February 6, 1948

• I.J. Nickerson has started operations on the erection of a commodious addition to his already extensive business house on Highway No. 275. The addition will be 24×100 feet in dimension.

• Loraine Heckel, who recently purchased Walter Mercer’s business house on South Main Street, announces in this issue that he has opened a produce business in the building. He will handle poultry, eggs, cream, and sell feed products.

• Mrs. Rena Bailey of Phelps City has become the great-grandmother of five since December 2, which is a record few women can claim. The first great-granddaughter, Cathy Jo Cohcher, was born December 2; Deanna Jane Bailey was born January 2; twins, Marjorie Mae and Linda Kay Huff, were born January 9 (they were the first twins born in Omaha in 1948); and the fifth was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Swindle of Cisco, Texas, January 21.

February 1, 1973

• Blue Jay Corner “Did You Know?”: Doing a jump shot in your stockinged feet can be very dangerous. Right, Clay?; Donald Zastrow hasn’t gotten a ticket for 1 month and 6 days; we have missed six days of school because of snow; P.E. classes are now doing tumbling; Phil Graves can sleep in his dog house; and the senior class is going Up The Down Staircase.

• February seems to be the lasting month for a sweetheart marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Hall of Rock Port will be celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary Monday, February 5. They were married at the home of Rev. Laughlin on February 5, 1901, in Rock Port and have spent their entire life in the Rock Port community. They had to travel by buggy to town on their wedding day due to the big snow. Paul Harvey plans to make their anniversary known nationwide when he announces it on his morning radio program.

• U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant James J. Gehlken, a 1958 graduate of Tarkio High School, has arrived for duty at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. Sgt. Gehlken, an avionics communications technician, serves with a unit of the Aerospace Defense Command which protects the U.S. against hostile aircraft and missiles.

• Six students from Rock Port will travel to Omaha, Nebraska, to compete in Creighton University’s annual math field day February 10. They will be tested along with over 600 high school students from the midwest.

• Mrs. Nellie L. Fahseler, 79, resident of the Rock Port community, died January 27. She is survived by 102 descendants.

• Rock Port R-II Schools have entered into a $12,500 three-year lease-purchase agreement with Merrill Wright to obtain the Wright property at 608 S. Kansas. The school plans to rent the house until it can pay for itself and will utilize part of the yard space for parking as soon as possible.

January 29, 1998

• A wrestling clinic was held under the instruction of Wallace Dawkins, who placed second in World Freestyle Wrestling.

• Jade Hughes was the winner of the local Soil & Water Conservation Poster Contest. Jade’s poster went to the state competition where it was displayed with other winners.

• Mrs. Janice K. Phelps was honored January 26 by USDA for her 30 years of loyal service.