Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago

May 18, 2017

Deputy J.R. Myers began his duties at Phillips County Sheriff’s Office on May 8, which brings the department back up to full force.

Phillips County commissioners received a letter from Irv Halter, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, awarding Phillips County $550,000 in Energy Impact Assistance funds toward the Phillips County Fairgrounds Pavilion and Education Center project.

Gunnar Kroeger is this year’s recipient of the Paul Krumm Award, given through Northeast BOCES in memory of Paul Krumm to recognize an outstanding student who makes a difference in the life of a student with a disability.

Ten Years Ago

May 17, 2012

Driving south of town, people may notice some construction to the west of Highway 385. The current eight-plex owned by Tom Bennett on the south end of town is in the process of seeing a similar building going up just to the south of it.

After 20 years of combined time spent in education, Holyoke Elementary special education teacher Lynette Harms is leaving the classroom for retirement.

HHS junior Deyton Klein recently found out he has been selected for the Omaha National World Series scheduled to be held next month in Omaha, Nebraska.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 22, 1997

Mike Woodhead recently started his own business repairing center pivot sprinklers. The venture, named Woody’s Pivot Service, has been in operation since the middle of April. He noted that if business is good enough this summer, he would like to open an irrigation parts store in Holyoke this coming fall.

Four years ago, Robert and Naomi Harding of Wray opened Shekinah Storage here in Holyoke. They’ve just built a second storage rental building on their property just west of the ballpark. The addition doubles the size of the business, with 18 storage units in each building.

Until Great Western Sugar went bankrupt in the mid-1980s, sugar beets had been a major source of income for area farmers. Fortunately, new ownership managed to salvage part of the original company, and now, more than a decade later, beets are once again bringing money to Phillips County. Last year really marked the reintroduction of sugar beets on local farms, with about 2,500 acres planted.

Liz Evans took over the reins as director of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce last week.

Holyoke Junior High social studies teacher Gil Konecne is retiring after 29 years in Holyoke. Holyoke Elementary fifth grade teacher Jim Gribben is retiring after serving as principal, coach and teacher in the district since moving to Holyoke in 1969.

Fifty Years Ago

May 18, 1972

Last Friday night, an attempt was made to enter the safe located in the Holyoke High School principal’s office. Entry was first made through a window in the ag shop, where the thief or thieves obtained an acetylene welder. The welder was used to attempt to cut open the safe door, but when it ran out of oxygen, the attempt failed.

The Great Western Sugar Company’s Sterling factory was named the most efficient of the company’s 18 installations during the 1971-1972 slicing campaign. This marks the fifth time in nine years that the Sterling plant has walked off with the coveted award.

The Holyoke Lions Club, for the second consecutive year, has been named winner of the district governor’s contest as top Lions Club in District 6-E of Colorado. The district is comprised of 35 clubs.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

May 22, 1947

May 24 will be Poppy Day in Holyoke, and on that day everyone will be asked to wear a memorial poppy in honor of the dead of the two world wars and to make a contribution for the welfare of the disabled veterans and their families. The Saturday before Memorial Day has been observed as Poppy Day in all parts of the country for many years.

Commencement exercises for the eighth grade pupils of the east half of Phillips County will be held on Monday, May 26, at the high school auditorium.

Annual commencement exercises will be conducted Tuesday evening, May 27, at the high school auditorium for 43 seniors of Holyoke High School.