Yesterday's Memories

10 Years Ago

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

It's been roughly over two decades since Glasgow lost its Christmas tree located downtown. The tree used to sit in the middle of the street on 2nd Ave. S and 4th St. S. A manhole was uncovered and a pot the city created to place the tree in helped hold the tree in place. Due to an accident several years ago, the city looked at the problems created by the tree's position and the liability issues. This year, several residents stopped to watch as a large tree was placed at the location on the corner of 4th St. S. and 2nd Ave. S. The tree got help getting there from the local Boy Scout Troop #861 and Adventure Crew. Mike Carney was contacted by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Lisa Olk to obtain the tree.

Festival Of Trees has been a local tradition that has continued to grow. The thought that started it all was, why couldn't we do this in Glasgow? Rod Karst has helped with the event since it was created. He explained that Joan Steffani and Phyllis Virkoski gathered a decade ago and started the event. He explained that 10-15 trees were there the first year and every year there's something different. There's always a variety of trees. If you've never been to a Festival of Trees event, picture several trees decorated and lit up with different themes, different colors and different materials to make the tree extra special. The trees are then auctioned off. Someone will get to take the tree home, already decorated, to enjoy for the season. Meanwhile, the auction funds go toward the Northeastern Montana Relay for Life.

While voters still kept the volunteers at the polls busy throughout the day and absentee ballots were up, the turnout was similar this year compared to past elections. Voter turnout totaled just over 72 percent for the elections this year. The total amount of ballots cast were 3,416 out of 4,720 registered voters. With eight different precincts in Valley County, the highest turnout was higher in Hinsdale at 80.48 percent (301 ballots out of 374 registered voters). Fort Peck was an extremely close second at 80.41 percent (513 ballots of 638 registered voters). The lowest voter turnout was in Frazer, with only 45 percent turning out to the polls (134 ballots of 295 registered voters).

The latest commitments to the Montana State University Billings baseball team are both from Glasgow, as Keil Krumwiede and Jason Thibault signed letters of intent announced Yellowjacket head coach Rob Bishop Tuesday. Both are versatile athletes who have competed in multiple sports at Glasgow High School and played for the strong Glasgow Reds baseball program.

The Ice Dawg Squirts traveled to Havre for a pair of games this weekend. Leading up to the games there was both excitement and nervousness for the five returning and eight new Squirts. The first period was hectic as they worked to establish rhythm. Colter Barnett started the scoring in the first, adding another short handed goal on a penalty kill. By the end of that period both goals would be answered by Havre tying it up. Trevor Dulaney hit the back of the net for his first Squirt goal. Barnett would quickly add another for the hat trick. The Ice Dawgs gained control of the ice and the scoring would continue on another goal from Dulaney, assisted by Zevin Kummerfeldt, Peyton Hubbard and Dylan Hlad. Jack Cornwell showed amazing control and confidence in the net as he made 10 saves for the 8-2 win.

Fort Peck Fine Arts Council has announced its sixth Annual Trip of the Month winners for September 2014. The first prize winner is Connie Brunelle, of Glasgow. She will receive round-trip airfare for two from Billings and four nights of accommodations in Chicago. The second prize winner is RJ Doorneck, of Wolf Point. He will receive $200 cash.

25 Years Ago

Thursday, Nov. 25, 1999

The Nashua Porcupines will advance to the State Class C Tournament in Missoula after defeating Lambert, 56-39 in a challenge game on Nov. 23. The Porcupines are coached by Gregory Fromdahl and Mary Lou Remington. The team members include Shannon Bryson, Amanda Bryson, Lisa Johnson, Jayme Shanks, Meghan Johnson, Sloane Shumway, Dani Dye, Devin Johnston, Juli Kirkland and April Myrick. 13 turned out to be Nashua's lucky number as they took to the court against Lambert in game 13 of the Eastern C Divisional Tournament. The Porcupines took control of the game right from the start.

Kim Lacey resigned as executive director of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture on Nov. 15. Lacey, who has a sheep operation with her husband, John, in Tampico, said "The board wants a full-time executive director. I can't be full-time with my responsibilities out here." Lacy was hired on a part-time basis in 1996. The Chamber office has two other part-time employees, administrative assistant Roberta Barstad and accounting technician Toy Olson. Lacey said in September she voiced to the board a need to reorganize the office staff. She said that three part-time employees are not the most efficient and communications sometimes suffer. The board decided to start over with a full-time executive director, with the future possibility of additional support staff.

