52 Years Ago - April 1955        [Top]
 

Fifty-two years ago in 1955 Oswego Little League Baseball was first formed.
Little League Baseball Here, Organization Being Perfected, With Four Sponsors to Field Teams. A Supervised
Program for Boys 9 to 12

The City of Oswego will be treated with a new brand of Baseball this summer with formation of a Little League. The league will be composed of four teams which will engage in a full schedule of play that holds promise of good entertainment for the grown-ups and a recreational program for the players.

Little League is designed for boys between the ages of 9 and 12. A boy who is now 12 years old, but will be 13 on or before July 31, 1955 will be ineligible to participate. The diamond is approximately two-thirds the size of regulation adult playing field. Playing rules are different in some respects; however, the fans and spectators should not have any difficulty in following the game.

All boys must have the consent of their parents or a guardian in the form of a player contract, before he will be permitted to participate. All parents and interested parties may be assured that practice and game play will be closely supervised by adults who are interested in the safety, welfare, and development of the youths and who will exercise every effort to see that any and all hazards of the game are eliminated as much as possible.

Teams are being sponsored by the Rotary Club, Lion's Club and Berry Garment Manufacturing, Inc. A fourth team will be sponsored by an organization; however, it is not known at this time exactly who the fourth sponsor will be, but there definitely will be a fourth team to round out the Little League.

Equipment has already been ordered and will be available in the very near future. Teams will be selected by drawing names and practice is slated to commence the latter part of next week, with scheduled games starting immediately after the present school term ends. The team will practice several afternoons each week from 5:30 until 7. Games will be played under the lights at the Municipal Stadium.

Any boy of 9, 10, 11, or 12, who desires to play baseball this summer with the Little League, and who has his parent's consent, should contact Gerald Barnard, Jerry Barton, Glenn Berry or Stanley Williams. If you have already signed a player's contract, you will be advised shortly on which team you will play.

Little League Players Named

Most of the details have been completed and LIttle League Baseball teams will soon be competing against each other to bring a fine recreational program to Oswego for our youth. The selection of umpires and completion of work on the playing field must still be worked out, but these matters will be completed before the commencement of the scheduled play.
The Sponsors Institution, Managers, and players of each team are listed as follows:

BERRY GARMENT MFRS. INC.
Glenn Berry-Mgr.
Larry Allen Bateman, Bobby Joe Cross, Pete Hellwig, Jimmy Eaton, Harry Cormney, Greg R. Barnard, Leonard Haraughty, John David Schlatter, Clifford R. Vance, Jr., Gordon Lester Overman, Richard Sullivan, Charles Leon George, Neal Wayne Spencer, Roger Ballentine, and Cecil Lee Massa.

OSWEGO ROTARY CLUB
Stanley Williams--Mgr.
Donald Gene Roberts, Robert Lee Fugate, Bill Hoffman, Anthony Joseph Hoy, Glen Weeks Barnard, Glen Terrill Hammons, Charles Patrick Thompson, Wayne Leon Holmes, Gerald Greenlee, Kenneth Testorff, Glendal Ray King, Leonard Wilkins, Jr., Gary Eugene West, Bruce Rayl, II, and Mackie David Burrows.

OSWEGO LION'S CLUB
Jerry Barton--Mgr.
Jerry David Barton, Jr., Lloyd Dean Hobbler, Everett Lee Hemphill, Freddie Coble, Leslie Shaw, Jerry Garland, Charles White, Jerry Lee Jinks, Delbert Eddie Vanek, Ronald Chapman, Bryan Monroe, David M. Graham, David Waxse, Gary Joe Webster, Floyd Cavitte and Lloyd Cavitte.

OSWEGO BANKS
Keith Pine--Mgr.
Fred Holmes, III, Dewayne LeRoy Goodnight, Eddie Joe Sanders, Robert Burrows, Charles Melton Chapin, William Howard Temple, Mark Bailey, Danny Joe Sevart, Tommy Hale, Phillip M. Harris, Jimmie W. Walker, Charles P. Milliken, Pat Lynn Horn, Kenneth L. Nading, and Maurice Dean Landis.

It appears that a fair and equal distribution has been made and that all the teams are capable of fielding at least nine players who will show the fans how baseball should be played. Practice sessions are had almost daily and will continue until school is out at which time scheduled play will commence.
Any boy who is not named above and who desires to participate in the Little League Program should contact one of the managers.
First National Bank and American State Bank are co-sponsoring one of the teams so that all teams have sponsors.
Records will be maintained for each player, batting average, runs scored, and strike outs. Also statistics concerning the pitchers record.
More details concerning the schedule, time of play and various rules of the game will be given at a later date.

50 years ago  - December 1956       [Top]

    The girl's physical education classes of the Jr. High school have been taught by Mrs. Dill for the first 12 weeks of school and will now be taught by Mrs. Braley and Mrs. Mitchell for the second 12 weeks. Mrs. Braley teaches the A classes and Mrs. Mitchell the B classes.

    Oswego Cub Scouts of Den 2, pack 39 met at the home of their den mother, Mrs. Waldon McCoy with Mrs. Dale Shue assisting. Project was "Finishing Mother's Christmas Gift." Richard Overman served grape pop and Hershey bars.
—Tommy Fouts, reporter

    Monte Woolven of the U.S. Navy and Mrs. Woolven arrived home here last Sunday from the base at Norfolk, Va., on a 12-day Christmas leave which they will spend here with his mother Mrs. Etta Mae Woolven, and Miss Diane Woolven, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Zahm, Hallowell.

    "Nothing Too Good For Our Customers," is a saying that has really been exemplified in an emphatic way at the First National Bank. President W.W. Barnard has recently had workmen add the finishing touches to their customer's room. It is just off the lobby and to the rear and to conform with the pine paneled ceiling with which it was decorated some months ago, the walls have been similarly decorated. A very cozy and attractive place to do your banking or business chores.

    Raymond Scott, member of the baseball team of the Kansas City Athletics in the American League, and who is now at Camp Leonard Wood, Mo., getting in some of his patriotic service, was here to visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Scott.

    Work on the foundation, etc., for the new city building on Fifth just west of the community building is progressing rapidly in spite of the rather unfavorable weather for such work over the past several days.

    Mrs. Clarence White entertained members and guests of the Dessert Bridge Club at her home on Wednesday afternoon. Guests were Mmes. Charles McKinney, Eugene Bailey and Emmett Aufranc. Mrs. Mckinney held high score, Mrs. James Vietti second high, and Mrs. Aufranc low. A dessert course was served preceding the games.

    Meeting of the Chatter Club was held last Friday at the home of Mrs. Alice Davis at which time there was a Christmas gift exchange. Contest games were enjoyed with Mrs. Katherine Rushing winning first and Mrs. Doris Taylor, second. Next meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Wanda Hevel. Refreshments were served to Mmes. Mary Smith, Wanda Henry, Louise Shoptaw, Lee Slattery, Dorothy Torchia, Shirley Washburn, Norma Coman and Jo Rodgers.

50 years ago  - January 1957       [Top]

    Miss Martha Fae Stapleton, daughter of Mrs. Marchie Stapleton of Oswego, was here to spend the holidays with her mother and family. She is employed with Continental Can at Coffeyville.

    Miss Charlene Hardwick, student at Kansas State Teachers College at Pittsburg, is home here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hardwick for the holidays. Her house guest over the holidays last weekend was a college friend, Miss Beverly Delphan of Franklin.

    Lt. and Mrs. Larry Cruzan and son Chris, planned to leave in their car early this morning to return to Camp Hood at Killeen, Texas, after having been here on a 15-day leave to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yadon at the Oswego Hotel, and with his father, Dwight Cruzan and Mrs. Cruzan and with other relatives and friends.

    Mr. and Mrs. Norman McDowell and their son and daughter left Friday for their home in Milton, Oregon, after having been here to spend the Christmas holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Les McDowell, route one Oswego, and with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Zook at Altamont and with other relatives and friends. They are pleased with their new home in the northwest.

    Dick Farris, Oswego Implement dealer, has accepted the position as supervisor for the Ground Observer Corps post to be organized here, according to announcement by M-Sgt. Paul Ackerman, area supervisor of Parsons.

    The Junior Class of Oswego High School presented the play “Aaron Slick of Punkin Crick” at the high school auditorium last Thursday evening and is reported to have been quite a “hit.” The part of Aaron Slick was played by Lloyd Holmes and the others in the cast included Jennie Williams, Ronald Sheddrick, Janis Audrane, Edith Kenn, Karen Karns, Walter Sanders, Don Tiffany, David Overman and Diane Cooper.

