January
The year got started on a positive note for development. Art Hancock, Jack Willis, Mark Himpel and Joe Donnelly announced their plans for Stone Creek development. And Himpel and Willis announced plans for South Park development. Both sites are along U.S. Highway 24-40 east of Tonganoxie.

In Basehor, land also was in the news. Ray and Ann Breuer provided a 10.2-acre gift to the Basehor Historical Society. The society had its sights on the land, which is on the southwest corner of 158th Street and Parallel Avenue, for a conference center and museum.

Emily Eileen Cole, born Jan. 2 at Cushing Memorial Hospital in Leavenworth, was named the winner of The Mirror’s First Baby of the Year Contest. She is the daughter of Jeanette and Raymond Cole and the little sister of Luke Cole.

Plans to renovate the Tonganoxie High School athletic complex were unveiled, and the state Department of Wildlife and Parks gave the Rec Commission $10,000 toward construction of a new city park at Main Street and U.S. 24-40 Highway.

The annual Randy Starcher Memorial Invitational Wrestling Tournament featured nine schools.

Four members of the Tonganoxie High School Debate team took top honors in 4A competition.

February
For a second year, Dr. Phil Stevens assumed the role of “Tonganoxie Phil” to help Q104 disc jockey Randy Miller determine whether winter was over. The good doctor saw his shadow, which meant the community was in for six more weeks of winter weather.

Kansas University football coach spoke at the annual Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce banquet. In addition, Janet Angell was presented the Citizen of the Year award for her service to the community. Outgoing chamber board members Jo Starcher, Matt Bichelmeyer and Wanda Williams were recognized for their service. New officers Larry Shepek, Nancy Younger and John Evans Jr. were installed.

A majority of downtown property owners approved plans to renovate Fourth Street.

The brand new Community National Bank opened at Main Street and U.S. 24-40 Highway.

Work got under way on a $331,993 renovation project for the high school sports complex.

Three Tonganoxie High School wrestlers Mike Moss, Bill Folsom and Chris Calovich competed at state. All three lost their matches.

March
Incumbent Herbert Robbins and John Franiuk were the top two vote-getters in the March 2 primary election for mayor.

Plans progressed for the renovation of Fourth Street, which will include new streetlights, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and landscaping.

Longtime McLouth postmaster, Elmer McAferty, retired.

The 12th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade drew a large crowd, despite cold weather. Debbie Continued from page 2A

Breuer served as grand leprechaun in the parade.

Tonganoxie High School thespians produced “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Tonganoxie resident Ron Cranor retired at the end of the month as a Leavenworth County sheriff’s deputy. His career in law enforcement traced to the 1950s.

April
John Franiuk defeated incumbent Herb Robbins in the race for mayor. Pat Albert and Janet Angell were elected to posts on the Tonganoxie City Council. And all school board candidates ran unopposed: Phil Weide, Rick Lamb, Terry Needham, Ron Moore and Dick Dean.

On April 17, McLouth held its first Patriots Day celebration to recognize veterans in the area.

The new Leavenworth 4-H Foundation held a meeting and banquet. The group awarded 13 scholarships of $300 each to 4-H members. Members of the board are Janice McCue, Loris New, Paula Rollins, Earl Parsons, David Todd, Donna Wiley and Joseph Wood.

May
Two teen-agers were taken into custody in connection with bomb threats called into McLouth High School.

Alumni of Tonganoxie High School gathered May 8 for their annual banquet.

Heavy storms damaged property in the area. Storms caused an estimated $250,000 in damage throughout the county.

A total of 136 Tonganoxie High School seniors received diplomas during ceremonies in a sweltering high school gymnasium.

Mike Webb, Sumner Academy assistant coach, was hired as the new Tonganoxie High School boys basketball coach.

In services to honor veterans, ceremonies were held at Tonganoxie’s VFW Park and at Hubbel Hill Cemetery. A new plaque carrying the names of casualties of foreign wars was unveiled at VFW Park.

June
Tonganoxie Days featured plenty of good food and entertainment for all ages. In addition, other vendors were on hand, selling crafts, pottery, jewelry and woodworking. Connie Tornedon was organizer for this year’s event. First State Bank and Trust sold ice cream sodas from the former Ratliff Drug Store to benefit the Tonganoxie Historical Society. A car show took place at VFW Park, and the pet parade attracted 23 participants.

The annual McLouth Barbecue Blowout featured great cooking at Prairie Park. The event also featured a pie competition, as well as a raffle sale. Crafts were for sale at the one-day event.

City council members approved establishment of a Site Review Committee to review development plans.

The Rev. Dave Petersen said goodbye to parishioners at Tonganoxie United Methodist Church after he took over the Methodist churches in Meriden and Ozawkie.

Work continues on site preparation for the new NASCAR track, which is under construction 14 miles east of Tonganoxie.

About 320 dairy goats from eight states were entered in the American Dairy Goat Show at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.