25 years ago: Dec. 8, 1999

The public is invited to attend a retirement party for Susie Parmer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in the conference room of the Leavenworth County Courthouse. Parmer will retire from her position as register of deeds, effective Dec. 31.

The Tonganoxie Post Office will be in the holiday spirit on Saturday as employees host an open house. The open house will run from 9 a.m. to noon and youngsters are encouraged to deposit their letters to Santa in the North Pole Mailbox. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded.

Last Thursday night the ceremony to light the mayor’s Christmas tree in Reusch VFW Memorial Park kicked off with a special performance by a new group in town. The “Cool Kids Choir,” made up of 37 fourth- and fifth- grade students at Tonganoxie Elementary School, opened the night by singing seven Christmas carols. Sharon Stratton, music teacher at the school, said she was proud of the students who formed their group early this semester.

50 years ago: Dec. 12, 1974

Little remains of the old bridge over County Road 5 and the new modern bridge becomes more visible each day. This is the last remaining job before the highway improvement project is complete. We still believe that the only real answer is a four-lane highway from Basehor Junction but will take what we can get, when we can get it.

Jilinda New received Reserve Grand Champion Female honors on her Registered Angus Heifer at the Kansas Junior Angus Show at Hutchinson. Heifers from throughout the state competed for the awards which qualified the winners to participate in the National competition at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver. Jilinda is planning to show her heifer in Denver in January. The heifer, which is one of Jilinda’s 4-H projects, was bred and raised on her parent’s farm, Mr. and Mrs. Bill New, Leavenworth.

The Board of Education of USD 342 at McLouth voted not to set a mandatory retirement age for school personnel. Superintendent Kenneth Randle said that the board felt some employees are just as valuable at 77 as they are at 64 or 65 and therefore should not be required to leave.

A third generation Kansas political activist, Mrs. Gordon Hurlbut, will serve as featured speaker during Kiwanis Ladies Night at the Eldridge House in Lawrence. While “going through the back door never through elective office,” Mrs. Hurlbut has racked up impressive credits. The focus of her current interest is aimed at passage of the Missouri Equal Rights Amendment. Raised on the premise that “women ARE equal,” her remarks at the Ladies Night will draw some questions from a mixed audience. The answers that follow will be sure to become the talk of the town.

Four Linwood high school students and their parents appeared before the school board to request a change in the dress code requiring students to be clean shaven and no sideburns extending below the ear lobe. The board took no action so the present dress code will be upheld.

75 years ago: Dec. 8, 1949

Seven-year-old Jimmy Gallagher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gallagher, was severely burned while trying to stomp out a grass fire at his neighbor’s home. His pant leg caught fire and burned his ankle and leg. Jimmy is at his parent’s home this week, under a doctor’s care. His second-grade classmates bought a gift for him and proudly delivered it to his home during their afternoon recess. Mrs. Dan Day, their teacher, organized the trek.

The United States Brewers Foundation salutes all Kansas counties for their atmosphere of learning and beverage moderation. The Foundation wants beer sale conditions to be just as wholesome as those used in its making. Their motto – “Beer…the beverage of moderation.”

1950 is just around the corner and with it comes the new updated giant 10 inch enlarged screen television, available at Shilling Electric for $99.95. This is a $90 savings during our holiday sale. The TV comes with all the advanced 1950 features.

The Oaks Restaurant recommends a big pot of boiling cabbage on the stove to give the house a smelly odor. Dad can solve that problem by taking the family out to dinner!

Zoellner’s has gift suggestions for Christmas this year with a nice selection of tablecloths, towel sets and nylon underwear. Christmas candy is available including peanut clusters, sugar creams and gum drops! Stop in and shop.

100 years ago: Dec. 11, 1924

Thurs evening of last week the first of a proposed series of banquets by the Commercial Club was held at Laming Hall. The dinner was served at 7 by the Civic League ladies and they surely were not taking any chances of losing their reputation as good cooks. One hundred plates were served.

At the close of the dinner Foster Laming, the Commercial Club president, introduced Prof. William Burdick, vice president of the Kansas University who was the speaker of the evening. Prof. Burdick’s talk on municipal or city government was very instructive and interspersed with enough wit to add to its enjoyment.

Miss Banche Phenicie favored the gathering with one of her splendid readings and the high school orchestra furnished music for the occasion which was much enjoyed. The Club president also told some interesting facts concerning the encouraging out look of the club and its membership growth, being the largest membership now in the history of the organization.

125 years ago: Dec. 14, 1899

Sheriff Everhardy and County Physician Yohe returned Friday night from Loring where they went to inquire into the extent of the epidemic. They found thirteen cases there, one of which is serious. They quarantined the village and placed a guard of four deputies under charge of Joe Reyburn of this city to enforce the quarantine.

Abe Lash who started the unlawful sale of liquor in Tonganoxie from which the present epidemic has resulted, dropped out this week, and quit transgressing. Jim Love moved into his stand and the other place is closed. Saturday Frank Berry, Ben McKeehen and Jim Love paid $100 fines each for the unlawful sale of liquor. The latest whirl has reduced the number of joints to three, a reduction of two during the year.