February 06, 2025

Throwback Thursday - Oct. 19, 2023

E. A. Pontow, only charter member of the Creston Eagles lodge who is still a member of the lodge, was honored at a meeting and dinner of the lodge last night. Mr. Pontow, center, is shown receiving a charter member lapel pin from Turner Vandel, right, president of the Creston aerie, while W. L. Wilkinson of Tama, left, state president of the Eagles, looks on. Pontow has been a member of the lodge since it was chartered Aug. 10, 1906.

E. A. Pontow, only charter member of the Creston Eagles lodge who is still a member of the lodge, was honored at a meeting and dinner of the lodge last night. Mr. Pontow, center, is shown receiving a charter member lapel pin from Turner Vandel, right, president of the Creston aerie, while W. L. Wilkinson of Tama, left, state president of the Eagles, looks on. Pontow has been a member of the lodge since it was chartered Aug. 10, 1906. (CNA 1963 photo archives )

Today is Thursday, Oct. 19, the 292nd day of the year. There are 73 days remaining in 2023. Below are news items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.

20 years ago (2003)

The Creston High School marching band received a 1 (superior) rating at the State Marching Band Contest Saturday in Waukee. This is the 15th consecutive Division 1 rating the Panther band has received at stater marching contest.

The Creston/Orient-Macksburg High School football team suffered its first district loss Friday at Ram Memorial Field. The Panthers were defeated by the Glenwood Rams 30-10, in a game where “Basically, what could go wrong, did go wrong,” according to Panther head coach Dick Bergstrom.

A public hearing was held during the Creston School Board’s regular meeting Monday. The board was prepared to hear concerns from the public on the closing of Franklin, Lincoln and Jefferson Elementary schools, High Lake Country Academy, the old bus barn building and the administrative offices. There was no one at the hearing to speak for or against the closings.

40 years ago (1983)

The Creston City Council will reconsider an appeal decision made by Mayor Terry Donahue on a dog nuisance order following action taken at its regular meeting Tuesday night. The appeal was presented by Fern Kohl and Lynn Emig, 312 New York, for the release of their three dogs who are being held in the city dog pound.

If you are involved in an accident in the Prescott area, your recovery chances are probably better than they were a year ago. Accident victims in the area have been helped by the organization of the city’s “first responders,” a group which provides treatment and support until an ambulance crew get to an emergency scene. Twelve residents took over 40 hours in training to become certified first responders.

“Officer Bill” of the Union, Adams and Adair county sheriff’s departments, will again be a teacher for primary grade students in Union and Adams counties, Orient-Macksburg and Murray schools. Vane Lindsay, owner of Lindsay Funeral Homs, furnished to the departments the visual aid flap charts and coloring books. Union County Sheriff Don Loy said the emphasis is to teach children to be aware of abductors. The officer-instructor will also talk about his uniform, job, family, safety rules and respect for elders and the law.

Viva Peterson, owner of a corset, yarn and art shop at various local locations for the past 61 years, was named Oct. 6 as the Creston Business & Professional Women “Woman of the Year.” Peterson was shocked by the honor but for those who know her and what she has accomplished during her 88 years, the local businesswoman might seem the logical choice.

60 years ago (1963)

Ronnie Walter Cunningham, 31, one of the new American astronauts named Friday, was born in Creston but his family moved to California when he was a small boy. His family were longtime residents of Creston and his grandparents are buried in Graceland Cemetery. His parents, Mr. amd Mrs. W. Walter Cunningham lived on North Division Street when Ronnie was born, March 16, 1932. They moved to Illinois about a year later and now live in Venice, California.

The Tingley community is again preparing for its annual Halloween celebration, which will be held Thursday night, Oct. 31. Committees are at work on preparations for the parade, window decorations contest and the eight parties for different age groups, which will be held. The celebration is planned so that everyone in the community can take part.

80 years ago (1943)

Parents of children caught damaging property with pre-Halloween pranks will be held responsible for the damage and liable to police court fines, Mayor C.C. Clayton said today. The police department is already receiving complaints about gangs of children, including 16 and 17 year-olds, roving the streets at night and demanding tribute to treats to avoid “tricks” the mayor and Chief of Police William Hiatt said in a joint statement.

Retail sale of jams, jellies, preserves and fruit spreads were under suspension today until Oct. 31, when these items will be added to the lists of processes foods for which ration coupons must be surrendered. Housewives will not be required to make reports of their cupboard supplies of the fruit spread –– whether bought in stores or home earned–– and ration books will not be tailored.

Creston