• Jan. 13, 1949

The Hartley municipal skating rink was made ready for use for the first time. Adverse weather conditions held back its construction. Many of Hartley’s young people were making good use of it.

Heavyweight champion Joe Louis boxed a four-round exhibition against Orlan Ott before 3,800 spectators at Topeka, Kan. The champ barely developed a sweat as Ott bored in. Louis laced Ott a few times, but he smiled and patted the Hartley native on the back after each round.

Lon MacDowell, local chairman of the March of Dimes drive to aid in the fight against polio, put up a number of receptacles around the business district. To augment the fund, plans were made to hold a benefit dance at Neebel’s Danceland.

• Jan. 17, 1974

Seventh and eighth graders were in temporary shock when their Reading teacher, Mrs. Bendlin, instructed them to bring a favorite comic book to class. She explained that comic books, like other reading materials, filled many categories of writing and contained principles that could be applied to other literature.

The Cherokee National Guard Unit requested use of Hartley Community School facilities in the event that there was an emergency mobilization to active duty. The requested facilities included the gym, showers and cafeteria.

The winter edition of the Iowa Bandmaster featured a double page spread throwing the spotlight on the Hartley High School band and directors Jim Schroeder and Ron Arndt. The band was also selected to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association convention in Des Moines.

• Jan. 21, 1999

The Hartley Volunteer Fire Department was recognized as the 1999 Volunteer Organization of the Year by the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District. The department was recognized for its efforts in the district, especially teaching fire safety to elementary students.

Forty sets of bidding documents were prepared for the expansion and renovation project at H-M-S High School. Each document packet contained 70 sheets. That compared with the 20 sheets of documents for construction of the high school building in 1963.

Nine instrumental students from H-M-S were selected to perform at the Northwest Iowa Honor Band Festival. Those selected were Angela Dather, Rachel Funke, Rebecca Gerritson, Jeff Havlik, Matt Havlik, Shayne Mayer, Stacy Vander Velde, Shanna Vetter and Ethanie Wallinga.

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