Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago

June 22, 2017

Holyoke welcomed St. Patrick Catholic Church’s new priest, Father Jerry Rohr, to town on June 13.

Residents, family, friends and community members are all invited to “Seas the Day” aboard the USS Regent next week, June 26-30, at Regent Park and Carriage House in Holyoke.

Holyoke Police Department’s Sgt. Mark Werts joined an organization called Mission Mobilization International for a week-long trip June 3-10 to train and witness to police officers in Santa Ana, El Salvador.

The “Eastern Express” version of the well-established TransAmerica Trail, the Adventure Cycling Association’s oldest and most popular cycling route, takes cyclists through Holyoke as they bike across America. The tour route is brand-new, but if it receives enough positive feedback, it could become an official trail endorsed by the ACA.

Tyler Camblin, Wyatt McCallum, Gunnar Kroeger and Brendan Mayden of Holyoke FFA were all recognized at the state FFA convention June 13-15 at Colorado State University-Pueblo, receiving State Degrees for their contributions to their chapter and community.

Ten Years Ago

June 21, 2012

Jack Wieland is retiring after serving 30 years for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. He has spent the last 20 years as the district wildlife manager in the Phillips County area.

As of June 13, Subway in Holyoke began operating under new ownership, with owners Pete and Kristin Sorensen and Phil and Karen Trippet of Fort Collins taking over the local restaurant. In 2003, co-owners Teresa Mailander and Leo Mailander of Holyoke launched the local Subway restaurant. Teresa said it’s been exactly nine years since they opened their doors on June 12, 2003, and their last day of business on June 12, 2012.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 26, 1997

Due to flood damage, the Holyoke Police Department has closed the dog pound until further notice. Once it is fixed, it will need to be cleaned in order to prevent diseases in animals that may result from flood water. HPD officers have been instructed to take alternative measures when dealing with stray dogs.

Sewer rates in the city of Holyoke were doubled last week with absolutely no public opposition. After a completely silent public hearing June 17, city council members gave final approval to the increase.

Frank Lucero, Ph.D., has been offered a position as Holyoke High School principal. His duties will begin Aug. 1.

Fifty Years Ago

June 22, 1972

Last Sunday evening at about 6:21 p.m., Holyoke was hit hard by a very strong rolling wind that caused severe damage to trees and TV antennas. The front glass window and several windows on the north side of John Baldwin Chevrolet Co. were knocked out, along with the company’s sign. A door window at the co-op station was broken, and the streets were littered with tree limbs of all shapes and sizes throughout most of the town.

According to the latest census, Holyoke’s population has increased from 1,555 in 1960 to 1,640 in 1970.

The Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and Holyoke merchants are making plans to hold a Fiesta Day on July 8. Plans are to have a day of fun for everyone with dancing, booths and square dancing, and Holyoke merchants will offer many savings values during the day.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

June 26, 1947

Commencing July 1, K.M. Kloppel of the state highway patrol will be permanently located in Holyoke. His district will be from the Colorado-Nebraska state line west to about Fleming and from Holyoke north to Julesburg and south to Wray.

Mr. and Mrs. George Zeiler announce the coming marriage of their daughter, Urchyl, to Mr. Kenneth Bohard of Greeley. The wedding will take place at the Chapman Park Hotel in Hollywood, California, over the Bride and Groom program, Wednesday, July 2. The broadcast may be heard in Colorado over station KVOD at 3:30 p.m.

Approximately 100 representing 33 clubs, churches and other organizations of the Holyoke community met in the community room of the courthouse Wednesday evening of this week for the purpose of discussing the possibility of a community building and the organizing of a youth recreation committee.