Yesterday's Memories

10 Years Ago

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Fireworks haven't always been a tradition in the county seat. Hinsdale has a longer history of a parade and fireworks that follow in the evening, but a few years back Gene Hartsock thought enough people in Glasgow wanted a display closer to town and he decided to look into what it might take. This year the Fourth of July fireworks display will shoot off from the Valley County Fairgrounds. Hartsock started helping with obtaining a special license to purchase the fireworks for a class reunion in 2006. He explained that he heard people talking about how they wanted the fireworks in town and went for it, but they had to set up some special precautions.

The search for the next Glas­gow High School Vice Princi­pal and Activities Director may have found a resolution. The Glasgow School Board extended the offer of the posi­tion to Brenner Flaten pending approval at the July 9 school board meeting. Flaten's last position spanned seven years as a physical education teacher in Wright, Wyoming, for the Campbell County School District.

While most of the jokes were light, there were a few mentions of gratitude as members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars gathered at the Glasgow VFW building on Saturday evening. It was a fairly casual setting with friendly hellos, handshakes and hugs as many welcomed Art Widhalm into his posi­tion as the state commander for the VFW in Montana. He was officially voted in on Sunday, June 15.

The Glasgow Kiwanis Thunder swim team keeps on kicking as they took third last weekend at the Plentywood meet. "Our younger swimmers had so much personal improvement," said Thunder head coach Whitney Billing. "It was really fun to watch them swim and have better times." Dalton Sand once again had a great weekend in the water. Sand, who competes in the 9-10 age group, had two second place finishes in the 100-meter individual medley and 50-meter freestyle. Sand then followed those performances up with three first place finishes, winning the 50-meter butterfly and being part of the winning relay teams in the 100 free and 100 medley events. Trevor Johnson was another swimmer that had a great day in the pool. Johnson, competing in the 11-12 age group, had three first place finishes and two second place finishes.

25 Years Ago

Thursday, July 8, 1999

The Glasgow Courier will launch a web page on Monday, July 12. This step into cyberspace will provide news stories updated every day, sports, local weather and pictures. Catch the latest spot news on the Courier home page.

Albertson's, Inc. and American Stores Company have announced a merger, making Albertson's the second largest retailer in the United States. The manager of the local Albertsons store Ken Shrader said Albertson's is now larger than Walmart. Only Kroger's is a bigger retailer. He said the merger will not lead to any changes in the Glasgow store. "It's interesting," said Shrader. "Sam Skaggs started American Stores. He loaned Joe Albertson the money for his first store. Now Albertson's has bought American."

Work on the sewer separation project on Glasgow's north side began on Monday, June 28, according to Jon Bengochea, the city's Director of Public Works. Actual construction commenced this Tuesday at the outfall structure behind the fairground, where the storm sewer dumps into Cherry Creek. Bengochea said the project involves laying pipe through the county shop area, across Highway 2 and up the alley by Pamida. Then the pipe branches into the main trunk line along Fourth Avenue North and on to Second Avenue North.

Last Saturday afternoon, the Northeast Montana Wagon Train pulled into Opheim after spending the week on the trail. Nineteen wagons and buggies, wagon-masters, families and outriders gathered at the Wilcoxin Ranch on June 20 to get all lined up to leave on the trail Monday morning. Saturday morning the train traveled south to Opheim where they paraded through the tornado struck town. Darlene Dolney served supper in the school gymnasium. The supper was provided by Pro-Coop, Farmers Union Grain, Northern Electric and Daniels Sheridan Credit Union. Everyone enjoyed the dance, sponsored by the Bar 80 and the Mint Bar.

Glasgow wrestlers came away from the 1999 Grand National Wrestling Tournament in Billings with lots of medals. Adam Morehouse placed sixth in schoolboy division; Michael Southern, first in novice; Nathan Hopstad, fifth in schoolboy; Mitch McIntrye, second in Midget; and Luke Zieger was first in tots.

The 31st John Hahn Memorial Softball Tournament was held Friday-Saturday, July 2-4, in Fort Peck. Eleven teams from Wolf Point, Poplar, Billings and Glasgow participated. The Hi-Line Sports team from Wolf Point won the double elimination tournament with a 16-6 win over the Oasis/Miller Lite team from Glasgow. Selected as the tournament offensive MVP was Jon Kolstad, of the Hi-Line Sports team. Kolstad's teammate Josh Haber won the defensive MVP honors.

50 Years Ago

Thursday, July 4, 1974

Roy's Body shop has moved back into their old location at 740 Second Avenue South and are operating from a completely new, larger building especially for repair of car bodies. Mrs. Jim Grove is opening Dorothy's House of Fabris next Monday at 226 Sixth Street South, next door to Sheperd's Music. "We will have everything you will need for that back-to-school sewing," she said. Bill Morehouse of Bill's Westland Service has just opened Bill's One-Stop across the street east on Fort Peck Highway, featuring fishing supplies, groceries, picnic supplies, sundries, beer pop and ice.