    Girls of Brownie Troop 102 were given a Christmas party by their sponsors, the Presbyterian Vesper Council. Each Brownie was presented a gift and there were refreshments. The scribe was Karen Massa.

    A program of music by members of the O.H.S. Music Dept., under direction of John McLean, was presented to members of the Oswego Lions Club at their regular dinner-meeting held Monday night. A quartet composed of Tom Hale, Ronald Sheddrick, Gary Hevel and Gene Sailsbury sang. Marie Wills played a piano solo. A girls' triple trio sang. In the trio were Marcia Lortz, Alice Balentine, Shirley Gearhart, Diane Cooper, Janis Aufranc, Sue Eastland, Judy and Janet Pryor, and Phyllis Simone.

    Doyle Neher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Neher of Oswego, was awarded one of the five $300 scholarships awarded to college students by the American Guernsey Cattle Club in 1956. Doyle will use the scholarship for his education at McPherson College this year.

    Mrs. Ray Gifford was hostess to members of the Oswego Junior Woman's Club at her home on South Kansas Thursday evening of last week. Probate Judge Dan Aul was guest speaker and gave an interesting and informative talk on "Wills and Documents."

    Our boys held their Cub Scout meeting Thursday, Jan. 17. For our project, we told stories. Kenney Clevenger served refreshments. The boys in Den 3 are: Gary Davolt, Johnnie Murphy, Pat Pryor, David Haggard, and Kenney Clevenger. —Chris McCoy, reporter.

50 Years Ago - February 1957        [Top]

    Dick Farris, post supervisor of the Ground Observer Corps to be organized here, announces that the first of a series of open meetings to be in the nature of schools of instruction will be held Thursday,
Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the community building.

    Shirley Green, senior, was crowned basketball queen Friday night between games at which Baxter Springs was the visiting team. Larry Horn was the queen escort. Attendants were Jane Ann Romine, junior; Lois Sramek, sophomore, and Sharolyn Graham, freshman.

    Roberta Pryor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Pryor, Oswego, who is taking nurse's training at Mount Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg, will receive her nurse's cap in a ceremony at the nurse's home Friday
evening.

    Mrs. Kirwin Bowman was hostess to the Monday Night Bridge Club at her home on East Fourth Street with all members present. Mrs. Arthur Burgess held high score for the evening, Mrs. Charles McKinney held second high and Mrs. Bill Blair, low.

    Seoul, Korea—Army Specialist Third Class Leon W. Pearce, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Pearce, Rt. 1, Oswego, recently attended a five-day religious retreat at the Chaplain's Retreat Center near Seoul. Specialist Pearce, a chaplain's assistant in Headquarters Company of the 24th Infantry Division, 19th Regiment, entered the Army in August, 1955, and completed basic training at Fort Chaffee, Ark.

    Clark Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Shaw, 622 South Ills., is one of several first-year cadets at Kemper Military School, Boonville, Mo., advanced to Phase II in a special order issued by Maj. M. D. Stigall, commandant, and approved by Col. H.C. Johnston, superintendent.

Will Celebrate Their 25th Milestone in Retail Clothing and Dry Goods Business With Big Value Event Starting Sat. 50 SILVER DOLLARS FREE
One of the Best Known Business Institutions In the Area
    E.J. Coman, owner and manager of the Coman Dept. Store, will celebrate a quarter of a century of business life in Oswego with a gigantic silver anniversary sale event starting Saturday, Feb. 23, at 9 a.m.

    The Garden Club held its yearly organizational meeting Friday night at the home of Mrs. Ray Gifford, on South Kansas Street, which was preceded by a pot luck supper. Mrs. Homer Cline was in charge of the table arrangement. Roll call was "What's New in Plants or Flowers for 1957."

50 Years Ago - March 1957        [Top]

Former Belle of the Yukon in the Gold Rush Days in the Far North Died in Oregon Last Thursday Was Born in Labette County.
From the Topeka Capital:
    Sweet Home, Oregon:—Kansas-born Klondike Kate died at her home here Feb. 21. She was 77.  Her real name, Mrs. Kate Rockwell Matson Van Duren, was known to her neighbors but it was as Klondike Kate, the dance hall girl of Dawson City, that she had a continent-wide acquaintance.
    Kate Rockwell was born near Oswego, Kan., in 1880. She went to New York as a stage-struck girl and later trouped through the country with touring groups. She was 20 years old when she found herself in Seattle with the gold fever at its height.

    The Oswego girls basketball team under the direction of Supt. Carl Smith finished the season in a tie with Galena for the championship of the Neosho Valley League, each with four wins, one tie, and one loss.
    The Oswego girls on Monday, Feb. 25, playing at Galesburg, defeated the Galesburg girls 34-21 to revenge the one-point defeat at Oswego a week ago. Supt. Smith used 17 girls in the victory. Mary Hoffman scored 16 points, closely followed by Cora Scott with 10. The outstanding defense work of Sharon Daugherty, Diane Woolven, Linda Rayl, and Barbara Haraughty has been a major factor in the record of the girls team this year.

    The combined Oswego high school and junior high school bands gave a concert at the high school auditorium on Tuesday. Featured was a trumpet trio composed of Tommy Hale, Tommy White and Jerry Garland. Marcia Lortz sang a solo.

    A report was received from the Oswego Public Library which shows the library had a very successful year for 1956. The records show 992 persons are registered as using the Library service and, according to the report, this is far below standard for a town the size of Oswego and it would seem to me that most of our people should be taking advantage of the services offered b the library and, according to Miss Orr’s report, the active count was 967 at the end of December, of which 336 are adults and 631 are juveniles.

    Plan 2nd Annual Flower Box Campaign—The Oswego Garden Club announces they are again going to sponsor the City-wide Flower Box Campaign, and will offer prizes for the most unique and the most beautiful boxes. Now is the time to start planning your entry.

    Barbara Rigg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Rigg, was chosen to attend the 1957 Girls’ State at the meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary, Monday evening. Karen Karns, daughter of Mrs. Elton Karns, was selected as alternate.

    Miss Charlene Ann Hardwick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hardwick of this city, was initiated to Sigma Sigma Sigma, a social sorority at Kansas State Teachers College, Tuesday, Feb. 19. Miss Hardwick, a freshmen, is majoring in home economics.

    An explanation of the function and purpose of Oswego’s newly formed Ground Observer Corps constituted the program at the local Rotary Club luncheon meeting held Tuesday. Rotarian Dick Farris, Post Supervisor of the local GOC, spoke on the original set-up of the Corp and showed a film entitled “Air Defense,” a presentation by the U.S. Air Force.

    Twelve HS students will participate in the district speech festival in Pittsburg this Saturday. Entering in humorous readings are Alice Ballentine and Helen Baterman; in dramatic readings, Diane Dickson and Pamela Walker; in informative speaking, Tyce Smith; and in manuscript reading, Judy Pryor and Julia Chapkin.

    Oswego Cub Scouts of Den 3 met Thursday, March 7, after school with their den mother, Mrs. Lois Clevenger, and worked on bean bag games, one to be given to the kindergarten class. The den chief is Glendal King. David Haggard served refreshments. —David Haggard, reporter.

    Bryant-Sykes Auxiliary Elects New Officers. Officers elected at the meeting of the Auxiliary of the Bryant-Sykes Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Thursday night of last week were Esther Kirkpatrick, president; Audrey Hoobler, senior vice-president.

    Cub Scout Pack 39 held their monthly pack meeting Monday night at the VFW Hall. Boys of Den 1, assisted by their den mother, Mrs. Ed Loettler, led in the flag drill, the closing ceremony, and presented two short skits. Awards earned by the scouts were presented. Larry Sanders and Jimmy Burris had earned Wolf badges; Johnny Murphy, Kenny Clevenger and David Loeffler, denner stripes; Danny Wiseman received his Bear badge, a two-year pin and a gold arrow point. John Blahna received a silver arrow point and a one-year pin.

    “Aunt Bessie Beats the Band” was the title of the play presented by members of the Senior class Tuesday evening of last week at the high school auditorium. The cast included: Judy Harrison, Bud Heflin, Lynn Jeffries, Marie Wills, Bill Pryor, Diane Woolven, Jack Wills and Jim Corns. Monte Cloninger acted as state manager.

    Mr. John Rogers, 213 Kansas St., has accepted employment with the Oldsmobile Company in kansas City and will take over his new duties immediately. Mrs. Rogers and youngest daughter plan to move there in about two weeks. Connie, the older daughter, who is in the third grade, will remain here at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Sabalka, until the end of the school term.

    Oren Justice, Jr., is spending a 30-day leave with Mrs. Justice and small son and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Justice, Sr. He has just returned from Korea and his next assignment will be in Washington. His family plans to accompany him.

