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75 Years Ago - Feb. 2, 1950
RANDOLPH – A serious shortage of stoker coal has developed in Randolph as in other places, and prospects of relief within the near future are not too bright. Supplies of other coal are sufficient to meet consumers’ needs, Randolph coal dealers said Tuesday, barring extreme weather over a long period, and unforeseen circumstances.
The extreme cold that has been experienced in this locality and other parts of the state during much of the past three weeks has further complicated the problem.
Shortage of stoker coal is serious in nearly all parts of the nation where heavy heating is required throughout the winter season. Another problem that has confronted coal dealers is that coal is being hijacked from cars as it passes through towns en route to its destination. For this reason, no dealer is certain of obtaining coal that has been billed to him as it left the processing plant.
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RANDOLPH – The city council met Tuesday evening at the auditorium to discuss the proposed re-grading and paving of Highway 20 through Randolph with representatives of the State Department of Roads and Irrigation.
A contract between the state and the city was presented by District Engineer Ayres of Norfolk. The location of detours through town, while paving is being laid was also discussed. A delegation interested in traffic problems was also present to discuss proposed routes of detour between Belden and Randolph during construction of the highway.
All expressed satisfaction that the road is to be improved and stressed cooperation in the consideration of the minor problems involved.
60 Years Ago - Jan. 28, 1965
RANDOLPH – Everett Rokahr, 15, Randolph Public School sophomore, will attain Scouting’s highest rank, the rank of Eagle Scout, at a Court of Honor to be held Sunday evening, January 31, at the Randolph city auditorium.
Everett has been a member of Troop 203 of Randolph since he was 11 years old. It is believed he is the first Randolph scout to attain the Eagle rank.
He has earned 23 merit badges.
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RANDOLPH – The St. Frances High School homecoming king and queen reigned following their coronation Friday night at the homecoming dance at the West Randolph Ballroom.
Homecoming king, Dan Widhalm and queen Sharon Dickes were joined by the King’s attendants, Roger Gubbels, second attendant, and Paul Eddie, first attendant, Sandra Munter, first attendant and Pat Brand, second attendant.
The king was crowned by Rev. Emmett Meyer, who served as master of ceremonies for the coronation. King Widhalm placed the crown on the head of the homecoming queen.
50 Years Ago - Jan. 30, 1975
RANDOLPH – Holly Olberding has been informed that she is the sixth local band member chosen to participate in the Plainsman Honors Festival Band at the Nebraska Wesleyan campus in Lincoln on February 13, 14, and 15. The band will present a concert with the Festival choir and string orchestra at 7:30 p.m. on February 15.
Other local band members to participate are Karen Weber, Pat DeLong, Shelly Pedant, Gary Utrecht and Bill Pflanz. *** RANDOLPH – The Randolph Junior and Senior High Bands will present a Mid-Winter Concert entitled “A Kaleidoscope of Sounds and Sights” under the direction of James Baker, band instructor at the West School gym Thursday evening (tonight at 8:00 p.m.
The music presented will range from Mozart to the Beatles; from silent movies to modern television. The high school band will feature their pompom squad in their version of the Mexican Hat Dance.
The concert is open and free to the public. *** RANDOLPH – Your continued cooperation is asked in the observance of the visiting restrictions at the Osmond General Hospital.
Because of the large number of flu cases being seen in this area, and the high census at the hospital, the medical staff of the hospital has asked for the continued observance of the limitations on visitors. Only members of the immediate family are permitted to visit at the hospital and only if they too are not suffering the effects of a cold, sore throat or flu symptoms.
This restriction is necessary to protect the hospital patients, its employees and help curtail the spread of the flu in the area. All communities are being asked to be cooperative with this restriction until such time as the flu symptoms have subsided.
40 Years Ago - Jan. 31, 1985
RANDOLPH – Randolphans recently completed an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course instructed by Randy Yoder of Norfolk through NTCC. Classes were held weekly at the Randolph Fire Hall.
Taking the course were Scott Wattier, Leila Arduser, Pam Libra, Mike Marvin, Carol Roland, Vickie Langemeier and Jack Sauser. Jim Billerbeck and Lavern Scott took a refresher course.
Two persons from Osmond and one from Wausa also took the EMT course. *** RANDOLPH – The king and queen of the annual FFA-FHA Sweetheart Ball will be chosen from a selection of candidates.
The queen candidates are: Connie Nordhues, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nordhues; Cheri Stevens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Stevens; Kelly Frederick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Frederick; and Cindy Berner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Berner.
Vying for king are Joe Thelen, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Thelen; Boyd Janssen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Janssen; Francis Bermel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Bermel and Kelly Thieman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Thieman.
The coronation will take place on Saturday evening, February 2, at 10:00 p.m. at the West School gym. *** RANDOLPH – Entries are being accepted in the contest that will pick the slogan that will be used during the Randolph Centennial observance in 1986.
Anyone is eligible to enter the contest until February 15 when the Centennial executive Committee will judge the entries at their February meeting.
