The Stockton Area Arts Council and the Rooks County Historical Society hosted a “Speaking of Kansas” program in honor of Kansas Day at the Nova Theatre on February 1, 2007. Two “attic snoops,” Jonathan Reed and MaryLynn Griebel, were on the stage, which had been transformed into an old attic, rummaging through a trunk they had found and discovering some interesting facts about people from Kansas. Making an appearance during the program were Elam Bartholomew, a farmer, pioneer and world-renowned botanist who lived on Bow Creek (Leo Bird); Peggy Hull, one of the first female war correspondents (Becca Jackson); the sad-faced clown, Emmett Kelly, a native of Sedan (Sally Lowry); Charles Curtis, the first Native American to become vice president of the United States (Roque Garcia); Private John Calvin Rooks, namesake of Rooks County (David Reed); and Martin and Osa Johnson, world-renowned naturalists and photographers (Clint Strutt and Stephanie Lowry). Coordinators for the event were Ruth Phelps and Donna Griebel.

Excavation was underway at the site of the new Rooks County Health Center. Shelby Moore of Stockton, and Colt McCune of Plainville, both injured in a car accident on Jan.

The historic Nova Theatre in Stockton was proud to announce the procurement of Terry Fator, The Human Jukebox, for an evening of non-stop laughter, scheduled for Feb. 7.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago On Jan. 6 and 7, 2007, the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Regional Kansas Firefighters Training School.

Krob Trenching, Inc. announced the sale of its underground telecommunications construction services division to Cole Trenching, LLC. Cole was an employee of Krob Trenching, Inc. for the previous fifteen years and when the business was put up for sale, Arthur and his wife, Julie, decided this was a great opportunity for them. Krob Trenching, Inc. would continue to provide services to its customers in the capacity of installing water lines, repairing leaks, hydrant repairs and installation, septic system installations, trenching, backhoe services and boring.

A massive winter ice storm, coupled with high winds, caused a widespread power outage for more than 20,000 customers. According to Sunflower Electric and the six rural electric cooperatives it serves in 34 western Kansas counties, more than 5,000 poles and 21 steel towers had sustained damage or were destroyed, with losses continuing to rise. It was estimated the total loss from the storm damage would exceed $10 million, and it could be seven to ten days before service was restored to all customers across the region.

The New Year was just arriving and Stockton merchants were prepared to greet the First Baby of 2007 with many fine gifts, cash and gift certificates. The previous year, the 2006 Stork Derby was won by Brayden Payne Taylor, son of Clayton and Dr. Ann Taylor, who kept us all waiting until February 2.

This issue, dated December 21, 2006, featured the Sentinel’s gift to our readers: the Eleventh Annual Offering of Santa’s ‘Deer Ones, with 320 pictures inside! The Stockton Tigers hosted Norton on Saturday in Mid-Continent League basketball action. Stockton was swept by the Blue Jays in all three games.

The Student Councils of Stockton High School and Grade School, under the supervision of their sponsors Jessica Billinger and Jana Griffin, had been very busy with several community projects, with the Angel Giving Tree their main focus for the Christmas season. They set a goal of $300, with the incentive being that high school principal, Mr. Keith Hall, and grade school principal, Mr. Elton Armbrister, would dress up like turkeys during an assembly if the students met their goal. The students not only met their goal but far exceeded it, raising a total of $973.72. No turkey costumes could be found, but the two principals owned up to the challenge, and each wore chicken costumes for the day, going so far as to perform their version of the “Chicken Dance” for an all-school assembly.

Well over 150 citizens from Rooks County were present for the Groundbreaking Ceremony at the site of the new Rooks County Health Center held on December 4, 2006. On hand to put a shovel in the ground were COO William Stahl, board member Jon Voss, board member Chuck Comeau, board member Charles Allphin, CEO Julie Price, board president Jeff VanDyke and board member Sheila Hachmeister.