Charter members of Holyoke’s Sorosis Club, organized in 1907, are pictured from left, front row, Verna Mowry, Harriet Young and Mae Shepard; middle row, Lila Johnson, Mary Slack, Ida Kelsey, Jennie Mock and Melissa Heginbotham; and back row, Anna Irwin, Arpey Garland, Isabel Mowry, Anna White, Mae Mowry, Grace Mowry and Anna Foster. Sorosis was the first professional women’s club in the U.S., created to further the education and social activities of women, because women were often excluded from membership in professional organizations. The word “sorosis” means “aggregation” and is the botanical name for a fruit formed from the consolidation of many flowers, like a pineapple. It may also have been derived from the Latin word “soror,” meaning sister, like the word “sorority.”
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
Feb. 20, 2014
With an eye on more local control and relief within the law from mandates and state requirements, Holyoke School District is participating in the Colorado Association of School Boards’ Rural Agility Project.
Gary Krumm has been appointed sales manager at the 21st Century Equipment dealership in Holyoke. Krumm goes to 21st Century Equipment from Bank of Colorado, where he had spent nearly 10 years, most recently as the bank president.
At the beginning of January, the General Education Development tests became much more technology-oriented. To attain a GED certificate previously, five tests were completed with paper and pencil. Now, just four computer-based tests are necessary to complete a GED program.
Ten Years Ago
Feb. 19, 2009
Getting parents to work together, with each other and with the school, is the role of Holyoke School District’s Parent Leadership Team. Recently, PLT has begun sponsoring two programs which are designed to effectively engage parents in the education process: a new parent center in both the elementary and JR/SR high schools and the offering of “Los Padres” and “Las Madres” classes.
Holyoke City Council members learned at their Feb. 17 regular meeting that a letter was received that day indicating that Pamida will not be building a new store south of town.
HHS junior Chad Stroh marked his 100th win on the high school wrestling mats at the Eaton tournament Feb. 7 and now claims 106 for his high school career to date.
Approximately 6 inches of snow fell in Holyoke throughout Thursday night and Friday, causing the school district to call a snow day on Friday.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Feb. 24, 1994
A new mortuary is to be built in Holyoke in the near future, according to James L. Schmidt and Daniel L. Baucke of Spellman-Schmidt-Baucke Mortuaries of Wray and Yuma. Land is being purchased on Highway 385 at the south edge of Holyoke, and the new facility will be known as Schmidt-Baucke Mortuaries. Manager of the new facility will be Jerry A. Roberts, who will come here from Ashland, Oregon.
J&V Tail Waggers is getting a new location, a new name and a whole new look. The new location of Jim and Vicki Ocken’s store will be 118 W. Denver St. When the shop opens, hopefully in mid-April, it will be called Tail Waggers Pet Shop. J&V Tail Waggers opened five years ago at 705 E. Denver St., primarily doing pet grooming but also selling pet foods and supplies.
This weekend will mark the opening of a new business in Holyoke. John and Marianne Sullivan are opening The Bakery on Feb. 26 at 130 E. Denver St., just to the west of their other business, Lucky’s Liquors.
Discussion of the formation of a fundraising foundation for Melissa Memorial Hospital was held at the Feb. 15 board meeting of the East Phillips County Hospital District.
A new city ordinance will allow for the cancellation of an election in the event that there are not more candidates than there are openings for the office. Adoption of the ordinance was approved at the Feb. 15 meeting of the Holyoke City Council.
Fifty Years Ago
Feb. 20, 1969
Recently, a financial grant was made by the Colorado State Department of Education to the Holyoke schools to cover expenses incurred in a study designed to determine the feasibility of doing educational planning on a comprehensive long-term basis. A “citizens’ opinionnaire” has been published in this edition of the Enterprise by the Re-1J school board and professional staff and has also been mailed to all parents in the district so they may have a voice in developing objectives for the project.
Fairfield Covenant Church is going on the air with a radio broadcast. With a 15-minute program each week, called Sounds that Satisfy, the Fairfield church will be heard on station KGEK, Sterling, each Friday morning. The speaking voice heard on the program will be that of the pastor of the church, David E. Carlson, and much of the music will be by the church’s men’s quartet.
Awe, skepticism and bewilderment are just some of the thrills in store for those who attend the performance of the Great Merlin Mystery Show here on Feb. 27. The show is under the sponsorship of the Holyoke Lions Club.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Feb. 24, 1944
Cooperative weather observer Loren V. Stones has quit recording the weather here and has joined the Army. He has been local observer since December 1, 1942. The U.S. Weather Bureau has appointed F.B. Kelly as local observer on Mr. Stones’ recommendation.
W.O. Norman has purchased a grocery store in North Platte, Nebraska, and has assumed management of it. He and his family will move their household goods there when they can get possession of an apartment. Mr. Norman recently moved here from North Platte and has been managing the Gold Coin Cream Station. E.J. Lothrop is taking care of the station at present.
Income tax returns this year do not have to be made under oath and signed and sworn to before a notary public. This was one of the changes made in the income tax law as amended by the last legislature.