75 Years Ago—1950
On April 13, the cornerstone for the new St. Joseph hospital was laid at a ceremony which included a short concert by the city band, a blessing of the cornerstone by the Most Reverend Frank A. Thill, D.D., bishop of Salina, who placed within it a sealed copper box containing a number of interesting articles representing present times, the presentation of a gold-plated trowel by the Walter Butler Construction company to mortar down the cornerstone, speeches, etc., with Mayor Mel Cool acting as master of ceremonies… County Farm Bureau Agent Wilton Thomas brought to his office exhibit “A” in the murder attempt trial of dust storms vs. the 1950 wheat crop. The exhibit was a wheat plant, the top of which had been worn away by the abrasive action of the moving dust, and Thomas urged every farmer who had land that showed the slightest sign of blowing to break it up immediately using the “chisel” method every two to three feet… downtown merchants closed their businesses from 12 o’clock noon until 3 p.m. while Good Friday services were being held… Sidney Johnson, Jamestown, entered seven litters of Duroc pigs, and his daughters, Natalia and Phyllis, had each entered two litters of purebred Durocs in the national Duroc ton litter contest… Bob Lasnier, a model in New York City and dance teacher at an Arthur Murray studio there, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Lasnier of Concordia, was the model for the Community silver advertisement which appeared in popular magazines… Smith Hatchery and Poultry Farm in Clyde was advertising U.S. certified chicks, $11.50 per 100… the Beatrice Snack Bar reopened for the season at 107 East Sixth Street, with free ice cream bars for everybody…
60 Years Ago—1965
A beautiful altar, valued at $25,000, had been given to the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Concordia by St. John’s Church in the Village of New York City… Concordia Public high school students Eileen Puett, Barbara Robbie, Pat Booth and Ed Detrixhe took part in the Kansas State Speech and Drama Festival at Kansas University at Lawrence, accompanied by their coach, James Dewell… on the 10-year anniversary of when the Salk polio vaccine was declared safe and effective, Cloud County residents were reminded of the efficacy of the vaccine, as there had been only one case of polio in that time and no cases of infantile paralysis in the past five years… coincidental with the celebration of Passion Week, a vine of the passiflora species, commonly known as passion flower, was blooming in Mrs. Lawrence Bailey’s garden… Hugh A. Campton and M. E. “Mike” Carrier each received a pin for 55 years continuous membership in the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen… Mr. and Mrs. James Haist were the parents of a daughter born April 17 at St. Joseph’s hospital… Notre Dame trackmen Paul Justyna, Phil Nault, Bob Charbonneau, Dennis Nobert, Tom Cyphers, John Schmitt, Jerry Wagoner, John Paul Chaput, Charles Foster and Richard Walker participated in a track meet at Clay Center, accompanied by Coach Berland and Art Schmitt… New! Light Spry, 78 cents at Boogaarts… Paul’s Thriftway was advertising three dozen eggs for $1…
50 Years Ago—1975
Hood Construction company, with a bid of $247,657, was the apparent low bidder on the new municipal library… Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stangel of Concordia announced the engagement of their daughter Carla to Mike Prickett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hollie Prickett of Simpson… Jennifer Ostrom, eighth grader at Concordia junior high school, won the Cloud County spelling bee… Jim Pearson of Concordia began his duties as a representative to the 112-member University of Kansas Student Senate… prizes were awarded to Saturday Afternoon Bowlers at Hillcrest Lanes. Super Strikers: Julie Cook, David Cook and Brian Berner, first place; Bombers: Eric Christensen, Tom Anderson and Steve Lawton, second place; The Big Bad Bowlers: Jay Pitzer, David Haden and Bryce Johnston, third place. Individual winners included Julie Cook, Beth Morris, Jay Pitzer, Steve Lawton and Rickey Haden…
25 Years Ago—2000
Thanks to the generosity of Jan and Vince Bombardier, the Concordia Elementary School was the home of an authentic Johnny Appleseed tree, grown from a cutting taken from the last surviving apple tree planted by Johnny Appleseed… Gwen Trost and Fran Walker of Walker Veterinary Clinic attended the Groomers’ Trade Show 2000 in Kansas City… County Extension Agent Darrel Hosie held a tree pruning demonstration at the Cloud County Fairgrounds… Lois and Bruce Tracy announced the birth of their daughter, Grace Ann… after having attended C18W-99 in the fall, conducted by Coronado Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Melvin Wheeler, committee chairman of Pack and Troop 32 completed national Wood Badge requirements… Concordia High School senior Arenda Jackson signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at Cloud County Community College… Jonathan Detrixhe, son of Sandra and Joseph Detrixhe, had been accepted to the Tisch School of Fine Arts at New York School of Fine Arts at New York University…
10 Years Ago—2015
Cloud County Community College announced that the new basketball court in Bryant Gymnasium would be named Erkenbrack Court in honor of former men’s basketball coach Dennis Erkenbrack and his son, current women’s coach Brett Erkenbrack… at the annual Girl Scout Bridging and Court of Awards, Senator Elaine Bowers presented Marissa Morgan the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting… Michael and Jamie Biery, Concordia, announced the birth of their daughter, Brielle Marie… the Nathan Edson DAR Chapter presented Russell Dethloff a Community Service Award for erecting a flag pole and U.S. flag in the Concordia City Park… members of POW Camp Concordia Preservation Society members discussed plans for a museum which would be in the T9 building… Paul and Paula Tatum celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary…
5 Years Ago—2020
Macy McMillan had been selected as Concordia High School Student of the Month for April… Willie and Karla Lawrence celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary… Kansas Senator Elaine Bowers, a Republican from Concordia, announced that she had filed for re-election to the 36th District seat…
