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75 Years Ago - Dec. 22, 1949
RANDOLPH – Motor trouble developing in his truck Wednesday morning, December 14, was probably the luckiest break that Paul Dittman will ever have. For that motor trouble kept him from being at the Swift plant in Sioux City that morning, at the usual time of 11:30, at 11:33 a terrific explosion shook the plant bringing death or fatally injuring 20 persons and hospitalizing 88 more.
Mr. Dittman, who operates a meat route out of Randolph, is an employee of the Sherwood Market, and each Wednesday goes to Sioux City and loads meat into his truck at the Swift plant, always arriving at the plant at 11:00 or close to that time. Last Wednesday, his truck developed motor trouble and he was one hour late, not arriving there until nearly an hour after the blast occurred.
The explosion was apparently the worst in the basement and near the loading docks, where several were killed, including one trucker who had come to the plant just a few minutes before to load his truck, as Mr. Dittman would have done. *** RANDOLPH – The yule-time volume of mail through the Randolph post office in 1949 shattered all previous records for the fourth consecutive year, Postmaster A.E. LeClair announced this week. In 1948, all previous records were broken, but this year the scope of record-breaking was the greatest ever.
For the week of December 1219, when the office was open six days, the average receipts were $127, which exceeded the peak day receipts of 1948 when the peak day receipts were $124. The average for the like period last year was $100.
The peak day of receipts in the local post office this year was on Monday, December 19, when the receipts rose to an all-time high of $171, far exceeding the previous recordbreaking day’s receipts of $124.
60 Years Ago - Dec. 17, 1964
RANDOLPH – Gordon Chapman, president of the Randolph Community Club, this week announced the members of the board of directors, and committees which have been appointed to serve the organization during the coming year.
Officers of the club in addition to Mr. Chapman are Wendell Eddie, vice present: Lavern Scott, secretary; and Vernon Viergutz, treasurer. Others serving on the Board of Directors are Marvin Closter, Vance Viergutz, Glenn Gubbels, V.C. Havorka Jr., Ray Patent, Gordon Dennis, Joe Rogers and Wayne Haima. *** RANDOLPH – At a special meeting of the Wareham Farmers Telephone Company held Saturday, it was voted to permit the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company to build underground cables to replace the overhead lines now in use. This is in preparation for improvements Northwestern Bell plans to make in the near future.
The Wareham Farmers Telephone Co, in existence since 1907, plans to disband. The service it renders will be supplied by Northwestern Bell. The farmers telephone company will continue to operate until NW Bell converts the dial system, possibly in late 1965 or early 1966.
Present officers of the Wareham Telephone Company are H.J. Nordhues, Sr., president; Emil Carlson, Vice President; Melvin Witte secretary-treasurer. It is considered to be one of the largest and oldest farm lines which has operated out of the Randolph exchange.
50 Years Ago - Dec. 19, 1974
RANDOLPH – The year’s first major snowstorm hit the local area Saturday beginning about 10 a.m. and continuing throughout the day and night. Highways were icy and blowing snow made for poor visibility.
The local area received an accumulation of about four inches, with neighboring cities getting as much as 13 inches of the white stuff.
However by Sunday evening and Monday, highways cleared and travel returned back to normal.
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RANDOLPH – Saturday, December 21 is the day Randolph area children have been waiting for. Santa is scheduled to make his annual appearance here with a lot of goodies. The fire siren will whistle his arrival at about 4:00 p.m.
Prior to Santa’s arrival there will be two showings of the movie titled Tarzan’s Jungle Rebellion for the kiddies, the first starting at 12:20 p.m. and the second to begin at 2:10 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre.
The treats as well as the free movies are courtesy of the Randolph Community Club. *** RANDOLPH – Randolph churches this week are completing preparations for the observation of the religious commemoration of the Birth of Christ.
Services scheduled for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the three churches - St. Frances Catholic Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and United Methodist Church - have been scheduled.
40 Years Ago - Dec. 20, 1984
RANDOLPH – The Randolph Centennial Committee announced on Monday evening that they will be accepting entries for the motto that will be used during the centennial celebration in 1986.
The committee in making the announcement of the contest said that entries will be accepted until Feb. 15, 1985 from persons regardless of age or address and the winner will receive a $100 savings bond.
It was noted by the committee that during the 75th observance about 5 years ago the motto was “Diamond Days.” Chairman of the centennial committee Marvin Weber said on Monday night that persons should use their own mottos, but should take into consideration the length of the motto physically. *** RANDOLPH – The Randolph High School Chorus sang at the High School Christmas program on Friday night at the West School gym. Besides the chorus, the swing choir and the high school band participated in the program under the direction of Mrs. Dan (Roxann) List and Paul Albers. Lunch was served to those in attendance by the Music Boosters. *** RANDOLPH – The Randolph Cards had a blistering first quarter, but things turned sour following the first eight minutes as Wausa evened the locals record at two wins and two losses on Tuesday evening by a score of 56-42 in a game played at the Randolph gym.