St. Marie residents joined sheriff's deputies, reserve officers and the Valley County Search and Rescue unit on Nov. 16, in a massive search for evidence following a burglary at the St. Marie Bowling Lanes. About 95 percent of the buildings at St. Marie were searched, according to Valley County Undersheriff Bob Tymofichuk. The stolen items included seven cartons of cigarettes, several bottles of liquor, candy bars and meat snacks. All five poker machines were broken into and robbed. They had been emptied the day before.

Projects in Hinsdale and Lustre are recipients of the first grants from the Valley County Community Foundation, announced Sam Waters, of Glasgow, who chairs the group's grant committee. Earnings from the Foundation's endowment will be divided equally between the two with each receiving $550. The Hinsdale project involves improvements to the town's park by repairing playground equipment, rebuilding the boat docks on the Milk River, painting and refinishing restrooms, landscaping and general cleanup. In Lustre, volunteers will either build or purchase tables that will be available for community use during large social functions, such as the Lustre Schmeckfest and REA dinners.

Valley View Home Foundation named new officers for the coming year. Donna Tihista of Nashua was elected president; David Nelson, of Richland, vice president; and Frank Helland, of Glasgow, was chosen as the secretary-treasurer. The Foundation has assets of over $186,000. "There is a great need for an organization like this since we are seeing less financial assistance for the care of residents," said Tom Klotz, Valley View Home Administrator. "The purpose of the Foundation is to receive funds or other property of all kinds for the advancement and support of facilities, services and purchasing equipment and educational programming at Valley View Home."

Tawny Solberg and Amber Anderson lead the Opheim Lady Vikings during their 19 and four season. Solberg is a 16-year-old, five foot three guard and the captain of the Vikings. Solberg was the leading scorer for the Vikings averaging 14 points per game. She also led the team in assists with six per game and steals with five per game. Anderson is a 15-year-old five foot seven forward for the Lady Vikings. Anderson led the team in rebounds averaging 11 rebounds per game. Anderson was also second in scoring, averaging 11 points per game.

50 Years Ago

Thursday, Nov. 21, 1974

Dwindling natural resources have made all Americans environment conscious. For the last several years, the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture have been the moving force behind the erection of the city's downtown community Christmas tree. Annually, permission is obtained to cut a huge evergreen in the Little Rockies area near Zortman and a dedicated group spend the day cutting, loading and hauling the huge pine to its final resting place at the intersection of Second Avenue South and Fifth Street South, the heart of downtown Glasgow. Last year's energy crunch made Glasgowans take a long, hard look at their Community Christmas tree. Was the symbol worth the price of the energy to light it? Did the killing of even one majestic mountain pine make Christmas any brighter? A number of people said no – and expressed their displeasure in our Letters to the Editor column, suggesting the city look instead towards a permanent, living tree that could be "dressed" each year for the holidays.

An official recount of the balloting for the State Repreentative seat from District 4 in Valley County has revealed that Democrat Ernest L. Kummerfeldt, of Nashua, did indeed defeat his Republican opponent Del Strommen of Vandalia and by the same three-vote margin as the unofficial election eve totals indicated. Strommen petitioned District Court for a recount and Judge Thomas Dignan authorized the recount on Monday. The same day, Valley County Commissioners, County Clerk & Recorder Mrs. Mary Lou Eide and her staff conducted the five-hour task of re-tallying all the paper ballots and checking voting machine totals in Glasgow and at Glasgow Air Force Base.

The tension of District 3-B divisional girls basketball competition is mirrored on the faces of players and coach as the Nashua Porkies take time out to huddle in the final moments of their Thursday opener against the Opheim Vikings. Grouped around Coach Carl Dehne are Betty Heikens, Cynthia Weinmeister, Charlene Hill, Cindy Nickels and Vicki Nickels. The Porkies, who hosted the divisional playoffs, were eliminated in straight games by Opheim and Dodson. Hinsdale went on to defeat Whitewater to win the title on Saturday night.

