From Our Files

• May 20, 1948

An estimated crowd of over 2,000 people in Hartley witnessed what old Legionnaires described as the finest parade in district convention history. The eight block long extravaganza was comprised of six bands, Legion and Auxiliary representatives and other entrants. Air cover was provided by a squadron from the Sioux City Air Base. Ingwer Hansen, of Hartley, was elected one of three district vice commanders in the first contested election that Legionnaires had experienced in years. The largest registration of any Auxiliary meeting in 1948 was also reported.

Forty-five Hartley High School seniors received their sheepskins from Abel Anderson, president of the school board, during an impressive ceremony. The commencement speaker was the Honorable Guy Gillette, United States Senator, of Cherokee.

• May 17, 1973

The Emanon Club, of Hartley, was presented with the Iowa Nurserymen’s Award at the state convention of the Iowa Federated Women’s Clubs. The club president, Mrs. Edwin Zinn, accepted the award of $25 to be used for plantings in the community, a certificate and a young spruce tree.

Two crews from Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative installed a new switch connecting the Hartley municipal tap line with the NIPCO transmission system. The new switch was mounted on an aluminum tower about two miles south of Hartley.

The Hartley FFA Chapter placed second in the Northwest Iowa Soil Judging Contest at Sheldon. Merlin Sandersfeld was third high overall individual, Rolin Muhs was eighth and Don Brigham was 10th. The contest was the culmination of a study in soils for the Voc. Ag. III students.

• May 21, 1998

The O’Brien County Board of Supervisors confirmed that the $2.99 million bond issue sought by the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School had passed. Of the 1,941 ballots cast, 1,167 were in favor and 774 were against, for an approval margin of 60.12 percent.

Lois Eckard was nearing the end of her 40-year teaching career. She began her career at Melvin, where she taught sixth grade for two years. The remainder of her career was spent teaching fourth grade in Hartley.

The H-M-S Middle School band placed first in the Saturday afternoon parade at the Tulip Festival in Orange City. The band also won the People’s Choice Award. Middle school bands from Cherokee and Pocahontas placed second and third, respectively.

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