Following the contest for the slogan another contest is expected to be held for the logo that will be used during the centennial. Persons are reminded that the first contest is only for the slogan, and not for the logo.
30 Years Ago - Feb. 1, 1995
RANDOLPH – Officer Chuck Madison of the Randolph Police Department has announced that an investigation of a complaint of a drive by shooting at 103 North Douglas Street, into apartments one block west of First State Bank in Randolph has resulted in an arrest.
The shooting incident was reported to have occurred at or about 2 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 30. Damage was sustained from a shotgun blast to the walls and stairwell of the apartments, however no one was injured.
Officer Madison stated that information developed during a day-long investigation he conducted with Sheriff Elliot Arens and Deputy Dan Johnson of the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office led to the interview and arrest of a 22-year-old rural McLean man at the Norfolk Police Division Headquarters at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 31. *** RANDOLPH – The National Weather Service (NWS) presented Alice Lange of rural Randolph with a 15 year service certificate on Jan. 25. George Matuella, Data Acquisition Product Manager, and Terry Landsvork, Nebraska Cooperative Program Manager from the NWS office in Valley, made the presentation.
Mrs. Lange has used NWS equipment to measure and record precipitation amounts on a daily basis since Nov. 1, 1979. The certificate is presented to Lange in appreciation of the time she has spent providing important weather information to the NWS and numerous other agencies. (The first recorded weather observations were taken in the Randolph area by Clark Blizzard in October of 1945.)
The data provided by cooperative observers is used extensively by the National Weather Service, State Climatologist and numerous others in the public and private sectors. It eventually becomes a permanent part of the climatic record for the local area and nation. The observers record a variety of weather elements such as precipitation, temperature, river water level and severe weather phenomenon. *** RANDOLPH – More than 200 musicians will be at Hastings College Feb. 2-4 for the annual Nebraska High School Honor Band, Choir and Chamber Orchestra. A concert featuring the three honor groups is Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. in Kiewit Gym at Hastings College.
Participants for the honor groups were selected by Hastings College Music Department faculty through on-site auditions at Nebraska high schools. Among the selected is Jeff Carstens, snare drummer. He is the son of Dean and Ruth Carstens.
20 Years Ago - Feb. 2, 2005
RANDOLPH – Most who think of tag associate it with a fun game for youth to play. For the nine members of the TAG program at the Randolph Public Library however it represents serious business, not a game; although fun is one of the perks of the program.
TAG, which stands for Teen Advisory Group, was instituted at the library in March 2004, after the library received a grant to form the group.
The purpose of the group is to provide the local library staff and community youth with an open line of communication and to get area youth more involved and interested in a business which makes itself available to their needs and desires, whether it is for entertainment or school.
***
RANDoLPH – Charles Michael Peterson, known to most Randolph citizens as Mick Peterson, has retired. After serving the Randolph and Wausa rural route communities for a number of years, he has hung up his car keys and mail bag and retired.
In all, 41 years of Mick’s career were spent in public service. This includes not only for his time working at the postal service, but three years with the Navy.
He served under three different postmasters in Randolph and six in Wausa during this time employed with the post office. He also used seven different vehicles during this time. These were only some of the changes Peterson saw during his years of service.
10 Years Ago - Feb. 4, 2015
RANDOLPH – The Randolph Area Foundation board met Jan. 28 at the Lied Randolph Public Library. Two new members, Josh Rayford and Britni Korth, joined the board and will be replacing Kim Romohr and Roger Johnson. Members welcomed the new members and thanked Kim and Roger for their service.
The Randolph Area Foundation will celebrate 25 years this summer with an open house and coffee at the Lied Randolph Public Library during the alumni weekend. Randolph memorabilia will be on display along with information about the Foundation and projects it has supported.
Randolph Community Grant applications will be due April 1, 2015. People are encouraged to think of a project that will improve the commute and apply for funds. *** RANDOLPH – The total number of building permits issued in towns in Cedar County over the last few years has been steady.
Eleven building permits were issued in the city of Randolph for 2014. Thirteen permits were issued in 2013 and fourteen in 2012.
The 2014 permits include one residential home for Schmit Home Solutions, six residential additions, and four storage/garage buildings. *** RANDOLPH – The Randolph Senior Center recently received a very interesting gift- a vintage card table, donated by George Shepp.
This is not just any card table, though. Printed on the top of the card table are the names of some of Randolph’s oldest businesses.
Sold by Arlington Enterprises out of Philadelphia, this advertising card table reflects the history of Randolph businesses.
Some of the businesses printed include Bowles Drug Store, Randolph Times-Enterprise, Glasser Beauty Shop, L.A. Becker “your friendly shoe man,” Rand Theatre, Secord Hardware-Furniture, Joseph G. Rogers - Lawyer, Hiway Cafe, Millers Groceries, D.R. Jonas - custom well drying, Howard’s Lunch, Dr. F. Wichelman - naprapath, Sherwood’s Fancy meats, Randolph Lodge No. 252 I.O.O.F.
