Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago
    March 15, 2012
    In a collaboration between Phillips County Family Education Services and Colorado State University Extension office, a brochure is in the works that will include information on many of the summer activities that will be offered in Holyoke and Phillips County. The publication will be dubbed “Holyoke Happenings.”
    Chris Wiant, CEO for the Caring for Colorado Foundation, has announced a grant of $42,000 for County Express to provide non-emergent medical transportation in northeast Colorado.
    John C. Curlander bid $2,542,071.87 for the Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club property southeast of Holyoke at a foreclosure sale on the Yuma County Courthouse steps March 7. As the only bidder, his bid purchased Ballyneal. Curlander, the sole secured lender/investor at Ballyneal, initiated the foreclosure proceedings Nov. 3, 2011.
    
    Ten Years Ago
    March 15, 2007
    Susan Ortner, who has served as teacher/counselor in the Holyoke School District since 1984, was offered a 12-month contract as principal of Holyoke JR/SR High School, starting July 1. Due to an ongoing decline in enrollment, the board made a bold move in eliminating the assistant JR/SR high principal position at the end of the current school year.
    John Ayoub officially began his role as interim administrator at Melissa Memorial Hospital March 1 as Arlene Harms takes a six-month leave to care for her mother.
    Christiane “Criquet” Cole is now providing on-site computer services and instructional sessions in her new business venture.
    
    Twenty-Five Years Ago
    March 19, 1992
    A new craft supply business called Country Emporium will open for business March 25, according to business owner Barb Statz. The store will be located in the Statz home at 627 S. Phelan Ave.
    Having accepted a position at Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada, March 22 will mark the final Sunday of official pastoral duties for Pastor John Larson at the Lutheran churches in Amherst and Venango, Nebraska.
    An artist’s drawing of the exterior front of the new community center addition being planned for SunSet View Homes in Holyoke was unveiled Monday during Community Night activities.
    
    Fifty Years Ago
    March 16, 1967
    Something new this year is a county-owned car to be used by the sheriff. The commissioners decided to buy a car for the sheriff to see how operational costs compare with paying the sheriff expenses for use of his own car.
    A program on lie detection will be presented at a Holyoke High School assembly program Friday. The public is invited. Richard Wresch, who is associated with the National School Assemblies Agency of North Hollywood, California, will demonstrate the polygraph with audience participation and will tell the story of the original lie detector and relate the history and development of lie detection.
    
    Seventy-Five Years Ago
    March 19, 1942
    Sugar rationing probably will not become effective throughout the United States until sometime in April, the office of price administration indicated Saturday. Details of the program still must be completed, and a decision to determine industrial allotments on an individual basis will require additional time.
    LaVaun Hagemann and Teddy Siedenberg were winners of the first prizes in the soap sculpture contest conducted by Holyoke Grade School. The prize-winning articles will be displayed at Morgan’s store, after which they will be sent to New York, New York, to be entered in the National Soap Sculpture Contest.
    Organization of the Phillips County War Board was perfected recently at a meeting held in Holyoke. The organization cooperates with the draft board, tire and sugar rationing boards, and other similar groups.