50 Years Ago - April 1957        [Top]

    The Rotary Club of Oswego was one of four clubs chosen as host club for the model luncheon meeting at the 198th District Rotary Conference held Sunday and Monday at Joplin. The district comprises 64 clubs in the border area of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

    Phases of 4-H youth training were exhibited before members and guests of the local Lions Club at their dinner meeting Monday night. The program was furnished by Marcia Wyckoff, Altamont, and Norman Peters, Bartlett, both of who are member of county 4-H clubs.

    White Cloud, Kan.—Wm. F. Perkins, White Cloud, has accepted a position as Management Analyst with the U.S. Civil Service Commission and has been assigned as Chief of Material Quality Division, Directorate of Supply and Service at Topeka Air Force Depot at Forbes Base, Topeka, Kan.

    Luzon, P.I. (FHTNC) —Raymond J. Parker, yeoman second class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray F. Parker of Labette, Kansas, and husband of the former Miss Docia M. Brown of Labette, who is aboard the amphibious force flagship USS Estes, participated in the largest amphibious operation to be held in the Far East since World War II.

    Mrs. Charles McKinney entertained the Monday night Bridge Club at her new home on Union Street this week. Mrs. Clarence White and Mrs. Glen Hammons were guests. Mrs. Gene Bailey held high score, Mrs. Kirwin Bowman held second high, and Mrs. Arthur Burgess held low.

    The Chamber of Commerce entertainment committee, accompanied by a group of Oswegoans, presented a two-hour program at the Sherman Community Hall last Friday night. The Lions Quartet entertained with several numbers and the Chamber of Commerce orchestra played. Mrs. W.F. Dillenberger presented some magic feats.

    Marvin Hoobler was elected commander of the Bryant-Sykes Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the meeting of the Service Men’s Club Thursday night of last week.

    NEHER SHOWS TOP GUERNSEY—In a field of 47 Juniors and 30 adults, Meadow Lodge Lucky Lady owned and presented by Roy Neher and Sons, of Oswego, won the grand championship in the District Guernsey Show, held at Independence last Saturday. She was shown in the adult class. In the senior adult judging Lyle Neher, Oswego was awarded first place; Kenton Rife, of Oswego, won fourth place.

    Eighth Grade Play—On April 2nd the 8th grade class presented a play. A king and queen were crowned. The queen was Claudia Campbell who was crowned by Barbara Bryant, and the king was Bruce Rayl who was crowned by John Schlatter.   —By Katherine Barker.

    Chas. McKinney, of the McKinney Motor co., and Mrs. McKinney returned home the latter part of last week from Biloxi, Miss., where he attended a Ford personnel school and they enjoyed a reunion of district sales managers.
The Oswego High School track team attended the Pittsburg Relays April 15 and gained valuable experience by entering several events. The boys making the trip were: Jerry Garland, Tyce Smith, Roger Fidler, Walter Sanders, David Overman, Kent Cooper, Loyal George, Merle Leech, Tom White.

50 Years Ago - May 1957         [Top]

    The O.H.S. baseball team moved to the semi-finals in the regional tournament currently being played at Gridley Wednesday night by defeating Gridley 9-8 behind the pitching of Johnny Alrid and Jim Corns. Jerry Graham drove in the winning run, scoring Lloyd Holmes from third. The win advanced the locals to the semi-finals against Williamsburg Thursday.

    With receipt locally of an additional supply of Salk vaccine, the program which was instituted in April encouraging all adults under 50 years of age to submit to anti-polio inoculations, has been revived. The announcement was made by Walden McCoy, representing the Oswego Lions Club and who is coordinating the program locally with the Labette County Medical Association.

    Eighty-seven Girl Scouts, all in uniform and a like number of mothers, graced the table at the annual Mother-Daughter Banquet held at the Community Building last Friday night. Tables for the event were arranged in the form of a “good luck” horseshoe. Theme for the event was “Girl Scouts Around the World” and it was presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Blessman.

    Cub Scouts of Den 2 met last thursday afternoon at the home of their den mother, Mrs. Walden McCoy, on College Road. They made button rabbits, Indians, etc. Karl Cooper served refreshments. —Jimmy Burris, scribe.
 

    Merrill Christy, of the office staff of the Glen Berry Mfgs. Co., is taking his annual vacation and he and Mrs. Christy and their two sons will leave tomorrow morning on a motor trip to points in Kentucky and Tennessee. They have relatives in Paducah and Nashville whom they will visit on their trip.

    The 101 Go-Getters 4-H Club enjoyed a skating party from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday night at the Columbus Round Top skating rink. The Meadowlark Fliers 4-H Club members were invited as guests. There were about 65 people who attended and all enjoyed it. –Nancy Brannin, reporter

    Squinted the New Comet.—Dr. A.P. Burgess, who has his own assembled telescope in his home here, 5th and Indiana streets, and finds much of interest and information in studying the stars, got a good look Saturday night at Ahrend-Roland, the new comet. It was discovered last November by two Danish astronomers.

    From the office of County Superintendent Alma M. DeBolt comes information that the eighth grade graduation class this spring numbers 190. This will be the largest class in the history of the county.

    Archery experts from Parsons, Columbus and Oswego participated in a bow and arrow exhibition here Sunday. Jack Redman of the Oswego Archery Club, copped top honors in the meet. He has recently been elected secretary-treasurer of the Kansas State Archery Association. Delbert Jeffries was first in the archer division; John Mitts first in the boy's intermediate; Irene Wilson topped the competition in the women's competition, and in the women's novice department, Dorothy Jeffries was first.

    Do you know that when you are driving a car at 60 miles per hour that it will take you 22 feet to stop it if it becomes necessary? That teenagers with restricted licenses are not supposed to drive after night? Do you know your hand signals and use them when driving? All these questions and facts were discussed by our lesson leader, Darlene Hellwig, as she gave an interesting lesson on safety and citizenship at the May meeting of 101 Homemakers.

    Saturday was Poppy Day in Oswego. Sale of the Poppies was under the direction of the VFW and American Legion Posts, and under the direct charge of Mrs. Robert Slattery as chairman. Headquarters were maintained at the Corner News Stand. Members of the Boy Scouts canvassed the town.

50 Years Ago - June 1957         [Top]
 

    Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Correll and daughter returned home here last Friday from a week spent visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Callicott and family, in Lawton, Okla. Vernon was on vacation here from his work as city mail carrier.

    The 101 Go-Getters 4-H Club girls held their fourth cooking lesson Monday, June 17, at Camp Teel with an all-day meeting. The lesson was on correct table setting and the serving of a complete meal.
Those attending were Charlotte and Phyllis Hardwick, JoAnn and Trudy Richardson, Barbara and Linda Whitney, Mary Alice and Twila Vanek, Nancy Brannin, Donna Caldwell, Vicky Falor, and the cooking leader, Ruth Richardson.

Jerry Eastland, in company with David Cormeny, left last Saturday for Ft. Leonard Wood to begin their reserve military training.

    Lightning carried on a brief flirtation with the First Presbyterian Church, corner 5th and Michigan, at the Sunday School hour last Sunday. It burned out a transformer and dropped a flaming wire across the street on the J.R. Dove corner. The church was without lights or power during both the Sunday School and morning service.

    Mr. and Mrs. John Dickinson, who have been spending his leave from the army here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Dickinson and family, and with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Mitchell, are leaving for Rapid City, South Dakota where his air force base is located.

    Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jones and three children and Leroy Jones arrived here last Saturday from Braunsfield, Texas, and will be at their home here until after July 4. Wayne and Leroy Jones are employed there on a construction job on which Leon Jones is the foreman.

    Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wyrick and little son have moved from Tulsa to Oswego to make their home. Mr. Wyrick has taken a position here with the McKinney Motor Company.

    Mrs. Glenn Wiseman was in Pitsburg Friday to witness the graduation of her husband, Glenn wiseman, from the Kansas State Teachers College.  She was accompanied also by his mother, Mrs. Marie wiseman. They were joined at Pittsburg by Mrs. Glenn Wiseman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack shaw and son, Clark Shaw, now of Clinton, MO.

    Mrs Patti Irwin, Rt 2, Oswego, has been selected by the rotary Club of Oswego as a contestant in the Kansas Dairy Princess contest to be held later this month in connection with the June Dairy Month observance. Miss Irwin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Irwin.

    A new Grand Sweepstakes prize of $10 is going to be presented at each judging of flower boxes this year. The prize money has been donated by the Oswego Chamber of Commerce and will be given for the most beautiful and attractive box in the entire city.
 

