May 13, 1949

• The theme of the 1949 Fairfax High School Alumni Banquet was “The 49’ers.” When a senior was greeted by an alum with “Hi, 49’er!” the senior had to respond by singing the first verse of “Clementine.” The senior girls had to wear slat bonnets, braid their hair, and wear an old fashioned dress with an apron. They also had to carry a milk pail or a bucket in which was a quart of milk and the same milk had to be carried all week. The boys had to have sideburns and a moustache and wear flat top hats with kerchiefs around their neck, flat heel boots, jeans, have a gun and holster and wear the same flannel shirt all week. They also had to carry a gold washing pan with the bottom covered in rocks along with a short handled shovel.

• Fairfax had one of the largest bands that marched in the Apple Blossom Parade in St. Joseph last Friday.

• A deal was closed Monday of this week in which Fred Smith sold his cafe business, building, and fixtures and cabins to Mode Rodgers of Craig. The business is located in north Fairfax on Highway 275.

May 16, 1974

• Officers of the Fairfax Garden Club gathered at the city park Tuesday to dedicate a recently planted tree to the memory of a departed member, Juanita Haun. The memorial was purchased with a cash gift by Della Oswald and Esther Peoples. Mrs. Haun had enjoyed the park so much and it was decided that a Golden Rain Tree, which has large yellow blossoms in midsummer, would be a fitting memorial.

• Four teachers will be retiring at Fairfax R-3 after a combined total of around 140 years of experience. Miss Grace Finch is retiring after 39 years, 34 of those spent at Fairfax. Mrs. Margaret Thomas is retiring after 25 years at Fairfax. Midred Stouffer has spent the past 16 years teaching in Fairfax and previously taught for nine years at Elkdale and two years at Milton. Mrs. Marion Frede came to Fairfax as a special education instructor, working in that capacity for five years, then was elementary principal three years before taking over kindergarten seven years ago.

• Robert Taylor recently received his Master Sergeant insignia from his commanding officer, Col. W.M. Stevenson, and his wife, Mary (Haun) Taylor, at Fort Riley, Kansas. He has served 17 1/2 years on active duty and is currently a senior supply sergeant.

May 13, 1999

• The Fairfax first graders watched chickens hatch in their classroom. The students received 12 pre-incubated eggs April 27 and six hatched on May 4. Tiffani Burke and Casey Graves took them home to raise.

• Officials from communities in Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties attended a local streets workshop put on by Missouri Department of Transportation and the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments. Tarkio and Fairfax mayors Vilas Jones and Willis Weedin attended.

• World War II veterans recently visited students in Tammie Holcomb’s seventh grade class. Visiting the students were Argel Holcomb, Lila Holcomb, Pat Hall, and Kenneth Hall. The students were able to see a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and heard war stories.

• Paul and Marjorie (McEnaney) O’Riley of Fairfax will observe their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception Sunday, May 30. The couple was married June 1, 1949, at Maryville.