1979: Area residents say eclipse was truly something to behold

Feb. 21, 1979

HARTINGTON — The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), the rural credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reported that its loans and grants for rural development in Nebraska during fiscal year (FY) 1978 reached a record high of $273.5 million, according to Leonard T. Hanks, State Director for Nebraska Farmers Home Administration.

Feb. 21, 1979

HARTINGTON — Starting March 1, 1979, new rules will be used to determine who qualifies for food stamps and how many stamps.

Among the new rules are: Simplified procedures with only three possible deductions; Household assets limit raised to $1,750; Tougher penalties for fraud; and Benefits retroactive to first day of month of application.

Feb. 28, 1979

HARTINGTON — A public informational meeting to discuss the Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project will be held Tuesday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Center at St. Helena.

Feb. 28, 1979

HARTINGTON — Sky watchers by the thousands shared the awe of watching the sun suddenly go black Monday in one of nature’s spectacles that won’t be repeated in North America until the 21st Century, according to The Associated Press.

Animals milled nervously and confused roosters crowed twice as day turned into night in a swatch 180 miles wide across the northwestern U.S. and into Canada.

Feb. 28, 1979

HARTINGTON — Wynot High School speech students won 13 superior medals at the Lewis and Clark Conference speech contest.

Those who earned superior ratings were as follows: Janice Promes, oral interpretations of prose; Karen Klug and Sherri Potts, original public address; Lori Boeckman and Joyce Promes, after dinner speaking; Lori Uhing, informative public speaking; Dylan Lauer and Don Kuehler, duet acting; Barbara Burbach, Tim Burbach, Cheryl Boeckman, Sherry Gowery and Joyce Promes, oral interpretation of drama.

Lori Boeckman received a perfect score for first place in after-dinner speaking, and Joyce Promes placed second in the same event.

Lori Uhing was first in informative speaking, and the duet acting team tied with Winside for first.