In the first eight minutes of play the Cards had everything their own way as they ran to a 12-4 lead that Wausa quickly eliminated before halftime when they lead 23-16. Entering the final quarter of play, Wausa had command with a 35-29 lead.
Coach Dick Babst said that this game was the worst that his Cards have played all year in both terms of effort and performance. The locals shot 38% from the field and committed 26 turnovers and were out rebounded 31-26.
30 Years Ago - Dec. 21, 1994
RANDOLPH – Beth Rogers, daughter of Pat and Linda Rogers, was the winner of the Voice of Democracy speech contest at the Randolph Public School, sponsored by the VFW Post 5545 and Auxiliary.
Chris Bradley won second place and Jenny Bach, third place. Chris is the son of George and Sherry Bradley and Jenny is the daughter of Dan and Mary Ann Bach.
The theme for this year’s contest was “My Vision for America.” *** RANDOLPH – Constructing Christmas spirt at the new school addition, construction workers decorated and put lights on a tree on the roof of the new addition. The tree was donated by Carhart Lumber.
20 Years Ago - Dec. 22, 2004
RANDOLPH – At a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 20, the Randolph Board of Education dealt with the matter of having two vacancies come reorganization time in early Jan.
Terms of three individuals, Paul Loberg, Marty Thies, and Greg Robinson expire in Jan., however, the only candidate on the Nov. ballot was incumbent Robinson.
Four persons recently indicated interest in serving on the board. They were Tim Kint, Mike Strathman, Barb (Mrs. Jeff) Rohde and Pastor Keith Menter.
At the conclusion of the discussion on candidates, the board adopted a resolution naming Kint and Strathman to the two positions. They will be sworn in at the Jan. 10 board meeting. *** RANDOLPH – The Christmas season will hold special meaning for one Randolph family this year for a couple of reasons.
Last January, the Craig and Beth Plisek family welcomed into the world their daughter Ellie, on Jan. 2. Ellie was Randolph’s New Year’s baby, which was a title held by other members of her family throughout the years. However, Ellie’s entrance into this world was a little rough and she was forced to spend the first three weeks of her life in the hospital in Omaha. She returned home with a feeding tube after those first three weeks, and a diagnosis of acid reflux disease. Though the doctors and family understood the diagnosis, they were frustrated by not being able to determine exactly why the diagnosis had been made, said Ellie’s mom, Beth.
It took another month before things started to become clear to them. By this time the doctors knew that Ellie’s problems were being caused by some type of kidney disorder. The doctors were able to narrow it down to a couple of possibilities. The next step was to figure out the specific disorder. In order to do this, said Beth, the doctors took multiple blood specimens from Ellie, to be sent to various labs around the U.S.
Ultimately she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder called pseudohypoaldosteronism.
10 Years Ago - Dec. 24, 2014
RANDOLPH – The Allen-Eastern 4-H Club put on a Christmas program for the residents at Colonial Manor Monday. The Master of Ceremonies was Patrick Olson.
Sarah Aschoff and the RHS Dance team began the show with a dance number. The dance squad included Emily Bloomquist, Madison Andrew, Lisa Korth, Carlee Thies, Allie Thies, Katelyn Backhaus and Alyssa Fye.
Blake Olson gave a saxophone solo of “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” “Ukrainian Bells and “What Child is This?” were heard next on the piano, played by Jenna Albers. Ethan Olson sang “Silent Night” and Albers brought her musical gifts on the clarinet, playing a Christmas medley. Emilee Olson and Aschoff then sang a duet of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.” Carter Olson, Albers and Tristan Mosel sang a trio. The day ended with the whole group signing several Christmas classics. *** RANDOLPH – Exchange students at the Randolph School, Larissa Flattish from Switzerland and Junhyuk Jan from South Korea, have spent the last several months getting settled into life in the rural area of Nebraska.
Larissa’s host family is Elaine and Richard Bloomquist. She lives in a village in Switzerland of around 4,000 people.
Jun, who is 15, played football for Randolph this fall which he enjoyed. He is also out for basketball. *** RANDOLPH – Stuffed animals have taken over the Christmas tree sitting in the commons area at the Randolph High School.
Not only are a variety of stuffed animals sitting on the limbs on the Christmas tree, a large number of the cute furry creatures are sitting on the floor at the base of the tree, as well.
The majority of the stuffed animals will soon be headed to hospitals where they will be used as gifts.
