Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago

Dec. 15, 2016

Bemis Drug is now open in a new location at Olde Holyoke Square, 221 N. Interocean Ave. in Holyoke. Customers should enter through the door on the northeast side since that’s the corner in which the pharmacy is located. A drive-up will be available in the future.

Eight years of motherhood and a four-month project have culminated in Samantha Krieger’s first book, “Quiet Time: A 30-Day Devotional Retreat for Moms in the Trenches.” The book has been available through Amazon.com since Nov. 23 and officially launched on Dec. 6. Krieger, wife of Holyoke First Baptist Church pastor Jeremiah Krieger, is no stranger to having her works published, but the devotional is her first actual book.

Featuring mechanical bull riding, a viewing of the National Finals Rodeo, swing dancing, live and silent auctions, a reverse raffle, and a catered meal, the Phillips County NFR Gala at the Phillips County Event Center on Dec. 10 was quite a party. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Phillips County Fairgrounds Pavilion/Education Center project.

Josh Skelton of Dickinson Land Surveyors is working on providing an up-to-date platted and plotted base map for the city. Once the map’s details are completed, Skelton will spend a few days with each city utility department to create overlay maps for zoning, water mains, sewer lines, electricity and storm sewers.

Ten Years Ago

Dec. 15, 2011

A 2.5-year-old Belgian Malinois is the newest “officer” working for Phillips County Sheriff’s Office. Bruce is the newest partner to Deputy Michael Grant, who has spent the last few months getting acquainted with the tracking dog.

Officer Dwight Thompson began his duties with Holyoke Police Department on Dec. 1.

Holyoke City Council members hope to form a committee to conduct some research to see what can be done with safety issues at the Lions Club Mini Park located near the stoplight in Holyoke. It is believed that the ground has settled under the park due to improper filling of the hole after a fire burned part of the previous building. The settling has caused the brick wall and sidewalk to crack and sag.

A fully functional laptop computer lab was unveiled last Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Heginbotham Library Extravaganza. The lab, located in the library basement, was set up last week and will soon be the site of a variety of computer classes for the community.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Dec. 19, 1996

Flooding in the Paoli area in recent years has prompted county officials to look at how the problem can be solved. One recent solution has been called the Paoli drainage project. Currently, construction crews are increasing the depth of the Frenchman Creek just north of Paoli by 1-2 feet near the bridge and by 3 feet east and west of the bridge for about 2,000 feet. One bridge has been replaced, and another is scheduled to be replaced.

By tabling discussion on changes in the current graduation requirements, the Re-1J board has asked the administration to look into the feasibility of requiring eight units of credit in the four core areas of language arts, international studies, science and math.

Fifty Years Ago

Dec. 16, 1971

Keith Rundall, Ovid, has been appointed postmaster for the Holyoke Post Office. The U.S. Postal Service announced the appointment of 50 postmasters in the west on Dec. 10. Postmaster Rundall replaces Everett Lappart, who has been acting postmaster since Feb. 28, 1967, following the retirement of F.B. Flanagan.

Mrs. Charles D. Bird, Holyoke, has been named clerk of the Phillips County District Court, effective Jan. 1, 1972. She succeeds Mrs. A.H. Beal, court clerk since April 1, 1967, who will retire Dec. 31. Mrs. Frank Duke will take over the duties of deputy clerk on Jan. 1.

The athletic league in which Holyoke participates has voted to increase admission prices for adults from $1 to $1.25. For the present, admissions at Holyoke will not be raised, as the national price freeze guidelines are not entirely clear. When the price picture is fully understood and if the increases are permissible, Holyoke will begin charging the prices set by the league.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Dec. 19, 1946

Through the courtesy of the town of Holyoke, Phillips County commissioners and the Holyoke Lions Club, the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department now has in its possession the resuscitator which will be added to the regular line of fire-fighting and first-aid equipment.

St. Patrick Catholic Church of Holyoke has been beautified by the installing of two hand-painted leaded windows, each window measuring 9 feet by 7 feet. They are placed one on each side of the church. One window is the painting of Jesus on the mount. The other window is the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Holyoke High School opened the 1946-1947 basketball season Monday night, Dec. 9, against the town Butane-Propane team. Although Butane defeated them 31-18, the high school team played well.