50 Years Ago - July 1957         [Top]

    The 46th Annual Labette County Fair will be officially opened with a street parade in downtown Oswego, Wednesday, July 31, starting at 6:30 p.m.
The parade will be comprised of several divisions including, saddle clubs, children’s pets (children 6-14 of age); bands, machinery, new cars, antiques and novelties, a section reserved for the Fair Queen candidates, oldest married couple, newest married couple, the largest family, and also county and city officials will be invited to ride in the parade.

Exchange Student Spoke to Rotes
    Discussed His Country and Some of Its Modernization Plans Here Tuesday. Was Accompanied by Dale Miksch, Who Will Leave for Pakistan Next Month on Similar Goodwill Mission.

    The Archery meeting here in Riverside Park Sunday attracted more than 100 bow and arrow artists from over a wide area. It was called a silver dollar tournament. A parade and shooting exhibition on the streets of Oswego had featured their meeting Saturday afternoon. A team from Springfield, Mo. copped the top honors and trophy Sunday with better than 3200 points.
    Miss Roberta Pryor, who is in nurse’s training at Pittsburg, was here to spend last weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Pryor and family.

    During the judging of the city-wide flower box contest last week, much admiration was expressed by the judges of the attractive floower boxes prepared and cared for by the Juniors in our city. The Junior boxes were outstanding and members of the Oswego Garden Club wish to commend the Juniors for their fine cooperation in this project.

    Members of the Cub Scouts in the den in charge of Mrs. Agnes Loeffler, enjoyed a visit to the mink farm, operated by Orlo Merritt, west of Montana and northwest of Oswego Friday afternoon. The trip was under the direction and sponsorship     of Junior Monroe.

    To add to the attractiveness of the river at the pump house and dam, the city has installed a light that shines out over the dam. It provides a light and comfortable place for fishermen, who are wont to try their luck there at night, and some good catches are being reported.

    The first of a series of free band concerts was presented Saturday evening under the direction of John McLean, director of music in the Oswego schools. Inasmuch as the locale of former free concerts, which was on the lots on which the new fire department and office building is being erected, is not now available, it was decided to present the concert on the wide concrete walk leading from the couthouse steps on the north side.

    Curley Spencer, one of the Boy Scout officers here, left Sunday morning, taking six Oswego Boy Scouts to New Mexico to attend the Help Yourself Scout Camp that is being held there at Philmont. In the group were Tommy white, Tommie Hale, Cecil Massa, Bruce Rayl Jr., Neal Spencer and Larry Richardson.

    Rotes Sponsor Miss Kay Dugan
Beautiful and Accomplished Daughter of Rotarian and Mrs. Bob Dugan Their Candidate for Queen at the County Fair, Program Chairman Jerry Barnard Pepped Things Up with a Bingo Game.

    Mrs. Merrill Christy, who is in general charge of the registration for the Swim and Water Safety classes being conducted here at the Oswego swimming pool, started Monday morning, reported that 238 had registered up to Tueday afternoon. A schedule of classes is being furnished, said Mrs. Christy.

Erecting New Office
    Announcement is made that effective Aug. 1, Dr. Arthur Burgess will have his office located at 506 Fifth Avenue instead of at 119 N. Michigan as now. The new office will be near his home.

The Vanishing Horseshoer
    The Monday evening Coffeyville Journal contained a picture of Dennis Brown and Monte Cloninger of this city, and of the latters saddle horse. Dennis Brown, widely known inthis area in the past years as a professional horseshoer, is shown tacking a shoe on one of the horses front feet. Brown is past 80 years of age.

    It was a case of being off with the old and on with on with the new in the Oswego Rotary Club Tuesday noon at the regular weekly luncheon program at the Oswego community Hall. Bill B. Blair was the retiring president, John Schmoker is the new one.

    In honor of Mrs. Emma Newbanks Owens, late of Peoria, Ill., and Mrs. Anna Newbanks Orem, of Joplin, twin daughtrs of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Newbanks of Montana, a big family picnic was enjoyed at Riverside Park last Sunday.

    At Camp Teel in Riverside Park here this week 26 members of the Central Avenue Christian Church CHI RHO, from Parsons, have been domiciled. At the camp Mrs. Harold Hay served as a Discovery Leader.
 

50 Years Ago - August 1957        [Top]

     The public sale of Antiques at the Nelson Case home on North Illinois street, last Saturday afternoon, drew many antique fanciers from over this entire territory. The late Judge Nelson Case was the first lawyer in Oswego and one of the first in Kansas and prominent in political and legal matters in the state for many years. Mrs. Case, an art teacher in Baker University before her marriage, had assisted Judge Case in assembling their home here, many things of historic value.

     Long Beach, Calif. - Navy Lt. (JG) John A. McCullough, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elma W. McCullough of 628 Eighth Ave., Oswego, Kansas, a pilot with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 37, returned to Long Beach Tuesday aboard the support aircraft carrier USS Philippines Seas, after a tour of duty in the Western Pacific.

     Don Holsinger and Miss Kara Dugan went to Oldsberg last weekend, where they visited his sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pitzer, both of whom are students at Kansas State.

History Repeats Itself
When Noah sailed the waters blue
He had troubles same as you.
For forty days he drove the ark
Looking for a place to park.
-- Flouroscope

     Mr. and Mrs. John Confer have leased and have taken charge of the popular Hardwick Drive-In, corner Sixth and Ohio and Junction of US 59 and K-96 Highways. This, they leased from Paul Hardwick of Galena.

     Junior Allen Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher Campbell, R.F.D. 2, just south of town enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 12 He is in San Diego, Calif. and undergoing recruit training.

     Mrs. Art Howard, Mrs. Kirwin Bowman and Mrs. Merrill Christy have invited fifty ladies to a coffee this (Friday) morning at the Howard home, 201 North Michigan St. honoring Mrs. Wm. Noble, Mr. and Mrs. Noble and family are leaving the city soon to be locatd, at least temporarily, where he wil be headquartered in highway engineering work.

     Merle Leech, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Leech, and Tommy White, son of Mr and Mrs. Clarence White, two advanced Oswego Boy Scouts, were received into the “Order of the Arrow” at the Scout Camp at Bee Creek Reservation 17 miles northwest of Independence last Thursday night.

    A highly determined crew of local baseball boys coached by the Rev. Verlyn Smith, played themselves into the title berth of the Twin Valley League tourney held at Cherryvale the past week. The team is sponsored by the Oswego Ministerial Alliance.

    Gerald Barnard, President, and Merrill Christy, Secretary/Treasurer of the Oswego Chamber of Commerce, reported that at a called meeting of the Directors last Friday, it was agreed that for the coming year six holidays would be officially observed by the Chamber, and these six holidays they would ask the business men and the men folks generally, to observe.

    The Oswego Business and Professional Womens Club held its annual breakfast at Riverside Park on August 20th. The incoming officers, Hazel F. Didlake, president; Dorothea Eastland, vice president; Mabel Barker, recording secretary, and Rachel Greer, treasurer were the hostesses for the breakfast.

    Marion Kutz of this city, of the Kutz Accordion School with a group of his students from Parsons, Altamont and Oswego, attended and participated in the Accordion Festival held in the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City last Saturday. Superior ratings and trophies were awarded a sololist and a quartet of students from the kutz school.

    From the Oswego Chamber of Commerce a Historical and Tourist Committee has been named composed of Howard Monroe, R.H. Montgomery, Harry Sloan, W.F. Holmes, W.A. Blair, R. Swafford, D.B. Fordyce, C.C. Price, Ray Taylor and Gordon Haggard. The committee is getting together a start for the proposed historical building and collection at the old spring at the east end of 4th Avenue.

    Mrs. Davis Cormeny, the former Miss Carol Morrow, has accepted a position here in the First National Bank and entered on her new work last Friday. Her husband is in the U.S. military service.

50 Years Ago - September 1957        [Top]

     Oswego Public Schools opened Tuesday, Sept. 3, with the enrollments as follows: Eastside 107, Westside 203, and Kindergarten 33. This is a drop of four students from 1956-57, due to the close of Kansas Ordnance Plant and the Katy Railroad shops.

    Oswego High School opened with an enrollment of 105 students. This is a drop of three students from 1956-57.

    The Oswego City officials in session Tuesday night voted to accede to the request made by the Parent-Teacher Association and backed by representatives of practically every club and organization in the city, to establish stop signs at street intersections, where they had requested and to establish crossings at designated corners.

    Emporia (Special) ––Virginia Lee Scott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Scott, 502 Tenth Street, Oswego, has been accepted for admission to the College of Emporia and has been granted a 1957 (1958) scholarship, it is announced by the Presbyterian School.  Miss Scott, a 1957 graduate of Oswego High School was Valedictorian of her senior class.