Score one for the "good guys." The City of Glasgow got its first seasonal shot of malathion last Thursday, in the perennial summer struggle against the mosquito, and the results surprised even the men behind the spray guns. The Valley County Mosquito Control District, under field boss Glen Monson, is using new equipment, different spraying techniques and even a new system for monitoring results of their work and first-round results are impressive.

James Smrcka, manager of the Certified Public Accountant firm of Galusha, Higgins and Galusha, was appointed by the Glasgow City Council to fill the unexpired term of Northside Alderman Doyle Euell at Monday night's regular session. Smrcka, was recommended for the job by Mayor Jim Christinson and unanimously approved by Council vote. He will take over the seat held by Euell effective with the July 15 regular meeting.

Thursday will be the quietest 4th of July in Montana since firecrackers replaced the smoking six-guns of celebrating cowboys. As of Monday, July 1, 1974, anything lighted by a fuse that goes "bang," from little Ladyfinger firecrackers to the ear-rattling bottle bombs – have been outlawed in Montana. The new state fireworks regulations make it unlawful in Montana to possess, use, transport or sell firecrackers or bottle bombs. Imposing the state-wide ban on firecrackers in Glasgow will be little or no problem, Police Chief Tom Grewe said Tuesday. "Firecrackers were on their way-out last year." Grewe said, "when the city passed an ordinance banning their sale within city limits. This eliminated the largest local dealers in firecrackers – the Glasgow Little League – who annual financed their $1,500 baseball program from firecracker sales.

An estimated 3,000 rodeo fans invaded this northeastern Montana border community last weekend to attend the annual Opheim Frontier Days parade and rodeo. Veteran residents of Opheim terms the rodeo as the largest in spectator and contestant interest in recent years and described the preliminary parade as the finest in the community's history. South of the Border 4-H Club won the best float prize in the parade with best covered wagon honors going to Duane Stellflug. The Old Car division winner was Ted Urban's 1928 Franklin from Richland. All winners received $25 prizes.

Several members of Valley Chapter 29, Order of Eastern Star, attended the Rising Sun session of Grand Chapter in Helena, June 20-22. Agnes Schott served as Grand Ester at the Helena session and Ilene Bramble, new worthy matron of the local chapter was Grand Representative of Maine. Pauline Draxton, Valley Chapter secretary served as Grand Representative of Maine. Others attending the Helena meeting were Kay Maes, associate matron, and Dorothy Bell and Royal Schott, past matron and patron.

75 Years Ago

Thursday, July 7, 1949

Forty-two Valley County 4-H club boys and girls attended the county 4-H camp, held last week at the Veterans of Foreign Wars camp in the Little Rockies near Landusky. The camp opened Monday and closed Thursday. Best all-around camper was awarded to Kay Rutter, of Hinsdale; most fun went to Carol Kay Ferrin, of Nashua; peppiest Joyce Ferrni, of Nashua; neatest Theresa, from Kansas visiting in Nashua, and Ronny Martin, of Tampico; most willing to help Nancy Padgett, of Opheim and Marvin Uphaus of Glasgow; best singer June Stratton; best musician Sally Brant; best all-around good sport Wilbur Hartley, of Tampico, and most cheerful workers went to Mrs. Kathryn Anderson and Mrs. Andrew Erickson.

E.H. Stedtfeld purchased the Ellis Motor sales building at 300 First Avenue North from Lee Ellis. Major portion of the ground floor will be leased to Gordon and Leonard Bollinger, Glasgow grocers, for a supermarket while Mr. Stedtfeld will reserve space for the meat department. Mr. Ellis has begun construction of a new motors sales and service building at 301 First Avenue North. The Bollinger brothers and Mr. Stedtfeld announced they plan to open the new self-service market in the former Ellis building in August.

Chief of Police W.A. Baynham reported that a small boy in Glasgow was almost blinded by a BB shot, fired by another small boy last week. The chief of police warned that any boy reported or seen firing a BB gun within the city limits will lose the gun. He said the police will pick up all such guns in such cases.

Fire caused by lightning during a storm Wednesday evening caused destruction of the Newton school, a landmark on the south bench near the Fort Peck highway. Lightning hit the west end of the structure, known as one of the best equipped rural schools in the county. The bolt pierced the roof and flooring at the west end and flames were fanned by a high wind. Sheriff Mason Melvin and others took the range firefighting tank truck to the scene. However he said it was not adequate to cope with the flames and "we just about kept event with the fire."

Softball league play the past week saw Jim's Mobile edge Stoop's Standard, 3-2 Thursday night, then the Standards knock over Wonder Krust, 12-8 Tuesday night. A pitcher's battle and individual hitting were features of Thursday evening's set-to. For Mobile pitcher Joe Chouinard rang up nine strikeouts and allowed three walks and two hits. Stoop Morrisseey, hurling for the Standards, had 10 strikeouts, along with five walks and five hits. Shortstop Warren Stensland slammed out a triple and a double for the losers, while Carmen of the winners started at bat and in the field.