080110-Past Times - Times Republican

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timesrepublican.com Times-Republican | Past Times | August 2010| 2 past times Publisher ..............................Mike Schlesinger Managing Editor ....................Abigail McWilliam Past Times Writer.......................Mike Donahey Past Times Columnists ................Barb Scafferi ................Marshall County Historical Society Past Times is a monthly magazine published by the Times-Republican, Marshalltown, with offices located at 135 W. Main St., Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. Past Times is inserted into the Times-Republican monthly. For more information, please call or write: Past Times c/o Times-Republican 135 W. Main St. P.O. Box 1300 Marshalltown, IA 50158 641-753-6611 All articles and information contained herein are the property of the Times-Republican. Permission for use or reproduction must have prior approval in writing from the publisher. CPA Roger F. Hackman, CPA, P.C. Tax, Accounting and Consulting Services 107 Palmer St. Marshalltown, IA 50158 (641) 752-3024 Fax (641) 753-3942 Cell (641) 485-4351 E-Mail: rghack@marshallnet.com • Breaking news • Video in this issue — Mike Donahey In the February, 2010 Past Times I promised readers more editorial writing by the late Paul G. Norris Jr., from his book “Memorable People of a Half Century as a Country Editor.” Norris served the T-R 50 years, working as a reporter, city editor and finally, editor-in-chief. It was from his editor-inchief position that many of his editorials in the book are found. Why bring Norris to Past Times again? Mention of him in one column and the display of a few samples of his writing, as done in February, does not do his talents and insight justice. Primarily, I find his writing style to be a model for any reporter – it is brief, concise, crisp copy, wellreasoned with no wasted words or embellishments. Additionally, there is much history here, obviously fitting for Past Times. Norris began his career as a sports reporter, a job he said, prepared him well for writing editorials. 1008 South 12th Avenue P.O. Box 534 “Because often sports writing involves opinion, a taboo in objective reporting,” wrote Norris in the book. Norris wrote about many in his editorials. They were business people, common citizens, civic leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, farmers, local elected officials town “characters” and others. They were not all Marshalltownians either. There are references to citizens in several Marshall County towns as well as non-Iowans. Here is more of Norris. Returns Title to County “Congratulations to Marlene Wiseman of Gilman for bringing the Iowa State 4-H baby beef championship back to Marshall County! It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 20 years our farm young people have won this honor for Marshall exhibitors were known as the ones to beat all through the 1920s and 1930s. By coincidence, ‘From Other Electric Supply of Marshalltown Commercial • Industrial • Residential MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA 50158 timesrepublican.com Times’ (our historical feature on the editorial page) next week will recall that this honor came to the county both 25 and 40 years ago. May Marlene’s triumph inspire a new series of champs among our 4-H youngsters. (page 136) An Aviation Pioneer The sudden death of Harry Niederhauser is indeed a big loss for Marshalltown. Though seldom in the public eye himself, he contributed much to the development of aviation in this area (along with his equally air-minded brothers) through many lean years of the air age in this community. To lose his experience and advice just when the airport modernization he sought so long is about to be realized – though far from retirement age, even as a flier – makes his loss even greater. Although his guidance is gone we can and should build for the future on his vision. (page 138) Telephone BUS. 641-752-4672 Recognized Nationally “Congratulations to E.A. (Al) Goes on his election to head the world’s largest organizations of collection agencies! The frequency that state and national honors are coming to local people indicates its becoming a custom if there’s a big job to be done – get someone from Marshalltown to do it.” (page 151) Long Impartial Service Retirement of Frank Lyons of St. Anthony after his 17 years of commendable public service on the County Board of Education suggests a Marshalltown candidate might be the most logical successor. Lyons has served both city and county constituents impartially and well as a member at large. The city already has one district representative in Mrs. Orville Thusrton, but there is no rule against electing another at large. In fact, Lyons lives in the same school district (West Marshall) as does F.C. Brown, who represents the State Center district and who is also retiring after six years of service on the board. (page 176) Look for more of Norris’ “Memorable People” in future Past Times. ——— Reporter Mike Donahey is a columnist for the Times-Republican. The views expressed in this column are personal views of the writer and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the T-R. Contact Mike Donahey at 641- 753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com • Blogs • Columnists
