Looking Back
What Was Going On 14 Years Ago
The town of Stockton turned out on Saturday, July 14 to greet Father Duane Roy during his visit back to his hometown. Father Roy, a Benedictine priest, had spent the previous 36 years doing mission work in Brazil. Roy, along with a contingent of monks, priests and a nun, were in Stockton for a visit to his hometown as part of a month-long visit to Kansas in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Benedict’s Monastery in Atchison. Two trees on Main Street were planted in front of Nova Theatre in his honor, and a friendship tree presentation in front of the Rooks County Bakery during the morning hours.
Most kids and many adults in Stockton had been enjoying a lot of great summer treats at the Double R Rollin’ Kitchen, a concession stand that served the community six days a week, located on the 400 block of South Cedar, across the street from Taylor’s Supply. Garry Isham, owner and operator of the confectionery delight, worked at The Duck Blind during the winter months, and dished out ice cream, shaved ice and fried Oreos during the summer evenings. Garry had moved to Stockton two years prior from Colorado Springs.
Shear Sensations was open for business at their new location at 705 Main in Stockton. Owner and stylist Rhonda Brown, along with stylist Jesica Miller, manicurist Erin Miller, and massage therapist Kaley Wieden, invited everyone to celebrate with them on July 24 for a Ribbon Cutting and Open House.
Over $1,200 was donated during the Compassion Hair Cuts fundraiser held on July 14 at Shear Sensations, honoring the memory of Shawn Sammons, who had recently passed away. Over 40 haircuts were given throughout the day for free will donations to be accepted and presented to Shawn’s family— wife Donna and daughters Heather (22 mos.) and Taylor (3 mos.).
Jessy Ross and her horse, Baby, competed in McCracken on July 4th, earning 2nd place in the 2D.
Stockton’s 12-and-Under Fast-Pitch team finished their season undefeated, winning the Plainville tournament to close out the season.
Newborns introduced were Brin Lee Muir, daughter of Andy and Amber Muir, of Hays; and Abigail Kathryn Molina, daughter of Azarel (AZ) and Jenny (Ramsay) Molina, also of Hays.
And So They Say — Addie Foster: “It was a real treat to visit Mayberry on our trip. We watch Andy Griffith two or three times a day.” (Ed Foster was “arrested” in Mayberry while vacationing in Mt. Airey, N.C. the previous week.)
Obituaries were published for Betty Lee Harding (1923), Lois M. Deines (1931) and Daniel Bigge (infant).
Showing at the Nova Theatre was “Ratatouille.”
Looking Back 14 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1993 — Several inches of rain caused a six-foot-deep sink hole to open up on the southwest corner of Owl Motel. A Drug Task Force raid at Woodston resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals. The second annual Big Barn Festival was coming up that weekend, and would include draft horse demonstrations, flour grinding, blacksmithing, and a petting zoo at its location northeast of Woodston. We had four more inches of rain. A promising wheat crop was literally floating down the river. (From ASTS) Ron Sorenson of Stockton Monuments: “I had a stone float away this weekend.”
56 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1951 — Flood water did thousands of dollars of damage in the county to farmland, crops, livestock, buildings, roads and bridges, the latter taking the worst punishment. While the flood was not of major proportions, it was the third disaster which had visited Rooks County in a period of three weeks, being preceded by the hail of June 22 and the tornado of July 7. (From ASTS) Pop Simpson: “If they ever build a dam over at Webster like they talk of, I’m moving out. I’m not about to live under water.”
What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1909 — W. R. Griffin informs us that he contemplates opening in a short time in the building now occupied by John Martin another electric theatre, which will be fitted up in metropolitan style with opera chairs and a sloping floor. Mr. Martin will be associated with him in the business. Campbell and his Stockton Military Band will give a band concert performance this Friday. The passenger train from the west on Monday morning last was in a hailstorm during the night at Colby which broke out all the window glass and headlight on the engine. Oh, but she looked as if she had been in a battle!
