Deaths: James William Caps, 88, Tullahoma, Tenn., died Dec. 13, 1999; Eleanor J. Needham, 72, Leavenworth, died Jan. 2, 1999; Laura Evaline Parks, 89, Tonganoxie, died Jan. 2, 2000.

Rachelle M. Emery has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program at the U. S. Army Recruiting Station, Ottawa. The recruit qualifies for a $6,000 enlistment program.

Once again, THS debate heads to nationals: Debate is more than just debate, says Steve Harrell, debate teacher at Tonganoxie for 10 years. “The neat thing about debate is that it’s an enrichment course for everything,” Harrell said. “Debate teaches the students skills in speaking, researching, writing and helps them develop interpersonal skills.” (The first medal won by Mr. Harrell’s students was in the fall of 1992 at Schlagle High School, in Kansas City, Kan. Since then, his students have held their own, even against stiff competition.)

Bank offers a sweet beginning to new year: The memories came flooding back for Wayne Turner as he scooped up ice cream in the former Ratliff Pharmacy on the last night of the 1900s. Turner, along with several other former Tonganoxie soda jerks, made ice cream sodas Friday night for area residents who ventured into Ratliff’s for a New Year’s Eve party. The gathering was sponsored by First State Bank and Trust, which owns the Ratliff building (Mr. Turner commented that in 1945, he made 10 cents an hour. Mary Ann Needham also worked during the 1940s at Cain’s and Ted Duncanson worked on the carbonation system in the Ratliff building during the 1940s and early 1950s).

25 years ago: Jan. 2, 1985

Springdale News: The community extends their sympathy to the Walter Haines family in the loss of their mother this week

McLouth News: Kiwanis members delivered baskets of fruit to shut-ins in McLouth and residents of new Place 1 last week.

Mrs. Art Himpel has just recently moved into her new home at Sixth and Pleasant Street. Her new home was built by her sons and their families. (The home was pictured.)

Melissa Young, a sophomore majoring in church recreation at Southwest Baptist University, is a member of a mission team to the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area Dec. 31 through Jan. 23. The team, led by Dr. Bernard Holmes, has as its goal the starting of three new churches. Young is the daughter of Roger and Janet Ambrose of Tonganoxie.

Welcome to Tonganoxie, Yasushi Kuwayama of Nagoya, Japan, and Mona Liza Das of New Delhi, India. These two students from the University of North Carolina have been the guests of two Tonganoxie families during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Mr. Kuwayama is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barrager, Philip and Nathan, and Miss Das has been with Gail and Mike Drake. Both families live in the country. (The students came through the Friendship International House of Southern Baptist. West Haven Baptist church was a part of the Kansas City, Kan., Southern Baptist Division.)

50 years ago: Jan. 21, 1960

Births: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bretthauer, a son, Jan. 16, 1960; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Lewis, Bonner Springs, a daughter, Lori Jean, Jan. 12, 1960.

The Friendship Valley Club will meet at the home of Mrs. Florence Somers Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1960.

Birth: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Eberth, Basehor, announce the birth of a son Jan. 13.

Births: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bretthauer, a son, Jan. 16, 1960; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Lewis, Bonner Springs, a daughter, Lori Jean, Jan. 12, 1960.

Deaths: Leateuschia Salisbury, 67, Kansas City, Mo., died Saturday; Mrs. Addie Musselman, 87, a long-time resident of Hamlin, died Jan. 20, 1960; Mrs. Belle L. Kinney, 64, Lawrence, died Friday; Harriett Anne Jones, life-long resident of Leavenworth County, died Friday while visiting relatives in Galveston, Texas; Mrs. Lena Jacks Grinter, a member of one of the earliest families in Wyandotte County, died Tuesday at the home of a son, John W. Grinter, Tonganoxie. She was 84 years of age.

75 years ago: Dec. 27, 1934

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hughes received word that their son, Bennie, was in the government hospital suffering from an injured leg. The leg was hurt when a crate of oranges was accidentally dropped on it while some of the boys were putting them in the storage room. It was not known at the time they received the letter whether his leg was broken or only a bad bruise. Bennie said he would write them again as soon as he learned what the X-ray pictures showed.

Well, as we sit down to our empty tables this winter, we can be comforted by the thought that Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt has a nice, new 1,000 piece set of dishes, purchased with public funds at a cost of more than $9 per piece. No doubt the serving of two glasses of wine to each guest made it necessary to acquire this new shipment. (The articles states that the last set of dishes purchased for the White House was purchased by the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.) Uncle Josh Wilkins, Willis, Kan.

Sherman Medill, one of the best known residents of Leavenworth County, died at his home in Leavenworth at 5 o’clock Monday morning after a heart attack.

Mound Vicinity: Mr. and Mrs. August Wartzack entertained with a turkey dinner Sunday. There were twenty-two present. Dinner was served at two dining tables laden with good things to eat.

Jarbalo: Mrs. Albert Berger spent last week in Leavenworth with her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hamilton, who are the parents of a new baby girl; a baby girl was born Christmas eve to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Banks.

100 years ago: Jan. 6, 1910

Squire Sweeny, for about 30 years a resident of Tonganoxie, died in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday at an age estimated above 80 years. The body was brought here Sunday for interment. Mr. Sweeny was born a slave in Kentucky.

Miss Hannah Ronan, a resident of the neighborhood six miles east of here, died last week and was buried Saturday at Hoge

H.M. Wise, who came here something less than two years ago from Bonner Springs and started a meat market, died last Friday noon at his home.

When school opened in the new high school building Monday there were 97 pupils in their seats. The study room is the upper west room and is as well-lighted as any school room can be. It is lighted from three sides and the windows are exceptionally large. The recitation rooms are smaller but well-lighted also.

Speaking of swearing off, one Tonganoxie man who had been sober a long time got the vehicle before the horse Saturday and lapsed.