100 years ago
April 23, 1909
Local news
There was quite a wind storm north of here, in the Prairie Dale district Monday. It blew a windmill down and partly unroofed a barn and some other buildings for Cornelius Gingerich, damaged Dan Fisher's windmill, house and barn, blew a hen house over for Warren Snider, and tore part of the roof off of Jacob Boller's barn and also damaged some trees and fences for him.
Roy Snyder and his gang of carpenters went to Iowa City Monday evening where they will build a house for Henry Brandt.
Charley Davidson and his force of assistants have been putting in the cement steps and walks for the Methodist church this week.
James Verchal went to Hills, last Saturday and will spend a few weeks at the homes of his daughters, Mrs. H. Dailey and Mrs. H. Edie.
Have you one or more horses to spare, the Kalona horse sale, May 7th will be your chance to get the best price for them. List them with the managers or see R. S. Fry at Troyer and Fry's Feed Store.
Ed Wells has sold his residence to J. W. Carpenter. John buys it because he thinks Kalona real estate is a good investment.
Herman Ritze spent Saturday night with friends in Wellman.
Henry Lauser spent Thursday night in Kalona with his folks.
D. W. Bontrager was at Kalona, Tuesday having some dental work done.
Mrs. Lydia Hesselschwerdt helped in the L. W. Brooke restaurant last Saturday.
Mrs. E. E. Dayton and little daughter Desil went to Iowa City.
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Bayertown
Sammy McLaughlin is the owner of a fine new buggy.
Mrs. Clair of Iowa City is visiting her daughter Mrs. Joe Bailey.
Willie Kesselering is working for Vincent Pelzer.
The carpenters commenced Alson Tucker's new barn Monday.
Amish
John Schlabaugh is building a fine new home for himself. Carpenters are busy working on it now.
Al Miller is busy sawing lumber near Hummer.
Spring is very late around here this year.
Richmond
Our tilers are at Stewart's near Washington.
Mrs. Stumpf was in town Saturday.
Mr. Reese shingled his house one day last week.
Mr. Spevacek had his house painted last week.
Miss Welte was in Kalona last week.
Milt Chapek is at Frank Lintz's today.
Frank Pierce
Miss Nell Wagner spent a few days at the Tom Wagner home.
Dallas, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. DeFrance has had a siege of the mumps.
Fred Buck is repairing Wm. Horns deep well.
Miss Gertrude Fry is staying at the H. DeFrance home.
E. B. Gosnell did some paper hanging for Grandma Beck and Mrs. Effie Zager last Saturday.
George Fry is the owner of a fine new buggy. Girls be on the lookout.
Word was received of Leo Fry of Oregon that a 5 pound daughter came to bless their home.
Pilotburg
Miss Eleanor Ashby is nursing north of Wellman.
Wm. Schulty and family spent Sunday at Orville Schulty's and attended church at Pilotburg Sunday afternoon.
C. F. Shaffer is improving slowly.
A. A. Maas was a business visitor at Wellman Tuesday.
Alta Hampsher wishes to thank all those who remembered her with post cards on her birthday, April 26.
Prairie Flower
The Misses Effie O'Laughlin and Mae Harley, of Washington, spent Sunday at the J. Rittenhouse home.
Friends in this neighborhood received word of the birth of a son born to Mr. and Mrs. H. Welch April 23.
Mrs. Seth Thomas and baby came Saturday for a visit at the B. F. Brown home.
Clarence and Ruth Phillips have been sick with the grippe but are rapidly improving.
Gus Howsare delivered oats at Washington Friday.
75 years ago
April 20, 1934
Local news
Mrs. Tom James and son, Stanley and Pauline Moomey are victims of the mumps.
Mr. and Mrs. John Yoder are victims of the mumps.
Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Strickler entertained at a birthday party for their son Sherwood, who was 6 years old on that day.
Those present besides the pupils of the first grade were Mary Colleen and Alfred Dean Grady, Richard Kelley and Miss Mary Pence, there being 22 present in all.
April 17, these Frederick passed his 78th birthday while Col. Boone passed his 74th.
Miss Vivian Kern was taken to the Mercy hospital at Iowa City Wednesday to receive treatment for infection caused by a blister.
Elizabeth Yoder, daughter of Abner and Veronica Schrock Yoder died at her home near Sharon Center, Iowa on April 3rd, 1934 aged 87 years.
