From Our Files
1973: Energy crisis dims Christmas lights
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• Nov. 18, 1948
Harvey Donnenwerth, Claire Byers and Jake Roghair spent part of the week at Gray Summit, near St. Louis, Mo., where the Ralston-Purina Company’s giant research farm was located.
The Hartley Community Chorus, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, began rehearsals in preparation for the presentation of a Christmas cantata. The chorus was under the direction of Wilbur Morse, a member of the teaching staff at Hartley High School.
The Hartley Fire Department was called out to help extinguish an unusual automobile fire in front of the Herman Witt residence on Highway 18. The right rear tire of a new Cadillac caught fire and the flames burned into the back seat of the car. Damage was sufficient to prohibit the car from traveling farther.
• Nov. 15, 1973
The Hartley city crew was going to put up the Christmas decorations as usual; however, due to the energy crisis the decorations would not be lit except for the week before Christmas when stores were open in the evenings. In addition, no home decorating contest would be held and the lighting of home and storefront decorations was discouraged in view of the situation.
Over 70 youngsters from the Hartley area participated in activities held in support of CROP. A total of $393.15 was donated by local residents sponsoring young people who participated in the Hunger Walk or through the trick-or-treat canvass.
The Hartley Public Library used its $2,500 allocation of revenue sharing funds distributed by O’Brien County to purchase a 16 mm Bell & Howell sound projector and a copy machine. The purchases helped expand the library’s services to rural and city patrons.
• Nov. 19, 1998
Voters in seven O’Brien County townships approved having their trustees and clerks appointed by the county supervisors. Franklin and Hartley townships were among those approving the proposal. Trustees and clerks would serve through the end of their terms and the supervisors would then appoint persons to fill the positions. A majority of Center, Hartley-Omega and Lincoln township voters were against the measure.
Representatives of Pepsi approached the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District with a proposed exclusive sales agreement. Four criteria were developed to determine whether the district should enter into a contract with a beverage vendor. The criteria were appropriateness, experience of other schools, desires of those affected and actual funding offers.
From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.
