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1956
Old Settlers Picnic Will Be Continued
Continuation of the Hamilton and Webster counties’ Old Settlers Picnic at Bells Mill park was assured yesterday when between 200 and 300 people turned out to attend the 1956 event.
In perfect picnic weather, those attending the event enjoyed a basket lunch, inspected a display of antiques in the Bells Mill school hall and listened to a program of music and speeches.
Rev. Share Is Speaker
The main speaker at the picnic was the Rev. Joseph J. Share of Webster City who described “courage, money, Christianity and the church, country and culture,” as the “necessary vitamins for this atomic age.”
Mrs. Fred Fry led the picnickers in the Lord's Prayer before dinner and Eugene Fardal of Webster City led a song session after dinner.
The Rev. C. F.. Schmidt of Stanhope gave the invocation at the start of the program and words of welcome were given by F. J. Lund, Webster City picnic chairman.
Rev. Share was introduced by John Burnstedt of Webster City who recalled the experiences of the area’s pioneers in his introduction.
Mrs. Clara Madsen of Webster City presented a sketch on the life and work of John Johns, pioneer Baptist minister in the Lehigh area, who attended the 1880 Republican party convention at Chicago and cast his vote for President Abraham Lincoln.
Honor Oldest Persons
Honored as the oldest men and women attending the Old Settlers Picnic were John Keisecker, 87, Webster City; Alfred Mitchell, 90, Stratford; Mrs; Delilah Bute, 92, Stanhope, and Mrs. Anna Doolittle, 92, Webster City. Music during the program was provided by the Old Timers, of which Mel Borwick of Ellsworth, Lon Fisher of Webster City, Homer Eller of Hubbard, Curt Totten of Webster City and Deri Totten of Webster City are members.
Antiques on display during the picnic were contributed by William and Vern Weaver of Dayton, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Cotttington, W. R. Holstrom, Mrs. Isaac Chally and Mrs. Andrew Johnson of Stratford, Percy Neese and David Hill of Stanhope, Frank Lund, Miss Bessie Lyon, Mrs. Frances Hanna, Mary Jane Spicer and Frank McConnell of Webster City.
Committee members of friends who assisted Chairman F. J. Lund with arrangements for the picnic included Fred Fry, Earl Richardson, Leonard Angstrom, W. R. Holstrom, Mrs. Isaac Chally, Mrs. Jonas Angstrom, Eugene Fardal, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Cottington, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Neese and Mrs. Frank Lundell.
1966
Stratford, Story City boys win 4-H contest
Roger Patterson of Stratford won first place in the 4-H tractor competition staged Friday night at the Hamilton County fairgrounds with Dwight Larson of Story City taking second place in a field of 12 competitors.
Others taking part included: 4, Rich Hupp, Webster City; 5, Gary Christenson, Webster City; 6 George Groves, Kamrar; 7 Chris Carlson, Stratford; and 8 Wendell Doolittle, Webster City.
Tractors were furnished for the competition by three Webster City firms, International-Harvester, Held and Symens John Deere and Bishop Implement.
1971
Several street projects currently underway in the downtown area are scheduled for completion by mid-August, according to City Mgr. Ray Schlotfeldt.
Corners at a number of intersections along Second St. have been curved back to allow more room for drivers making turns. Also included in the project is the widening of Second St. to 37 feet for 200 feet west of Prospect to allow for a left turn lane. Beach St. has been widened to 37 feet for about one-half a block south of Second to allow for a left turn lane there.
New overhead traffic signals have been installed at the intersections of Superior, Seneca, Willson, Des Moines and Prospect and Second. Although crews have completed most of the wiring, three control units have not arrived.
2001
Yungclas reigns over HC Fair
Lara Yungclas was crowned the 2001 Hamilton County Fair Queen during Friday's coronation ceremony at the grandstand.
Her court included Joy Middleton, first runner-up and Miss Leadership; Cortney Ratzka, second runner-up; and Miss Leadership; and Jessica Kastler, Miss Congeniality. Another hit of the night was a performance by Tina Turner and the Polynesian Princesses, also known as, Joel Jacobaon, Al Trampel, Jerry Klaver, Jeff Yeager and Randy Schaa.