By Roz Weis,
1944 EIGHTY YEARS AGO: The Kendallville School, one of the fine rural schools of Winneshiek County, is proud of its hand-washing projects. All children are practicing this health measure under the direction of county nurse, Esther Good. The children have individual towels and they wash their hands in fresh water before eating their lunches. Teachers supervise the project and report favorable results have been achieved.
…The bounty on gophers caught in Winneshiek County has increased from 5 cents to 10 cents. Bounty on moles is 10 cents. The bounties were set last week by the County Board of Supervisors.
…Wallpaper rolls are available in many new designs at Ingvoldstad Lumber. Pricetag: 6 cents.
…Soybeans are the key crop for 1944 according to E.J. Weigle, County Extension Director. He declared soybeans should fit into any farmers crop with every effort! Ten acres can reasonably be expected to yeild 12,000 pounds of soybeans. The amount would provide enough calories for 23 people for one year.
1954 SEVENTY YEARS AGO: Harris Bruvold, Springfield Township farmer, has been named the outstanding young farmer of the past year. Bruvold has been entered in the state contest by the Decorah Junior Chamber of Commerce.
…Glenwood and Canoe Ridge Lutheran congregations have extended a pastoral call to the Rev. Donald Lee of Villa Park, Ill.
…The new 1954 Studebaker is priced at $1,804.26 at Kneeskern Motor Sales.
…Debate continues as many locals believe the nickel-an-hour price tag is too low for downtown parking spots.
1964 SIXTY YEARS AGO: Iowa Governor Harold Hughes has accepted an invitation to speak at the annual Hereford Dinner in Decorah this spring.
…Bob Allen has been elected fire chief for the Decorah Volunteer Fire Department.
…Decorah students at the high school are being introduced to a popular new career – journalism. The profession is growing in scope and speed as the same rate as the rest of this fast-paced world.
…Weekend deals at Reardon’s – 3 dozen eggs for 98 cents. Fresh scallops, 69 cents per pound.
…The new “official” Iowa highway maps will be available later this month after the first map is formally presented to the City of Decorah at an upcoming noon luncheon. Plans call for Mayor Frank Miller to accept the first map on behalf of the city from the Iowa Highway Commission representatives. Decorah receives the distinction because of the new bridge just west of town – a span unlike any other in the entire state. It is located on the new Highway 52 bypass. The bridge is pictured in all its splendor on the cover of the new state map.
1974 FIFTY YEARS AGO: Tryouts are this week for the Decorah Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps. Boys between the ages of 7 and 13 are encouraged to try out.
…Lou Ann Sutton and Randy Wilson are the North Winneshiek School Outstanding Boy and Girl senior Athletes of the year.
…Dr. Thomas Anderson, local podiatrist, recently participated in a modern surgical procedure, where a Lansing woman received a transplant of her big toe. The patient should soon be able to walk free of pain, possibly for the first time in years.
…A temporary recycling center for paper and plastics is now open near City Hall. Citizens are encouraged to conserve natural resources by bringing in plastic containers, paper, cardboard and other products for this experimental project.
1984 FORTY YEARS AGO: The Decorah Betterment Association is continuing an effort to improve downtown business district. The latest venture is cosmetic through a “Greening“ project. There is a proposal to add 32 trees along Water Street and beside two parking lots just off of the main road – all to make Decorah’s main business thoroughfare more attractive to Minowa area shoppers.
…The Decorah Chamber Ball will be next week at Oneota Golf and Country Club. Proceeds will go to buy a new slide tape machine for the chamber office. Doug Kratz and Marion Beatty are event chairs.
1994 THIRTY YEARS AGO: Decorah Police Chief Ben Wyatt is entering his second year in his post, and he hopes to streamline the department with a new rotating shifts plan. Officers now work one of four shifts for a six-week period. According to Wyatt, this makes a more well-rounded police officer.
…Decorah’s Dairy Queen is introducing three new Blizzard flavors this week – fudge pecan, cherry cheesecake and peanut butter & jelly. Blizzards are always 99 cents.
…The Stone Hearth Inn is serving its Sunday champagne brunch – $6.95 for seafood, roast beef, chicken, waffles, pancakes, rolls, ham, French toast, sausage, pasta, salads, a juice bar and more!
…Walden Pond has Alaskan Sourdough Pancakes this spring. Serving all-you-can eat on Sundays from April 10 to May 22.
2004 TWENTY YEARS AGO: Construction of the new Decorah Bank and Trust building at the corner of East Water and State Streets is progressing well. The new bank should open in May of 2005.
…This was the second year for Decorah’s Women’s Weekend Out promotion, and it was deemed a big success, with the restored downtown hotel fully booked for the weekend. The weekend provided special opportunities for shopping, dining and exploring Decorah. A champagne jewelry show in the lobby and atrium of the hotel was one of this year’s highlights.
…New playground equipment is going up soon at Decorah’s Phelps Park. A call has been issued for volunteers to help with the installation later this month.
2014 TEN YEARS AGO: Decorah School Board is seeking community input regarding scheduling 7th and 8th grade extracurricular practices on Wednesday nights. Traditionally, Wednesday have been considered “church night” when area churches hold religious education classes.
…Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center will host a citywide litter cleanup day in honor of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.
…Returning letterwinners on the Decorah Girls Golf Team are Alexa Lensing, Talia Raddatz, Mary Murphy, Alison Schwartzhoff, Courtney Robinson, Ashley Gulrud, Chloe Gossling, Melanie Gossman and McKenzie Snyder.
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