On the 20th day of February 1870 she was united in marriage to Peter Kinsinger. Children: Nancy, wife of Jake Knepp; Jake; Fanny, wife of M. S. Beals; Aaron; John; Kate; and Sadie, wife of Enos Kauffman.
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Votruba and family are moving to a farm south of Richmond.
The Bert Barrow family moved Monday from the Wells property to the property recently vacated to Tom Brewer.
Frank Swartzendruber is sporting a new Plymouth Delux sedan which he brought home from Des Moines April 12.
Paul V. Snyder is carrying on his duties as rural carrier on Rout No. 1 again this week after having been laid up several weeks with mastoid and ear trouble.
Work is progressing in fine style on the new country home of Ray B. Brenneman. The frame and rough siding and roof are in place.
The E. A. Ritz and Fred Bourgeois families moved last Friday from the Koloseik property in the east part of town, and recently purchased by J. F. O'Loughlin, to the G. F. Howard property on West Barnes street.
Richmond
From pneumonia, William A. Lintz suddenly passed away at his home two miles south of Richmond shortly after noon Friday, April 13th, at the age of 37 years. Those surviving him are his widow, a daughter, Margaret aged 2 ½ years, and a son, Mark, Aged 6 months.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Malichky and granddaughter, Joan, went to Iowa City Sunday to see Joan's mother and new baby brother at Mercy hospital.
Vern Yeggy of Riverside will stay with his sister, Mrs. Wm. Lintz, and oversee the farm work this season.
Pilotburg
Mrs. Earl Fisher is the proud owner of a new Maytag washing machine delivered Saturday.
Glen Green and Wayne Stransky will be among the High school graduates this spring.
The young people of the Pilotburg community are to give a play at the church Thursday evening. April 19th at 8 o'clock. The characters are Billy Abby, A young husband out of a job, Stanley Mouser; Mary Abbey, his discontented wife, Teressa Herr; Mrs. Berdon, Mary's mother, Mrs. Carl Oldfield; Sally Carter, Mary's bosom friend, Mrs. Roy Page; Harry Stevens, Sally's Sweetheart, Carl D. Anderson; Burt Childe, Billy's friend, Keith Herr; Bobby Berdon, Mary's nephew, a holy terror, Raymond Cortum; Dolly Berdon, Mary's niece, Fern Oldfield, Katie, the Abbey's maid, Opal Wilson; Danny Grubb, an ice man, suitor to Katy, Harry Green; Murphy, a policeman, Danny's rival, Joe Cortum.
East Union
Mrs. Earl Shetler assisted Mrs. Lewis Hochstedler with her house cleaning last week.
Little Marjorie Hochstedler returned to her home April 10th from the SUI hospital and is getting along nicely.
Brush
The Misses Fannie Yoder, Magdalene Swartzendruber and Anna Yoder were Sunday dinner guests at the John Y. Swartzendruber home.
Miss Alma Troyer assisted Mrs. J. L. Fry with her house cleaning last week.
Kalona Hi Observer
Junior-Senior Banquet
The program committee is comprised of Muriel, Howard, Louise, and Lester, Carol, Arlene and Hazel (the menu committee) We hope that Helen, Myron, Charles and John (table committee) will do their part.
They tell me that Mildred, Donald, Dale, Arlene I., Ward, Ruth, Wilma, Harry and Branson are going to change the color of the music room to orchid and green.
Chatter
Our school work was forgotten on Friday. One of the most exciting spots of the day was when Gracie Shettler and Margaret Strabala hid behind a popcorn stand and merely said "Boo" at some of us strutting down the street, and about scared the wits out of us.
Tuesday the Seniors journeyed to Washington to have their 'pitchers took' and a great time was had by all. The most enjoyable hour of the day was along about 12 o'clock noon, when Fred and Harold split their dinner bill up by journeying to two different places, so they wouldn't have to pay a tax. A pretty thrifty bunch of seniors, eh what? But Ned, Hiney, Neff, and Moomey made up for that by eating 16 hambergers not apiece, but among them.
Grade News
The Honor Roll for this six weeks is: Alfred Grady, Bobby Snider, Neia Kern, Beatrice Perrin, Grace Miller, Sherwood Strickler, Bonnye Moody, Wayne Ledman, and Vesta Miller.