    Miss Judy Harrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Harrison, left Sunday for Lawrence, where she is enrolled as a student at the University of Kansas for her first year. Her brother, Jon Harrison, is a junior there this year. Both are graduates of the Oswego high school.

    Miss Diane Woolven entered upon her studies at the College of Emporia this week. For her work in the Oswego high school, she was awarded a four-year scholarship at her graduation here last May, where she was an outstanding student during her four years.

    The OHS Pep Club met Sept. 9 and discussed their uniforms and the constitution. The club met again Sept. 11 and practiced yells with the cheerleaders. The officers of the Pep Club are Mary Hoffman; president, and Jan Romine, secretary and treasurer.

    At the monthly meeting of the Willing Workers 4-H Club, held in the Oak Grove School house, Larry Dunn was elected the new president. Other officers: Eugene George, V-Pres.; Donna George, Sec.-Treas.; Ellen Sykes, Reporter; Terry Hayden, Council member; Margaret Ann Schmidt, song leader; Nancy Mingle, pianist, and Bill Mingle, recreation leader.
 

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50 Years Ago - October 1957        [Top]

    The regular meeting of the Methodist Junior MYF was held Sunday, Sept. 29. Nancy Brannin presided over the meeting. The lesson was given by Nancy Sramek. Susan Riggs was in charge of the worship service.

    Next week Oswego school children in the elementary grades will spark local observance of National Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12) when they launch the fall phase of the year-round Junior Fire Marshal Campaign.

    Work was started Monday on the erection of a new one-story office building to be occupied by Dr. Arthur Burgess. The building is being erected on a lot adjacent west of the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Burgess and family.

    The bank marched Friday night at our second football game of the season at the half time. They marched across the field and then formed "Hi" in front of the stadium. They were led by Phyllis Simone who did very nicely. This was her first time to lead.

    Jack Foster, of this city, one of the outstanding ham or short wave artists of this section of the four-state area, picked up some of the sounds or communications Sunday night that have been beamed from the Russian satellite since it has been aloft. The signals that it emits are believed to be in code.

    Robert Boulware, of the U.S. Navy, who has just concluded a two months' service at Point Barron, Alaska, arrived here the latter part of last week on leave, for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Boulware, here, and with relatives and friends at Columbus.

    Mrs. Wayne Strickland and five year old daughter Wanda, left Joplin by plane at 8 o'clock last Saturday evening for a visit with her parents in a village 80 miles from London, England.

    Booneville, Mo.  Two cadets from Oswego are active in a co-ordinated
 program of academic military, athletic general activities here at Kemper Military School . Rael Amos, son of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Amos, 124 Illinois street is a Junior college senior, attending Kemper for his fourth year.   Clark Shaw, Oswego, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lee Shaw, presently at Fort Lee, N.J.. is a high school sophomore at Kemper for his second year.  He is active in photography.

    The girls glee club received new music.  some of the pieces are "wonderful Copenhagen"  "Friendly Persuasion" and Count Your Blessings"

    The boys octet has been chosen: The boys are Ronald Sheddrick, Phil Blair, tom Hale, Jerry Garland, Don Eaton,. Kent Cooper, John Crane and roger Fidler.  the new music for boys glee club includes "Battle Hymn of Republic"

    Den 4 of the Cub Scouts met Thursday, Oct 10, at the Baptist church after school.  We made masks for our skit.  Chris McCoy served refreshments.  Those present were John Murphy, John Weiss, Dannie Wiseman, Billy Bryant, Chris McCoy, John Blahna, Bill Sramek, David Haggard, Gary Davolt, Kenny Clevenger, Eugene Kreazen, and Dick Crane, and our Den Mother, Mrs. Paul Wiseman,
Pat Pryor, Reporter.

     The popular and growing Dairy Breeze, eating house and Drive-In has changed hands.  Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Haggard,  who have been operating it for the past five years on the Highway, 6th and Michigan have sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Don Hettick, formerly of Parsons and recently of Galena.

25 years ago  - December 1981       [Top]

    The Oswego Booster Club took donations on the game ball last Friday night in the basketball game with St. Paul. Beverly Crowell participated and was the winner.

    The Oswego Indians for the second time this past week defeated an unbeaten team as they tromped Bronaugh, Mo., 87-65 at Bronaugh Monday night.

    Debbie I. Richardson, 1112 North Street in Oswego, was one of 351 students graduated during the winter commencement exercises at Emporia State University. Debbie received a B.S.B. degree. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Richardson.

    Congressman Bob Whittaker today announced the nomination of 19 Fifth District High School seniors to compete for appointments to attend the United States Military, Naval, Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies beginning next July. The Fifth District Nominee to the Academies include: Stuart Schmoker, 1603 West Third Avenue, Oswego; Nominated to the Air Force and Military Academies.

    By Coach Gary Davis - The Oswego Junior Varsity this year consists of one sophomore, Bryan Scott and six freshmen, Darrin King, Kevin Johnson, Mike Tridle, Neal Cruse, Curtis Landis and John Spriggs. We opened our season Thursday night against Altamont with a 54-46 victory.

    Two Oswego Indian football players received State recognition this past week when they were named to the Topeka Capital-Journal All Class 2A football squad.
    Ben Ivey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Curt Ivy, Oswego, was named to the first team on defense at an end position. Ben, a senior, is 6' 2" tall and weighs 217 pounds.
    Stuart Schmoker, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schmoker, Oswego, was an honorable mention as a lineman on the All Class 2A squad. Stuart, a senior, is 6'3" tall and weighs 190 pounds.

    The OHS Indians basketball team opened their season this past week with two wins defeating Fredonia at Fredonia on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in an overtime 67-64, and then on Friday, Dec. 4, the Indians opened their Mineral Belt League season with a stunning 82-53 win over Chetopa on the Oswego court before a full house.

    Karen Fulkerson, Kansas State Limousin Queen, was in Konawa, Okla., Friday night and was presented as Queen at the Bates Limousin Sale. Karen and two friends, Marsha Barragar and Patty Hellwig spent the night at Ada, Okla.
 
 

25 Years Ago - January 1982        [Top]

    Monday morning, Jan. 4, Cruzan's Jewelry Store, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hoskins, opened for business at their location, 518 Commercial St. in Oswego. The new facilities are beautiful and the business has a new look. You will want to stop in and see for yourself how great it is.

    Kurt A. Booe, Montgomery County Engineer, has been named director of public works for the county.

    A welcomed chimed for Chimes, Inc.
In March of 1981, Oswego and Mid-America, Inc., the ten county industrial development organization serving southeast Kansas, were faced with the possibility of one of their industries closing. The company, a manufacturer of pottery dinnerware, was about to close, unless someone could be found to acquire the majority of the assets of the company.
    Mid-america, Inc., through advertising funds, provided by the counties served, started to address the opportunity. With the word out, business interest was generated and inquiries began. In November of 1980, Chimes, Inc., a subsidiary of Dark's Silk Flowers, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, was invited by Mid-America to tour the pottery facility. Shortly after, negotiations began that eventually resulted in Chimes acquiring the Oswego facility.
    Presenting, Chimes, Inc., employs 30 people, a 1,000% increase since the acquisition. The company is manufacturing a complete line of porcelain wind chimes and is shipping them to retail outlets across the United States.

    Mr. And Mrs. John Sherwood returned Friday from a trip to the Bahamas. They flew from Tulsa to Miami, Fla., and left from the Port of Miami on the cruise ship the SS Flavia on a chartered Chrisitan cruise, sponsored by Son Shine Concerts of Tulsa, a Christian entertainment management group which made for great shipboard entertainment.

  Receives service medal
    Air Force Master Sgt. Charles O. Milliken, son of Geraldine A. Milliken of 720 Commercial, Oswego,  has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.
    The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded specifically for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the Untied States.
    Milliken, a weather technician with the 30th Weather Squadron, is a 1980 graduate of Wayland Baptist College, Plainview, Texas. and a 1962 graduate of OHS.

    A new business opened it’s doors for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 9, in Oswego when Mr. Larry Frogley, owner, opened Frogley’s Gun Shop at 502 Commecial (former Cruzan’s Jewelry Store).
    Larry had been in the Ford car business for 20 years. During this time, he also enjoyed his hobby, buying, selling and collecting guns.

    Approval of Oswego’s cooperative part-time class in Trade has been received from the State Board of Vocational education in Topeka.
    The approval is based upon successful placement of all students in the class on half-time jobs in which a year’s training will be given along with the school study.

    On Monday and Tuesday mornings, Jan. 18 and 19, Stuart Schmoker, senior at O.H.S. received telephone calls from Representative Bob Whittaker's office that he had received appointments of admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point (40 miles North of New York City), and to the United States Air Force Academy (between Colorado Springs and Denver, Colo.)

