December 26, 1895 —
We understand that the mask ball given by Turner and Wellenstein was attended by nearly 100 people.
January 14, 1897 —
“Louis Kober, son of Martin Kober of this place, who has been making his home at Osmond, Neb., for about four years past, returned home last Friday. He spent much of his time among the Indians and cow boys and relates many interesting experiences during his life on the western prairie. — Brownstown (Ind.) Banner.” Shades of Napoleon! Wouldn’t that cork you? Lou Kober among Indians and cow boys! We venture he could not tell the difference between an Indian and an Indiana school ma’am and as for cowboys there hadn’t been one in Pierce County for 15 years.
100 Years Ago. . .
Mrs. Frank Schmitz had Thoroughbred Single Comb Buff Orphington eggs for sale, $3 per hundred. Phone Walnut 12.
J. J. Buchanan was a great believer in the Fordson tractor for the farmer. On April 10, 1924, he started to work with his Fordson and by the first of May, had put in 100 acres of oats, disced 100 acres, and plowed 100 acres. The previous year he also cut his grain with his Fordson, and all the work he did cheaper than he would by using horses.
Kathleen Kimball was the proud owner of a Webster’s dictionary, which she received from the county superintendent as a reward for having 300 perfect spelling lessons.
Two big shows were playing on four big nights at the Osmond Auditorium. On Tuesday and Wednesday, “Scaramouche,” a big 10-reel special, admission 15¢ and 30¢. On Friday and Saturday night, Buck Jones and Shirley Mason in “the Eleventh Hour.” This big sevenreel special, two reels of comedy and a reel of Fox News were given on two nights, admission 15¢ and 25¢.
The senior class play, “ All a Mistake,” given in the Osmond city hall, was a great treat and spoke very highly for the class and their trainer, Mr. Cowden. In spite of the rain, a good-sized crowd was present and all got more than their money’s worth. The following was the cast of characters: Capt. Skinner, Milton Childs; Lieut. Richmond, Gayle Childs; Richard Hamilton, Raymond Goeres; Ferdinand Lighthead, Horace Kuhl; Nellie Richmond, Amelia Decker; Nellie Huntington, Hilda Broekemeier; Cornelia Skinner, Mary Loebe; Nellie McIntyre, Gertrude Craven.
75 Years Ago. . .
Twenty-eight seniors of Osmond High and their sponsor started off on the annual sneak day at 3 a.m. with a bang. Yes, many people in Osmond were awakened with the sound of exploding firecrackers set off by some of the boys of the class. [See a more in-depth article on this interesting senior sneak day elsewhere in this issue.] A medium-sized crowd attended the Osmond Gun Club benefit dance at the city hall. The affair was held after three winter postponements because of bad weather. The door prize, a new Remington light-weight pump gun, was won by Albert Luebbers.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kahler planned to be off for Fort Knox, IA, where Mr. Kahler’s youngest brother, John, was a patient at the Veteran’s Home and where “Open House” was being observed for the patients. John was a victim of shell shock from World War I.
65 Years Ago. . .
Workmen began on a new front for Lloyd’s Produce, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Kear. Because of damage to the huge plate glass windows and the necessity for replacement, it was decided to remodel the entire front. The building also owned by the Kears, in recent years housed the Osmond Creamery and in earlier days a hardware and furniture store. [This is the building that is now home to Lorenz Automotive.] At the May 1959 American Legion Auxiliary meeting, President Mrs. Delmer Gansebom thanked all who volunteered to sell poppies on Poppy Day. Mrs. Gilbert Burlingame, poppy chairman, reported the sale of 939 poppies. The poppy poster winners were: first, Lynn Edwards and Theresa Powers, $2 each; second, Carol Weeder and Judy Waddell, $1 each.
A bridal shower was given in honor of Misses Bernita Oltjenbruns and Sally Holmes, high school seniors who planned to be married sometime that summer. The shower was presented by the three home economics classes at the Osmond Public School and by their instructor, Mrs. McCleda Maas. A large bridal doll decorated the luncheon table. Each of the brides-to-be received a setting of six stainless steel silverware.
50 Years Ago. . .
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stark had recently purchased the Rain-Bo Bar and were operating it with the assistance of three of their children. Mr. Stark was the brother of Mrs. Ida White, who had previously owned and operated the establishment. The new owners had already made some changes in the establishment. The former booths had been removed and new furniture had replaced them. There was also new carpeting in the front to complement the furniture. Jerry said he planned to do additional refurbishing and changing, to include the establishment of a dance area.
The Dale Koehlers announced the opening of “Koehler Service” which was in the Dawson Oil Company facilities located on Highway 20. According to Mrs. Koehler, initial operations would be limited to pumping gas with a few accessories available. Additional facilities and services beginning the following week would include automobile servicing, tire repair, tank wagon service and other service station operations.
Winners in Chick’s Grocery dairy coupon contest for the girls were: 1, Priscilla Stengel, 1,257, $35; 2, RaJean Kaiser, 1,092, $25 savings bond; 3, Yvonne Edwards, 1,061, family pool pass; 4, Marie Schmit, 845, 10 silver dollars; 5, Stacy Timmerman, 583, tennis racket and balls. For the boys, the winners were: 1, Craig Maxey, 912, $35; 2, Jeremy Reineke, 550, $25 savings bond; 3, David Boyle, 495, family pool pass; 4, Wade Kiichler, 238, 10 silver dollars; 5, Dean Schmit, 236, Zebco rod and reel.
25 Years Ago. . .
The Lewis and Clark Conference track meet was held at Pierce with a strong 16-team field. When the smoke cleared, Osmond’s boys found themselves in second place, 3½ points behind Ponca. Members of the team were Mike Grein,Andrew Ortmeier, Dustin Sandoz, Ryan Friedrich, Brian Messenger, Nick Hansen, Nick Schieffer, Bryce Dennis, Nathan Vinson, Andy Ketelsen and Gabe Gansebom.
10 Years Ago. . .
Patrons of School District 42R and adjacent areas had an opportunity on May 8, 2014, to learn about a proposed five-district merger. The schools involved besides Osmond were Creighton, Plainview, Bloomfield and Wausa. Among topics were challenges the districts faced, declining enrollment, aging facilities, finances, staff, diverse curriculum and smaller class sizes..
