Looking Back
What Was Going On 14 Years Ago
For the first time in recent history, the number of students attending USD 271 had increased over the previous year, though it was a modest increase. Enrollment for the 2007- 2008 school year in the district was 346, adding nine students over the previous year.
Terry Fator, The Human Jukebox, had just been chosen the million-dollar winner of NBC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent.” When the impersonator, ventriloquist and singer performed to a sold-out crowd at Stockton’s Nova Theatre in February, he said that he would come back to town if the Nova Board would like him to. After winning the AGT, it was doubtful that he would have time to make good on that offer as he was sure to be busy entertaining in Las Vegas where he also won the right to perform at the Jubilee Theatre at Bally’s. Fator was just one of the thousands of performers who auditioned for the TV show.
New teachers in Stockton for the 2007-2008 school year were: Kayla Bonebrake, teaching fifth grade; Jami Tolle, high school instrumental and vocal music teacher; John Albin, high school technology and woodworking; Grant Smith, junior high science, as well as several coaching positions; Tom Fischer, high school social studies teacher, plus head high school football and wrestling coach; Kristy Nyp, business teacher, plus Activities Director and KAY sponsor; Cheryl Morgan, second-grade teacher; Stacey Keas, preschool teacher; and Beth Boswell, Stockton High School literature.
Congressman Jerry Moran had recently announced that Stockton Fire and Rescue had been awarded a $185,250.00 grant to purchase a new fire truck. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jordan Stithem, son of Mike and Connie Stithem of Stockton, and a student at K-State in the athletic training program, began his clinical rotation on July 30th. He was assigned to the Vanier Athletic Training Room and was to work primarily with the football team.
Randy and Linda Roy Cross had purchased the Coast-to-Coast building at 410 Main Street, Stockton, from Doyal and Dorothy Hrabe. Lin was making plans to open Main Street Gallery on Oct. 1st, featuring fine art, folk art and funky art, as well as hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind items, antiques, collectibles, brass, ceramics, pottery, jewely, beaded serving pieces, imports, books, textiles, Native American pieces, and a few vintage items. Local artists were encouraged to bring their work to show and sell, with a small percentage of their consigned sales staying with the gallery.
And So They Say — Dr. Dale Dean (playing in the Senior Men’s Night at Cedar Links): “I turned 89 last week, and I’m just glad to be able to be out here.”
“Hairspray” was the movie showing at the Nova Theatre.
Four births were announced. Zander David O’Hara, son of Katrina Witt and Jon Wesley O’Hara, Topeka, was born July 26, 2007. Locally, Betty Cadoret is the little man’s great grandmother. Bodye Lynn Stithem was born June 24, 2007 to Jesse Stithem and Michelle Hammond. Grandparents Mike and Connie Stithem and Zeke and Janice Hammond live in Stockton. Kelden Glen Rubottom was born July 27, 2007 to Jessie and Karlie Rubottom. Little Kelden was the 25th great-grandchild of Avalon Melton of Stockton, and grandson of Darrell and Avonne Rubottom of Woodston. Jackson Ray Gasper was born August 14, 2007 to Joe and Megan Gasper of Holcomb. Local grandparents are Dan and Lois Gasper; great-grandparents are Bob and Lorene Miller of Stockton.
Obituaries were published for Irene M. Yakish (1915) and Gladys M. Norris (1900).
Looking Back 14 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1993 — Ground was broken for the new middle school building. Ivalee Bennett and Gail McComb won the election to fill two seats on the city commission, after citizens voted to go from a three-member commission to five. Stockton Police Chief Gene Axelson had been on the force 25 years. Marissa Haines was chosen a National Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year at the national VFW Auxiliary Convention. Two consecutive damp summers in Kansas had produced a population explosion among poisonous brown recluse spiders.
56 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1951 — A request for funds ($15,000,000.00) was sent to the U.S. Department of Interior to permit the initiation of construction for the Kirwin, Lovewell and Webster Dams by the end of the current fiscal year. And So They Say: E. C. Stewart: “Teenagers are the finest Rooks County product I’ve seen at the fair. They’re all prize winners.” A. E. Hawks of Boise, Idaho: “The best meal we have had on our trip was right here in Stockton.” Investigators with the KBI worked on a break-in at the VFW Club in Plainville which occurred on Aug. 23, 2007. Over $1,100 in cash and cigarettes were taken. The KBI believed this was one in a series of about forty break-ins reported across the state.
What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1909 — J. A. Maris has just put in two of the swellest showcase counters in the country. They are 12 feet long and the frames were made by J. W. Pickens and finished by Mr. Colson. The sides and tops are of heavy plate glass, the top pieces being 11 feet and six inches long. Each counter cost about $60.00. Maris spares no expense or pains to make his department store attractive. A fine line of silk petticoats had just arrived at Maris. Jim Lambert met with a serious accident when he was mowing alfalfa. His team gave a quick jump throwing him in front of the sickle bar, and in trying to save himself he caught one foot in the guards and was badly cut, but he is getting along nicely now.