    Daisy, a five year old Ayrshire cow belonging to Marcia Barrager, Route 2, Oswego, has been nominated for All American Ayrshire cow. She was selected from entries from all over the United States.

    The Oswego Indians were the No. 1 seeded team in the Arma tournament held last week and Coach Kris Spigarelli's squad lived up to their rating defeating Northeast of Arma 59 to 56 on Friday night, then turned back Frontenac 53-46 in an overtime in the championship game and brought home the first place trophy.

    This past week Deputy Kevin Kitterman purchased a two-year old German Shepard named "Dusty" who will be trained for police work in Topeka by Tim Dearing who gave a demonstration with his Police Dog in December on the Courthouse lawn in Oswego.

25 Years Ago - February 1982        [Top]

    Coach Kris Spigarelli's Oswego Indians won their 10th game of the season against two losses as they defeated the Chetopa Hornets 80-45 in a Mineral Belt League game at Chetopa last Friday night before a full gym.

    Keme Scott, Bill Hinman and Stuart Schmoker were all in double figures in the scoring columns with 22, 20 and 10 points, respectively.

    Ten Hallowell Christian Academy students are expected to leave March 24 for a two-week missionary trip to Chihuahua in northern Mexico. The students, who are making their second tour into Mexico, worked in the
Torreon-Rodeo area last year. They will be accompanied by Pastor and Mrs. Richard Stapleton and will work under the direction of a full-time missionary.

    Last Friday evening about 6 p.m., Miss Mandy Gambrel, 9, was playing in her yard on the Riverside Park road when she noticed a fire on the roof of the Bill Spencer home three houses South at 7 North Oregon Street. She went in the house and called her mother who turned in the alarm.

    Oswego has a new business as Mr. and Mrs. David McConnell have moved The Merrie Mary Shoppe from Chetopa to the Town & Country Shopping Center in Oswego, next door to Harmann's Drug Store.

    Miss Kim Frogley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. larry Frogley, Oswego, was crowned 1982 Basketball Homecoming Queen at half time of the boys' "A" basketball game with Thayer Friday night at the Oswego gym.

    Sunday, Feb. 7, 1982, a dinner was served in honor of the Vietnam veterans at the V.F.w. Post home in Oswego. Dan West, master of ceremonies, had all the Vietnam veterans present at the dinner to come forward and be recognized. Those Vietnam veterans present were Bryan Fenton, Carl Strickland, Bob Post, Gary Allen, Harvey Fry, melvin George, Mitch Haraughty, Shelby Horn, Pat Thompson, Dan West, John Powell and Ron Street.

    On Friday, Feb. 5, the Jorden-Murdock Funeral Home of Columbus, owned by brothers Mr. Gene and Mr. Larry Murdock, purchased the McGavran Funeral Home of Oswego from Mr. and Mrs. Earl McGavran, Pittsburg.

25 Years Ago - March 1982        [Top]

    The men of Sigma Tau Gamma who were recently elected to an office are: Roger Vance, President; Ed Beeman, Executive Vice-President; Tom Harris, Vice-President of Education; Mark Farris, Vice-President of Membership. Also recently initiated into the Fraternity were Kevin Hornung and Mike King.

    Mr. Kenton Rife, Oswego, is in Washington, D.C., this past week as part of the three-day “County to Washington” trip coordinated by Kansas Farm Bureau. The Labette County Farm Bureau president is one of 147 county Farm Bureau leaders making the trip, March 1-3.

   A person we think deserves a pat on the back is Nancy Newby. Nancy seems to have something going all the time for the Oswego Recreation Commission and she does a good job on all these activities. We think the Oswego Recreation Commission is a vital need for this community.

    In the semi-finals of the Sub-State tournament at Uniontown, the Oswego boys defeated Colgan 111 to 93 n Thursday night.
    This may have been Oswego’s best ball game of the year as the locals singed the net cords in all four quarters. Coach Kris Spigarelli pulled the first five with 4:48 left in the game and the score was 97 to 73.
    The Indians led 26-21 after the first period, 56-42 at half-time and 85-67 after three periods. Bill Hinman and Kemo Scott each scored 27 points.

    Eta Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held its Pledge Ritual, March 3, at the United Presbyterian Church.
    Those attending were members of Xi Delta Rho and Beta Chi and Eta Upsilon.
Those taking the Ritual were Kim Allison, Susan Johnson, Diane McConnell and Kathy Taylor.
    Mrs. Clara Boulware has been selected by Beta Sigma Phi as “Lady Of The Year.”
She will be honored with a reception, March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Oswego Community Building.

    Diane Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffman III of Oswgeo High School has been selected to participate in this year’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar, as a representative from Oswego. This seminar is sponsored by the Kansas Jaycees, an organization of young men, dedicated to the idea of leadership training through community service.

    Precepter Beta Chi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at Pearl’s Team Room in Parsons for their March 17 meeting. Plans were made for the style show to be held March 23. Charlene Wallingford was presented with the “girl of the year award” from their chapter.

    Jim Hoskins’ tip-in basket with :58 seconds remaining provided the winning margin as Oswego’s Knights of Columbus defeated Coffeyville K of C 39-38 to win the area K of C Basketball Tournament in Parsons, Sunday afternoon.

    Ten girls have reported out for the 1982 O.H.S. track team. The list is headed by Elaine Allen, the 100-meter hurdle State Champion. Elaine also placed fifth in the 200-meter hurdles at the State Meet. Other letter winners are: Seniors - Pam Cavitt and Ronda Tridle; Juniors - Kim Middleswart; Sophomores - Diane Hoffman, DeAnn King and Sheila Lionberger.

    The Oswego boys’ track team is the defending Mineral Belt League champions the past two years. The M.B.L. meet which is May 6, is one of the highlights to the track season. This year’s track team will feature a number of seniors which will man the field events, and a young running group headed by Tim Hey, Kemo Scott and Harry Cavitt.

    Members of the Montana Road Runners 4-H Club enjoyed an evening skating at the Silver Wheels Skating Rink after a short business meeting the evening of March 8. At the March 20 County 4-H Days, Krystal Korinek received county champion for public speaking.

25 Years Ago - April 1982        [Top]

    The American Legion Auxiliary announces they have chosen the delegates to Girls State to be held in Lawrence in June.
Delegates are Kim Middleswart, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Middleswart, and Leah Brandt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Brandt. Angela Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Anderson was chosen as alternate.

    The 101 E.H.U. met Wednesday, April 7, at the Oswego Community Hall for their monthly meeting. Neva Bray gave a very interesting lesson on “Grandparenting” in the morning. Brenda Richardson and Marna George were hostesses.
After dinner, Jean Rowland, County Extension Home Economist, showed slides and told about Poland.

    O.H.S. SPEECH STUDENTS ENTERTAIN ROTARIANS—The Oswego Rotary Club enjoyed two poetry and a duet play presented by Oswego High School speech students. Robin Rogers, Sonja Jeffries and George Higgins. The above were introduced by program chairman, Mr. Larry Anderson.

    Rick Dougherty of Oswego took his John Deere tractor to the Oklahoma City Farm Show last Sunday and entered in the 5500-Lb. Super Stock Tractor Pull against 11 other entries. Rick won first place worth $400 prize money.

     Oswego F.H.A. Girls To State Meeting Friday, April 23—Kathy Kremer, Hesston, State President of the Kansas Future Homemakers of America, will preside at the 36th Annual State Meeting on Friday, April 23, 1982, in Salina at the Bicentennial Center. Oswego will be represented by 13 delegates and three adult advisors. Kim Middleswart is out-going District J.W. secretary and will be installed as 1982-83 District J.W. Vice-President.

    Thursday, April 22, 1982, at 11 a.m., the Labette County Home Extension Unit and V.F.W. Auxiliary Post 3399 will gather in the Post Hall to make lap robes for the V.A. Hospital. All those who can come, bring finger foods for lunch and something to drink. All Auxiliary and Extension ladies are welcome. Bring also, scissors, thread, yarn, measuring sticks, etc.

    The Boy Scout Troop 39 camped out at the strip pits over the weekend. Nine boy scouts, Al Gange, their leader, and Bill Hinman and Stuart Schmoker, assistant leaders, enjoyed fishing and camping out. Stuart and Bill helped the Scouts work on their achievements.

    The Oswego City Hospital would like to extend to you a personal invitation to the opening of our new Home Health Agency. The open house will be held Wednesday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our Home Health offices at 407 1/2 Commercial, Oswego.

