Dale Wood was born in the Wages community near Holyoke in 1917. After he completed his first two years of school, the family moved to Renton, Washington, where he completed his third year of school. His father, Nathan, then moved the family back to the Holyoke area because, after a year of rainy weather, Nathan said he wanted to see the wind blow again. After graduating from high school in 1930, Dale worked with his parents on their farm. In May 1936, he was severely burned in a tractor fuel fire and was hospitalized for 30 days in Haxtun. While at the hospital, he met Delma G. Cary, a nurse, and they were married later that year. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin' into the Past
Five Years Ago
Feb. 23, 2017
2017 marks 100 years of Girl Scout cookie sales. It all started in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1917, when the Mistletoe troop decided to sell cookies they baked at home as a fundraiser. Within a few years, the idea snowballed into a well-loved standard for Girl Scouts nationwide, teaching the five skills of goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics.
Proposed building plans, budget numbers and fundraising efforts of the Haxtun Health and Wellness committee were presented to members of the Haxtun Town Council last Monday night. Committee members are working toward the construction of a new recreation center in Haxtun.
Ten Years Ago
Feb. 23, 2012
Two new radar speed signs were installed in the school zone along South Interocean Avenue, notifying drivers of their speed. The devices flash the phrase “slow down” if drivers are traveling too fast.
HHS senior Mark Edmonds is a three-time state champ after taking first in the 132-pound bracket of the 2012 2A Colorado State Wrestling Championships on Saturday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Feb. 27, 1997
Eldon McCormick was unanimously appointed by Holyoke City Council to move into the mayor’s chair at its Feb. 18 meeting, to replace Frank Hubp, who resigned Feb. 4. Connie Peckham was then appointed to fill McCormick’s vacated seat on the council.
Ron Wahlert recently assumed the duties of brand inspector in Holyoke and surrounding areas. He moved to Holyoke from the Front Range the first of February.
Since traffic is no longer one-way on Emerson Street between Campbell and Interocean avenues, a new yield sign has been installed on Emerson Street near the Phillips County Communications Center. The yield sign will apply to those traveling eastbound on Emerson.
Northeastern Colorado Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce the expansion of its Meet and Eat nutrition program for the elderly from three to five days per week, beginning March 3.
Fifty Years Ago
Feb. 24, 1972
Interest in cable TV has grown this last week since Midwest service men have started hooking up homes. If the men come to a home and no one is home, they leave a note so you may call for an appointment. The office is located at 120 S. Sherman.
The Platte Valley customs dragway, located 3 miles west of Julesburg on Highway 138, will open its 1972 drag racing season on March 5. The dragway will feature competition in all four of the national Hot Rod Association sportsman eliminator categories in 1972.
Holyoke Lions Club has received worldwide recognition as being one of 73 clubs in the world with 15 or more new members reported. Lions International is an organization comprising 25,000 Lions clubs in 159 countries.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Feb. 27, 1947
At about 7:15 p.m. Monday evening, Feb. 24, two men entered the Fitzwater general store in Lamar, Nebraska, and inquired how far it was to Holyoke. After Mr. Fitzwater had given them the information, one of the men pulled out a gun and demanded that the money in the cash register be handed over. About $35 was taken by the men. As yet, no trace of the bandits has been found.
Mrs. Frank Schrage brought to the Enterprise office last Saturday a large white egg that measured 7 1/2 inches in diameter the small way and 8 3/4 inches the long way. The egg was laid by an Austra White hen. Thursday morning the shell of the egg broke, and upon examination, a normal size hen egg, shell and all, was found within the larger shell.
The Thespian Dragons, under the able direction of Mr. Eicher, presented the annual contest plays Feb. 20. The judges chose “Antic Spring” the best performed play. Helen Coler and Edward Travis walked off with the individual acting honors. Patty Miller was outstanding reader with her dramatic readings, “Patsy.”