56 Years Ago
* And So They Say: Bob Scoby: “My ear feels worse after my surgery—but then, the doctor said it would.” Bill Gouldman: “If I put all I know in a book, it certainly wouldn’t have very many pages.” Freddie Baughman: “I don’t know who invented daughters.” Lucia Hamilton (talking to Floyd Blauer): “What do you mean, you got a distinguished service plaque for teaching 40 years? It should have been a Purple Heart.”
* One of the high points of the State FFA Convention was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Plaque to one of the outstanding Vocational Ag teachers of the state. Stockton’s own Floyd Blauer, who was retiring after 40 years of teaching, was the recipient. The Award is made by the Kansas Association of Future Farmers and presented by the new FFA state officers.
* Tragedy came again to another county citizen when Mike R. Olson, age 31, of Plainville lost his life as a result of a plane crash in a pasture one and a half miles north of the Ellis County line. According to his logbook found in the wreckage, he had taken off four minutes before 4:34, the time at which his wristwatch and the clock in the plane were both stopped. Although this would indicate the time at which the crash occurred, the accident was not reported until 8:30 when Paul Herman of La Crosse and Wayne Miller of Hays, happened to spot it.
* Several outstanding times were turned in at the MCL track meet in Plainville. Nick Lowe broke his own school record in the half mile in a time of 2:03.6. Other records broken were the mile relay with a time of 3:36.7 and the half-mile relay in 1:35.1. The mile relay team consisted of Dick Nyp, Dave Couch, Rick Sanders and Nick Lowe. The half-mile team was made up of Butch Look, Estelle Green, Randy Towns and Nick Lowe.
* The third annual Queens Bowling Tournament was held in Hays with seven ladies, Opal Bonneau, Phelma Knight, Edna Taylor, Iva Lee McMillen, Colleen Richardson, Virginia Saunders, and Karen Stanton, from Stockton Lanes competing.
* The Stockton golfers did well at the MCL golf tournament held at the Rooks County Country Club. John Pekarek placed first with 70 strokes followed close behind for second place with a 72 by Gary Scott. Stockton placed first in the four-man event with 304 strokes.
* From The Feminine Slant By The Office Cat: This is about the time of year when most of us are beginning to wonder why we wished for spring to arrive.
* Looking Backward Fourteen Years Ago: The 50-year-old firm of Butler and Vallette had been sold to the Stephenson partnership, which had stores in Plainville, LaCrosse, and Smith Center. Mr. Butler had been carrying on alone since the death of Ed Vallette. Six-year-old Dale McCall of Woodston had received a skull fracture and broken leg when struck by a car. Commencement exercises were set for May 16th with 27 graduates.
* The engagement of Mary LeAnn Spooner to Steven Howard Bagby was announced. A June wedding was planned.
* On sale at Webster’s Supermarket were braunschweiger for 59¢ a pound, six packages of Kool-Aid for 19¢, four pounds of Swift margarine for 89¢, and four fresh California strawberry plants for 99¢.
* Showing at the Park Drive-In was “London Is For The Birds” starring Herman’s Hermits.
