Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago

Jan. 12, 2017

Holyoke’s new recreation director’s requirements and responsibilities, as well as the Recreation Advisory Committee’s bylaws, were approved at the Jan. 3 Holyoke City Council meeting. Applications for the recreation director position will be accepted until Feb. 1.

Allyn Robinson’s R&B Catering business has officially outgrown itself, expanding into a permanent space at 130 E. Denver St. under the new name of Happy Jacks Barbeque.

Time to either use or exchange that Holyoke Scrip — Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is changing the name of its gift certificate program to Holyoke Chamber Bucks, as well as changing the physical certificates.

Ten Years Ago

Jan. 12, 2012

Melissa Memorial Hospital will soon be taking appointments for digital mammogram exams using a brand-new machine that has been installed within the facility.

Newly purchased bleachers will be installed at Holyoke Ballpark along with new awnings to wrap up the Great Outdoors Colorado mini grant used to purchase them.

Elisa Sagehorn was recently named the winner of the National Spokesperson for Agriculture Contest. She competed against other state winners as part of the National Ag Communications Contest. The spokesperson program was part of the 45th National Young Farmer Educational Association Institute held Dec. 7-10 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Jan. 16, 1997

An interesting new partnership is in the works at the Staple F Restaurant one block north of the stoplight in Holyoke. It’s a partnership that new manager Jim Clark expects to bring added success to the restaurant. Jim and his wife Amanda have an unusual arrangement with restaurant owner Marian Ferguson. In addition to working together, they also will be living together. Clarks moved into Ferguson’s house last week, and all three plan to be active in all phases of running the Staple F.

A jolt from the 72-degree high temperature recorded Jan. 2 in Holyoke came in the form of subzero lows each day from Jan. 10-13. The low temp between Jan. 7-13 was minus 13 on Jan. 12.

Fifty Years Ago

Jan. 13, 1972

An organizational meeting of the Veterinary Science Club was held Dec. 6 at the courthouse community room. Dr. Gary L. Hartzell, DVM, associated with the Holyoke Animal Hospital, will be the club instructor. Anyone interested in the club is invited to attend the next meeting on Jan. 17.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Beard, Champion, Nebraska, have moved to Big Springs, Nebraska, to begin operation of the I-80 Skelly plaza to be known as The Oasis. Beard has joined James Scholl and son Arlan of Holyoke in forming Oasis Inc. that leased the facilities. James Scholl, owner and operator of the Scholl Oil and Transportation Co., will open a new Michelin tire store in Holyoke in the near future.

The Holyoke Housing Authority has taken option on the Fiedler property located at the corner of Kellogg and Bowman for the proposed site of the senior citizen low-rent housing project.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Jan. 16, 1947

For the past month or so, the Holyoke Lions Club has made a census survey in the town of Holyoke. Ralph Anderson, who was chairman of the census taking committee, reported at the last regular meeting that the survey was completed and the final tally showed 1,409 inhabitants within the town of Holyoke.

For the first time in history, paper mills of the East want Colorado dead trees. They want them to grind them into pulp from which all types of paper will be manufactured. The freight committee of the Western railroads have asked for a special rate that will allow the shipment of the trees to Eastern mills. Colorado has thousands of dead trees all through her forests. The largest supply is beetle-killed spruce.

Forty-six billion dollars was spent in the United States on food and beverages in 1946, representing 35% of all consumer outlays for goods and services during the year. The $330 average per person was almost double the $170 average for prewar 1941. The 1945 average was $305.