COLUMNS

Belinda Larsen: Augusta'sYesterdays

Belinda Larsen

70 YEARS AGO

1944

Sgt. John E. Crowe of Augusta, was awarded the 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for the part he played in the invasion of Southern France.  On D-Day he flew over the anti-aircraft defended coast of South France in an airship that was devoid of protective armor and defensive weapons of any kind, to drop paratroops behind enemy defenses.

John Bally, a farmer who had been seriously ill, was shown kindness by his Andover neighbors when they showed up with trucks and trailers and filled his silos.

60 YEARS AGO

1954

A drunk driver jumped the curb and smashed into the northeast corner of Garfield School.

Dalton Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clare Patterson, Sr., was named state winner in the junior division of the Soil Conservation Program of 4-H Clubs.

Christ Lutheran Church was planning a special service to be held on Thanksgiving Day.

50 YEARS AGO

1964

The Butler County Bar Association was pushing for a new county law building and a new jail facility.

The AHS senior class was presenting “The Egg and I” and the original apron worn by Claudette Colbert in the movie version starring Colbert and Fred McMurray, was being used in the local stage production.  The unusual prop was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Neil Jones.

Nearly 600 people attended the 1964 Butler County 4-H Club Achievement Banquet in El Dorado.

40 YEARS

1974

In spite of the energy crisis, the local City Council approved the use of Christmas lighting downtown.

The Augusta Department of Safety was preparing for a friendly game of football against the El Dorado Police Department.  The proceed would go toward the Junior Police Cadet program.

The Post Office announced they were getting close to having “lickless” stamps.  The new stamps, ones with pressure-sensitive adhesive, were expected soon.

30 YEARS AGO

1984

A couple of inches of snow fell the day before Thanksgiving.

Plans were being made for a mailbox drive-up lane at the Augusta Post Office.  The City of Augusta and the U.S. Postal Service would share the costs.

George Small, 47, a respected longtime veteran of the Augusta Department of Safety, had died.

20 YEARS AGO

1994

Brett Kappelmann was named to the All Chisholm Trail football team.  John Heise made the second team and Eddie Noeller, honorable mention.  Travis Buell, Jason Nickel, and Kelly Walker received honorable mentions for the Oriole varsity soccer team’s inaugural season.

Augusta’s war memorial at Elmwood Cemetery was rededicated at a special service.

AHS senior Brian Preston signed a letter of intent to play baseball at WSU.

10 YEARS AGO

2004

Abby Nordman made first team of the All State Softball team and Natalie Critchfield was named to the second team.

All League football team players from AHS: Elliot Horton, Caleb Pazzie, Matt Wetzel, Harrison Dreiling, Wes Myers, Eric English and Jake Poore.  Second team: Sean Tolle, Jarrod Steele, Cole Hancock, and Chase Phillips.  Mike Emond was an honorable mention.  Dreiling was also the co-mvp and Coach Steve Pazzie was Coach of the Year.