Voices from the Past

September 19, 1924

Local Schools

Clifford Fitch has returned from Ruby Valley, Nevada, where he was a member of a government survey, and is now enrolled in our Senior class.

Our high school student enrollment now numbers 48 students.

Sand Creek School is to have playground equipment in the near future. Miss Brown plans to supervise the construction of a flying Dutchman, one swing and a turning bar. The children will do much of the building themselves and Mr. Rogge will assist at the final completion.

Harlow Thompson delivered a most interesting address to the high school pupils on Friday morning on “National Defense.” The day is one of interest to all, as it marks the last day of General Pershing’s service before his retirement from army life, and is fittingly used to celebrate ways and means of producing peace through defense preparation.

The presidents of the four high school classes are decorating the high school building in appropriate red, white and blue, for the Fair exhibit on Friday. Committees on school exhibits, etc., are also at work to have material of the better grade of work on display.

The bookkeeping class now meets for two periods daily, in order that one full unit of credit be granted.

Mr. Richardson spoke before the assembly on Tuesday morning and stressed the importance of the year 1924 in all its important phases. The round-the-world flight, Dawes peace plan and Leap year. Mr. Richardson is a most interesting and humorous speaker and keeps his audience at sharp attention constantly.

Ruby and Fay Harrington washed all the high school curtains, so that the building will be in good appearance for the Fair. The other high school girls volunteered their services on the proposition of ironing and the building now resumes a more furnished aspect.

Freshman initiation is scheduled to occur soon after the Roundup.

The teachers of the Broadus public school system were most delightfully entertained by the community at large at an informal reception which was held at the Powder River Hotel Friday evening. Mr. Holt gave a most cordial address of welcome for the year 1924-1925, after which a short program was given. Mrs. E.A. Blenkner played a piano solo. Mrs. A.W. Heidel sang “Goodbye to Summer” and Miss Helen Featherstone gave several readings. The balance of the evening was spent in dancing and getting acquainted. During the evening delicious punch was served by Eva Rose Shy and Virginia Champlin. This reception shows the splendid spirit of cooperation on the part of the townspeople and proved to be a most successful affair.

September 16, 1949

Club Members Poured Cement

Although a misunderstanding as to the exact time of Contractor Brailey’s arrival upset the building committee’s plan, it did not stop the Veterans from hurriedly recruiting help and rushing to completion the second section of the basement floor in the new V.F.W. building.

Shovels and wheel barrows operated by four Kramlichs (Fred, Alvin, Billy, Bobby), Jerry Means, Ray Potter, Bob McCurdy, Arthur Amsden, Roger Rumph, Clark Rumph, Charles Raschkow and Wayne Wetherelt kept Brailey’s crew consisting of Bob Knie, Johnnie Stabio, Arl Burley and Chris Mangen beating a steady tattoo on the concrete freshly laid on this second section. It was completed by 3 p.m.

The Veterans of the Post duly appreciate the quick response of all those not in the organization, to help get this portion of the job finished.

Considerable more work is to be done to get this basement in shape for the Grand Opening Dance on October 1st, but the Building Committee can assure the public that the plans are on schedule.

The Ladies Auxiliary will be on hand to serve refreshments and dance tickets are being sold by all members of the post. Someone is going to be presented with $100.00 cash on Opening Night. It may be you.

Recent donations toward the Building Fund are Mrs. And Mrs. C.W. Waite $10.00 Ben Patten $5.00.

September 19, 1974

To Celebrate Burning the Mortgage

After almost twenty years of paying as they could on a $10,000 loan from Otis Nisley, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary has made its last payment and will burn the mortgage in a joint celebration. The loan was obtained to build the main floor on the VFW Hall which included a stage, coat and ticket rooms and a dance floor which measured about 40 by 50 feet.

The basement of the building was built in about 1948 and housed a dance hall, meeting place, kitchen and bathrooms, and was remodeled and updated until the middle 1950’s. They then obtained the loan from Nisley and built the top on the basement. This, too, has undergone remodeling, updating, and continued finishing through the years. Hundreds (or maybe thousands) of fund raising projects have been held during the years with the Ladies Auxiliary receiving much of the credit for their efforts in helping to continue the payments.

The burning of the mortgage party will begin with a pitch-in dinner at the Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept, 25. Dist. Commander George Hageman and District President Norma Newland, both of Jordan, will be in attendance to join in the celebration and to inspect the post and auxiliary.

The last payment on the loan was paid last Wednesday, Sept. 11, and totaled $831.33. Officers of the post and auxiliary are encouraging all old and new members to join them for the pitch-in dinner and to help celebrate the “Burning of the Mortgage”.

September 23, 1999

Dar Thompson… Just Like a Mom

By Jody Gay

Dar. We all know her as the lady behind the desk, handing out admits, tardy passes, and giving us notes from our parents. However, have you ever wondered why she does this job, especially when she has 140 anxious students waiting outside her office to be checked out of school? Or what about when she has to fold all of our report cards and put them in envelopes? The reason is simple. She loves the kids, in addition to the job being rewarding. She also loves the interactions with the teachers, students, and parents and the variety that her job brings. “It’s fun,” says Dar.

However, she says her job does have its down moments. One that comes to mind is when the entire school is listening to the tournament games and she can’t hear them because there is no radio reception in the office. “That is the worst thing,” she comments. Dar also says that wild days can sometimes get to her, although to the rest of us it seems that nothing can phase Dar.

While working in the office, Dar has had many interesting experiences. Once, she was locked in the safe by a previous co-worker, Mr. Burgad, while testing the safe’s emergency escape mechanism. On a different occasion Mr. Hansen sprayed her in the eyes with pepper spray. “It really was an accident,” she claims. When asked about our principal’s amusing habit was, she simply replied, “He disappears!” Maybe he disappears because he can. Because Dar is there holding down the fort.

D edicated

A lways there when you need her

R eady to throw her heart and soul into any job, big or small

And for this, we thank her.