The Honor Roll for the past six weeks is as follows: Jean Fry, Mary Grady, Doris Marner, Harold Peterseim, Donald Dayton, Eugene Hochstetler and Charles Snodgrass.
Evergreen
Monroe Hostetler closed a very successful term of school at Evergreen last Saturday. Thus Evergreen with her 47 scholars brought the school year to a close.
Several neighbors and friends gathered at the Eli Stutsman home Wednesday evening in honor of Mrs. Stutzman's birthday.
Middleburg
Paul Yoder has been working for Emmet Gingerich for the past week.
Dave Bender's did their winter butchering Thursday. Mrs. Sam Bender, Mrs. Albert Miller and Katie and Miss Alta Miller went in Friday and helped Mrs. Bender can her meat.
The Misses Eunice and Leona Kessler were callers at Iowa City Friday afternoon.
50 years ago
April 23, 1959
Local news
Announcement is made of the engagement of Miss Velda Borchers of Iowa City and Mr. Robert Alt of LeMars. June 7 is the date set for the couples wedding.
H. W, Reece celebrated his 77th birthday April 19.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marek observed their fortieth (40th) wedding anniversary, April 22.
Mrs. Jacob Miller submitted to surgery at the Mercy hospital in Iowa City on April 17.
Raymond Venzke was named to the Dean's List for the winter quarter at Iowa State College.
Marvin Kolosiek, a student at Central College in Pella, visited during the weekend with his mother, Mrs. Malack Kolosiek and Donald.
Sgt. and Mrs. W. Dean Spicher and son, Bruce, returned to their home in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Everett Speas left April 22 for the west coast and then Hawaii after spending a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Speas.
Mrs. Lowell Peck, Sam and Carrie, left Wednesday morning to drive to California where they will join Dr. Peck.
Ladies of the Kalona Golf club opened the season at the local course at one o'clock April 11 and those present were Mrs. Jesse Grout, Mrs. Meredith Maas Jr., Mrs. Twyman Jones, Mrs. Marvin O'Hare, Mrs. Floyd Walker, Mrs. A. J. Haberman and Mrs. Ferd Skola.
The regular meeting of the Brownies was held and the president, Shirley Eichelberger presided at the meeting. Brenda Reece, Pamela Reece and Linda Plank displayed the American Flag, and the Brownie flag was presented by Julie Hartzler and Mary Ann Schrock.
Bayertown
By Mrs. Gertie Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Grout and family were guests at the parental Chipwau home in Coralville Sunday.
The Victor Strabala children are recovering from the measles.
Prairie Dale
By Nita Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Eli C. Miller and sons returned to their home last week after spending a week in Ohio with relatives.
Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Miller were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hostetler and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hostetler and family and Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Miller and family.
Richmond
By Mrs. Wm. Shalla
And Mrs. Roy Kallaus
Harley Coblentz and Joe Elijah Miller, Mose Coblentz and All Selement visited Friday evening at the Welte Bros. home. The occasion was Ab's birthday.
Mrs. Della Downs and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ledman attended the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Duwa at Riverside.
Mr. and Mrs. Vic Krang, Kim and Mark of Chicago were weekend guests at the Harry Jirsa home. They also visited at the Joe Lasek and Clem Shalla homes.
Kalona Kubs Corner
Senior
One of the most athletic members of the Senior Class is Kirk Allen Fry. He was Co-Captain of the football team this year. He also won a major basketball and football letter.
He was born to Lyle and Helen Fry on January 10, 1941.
When Kirk isn't studying you will find him either sleeping or playing cards (which is most of the time.)
Kirks favorite subject is Algebra 2. (It couldn't be) because there aren't any girls in the class.
His favorite food is swiss steak. His favorite actress is Brigitte Bardote and Tony Curtis is his favorite actor.
For a female singer he likes Julie London. He enjoys listening to Buddy Knox strumming on his guitar.
Seventh Grade
This week we are asking the question: If you were suddenly over taken by polromyelistis, what would you do?
Sandy - I'd drop dead.
Phil - I don't think I'd be able to do anything.
Aletha - Let him take me.
Connie - I don't know, drop dead I guess.
Carol - I wouldn't be around any longer.
Kirby - Well, I wouldn't just stand there.
Mimi - I'd play possum.
