders to their jobbers, hence they go on to another town.