The Red Raiders of Hinsdale, winning three games by five points or less, took the shortest possible route to the District 3-B girls basketball tournament crown here last weekend. Hinsdale took the floor in Thursday's opening nightcap to defeat Dodson, 33-27; returned at the same time the following night and squeaked by Opheim, 41-39; and then faced and defeated the Penguins of Whitewater in the championship round Saturday night, 28-26. The Penguins moved into the title encounter by blitzing Frazer, 44-16, in their opener; then nosing out Saco, 39-35, in the semi-final round. Names to tournament's All-Star status were Hindale's Sue Court; Opheim's Roxie Beck, Hinsdale's Lora Beil, Lustre's Jeri Schmidt; Nashua's Cynthia Weinmeister and Frazer's Tina Bedwell.

As the Operation Update Hospital fund drive heads into its final weeks, support and enthusiasm is mounting. The latest example of this came recently with announcement that the employees of Buttrey's Inc., in conjunction with their parent company, the Jewel T. Corporation of Chicago, have pledged nearly $10,000 to update the Glasgow medical facility. "This is a matching program," explained Tag Markle. "The employees responded tremendously on their own, then the parent company will apply a certain formula and respond with a percentage of matching funds." It was also announced that the Buttrey Company, Inc., of Great Falls, have added an additional $3,000 into the project. This brings the total to nearly $13,000 for Buttrey's.

Something new and something different...where it provides better service for customers. This is the unwritten motto at Markle's Texaco, 236 1st Avenue South, in Glasgow, and the firm and its young manager, Matt Bruce, took another large step in this when they added Firestone tires to their growing list of motorists' needs. And now, yet another step in this direction, with the acquisition of the Pennzoil motor oil distributorship, Markle's invites all inquires from area dealers.

75 Years Ago

Thursday, Nov. 24, 1949

The new highway bridge over the dredge cuts on the Fort Peck-Nashua highway was officially opened at a public dedication ceremony with Mrs. Richard Lee breaking the customary bottle of champagne on the structure at 1:30 Thursday afternoon. After Mr.s Lee dedicated the bridge, Linda Marie Evans, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Evans, of Fort Peck, cut the ribbon opening the bridge. Col. Richard Lee, district engineer, accepted the bridge from the H.R. Foster and Company of Minneapolis, which constructed the bridge on a subcontract with the S.J. Grove and Sons company of Minneapolis. Mr. Foster responded and thanked the corps of engineers for the courtesies shown. Approximately 50 cars were in the procession which officially opened the bridge to traffic.

Glasgow's annual Farmers' Day series wound up in the Civic Center Saturday with grand prize awards. Twenty-four Valley County residents took home Guernsey and Holstein calves as winners in the 10-week drawing series. In the series that started in 1939, more than 250 dairy animals have been given away.

"Take it away," says President William Pattison of the Glasgow Jaycees as he hands a broom to Lee Worley. The Junior Chamber is sponsoring the project to clean Glasgow streets for a few days with its own funds. It is hopeful that local merchants will contribute funds to continue the project, which aims for the elimination of trash and dirt from the business district.

George Demko of Nashua was re-elected president of the North and East Montana Wildlife association, composed of groups affiliated with the Montana Wildlife Federation at a meeting in Wolf Point Saturday. Also elected were Clifford Peterson, of Plentywood, vice president; and V.G. Thomas, of Wolf Point, director; and Mark Watson, of Glasgow, was named secretary.

Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Benson were well pleased with the number of visitors at their new store, the "Elite Shoppe," women's ready-to-wear store, which opened Saturday in the rooms recently vacated by the Glasgow Cleaners. More than 100 visited the shop before noon. The rooms have been completely remodeled and redecorated to prepare them for the new shop. A color scheme of white and pale green were used. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have both been previously employed in Glasgow stores and have made their home here for some time.

Both young and old breeders of the county sold animals at the first annual swine sale of the Milk River Purebred Swine Breeders association at the sales yard here Saturday. Association officers said the sale was highly successful and will do much to promote increase in purebred animals in Valley County.

Otto Bundy Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Bundy of Glasgow, who is in his senior year at the Iowa State college at Ames, Iowa, received the sweepstakes aware in vegetable judging at the college horticultural show held Nov. 11 and 12. He won two first place awards, one third and an honorable mention in judging beets, carrots, onions and potatoes. Mr. Bundy, also, as chairman of general arrangements, had a great deal to do in the planning and staging of the show.