Greg - Blow him down with a shotgun.
Ronda - I would probably drop dead.
Bev - If I knew what it was I might tell.
Sandy F. - It all depends on what it is.
David - Look at it.
Billy - I don't know.
Gloria - I'd run.
Now we'll tell you what it is. "It's a disease something like Polio."
Grade School Notes
Kindergarten
Last week, Norman Swantz was our "birthday boy" and this week we have a "birthday girl," Linda Murphy. They treated us with candy bars and lollipops.
Third Grade
Friday was Miss Smith's last day of student teaching. We surprised her during the last period when we gave her a present. Then she showed us how to make Chinese kites and we all designed our own.
Mrs. Gene Hershberger visited in our room this week.
25 years ago
April 23, 1984
New arrivals
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gingerich are the parents of a son, Tristan, born April 16, weighing 7 lb. 7 oz. He was welcomed home by brothers Torrey and Tyrell.
Leonard and Rosetta Shetler of Longview, Texas, are parents of a son, Darren Ray, born April 17. Grandparents are Harley and Emma Shetler of rural Wellman, Ora and Fannie Miller of Kalona.
A 7 lb. 11 oz. daughter, Kristen Clare, was born April 22 to Mary and Jim Litwiller. Area grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kallaus.
Local news
When the annual Kalona Quilt show opens April 27 in the renovated Kalona Community Center it will mark the 12th year that Marilyn Woodin has arranged the exhibit that has given the town its claim to "Kalona Quilts the World."
Craig Spitzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry (Delores) Spitzer and a 1982 graduate of Mid-Prairie, a sophomore at McPherson College in Kansas, will study at Marburg an der Lahn, West Germany.
Colleen Chalupa and Lee Lillie were guests of Beverly Butterbaugh at the 46th anniversary dinner honoring Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Chalupa.
Gertrude Bender, Emery and Rosetta Bender were Friday supper guests of the Solomon Yoders.
Washington Township Optimist Club
Election results: President Clarence Leichty; Vice Presidents, Richard Geyer and Fred Schmidt. D. Paul Yoder, Sam Hochstedler and Carroll Troyer will serve on the board of directors.
M-P FFA Elects Officers
George Stumpf, chapter president, read the names of the new officer team for 1984-85; President, Gary Marner, Vice president, Doug Cook, Secretary, Martin Augustine, Treasurer, Mike Swartzentruber, Reporter Todd Townsend, Sentinel, Jon Horak.
IMS News
Three Wellman students were awarded Michael Sattler Scholarships worth $1,000 each. They are John F. Buckwalter, son of Royce and Betty Buckwalter, Cynthia M. Yoder, daughter of Kenneth and Dorothy Yoder and Shari Beth Yoder, daughter of Daniel and Shirley Yoder.
Jewel Y. Gingerich, daughter of Alvin and Lydia Gingerich, and Lyle G. Miller, son of Monroe and Emma Miller, received College Program Scholarships worth $825.
All students are seniors at Iowa Mennonite School.
Flint Ridge
By Bill Jr.
This area just passed through a week of damp, misty, cloudy weather but hardly any measurable precipitation.
We are now expecting a week or two of dry, mild weather as the moon is changing and the clouds all have flat lines on the bottom. Next Sunday is Easter after which the weather usually kinda settles.
We saw young John Roetlin's mother of Stringtown at the pie auction and she said that young John is at Hesston College where he receives the Kalona News and one of his buddys, Mitch Mareno is really a Flint Ridge booster and scans this column slowly each week, so we say Hi! to Mitch.
We crossed paths with Bob and Maxine Houseal of East Wellman and they said they are expecting some new foals in the near future which we plan to stop and see.
We also crossed paths with the newlyweds Nelson and Becky Kauffman, who live out on Flint Ridge in a Trailer Camp under some maple trees near the Vera Mast residence. They said that they will soon be moving west a bit farther to the residence in the woods just east of Horse Shoe Bend which will be vacated by the Bill Bontragers. The Kauffmans said that they like living on the Ridge.
I believe they said Bill Bontragers are planning to move out on the Glen Guengerich Ranch on the prairie near Pilotburg.
Tonite we are invited to a wedding anniversary party up at the Lark in Tiffin which is to be a surprise in honor of Harold and Ila Bender of the White Hall area.
Adios.