Remember When 1-31-2018

(Above) 1993 Buddy Holly Tribute - Clear Lake’s own Lee and Roger Walston, along with their daughter, Tina, were third place winners in the costume contest held at the Buddy Holly Tribute in 1993.

25 Years Ago • January 1993

Irma Norton and Connie Alvarez, sisters of Ritchie Valens, visited the Surf Ballroom and got their first look at the photo display of their brother, who was killed in a plane crash following a performance at the Surf Feb. 3, 1959.  The sisters and their families were in Iowa to attend a Ritchie Valens tribute in West Des Moines.

Robert Furleigh, of Clear lake, was named to the state’s first coordination for livestock development by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.  Furleigh, 61, had been serving as director of the U.S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Iowa since 1986.  However, as a Republican appointee, he was likely to be replaced when Democrat Bill Clinton was installed as president.

Two men were nabbed by Clear Lake police following an interrupted burglary Tuesday night.  The two allegedly put their vehicle in a ditch and then forced their way into the home to call for help.  While in the home, the pair also allegedly committed a theft.  They were interrupted when the elderly owner of the house came home and surprised them.  They fled and the owner called 911.  The men were apprehended a short distance away after soliciting a ride from an acquaintance of one of the men.

The Buddy Holly estate will auction several one-of-a-kind items which once belonged to the late Buddy Holly during the Buddy Holly tribute ’93 weekend.  Proceeds will benefit Handicap Village in Clear Lake.  Among the items to be auctioned are a four-piece bedroom set, an eight piece dinette set, and a pair of homemade speakers with gold trim used by Holly.  All of the items are original and will have a letter from the Buddy Holly Estate confirming they authenticity.

Cindy Findley, director of Girl Scout Camp Gaywood in Clear Lake, was elected the American Camping Association Iowa Section president-elect at the Annual Meeting held in Des Moines.

Kim Meyer, Troy Roenfanz, Tracy Gray, Brian Dockwell and J. Dylan Shaffer, all of Ventura High School, were among the 1,380 high students who participated in Luther College’s 43rd Annual Dorian Vocal Festival.

Lynne Lorenzen, former Ventura basketball standout, will be inducted  into the Iowa High School Girls Basketball Hall of Fame during halftime of the finals of the Girls State Basketball Tournament.  Lorenzen became the national record-holder for points in a career during her playing days at Ventura.  She played for the Vikings from 1984-88 and led them to three state tournaments and a state title in 1987.

The Clear Lake wrestling team hosted Humboldt with upset and a conference dual title on their minds.  The Wildcats, who have not lost a dual meet or a tournament this season, ended the Lions’ title hopes with a 33-12 win.  The match of the night was between rated wrestlers Sean Harlan, for Clear Lake, and Jamie Heidt.  Harlan fell in the match, 11-6.  Ryan Boeshart, Dan Hansen and Troy Rieck all picked up wins for the Lions.

The Ventura boys are on a winning streak, after picking up two more wins against Alden and Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne.  Ventura pounded Alden, 82-39.  Troy Roenfanz had a career high 32-points on 65 percent shooting.  He also had 13 rebounds and three steals.  J.D. Shaffer ended the night with 10-points and three steals.

Grocery specials for the week at Easter’s Super Valu include: Flav-O-Rite Shredded Cheese, 12 oz., $1.49; Texas Rio Grapefruit, 5/$1; Busch Beer, 12-12 oz. cans, $4.29; Sunkist Tuna, 6.12 oz. can, 47¢; turkey drumsticks, lb., 37¢; boneless charcoal steak, lb., $1.89; and whole choice ribeyes, lb., $4.79.

50 Years Ago • January 1968

John Wrisberg III was the first Clear Lake soldier to die in the Vietnam war.  John was killed on Jan. 16.  Word that he was missing in action was received by the family Thursday.  Late Friday a message from the Department of Defense said he was killed on a combat operation when his unit of the 101st engaged a hostile force in a firefight.  Mrs. Jack Palmeter, John’s mother, experienced a similar tragedy in 1960 when Capt. John H. Wrisberg, young John’s father, was killed in a routine flight as a test pilot in a U.S. Air Force training mission over York, Pa.  Wrisberg graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1965.

More than 1,100 Clear Lakers and North Iowans are expected Friday night for the gala re-opening of the Surf Ballroom.  Frank Buhr and his orchestra will play old-time music Friday night.  It will be smooth and modern dancing Saturday night, with the Esquires providing entertainment.  The Pete Clint Quintet will perform for the collegiate crowd on Sunday.

A grand opening is planned at Jensen’s Uptown and Westside grocery markets.  Prizes worth $1,000 will be given away in connection with the grand opening at both stores.

75 Years Ago • January 1943

Howard Henderson fell from a platform 13 feet above the concrete floor at the Kennedy storage house, but was apparently uninjured.

James Anderson, the oldest member of the Church of Christ, touched on the flame that burned the mortgage of the new church at a ceremony Friday.

The picture of the first baby of 1943 was a cold weather casualty last week.  The engraving of the tyke got held up in transit and arrived the day after the newspaper was published.

Shirley Stanfield was named president of Eden Farm Club Friday evening following an oyster supper at the city hall.

Mrs. Hyle Lowman was pledged to Beta Sigma Phi at the home of Mrs. F.G. Drew.

100 Years Ago • January 1918

Arthur Sprague, a Clear Lake boy in the U.S. Service, died of measles in San Francisco, Calif., at the cantonment.

Attend “The Slacker” next Tuesday at the Electric Theatre.  Admission is 15¢ and 25¢.

Let Carpenter-Hill Hardware show you the latest in gasoline powered washing machines with hand wringer and three tubs.

While working on the ice works, Mose Young was knocked off the shute by a large cake of ice. He received a broken nose and badly lacerated face.  A couple of weeks ago Harry Havenhill nearly lost a hand.

Measles are running rampant in Clear Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. A. Hinds were surprised last Friday night when about 40 unexpected friends and neighbors walked in and took possession of their home and reminded them of their 30th wedding anniversary.