From Our Files

• Aug. 29, 1946

The 1946 4-H fair and Iowa centennial celebration which was held in Hartley was a huge success in every way. Crowds numbering between 10,000 and 12,000 for the final two days were above expectations. The Hartley Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion, who were the sponsors, reported the celebration was a financial success in addition to being enjoyable for all.

The Hartley Public School was preparing for the first day of classes on Sept. 3. With a large freshman class anticipated, it was expected that the high school enrollment would be nearly 200.

A destructive fire destroyed a large barn on the John Fell farm south of Everly. The loss was estimated at approximately $3,500 as the harvest-filled barn burned to the ground. Everly firemen managed to save the silo, corn crib and hog house which were all located near the barn.

• Aug. 26, 1971

The Hartley horseshoe team captured the Northwest Iowa League championship by winning 13 of 14 matches. There were eight teams in the league. Team members were Dennis Brunk, Herman DeYoung, Lyle Donnenwerth, Moris Gonnerman, Elwayne Jatho, Elmo Morfitt, Roy Payne, Earl Peters (captain), Bob Petersen, Marion Rose, Cliff Shriner, J. Oscar Swanson and Ed Zinn.

Claudia Adams, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Adams, of Hartley, was named State Shorthorn Queen at the Iowa State Fair.

The cost of living council ruled that school lunch prices supported by the Agriculture Department were covered by the national wage-price freeze. Also covered was the pay of all faculty members with the exception of those hired on a yearly basis.

• Aug. 29, 1996

The Hartley Community Center was filled with some 300 people when the classes of the Moneta Consolidated School reunited. Despite the fact that the last graduation class dated back to 1959, Moneta alumni still supported their school through the years.

The 1996 Summer Olympics had passed, but the Olympic spirit continued at H-M-S Elementary. The reading promotion theme for the school year was “Read Your Way to Gold.” Special activities each month would combine the Olympics with reading.

Initial figures showed that Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn enrolled 936 students. That total represented an increase of 32 students from the previous year. The numbers did not include students who were open enrolled or were special education students served outside the district. Grades 1, 9 and 10 were the largest, counting 79 students each.

“From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.