Four Tonganoxie High School debaters earned the opportunity to debate at the NCFL Grand National Debate Tournament in Chicago, Illinois at the end of the school year. Darren Welch, Jessica Sturgeon, Mike Moss, and Josh Hagg will be debating in Chicago.

The Tonganoxie Elementary School had an assembly program last Friday presented by a man who has participated in the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race nine times since 1977. Dewey Halverson has placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 11th. Halverson brought his lead sled dog, Lumpy, with him to the school, along with his dogsled, mushing equipment, arctic clothing necessary to survive the race, his trophies, and a wonderful tale of how he fulfilled his boyhood dream.

Inspired by Jack London’s book, “Call of the Wild,” Halverson arrived in Alaska at the age of 19. With an ax and $7, he built the cabin he had dreamed about for ten years. And he used the hinges he had bought in third grade for the door.

Kim Barnes of Tonganoxie was pictured with a Christmas tree that he cut this year, not in the deep woods, but off State Avenue where the Kansas International Speedway land clearing is underway. The weather was warm and sunny, with not a hint of a snowflake in sight.

Jessica Sturgeon, a junior at Tonganoxie High School, is this year’s winner of the Voice of Democracy contest, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary. She was given a $100 check, a blue ribboned medal, and certificate of merit.

50 years ago: Dec. 20, 1973

The first severe storm of the season struck the local area. Freezing rain, mixed with snow, made driving extremely hazardous. Area police were busy working a number of accidents although none were reported to be serious.

Candlelight Communion services will be held on Christmas Eve in the United Methodist Church. St. Raphael’s Episcopal Mission will have their Christmas on December 24.

The Kansas Forestry, Fish & Game Commission will be picking up discarded Christmas trees. The trees will be used for fish beds at the state lake.

The Board of Education has approved an increase in lunch prices for the first time in six years. School lunch prices will be increased five cents next semester to $.35 for grade school students and $.40 for high school students.

Sheriff’s officers recovered a stolen truck in a pasture northeast of Stranger Bridge on U.S. 24-40. The truck bearing Linn County license plates is owned by a Bonner Springs man.

KCMO Salvation Army Dress A Doll Program Dolls are distributed by the Salvation Army to groups or organizations who clothe them and return them to be given to families that the Salvation Army helps at Christmas. Some of our local Camp Fire Girls dressed dolls for this project.

More than 100 students at Kansas State University were initiated into Phi Kappa Phi national honor society which recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all academic disciplines. Miss Linda Denholm was among those students elected to the Society.

75 years ago: Dec. 9, 1948

Very sad news to report that the young birthday boy Dickie Pearson, mentioned in a recent column has died. No cause of death has been reported and we send our very deepest sympathy to his parents, sister, and brother. You may recall that Dickie had his 9th birthday a short time ago with many of his friends in attendance.

Lt. Edward Seufert will be buried at Ft. Leavenworth this month and will receive all the military honors due this war hero. Ed was in France only nine weeks when his death occurred in 1944, during WWII. Ed was likable, friendly and a hard worker. His service to our country will be remembered for many years.

My son told his teacher that he was an only child and she replied, “Oh, thank goodness!”

Towel sets, tablecloths and bed spreads are just some of the gift suggestions from Zoellner’s Store.  Gifts are priced from $.10 and up.  And for her, there is nothing nicer than nylon hose!

Get your Christmas cards and packages mailed early to avoid the rush. Address all matter plainly and completely in ink giving street address or box or rural route numbers.  

100 years ago: Dec. 13, 1923

As I am going to leave Tonganoxie, I request all those indebted to me to settle their account at once, Dr. W.B. Coe.

Mrs. B.C.C. Williams visited at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. A.W. McClure at Valley Falls last weekend.

Clothes-pin Pie Supper and Program by Reno School at Reno Church, Friday evening, Dec. 21st. Ladies, please bring pies and clothespins. Chas. Milett, Teacher.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cline Dec. 9th, a son, named Howard Dillingham Cline. Dr. Coe was the attending physician.

The Library Trustees wish to thank the public for their liberal patronage at their Bazaar and Food Sale. There are a few fancy articles left; if you need anything in these lines call Mrs. J.C. Laming or Mrs. Frank Zoellner.

Mrs. Fred Coe came out from Kansas City Saturday and remained until Tuesday.

Mrs. Frank Hoey went to Kansas City Wednesday, the this (Thursday) morning will undergo an operation at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas.

125 years ago: Dec. 22, 1898

Reno – Mrs. Silvers, a very feeble and aged lady, who lived with her boys on Chas. Hemphill’s place, died last week.

Eagle – Miss Mary Rice, of Tonganoxie, visited friends here a part of last week.

Last Sunday, Dec. 18, being the fifty-fifth birthday of Samual Hastings, of Ackerland, a number of his friends and neighbors gathered at his home and made the occasion one to be long remembered by all present.

Ben Trackwell, of Jarbalo, was in town yesterday. He says the Jarbalo Creamery Co. got its icehouse full during the cold snap.

Called home – Mrs. Louisa Watson passed away Tuesday morning, at eight o’clock. She had been an invalid for many years, living with her daughter, Mrs. Kimball. The deceased was past 86 years of age and had been a Christian since her girlhood days.

James Donnelly, a young farmer who lived with his mother near Hoge, dies very suddenly last Friday, while on his way home from Tonganoxie. (An attack of heart disease was probably the cause of his sudden demise.)