    Audrey Hoobler who has been treasurer for the V.F.W. Auxiliary for the past 12 years is retiring this year.
Audrey has served as president for two years and treasurer for 12 years. She is taking on a new position as chaplain this year. Audrey has been outstanding in her devotion to the auxiliary.

    Tom Harris, a 1979 graduate of Oswego High School, was inducted into the Pittsburg State University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, national scholastic honor society, on April 21. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale and be of good moral character.

    Audrey Hoobler, Verona Stammer, Lula Villegas, Irene Werner and Wanda Hevel, attended the Hospital Auxiliaries of Kansas, District II annual meeting, Tuesday, April 20, at Neodesha.

25 Years Ago - May 1982         [Top]

    The Oswego Indians boys’ track team won the Oswego Invitational Track Meet last Thursday picking up 128 points. Colgan placed second with 106 points followed by Chetopa with 100 points.
Tim Hey, Kemo Scott, Harry Cavitt and Neal Cruse combined for Oswego to win the two-mile (3200 meters) relay in 8 minutes 38.7 seconds, a school record and faster than the time with which Oswego qualified for the state meet a year ago.

    Oswego Cub Pack #39 held their annual Pinewood Derby races Sunday, April 25, in the Oswego High School Gymnasium. In addition, they hosted the Labette County Pinewood Derby, which covered cub packs from Oswego, Parsons, Chetopa, Altamont, Edna and Bartlett.
Thomas Watts won the Pack #39 derby with Steven Torchia taking second place honors. Robin Rogers finished third and Rusty Bradfield fourth.
Thomas Watts, Oswego Pack #39, won the 1982 Heluska District Cub Scout Pinewood Derby held at Allen County Community College in Iola Sunday. His car topped a 63 racer field which represented Cub Scouts from six Southeast Kansas counties. —Courtesy of Oswego Historical Society

    The Oswego boys’ track team won the Mineral Belt League track meet last Tuesday, May 11, at Arrowhead Stadium in Oswego with a total of 96 ½ points. Chetopa was second with 73 ½ points.

• 2-Mile Relay – Neal Cruse, Darrin King, Mike Tridle and Kevin Johnson.
• 440 Yard Relay – Bryan Scott, Frank Rooks, Mike Tridle, and Perry Clower.
• Mile Relay – Bryan Scott, Neal Cruse, Mike Tridle and Kevin Johnson.

    Attending the National Association of Bank Women Conference at Wichita last Friday and Saturday were Carol Brown and Kay Wolsey of the American State Bank and Eleanor Monroe and Esther Kirkpatrick of the First National Bank.
Kite Day last Saturday was a big success with over 25 entries. There was only one casualty – Shawn Robinson’s kite was eaten by a tree.
KITE DAY WINNERS

• Prettiest Kite – Terry Hoffman, First Place Trophy and $5; second place, Craig Bradshaw, $5.
• Most Unusual – Rob Chapin, First Place Trophy and $5; second place, J.R. Nading, $5

    Mrs. Edith Loncarich, Mrs. Ella Eads and Mrs. Doria Ekhoff attended a three day conference at Wichita State University in Wichita. This was the "Seventh Annual Governor's Conference on Aging." The conference was very informative with many workshops and films covering many topics. Social and recreational activities were also included.

    Dick W. Stevens, President of The American State Bank, announced this week that Ralph A. Jensen has resigned as Vice-President to accept the Presidency of the People's State Bank of Sharon Springs, Kan.

    The communities of McCune and Oswego can be very proud of Elaine Allen who placed second in the High Hurdles and fourth in the low hurdles at the Kansas 2A State Track Meet at Wichita last Saturday.

25 Years Ago - June 1982         [Top]
 

    The United States Achievement Academy announced today that DeAnn King, Kim Middleswart and Diane Hoffman have been named 1982 United States National Award winners in Business Education. This award is a prestigious honor very few students can ever hope to attain.

    Ten ladies participated in the first week of Women's Golf League play at the Oswego Golf Course. Dee Overman won low gross with a 48. Low net saw Jo Stevens and Lula Villegas tie with 38s followed by Lela Mier with a 45.

    Marlene Richardson of Oswego, a 1982 graduate of Kansas State University, Manhattan, receives the Magna Cum Laude honor cord. To qualify for Magna Cum Laude, Marlene had to attain at least a 3.718 grade point average. She majored in animal science.

Shelly Spencer, 11, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Spencer, participated in the Powder Puff Moto-Cross Sunday at Chanute. Shelly won the first-place trophy.

    Mr. Lonie R. Addis, Democrat, has announced that he will be a candidate for Labette County Commissioner in the First District.  Lonie is a fifth generation Addis to reside in Labette County since his great-great-grandfather homesteaded here in the 1870s.

    Vicki Lea Hoobler, of 1115 North Street in Oswego, earned academic honors during the 1982 spring semester at Emporia State University, according to the E-State President John Visser. Vicki, a freshman, was named to the Dean's Honor Roll.

    Stuart Schmoker told about highlights of this year's O.H.S. senior trip at the Rotary dinner meeting, Tuesday at the Oswego Community Building.  Stuart thanked the rotary Club for the plaque he received from the Rotary Club graduation night. He showed his acceptance of admittance to West Point and the Air Force Academy.

    Michael W. Johnston of Oswego, was promoted to the rank of private first class in the U.S. Army Reserves here at the Brenner Reserve Center said Capt. Wayne T. Cameron, Chetopa, 243rd S&S Batallion headquarters and headquarters company Commander.

    Bill Schenker, territory manager for Supersweet Feeds, was awarded for outstanding individual sales acheivement in the beef cattle category. His acheivement was recognized at the company's recent general sales meeting.

    Marcella Braley, President, and Jane England of Altamont, program chairman of Chi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International honor society for women educators, attended the Leadership Workshop for presidents and program chairmen that was held Saturday, June 12, 1982, Bethany College, Lindsborg.
 
 

25 Years Ago - July 1982         [Top]

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That old saying may apply to dogs, but not to people. Recent research shows human learning potential does not deteriorate with age. In fact, some learning abilities actually improve. The main function which slows with age is response time.

Mr. Randy Kitterman of Uniontown, Ohio, was recently promoted to Communications Coordinator where he is employed by Smyth Business Systems of Canton, Ohio. Randy has been working for this firm since December of 1980 as a computer operator.

    Cowboys and Cowgirls from  the Oswego, Chetopa and Columbus area picked Sunday as a day for their annual trail ride.
Up early Sunday morning, all met at the home of Jim and Marge Vietti for breakfast. Then it was out to Carl and Jeannette Hoskins to mount up and start the trail ride that was nearly 15 miles long. Carl Hoskins was Trail Master.

    Oswego High School Girls Basketball Coach, Larry Sanders, will hold a Girls Basketball Camp starting Monday July 12 at the Oswego High School gymnasium at 3pm. The camp is sponsored by the Oswego Recreation Commission and the cost is $8 each which includes a t-shirt.   -   By Floyd Cavitt

    The Oswego Girls Fastpitch Softball Team behind the strong pitching of cindy Cosby and the hitting of Jefferies, Cosby, Lionberger, Correll, Hoffman and Westall won the S.E.K. Regional Tournament and will play their first game in the state Tournament in Manhattan on Frifday, July 23 at 7:30 pm.

    Pvt. William R. Nading, son of Francis M. and Marta D. Nading of Rt. 2, Oswego has arrived for duty in Kitzingen, W. Germany.  Nading, a storage specialist with the 3rd Infantry Div. was previously assigned at Ft. Lee, Va.

    Several men of this city spent two evenings last week cutting weeds and spraying weeds in the downtown area.  Men giving their time last Tuesday and Thursday were Jerry Barnard, Bob Torchia, Jim Hoskins, Kyle Frogley, Dr. Phil Bortmes, Harry Cavitt, shawn Cavitt, Jim vietti, Charles Chaplin and Larry Frogley.

    This year, the first time in years, a Rodeo will be held on tuesday and wednesday nights, July 27 and 28 at 8 pm. There will be six events - - bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrell racing for girls and bull riding. This is an American Cowboy's Rodeo and Association Rodeo.

    In a scene that could have come out of a Western novel, three members of the southeast Kansas Mounted Posse joined area law enforcement officers in a seven-hour search southeast of Altamont Friday for a 20 year old man who was arrested on two felony warrants.

    Mr. Ted Watts, nationally known sports artist, 1966 graduate and 1976 Outstanding Young Alumni from Oswego, Ks. is the new 1982-83 president of the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association.
 

    In Women’s Golf League results for the week ending July 3, Marge Vietti was low with a gross 45. Jo Stevens was low net with a 37. The other three low net scores were Dee Overman 39, Lela Mier 42, and Annabelle Richards, 42. Lula Villegas won the blind bogey.

