Looking Back

Freakish-looking hailstones, some measuring up to four-inches across, caused considerable damage to homes and vehicles, when a severe thunderstorm came in with a bang at around 10:00 p.m. on April 25, 2008. In addition to the dangerous and destructive hail, there was also driving rain, 60 mph wind and lots of lightning and thunder. A tour of Stockton the next morning revealed broken windows, including some in Main Street businesses; twisted trees and broken branches; dents and holes in siding; damaged roofs and broken windshields.

Cooperative efforts on the part of the Rooks County Commission, Economic Development, and the cities of Plainville and Stockton had been less than successful in landing the home manufacturer Stone Creek Homes. Even though private efforts continued to be ongoing, officially the county was no longer seeking to secure the business through the use of Industrial Revenue Bonds. A statement released through the county stated, “The Commissioners wish to inform the public that they, and the cities of Stockton and Plainville, did everything in their powers to bring this new industry to Rooks County.”

The annual Stockton High School Awards Banquet was scheduled for May 7, in the junior high school gymnasium, with guest speaker for the event, Lt. Col. Todd Kee, USAF. The Stockton Lions Club was providing the meal.

Through the efforts and many fundraisers of the P.A.R.K. Committee throughout the previous year, and together with all of the volunteers and donors, the new Lower City Park in Stockton was being transformed into a children’s wonderland. A crew from Ways to Play from Wichita, along with several local volunteers, had begun the construction process of the new structures.

The Senior Celebration promotion at The Mall in Hays on April 26, included a display by the Stockton Area Train Club and End of the Line Hobbies.

Young dancers from Stockton, Plainville and Phillipsburg who attend Misty’s Dance Gallery of Stockton held their annual dance recital, “Cruisin’,” for family and friends in the Stockton High School Auditorium on April 26, featuring music of the ‘50s.

The Stockton Tiger Boys’ 4 x 800 Relay, consisting of Kyle Weiser, Dustin Kriley, Nathan Palmer, and Cory Post, placed first in the Beloit Relays on April 26.

Members of the Stockton High School Track team for 2008 were: Stephen Moll, Gabe Duncan, Andrew Niblock, Kyle Weiser, Ty Winters, Tyler Johnston, Ethan Kriley, Scott Voss, Jon Reed, Nathan Palmer, Cory Post, Bryce Hjelm, Jon Bellerive, Trevor Winters, Dustin Kriley, Chelsey Kriley, Jennifer Nelson, Phoenix Hobdell, Brooke Waller, Austin Wieden, Amber Kriley, Hayley Strutt, Brenna Schlaegel, Macee Kellner, Carlee Lindsey, Katie Baughman and Aftan Winters. Head coach for the Tigers was Lonnie Weiser, with assistant coaches Joe Weidenhaft and Grant Smith.

The 2008 Stockton High School Golf Team consisted of Stephen Bellerive, Joel Dix, Madison Reed, Conrad Griebel, Kyle Deutscher, Brady Page, Carlos Gallaway, Taylor Morgan, MaryLynn Griebel, Chance Miller, Adam Murchie, Jesse Prockish and Daniel Riffel. Head coach for the team was Chet Look with Jon Albin as assistant coach.

Piano and vocal teacher Susan Gartrell hosted a Spring music recital at the Stockton United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Performing piano solos were Andrea Buss, Megan Niblock, Shea Ward, Beatrice Griebel, Quintin Jones, Cate Lowry, Joel Green, Haven Hamilton, MaryLynn Griebel, Hannah Lindsey, Amanda Rubottom, Carlie Spires, Green, Rebekah Niblock and Maggie Spires. Giving vocal performances were MaryLynn Griebel and Lyndsey Gilmore.

A 60th Anniversary Celebration and Open House was being planned for Gail and Ila Belle Hoar, at the Senior Center in Stockton on May 10, 2008.

Showing at the Nova Theatre was “21,” a true story of some very bright, young minds and how they took Vegas for millions.

Obituaries were published for Ricky Mitchell Bandt (1952) and Vera M. Havlas Parke (1924).

Looking Back 14 Years Ago (1994) — Bigge’s Truck Service had moved a historical depot building from Penokee to Ellis. The Sentinel was conducting a Great Treasure Hunt for a free subscription. From “And So They Say,” Sam Green: “Unless you’ve lived in a city, you don’t realize how well you have it here in Stockton.” Mike Brull had spent three weeks in Australia selling grain drills. Don Jenkins, Sr. was recovering from a stroke, and Laura Kollman, from a broken wrist. Highs were in the 50s and we had 1.70 inches of rain this week.

56 Years Ago (1952) — Bill Wieland of Garden City: “The wisest decision I ever made was marrying Molly—if it was my decision.” Maude Dryden: “Vic hitchhiked from Phillipsburg to Stockton, but he called us from the Midway Cafe to come and get him.” Both the Peebles and Snyder-Robinson drug stores had interior work done, which improved the looks and efficiency of both places of business.Nearly 400 soldiers and their accompanying vehicles were Stockton’s guests overnight with 180 quartered in the City Auditorium and the rest in the Floral Hall at the fairgrounds. They were enroute to Camp Carson, Colo. from Ft. Riley.

98 Years Ago (1910) —W.R. Griffin had the cellar foundation walls of his new house completed and had let the contract for the house itself to John Kelly of Quincy, Illinois. The Griffin house will be large and attractive in appearance and filled throughout with everything that can add to its comfort and convenience. The house will be heated by a furnace and equipped with hot and cold water, electricity, etc. A circular twostory bay window tower will be on the northeast corner. Cement driveways will run on the east, south and west sides, and finally, an elegant fence of cement blocks surmounted by a cresting will be built on the north and east sides of the lots. When Grif gets through, he will have one of the finest homes in Stockton.