25 years ago: Oct. 8, 2000

Derek Parrett, 11, is a Leavenworth County 4-H member who’s cooking up a new way to repair the fairgrounds, damaged by the May 11 tornado. Parrett, a member of Happy Helpers, said his club instigated the project. “We decided we should make a Leavenworth County 4-H’ers cookbook to help pay for the repairs at the fairgrounds,” Parrett said. The cookbook includes about 480 recipes. Of these, Parrett submitted about 30. His favorite? “Spaghetti,” he said. “We use a homemade sauce with home-grown tomatoes, fresh onions, hamburger, tabasco sauce and one can of tomato paste.” Other members of the cookbook committee are Maggie Bailey, Clinton Kissinger, Megan Myers, Aimee Ostermeyer and Riley Vogel.

Any area resident — of any age — who would like to use a computer is welcome to visit Tonganoxie Junior High School two nights a week. The school’s computer lab, which features 24 computers that are connected to the Internet, are available form 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. “It would be a neat opportunity for our community if they would like to come into our school,” said Steve Woolf, junior high school principal. Two teachers – Brenda Shaw and Marilyn Daniels – take turns staffing the lab. And Shaw said they’re happy to help anyone learn more about computers. “We can get you started,” she said. All computer users must follow two simple rules: stay away from web sites that are not acceptable and don’t enter any chat rooms. The computers at the junior high school can fill a void left when the public library is closed or its computers are in use. The public library, which offers four computers connected to the Internet, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday; noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

50 years ago: Oct. 9, 1975

Heidi Wallace placed first in a women’s cross country meet in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Heidi is a member of the Kansas University squad and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arch Wallace.

The 65th annual Schenck reunion was held at Gage Park and was attended by 60 descendants of Kansas pioneer John Schenck and Mary Furnas Schenck. The oldest present were Mrs. Bessie Schenck of Tonganoxie and Mrs. Dot Shoemaker of Graybull, Wyoming, both 89. The youngest was 3 month-old Mark Kesinger, great grandson of Mrs. Bessie Schenck.

The Tonganoxie High School Theatre Department will open its 1975-76 season with “A Doctor in Spite of Himself”. Director Mark Swezey described the play as a classical farce set in 17th century France. The comedy revolves around the experiences of an arrogant woodcutter, named Synarelle. When the play opens, he is feuding with his wife and he beats his wife. She vows to get even. Her opportunity arises when two servants appear looking for a doctor for their ill master. She informs them that Synarelle is a doctor although he is peculiar and does not like to admit it. She says that a good beating will force him to work as a doctor though. The play deals with Synarelle’s medical experiences and dilemmas.

The Circus will come to Tonganoxie on Oct. 14. That night the local Jaycees will sponsor two performances by the Franzen Brothers Circus. The circus will bring animal acts, tightrope walker, clowns, aerial performers and many other acts to the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.

The Sacred Heart Church will hold its annual Bazaar and Turkey Dinner October 12.

The Tonganoxie football team powers over Paola 27 to 7.

The Laming Estate showed of mass confusion as 159 runners from 14 schools competed in the Tonganoxie Invitational Cross County meet. In team scoring, Tongie placed 9th.

75 years ago: Oct. 12, 1950

A serious case of the whooping cough has struck the Arch Vestal home with four of his children suffering at the same time.  Hope that all goes well and they recover.

Two local women have arrived home after a trip to Bermuda and New York City. Mrs. J.W. Dorney and Mrs. Foster Laming returned home after an excursion by air to the island. Maybe they’ll have pictures to share.

The State Highway commission has authorized a speed limit of 30 miles per hour on US24/40 highway.  Anyone violating that ordinance is subject to a fine of at least $5 and not exceeding $100. This is a needed safety feature to protect the children crossing from Elm Park (Editor’s Note-Elm Park is west of the Ellie B’s event space) to the school. 

A terrible accident happened near a Jarbalo farm when three high school students were traveling home in a Model A Ford coupe.  The brakes locked and turned the car over, throwing the boys out. Two boys were okay, but Wade Mitchell received a broken back. His legs are paralyzed at this time, and it is not known if this will be a permanent injury. The young man was transported to Lawrence hospital in the Quisenberry ambulance. The car itself was badly damaged.

100 years ago: Oct. 8, 1925

Quiet! I’ve got Portland Oregon. And the radio season of 1925-26 comes in with a rush. It’s going to be the biggest radio year we’ve ever had. More stations on the air and more listeners-in all over the country. Now is the time to get the old set rigged up or the new one installed. Read all about this great “sport” in The Mirror’s Radio department and buy your sets and parts from advertisers in these columns.

There will be one of the biggest aeroplane demonstrations ever staged at Fort Leavenworth, put on there Friday, October 2, 1925. A large number of our folks are going to Leavenworth to witness this stupendous aeroplane flying demonstration put on by the army air forces. There will be all kinds of aeroplanes and all the different air evolutions will be shown by planes in formation.

Tried the homemade Pies at Davis’?

Miss Louise Mackey who was a graduate of the class of 1925 of Tonganoxie High School is now holding a position in the Jones store, Kansas City, Mo.

Pie, cake, chicken, bread, rolls and other good things to eat may be secured at the Food Sale next Saturday, October 3, at Rumsey’s given by the Ladies of the Friends Church. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. and there will also be an Apron Sale in connection with the Food Sale.

Andrew Smith brought to this office last Tuesday a copy of The Ulster County Gazette published at Kingston (Ulster County) by Samuel Freer and son, bearing the date of Saturday, January 4,1800. George Washington’s death had occurred December 14th previous and this paper contained much of interest concerning our great president and general. This is an interesting and valuable paper which Andrew found among some old pictures, etc.

125 years ago: Oct. 11, 1900

The school board is sending out a circular to adjoining districts advertising the high school course and inviting the attendance of pupils from out of town.

There will be a picnic and barbecue Saturday, Oct. 13, under the auspices of the First Baptist church. Rev. WL Grant, of Topeka, will speak at 2:30 p.m. All the Republicans of this county are invited to be present.

A number of people gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. N.M. Grist Monday evening to remind them of their 18th wedding anniversary, the celebrating of the occasion being in the nature of a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Grist. A splendid time was had by the participants and delicious refreshments were served in courses.

Quite a number of the young people were entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Q.A. Baldwin, last Tuesday evening, in honor of the Misses Cook. Games were played and several choice selections of vocal and instrumental music were rendered. Miss Maud Cook favored the guests with several whistling solos. Refreshments were served during the evening and all present enjoyed a very pleasant social time.

The Jameson and Mize blacksmith shop caught fire last Friday noon, while the proprietors were at dinner, but the flames were extinguished before doing much damage. A cinder set the siding on fire. The shop had been insured just a few days before.