    On July 24, 1982, at 10 a.m. at the Lake Site about four and one half miles Northeast of Cherryvale, Ks., there will be the formal dedication of the Pearson Skubitz Big Hill Lake which was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1962. Construction began in 1974. It will have a shore line of approximately twenty miles.

    Attorney Shelby Horn has opened an office at 418 Commericial St.  Mr. Horn's office hours are 30 Monday through Friday. Shelby also draws pictures of old barns and he is a brother-in-law to Oswego Sports Artist Ted Watts.

    In their first meeting of the new school year, Mr Vernon Correll was re-lected president of the U.S.D. 504 school board when they met Monday evening at thwe Board of Education office in Oswego. Mr Jack Lacey was re-elected vice president.

Bob Torchia is Rotary President

    At the Tuesday, July 7, Oswego Rotary meeting, the past years president, Mr Shelby Horn presented the gavel to Mr. Bob torchia, who will be at the helm for the 1982-83 Rotary year.

25 Years Ago - August 1982        [Top]

     Bill Trotnic, chairman of the Antique Car and Farm Machinery Show in downtown Oswego that will be held Saturday morning, Aug. 21, announces that the first annual Antique Tractor Pull will be held in the afternoon.

     Jenny Fouts and Bob Cowan, both of the Kansas City area, flew to the Oswego Airport Saturday. They met Jenny’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Fouts and all had dinner at Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fouts home in Columbus.

     Mrs. Eva Westervelt and Mrs. Alice Hornung and Shelly, Oswego, left on Thursday last week and went to Dallas, Tx., where they visited Mrs. Westervelt’s son, Roger Ballentine and family

     Mr. and Mrs. Carol Cook and Jeff held a “moving away” party, Tuesday night, Aug. 17, for Tom and Milda Schlatter who are moving to California the last of August.

     The executive board of the Oswego City Hospital Auxiliary held their monthly meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, 1982 at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Marge Vietti. Seven members were present for the meeting with President, Wanda Hevel, presiding.

     Larry D. Jones, son of Bertha Jones of 1201 Fourth Avenue, Oswego, has been promoted in the US Air Force to the rank of master sergeant. Larry is an intelligence operations technician at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

    Mrs. Shirley Dickinson, Oswego, attended the 20th Annual Seminar of Mary Kay Cosmetics in Dallas, Texas, August 1 through 4.
Mrs. Dickinson was chosen Top Consultant in her unit for 1982 and fourth in Sales.

    Sharon E. Stice, a recent graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law, began practicing in Parsons this past week. Mrs. Stice, a former English teacher in Oswego, has joined the law offices of Edward W. Dosh, who has been practicing in Parsons since 1977.

    Following is a list of the winners at the Swimming Olympics held Monday afternoon at the Oswego Swimming Pool, sponsored by the Oswego Recreation Commission. Trophies and ribbons were awarded.
Best Divers––winning trophies were: 7-9 years, Ty Lewis; 10-12 years, Janna Lewis; and 13-14 years, Scott Anderson.

    Beth Cloninger, daughter of Monte and Jean Cloninger of Cannon City, Colo., was recently named outstanding student of the winter term at Mile Hi College in Denver, Colo.  Beth's parents are former Oswego residents. Her grandparents, Francis Hevel and Mary and Lawrence Cloninger reside in Oswego.

    Last Friday our community was paid a visit by J. Michael Adams, Dept. of Industial Arts & Technology, State University of New York, Oswego, N.Y.  Dr. Adfams and his family and friends had driven down from Pittsburg where he is engaged in teaching advanced students at P.S.U. for the summer session. They wanted to visit Oswego, Ks., because the fact is well established that our town was named for Oswego, N.Y.

    The fifth Annual Sherman City Picnic was held Sunday, August 15th at Oswego Riverside Park. A basket dinner was served at 1:00, Reverend Paul Smith of Sarcoxie, Mo. gave the blessing.

25 Years Ago - Sept 1982         [Top]

     USD 504 Superintendent Eugene Burke reports the enrollment for the District at 543 students, up seven students from last year at this time when the enrollment was 536 students.

    Kevin R. Schenker, son of Billy R. and Karen S. Schenker of Route 2, Oswego, received practical work in military leadership at the Army ROTC advanced camp at Fort Riley, Kan.

    Stephen J. Corn, son of Charles and Martha Corn of 506 Oregon, Oswego, received practical work in military leadership at the Army ROTC advanced camp at Fort Riley, Kan.

    The Eastside Volleyball team is in full swing practicing every day. Nine returning players will add experience to the roster of twenty-one girls.  Returning from last year are Leona Bernal, Lisa Gavin, Karen Johnson, Julie King, Jennie King, Tiffany Ortner, Tonia Scott, Becky Smith and Shellie Post.

    Our first Spirit Club meeting of the year will be held Wednesday, Sept. 1, during Activity period. We have worked all summer to make Spirit Club more enjoyable for everyone. Support your OHS Indians. I'll see ya there. Rhonda Lander, Secretary. ––Courtesy of Oswego Historical Society, 410 Commercial, Oswego

    Mrs. Evelyn Karstetter retired from the postal service Friday. She was presented a cake and certificate of retirement. The Post Office is temporarily closed at this time.

    The Eastside Junior High Girls met Thurs., Sept. 2, and organized the Pep Club for the 1982-83 school year.
The following officers were elected: President, Retha Sramek; Secretary-Treasurer, Angelia Pack; Poster Chairman, Debbie Stewart; Poster Committee: Kim Higgins, Kim Holmes, Kris Mitchell.

    Good News! Story Hour is back with a new teacher. Mrs. Debbie Hucke will be in charge of Story Hour, starting this Sat., Sept. 11. She has just completed a course in story-telling and puppetry, and is anxious to begin using what she learned. Debbie is also doing her student teaching in Columbus this fall. Robin Walton will be her aide.–– Courtesy of: Oswego Historical Society
 

25 Years Ago - Oct. 1982         [Top]

    On the last day of the season for 1982, Friday, Sept. 3, a visitor signed the register at the Museum: "Abbott, Crandall, Yates Center, Kansas." After a tour of the place he started a conversation about his experiences in Oswego, beginning in 1922. He was enrolled in the Kansas Military Academy at age 15 and remained here until the building housing classrooms and dormitory were destroyed by fire one windy day in the winter of 1923.

    Russ Addis only had to hunt one day to bag the 7-point Buck killed Friday, Oct. 1, the first day of the Kansas Bow and Arrow Hunting Season. The Buck field dressed out around 125 pounds.

    Local hunters spent the past weekend in Laramie, Wyo., hunting antelope. Five animals were brought home. Making the trip Thursday and returning home on Sunday were Larry, Kevin and Kyle Frogley, Jim and Carl Hoskins, all of Oswego; Sam Lancaster, Sr., and Sam Lancaster, Jr., of Chetopa. –– Courtesy of Oswego Historical Society

    For the first time this season both the "A" and "B" Eastside Volleyball Teams chalked up victories on the same night. The "B" team won their match against McCune 15-6, 15-8. Patty Dickerson served 13 for 13 and Laurie Richardson also served 100% with 7 out of 7.

    The first meeting of the Oswego FHA Chapter was held in the old gym on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1982. The offices for the 1982-83 school year were introduced as follows: President Kim Middleswart; Vice President, DeAnn King; Secretary, Diane Hoffman.

    Sheriff Tom Bringle was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Oswego Fire Department effective Oct. 1. Tom's new duties are to assist in training instruction, fill out all reports to be sent to the Fire Marshall and to fill out arson reports. He is in charge of safety and security. Tom started as a junior fireman when he was 13 years old.

    On Wednesday, October  12, Mr. Howard Ferch found  a balloon in his field 2 1/2 miles South of Oswego on the Neosho River.  the note with the balloon was an invitation to attend the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Okla. on September 12 for new fall classes.

Carnival Hugh Success

    Last Saturday night was a busy night for most parents and children in Oswego.  This was due to the PTA Carnival at Neosho Heights.  A lot of people donated their time and money to make it a big success.  A big thank you goes to all the Mothers and Fathers who were in charge of or helped out at an activity or booth.
 

    The new Oswego Progressive B.P.W will be observing the National Business Woman's Week the week of October 18-25.    The Oswego Progressive B.P.W. met Tuesday, October 12, at 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the American State Bank.  Call to order was given by President Karyn Carpenter.  Diane McConnell, secretary gave the minutes of the last meeting held on September 28, 1982.
 

    The American Medical Associations Physician Recognition Award was awarded to L. E. Shortes, M.D. for having fulfilled the requiremen