From Our Files

• Oct. 9, 1947

The Hartley library, which had been housed in the Legion Hall since its inauguration, was moving into new quarters in the old post office building. For some time the room in the Legion Hall had been inadequate for the growing needs of the library.

The American Legion decided that a file would be made of the blood types of all World War II veterans. The file would be placed at the disposal of local doctors who could call on any Legion member for a transfusion of the particular type needed should the emergency arise.

The Moneta High School held its initiation of freshmen. The girls were dressed in boys’ clothes and the boys in girls’ clothes, and some very amusing costumes were produced. In the evening they paraded to the business places after which the seniors entertained the school and faculty at a dancing party.

• Oct. 5, 1972

The Hartley Merchants, a newly-formed basketball team, was made up of local men who were playing in a northwest Iowa town team league. They opened their season against the K&D Bootery team from Spencer.

The town council voted to accept the curb and gutter work which was completed in Hartley. Residents in the area included in the assessments for the work were pleased to see the final amounts were approximately 25 percent less than the original estimates.

Duff and Mac Smith purchased the Danceland from Dorene and Gerald Gonnerman. The new owners continued to feature favorite band music for dancers of the area and also operated the lounge. The name of the establishment was changed to Duffy’s.

• Oct. 9, 1997

Hartley hosted 137 delegates who attended the GFWC/Iowa Women’s Club annual convention. O’Brien County Chairman Adriana Van Iperen and Convention Co-chairman Becky Brockmann welcomed the delegates. The 1998-2000 officers were installed by Carolyn Blaue, of Royal, state past president.

Hartley area residents were taking a college course which was available through the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) classroom at H-M-S High School. Ruth Hobson, Chris Irwin, Mary Ann Rosenberger and Natalie Storm were taking a college statistics course from Northwest Iowa Community College. Students saw the material on three television screens and heard the presentation over the audio system. The students appreciated being able to take the course closer to home but acknowledged there were some drawbacks to not having the instructor physically present in the room.

From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.