From Our Files

• March 17, 1949

After a lapse of some eight years a spring merchandise fair was being revived in Hartley. Twenty-eight exhibitors had already signed up for booth space in the Legion Hall. Plans called for free entertainment in addition to the merchandising exhibits.

Eleanor Mencke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mencke, was named to the all-state basketball teams selected by Jack North, of the Des Moines Register, and the Iowa Daily Press Association. Other Hartley players recognized were Alyce Hoeman, June Sampson, Jean Johnson and Gloria Mohr.

Gerald (Bud) Epping, who had been in partnership with Carl Hain in the local Coast-to-Coast store, sold his interest and purchased a Coast-to-Coast store at Laurens. Mr. Epping had been very active in Hartley community affairs during his time in business.

• March 14, 1974

The Hartley Kiwanis Club sponsored the state corn and soybean yield contests. There were 15 entries in the 1973 corn contest which was won by Jim Hollowell, 160.14 bushels per acre. The soybean contest had five entries and was won by Dale Lux, 57.18 bushels. Lux’s soybean yield was within 2-1/2 bushels of the state high.

Den 4 of the Cub Scouts did something about the litter problem in Hartley. Beginning at the stop sign on East Maple Drive, the scouts worked their way south along the roadway to the railroad tracks, picking up waste paper and cans. In the short distance, five large paper bags were filled.

Walter Bones, a noted cattleman from Parker, S.D., was the featured speaker at the annual adult farmer banquet. His program featured information and slides on all phases of agriculture in Hungary.

• March 18, 1999

More than 50 persons attended an informational meeting led by Ron Wilson, who with Dawn Johnson was chairing Hartley’s RAGBRAI effort. Wilson, who was Executive Vice President of United Community Bank, had co-chaired Ringsted’s RAGBRAI effort three years earlier. Estimates of how many riders might pass through Hartley varied; however, Spencer was anticipating 12,000 riders would spend the first night in that community.

The 20th annual short story contest sponsored by the Y’Eltrah Club of Hartley featured two categories. Sixty-four fourth grade students entered the traditional short story contest and 27 entered the creative writing contest, which the club added that year. The winners in both categories were awarded certificates and a poster of their choice at a special club meeting held at Trinity United Church of Christ.

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