do you remember? — Barb Scafferi “It is not whether you win or lose, It’s how you play the game.” “Win without bragging, lose without squealing.” “It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, As long as you win.” LIFE AND THE PUR- SUIT OF PARCHEESI When you grow up on the farm (back in the day when I grew up on the farm), your recreation was limited due to the constraints of the time (e.g., one car in the family; World War II was on so no unnecessary trips to town were made) so our games were often “board games.” I remember when a friend of my parents came to visit and brought his sameage-as-me son with him. Jim and I played Chinese checkers and I was winning. He bounced the board, dislodging marbles and sneered; “Now I guess we don’t know who was winning.” I believe I used the word “cheater” among some other flowery language. My sister Bev and I played Tiddly Winks or Ball ‘n Jacks. Joan Wickersham (my neighbor up the road) and I played countless games of Monopoly. I played traditional checkers with my grandfather. Somewhere along the way, we acquired a Parcheesi game. I was intrigued by the name and enjoyed the game which I played many, many times with my father and also with my sister when she got little older (around age 6). Does anyone play Parcheesi anymore? My sister and I have had some great games of Password with our adult children. Two other oftplayed games are Scrabble and Scattergories. Scattergories has also presented us with three new species of birds: the “Moon-Breasted Thrushpecker,” the “Speckled Freckle Beak,” and the “Dim-Witted Dapple Duster.” Watch for them in a tree near you. CORNER GROCERY STORE Contact Barb Scafferi at 709 E. South St. On the southwest corner of Center and South Street was a Mom & Pop store called Scheidings. Now it is the Sewing Center. In the mid-to-late 1980’s, for a brief time, it was a charming little restaurant/tea-room. What was it called? Who managed it? LITTLE BLUE BOOK My sister Bev unearthed a little bluecover book inscribed with my great-grandfather’s name: Mr. J. D. Wilcox, New Providence, Hardin County, Iowa. The book is entitled, “LETTERS TO A YOUNGER BROTHER on various subjects-Relating to the Virtues and Vices, Duties and Dangers of Youth.” It is dated 1838. The language in the book is quite charming. For example, in a chapter on CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Here is the barn dance gang; Don Gatrelle, Dick Talbot, Frank Brees, Red Burns, Maurice Roseburrough, Lenora Jacobs, Al Schrock, Tommy Thompson and emcee Ray Bennett. “Evil Speaking” (think: gossip), it says: “In general, the less you talk about absent persons, the better. Especially, the less you speak of their faults, the better. Some are in a hurry to repeat everything they hear about the misdeeds of their acquaintances. This shows a low and depraved temper. We may slander, even by speaking the truth; and if we loved our neighbor as ourselves, we should conceal his frailties, just as we always try to conceal our own. The character of a slanderer is justly abhorred.” This timeless good advice should be heeded by all—especially to the person who anonymously posted a note to the Times-Republican recently regarding the cost of the scissors for the cutting of the ribbon at the Orpheum Theatre Center: A “$5,000+ cost for scissors”? Really?? Check the facts. There’s a fine line between libel and free speech. TEA TIME In the early or mid- 1990’s, there was a “tea room” in the old St. Clair Krieger building. Who ran it? What was it called? How long was it in business? 1230 ON YOUR DIAL People who have lived in the area for many years will remember the KFJB “Red Rooster” coffee commercial early in the morning. Mid-morning would be “Help Your Neighbor” wherein local folk would share recipes or sell/trade various items. There would also be announcements for meetings and events. Around 11 a.m., would be the call-in quiz show with questions about movies or movie stars. The prize for the winner was two free passes to a local theater. During the 1980’s, I won quite a number of those free passes. After the ten o’clock evening news, was Byron Gosden’s “Tick-Tock Clock” game show (this was during the early 1950’s). I called and wrote in— became friends with By Gosden—which later SCAFFERI | 6 Sometimes you just need a little extra protection. Think you are protected with your home or auto liability insurance? With large judgements and skyrocketing medical costs, you could exceed your limits — leaving you to pay the rest. Consider a personal umbrella policy for an extra layer of liability coverage. Call us today for more details. MCRILL-STOWELL- CHRISTENSEN INSURANCE 202 E. State St. • Marshalltown CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Dale Smith, a KFJB announcer, was a voice to many radio programs. 111 S. Main • Albion 641-488-2214 641-752-2447 www.mcrillstowellchristensenins.com 3 | August 2010 | Past Times | Times-Republican timesrepublican.com
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080110-Past Times - Times Republican

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