From Our Files

• Nov. 7, 1946

The Hartley School was pleased at the large crowd that attended the all-school play. It was estimated that nearly 950 people were present, which set an all-time school record.

In one of the most spectacular finishes ever witnessed here, Hartley came within one point of tying a favored and undefeated Paullina team in a conference game and Hartley’s homecoming. After trailing 7-0 for most of the game, Hartley intercepted a Paullina pass. Two plays later Hartley scored on a pass from Weber to Steinbeck. The placekick was wide and the game ended soon afterward.

Following a national trend whereby the Republicans gained control of the national House of Representatives and Senate, local Republicans were swept in on the tide of victory. In spite of a small vote throughout the state, one of the largest votes in the history of Hartley was recorded, as a total of 634 ballots were cast.

• Nov. 4, 1971

A grand total of 66 girls were signed up as members of the Girl Scouts at a meeting held in Hartley. The girls were placed in three Brownie troops, two Junior troops and one Cadet troop.

All incumbents running for municipal office in Hartley were successful in their bids for re-election in one of the largest elections in the history of the town. Earl Norton was elected mayor, and Bruce Boyer and Donald Hansen were re-elected to the council. The only new member of the official family was Steve Baumgarten, who narrowly defeated Peder Buck for an unexpired council term.

Mrs. Richard (Lavon) Anderson, of Hartley, was installed as Grand Martha of the Order of Eastern Star Grand Chapter of Iowa. She was the first Hartley Eastern Star member to be accorded that high honor. Mrs. Anderson was a Past Matron of Golden Sheaf Chapter and a past Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls.

• Nov. 7, 1996

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn students selected to participate in the Northwest Iowa Junior High Honor Band Festival were Traci Byers, Rachel Funke (first chair), Mary Harders, Matt Havlik (first chair), Dustin Rusche, Laura Vander Broek, Stacy Vander Velde (first chair) and Shanna Vetter. Funke and Havlik were also selected to perform in the middle school honor band comprised of the Top 22 students from each of the six Iowa Bandmasters Association districts.

Oct. 31 was more than just Halloween to students at H-M-S Elementary. Dressed up in costumes, students gathered in the gym and marched in two large circles chanting “Say boo to drugs.” The assembly was part of the district’s observance of Red Ribbon Week, which emphasized the importance of remaining drug free and choosing heathy lifestyles. Halloween gave the students a good chance to scare drugs away from their school.

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