Aug. 5, 1897 —
Frank Lambert has returned from his visit with his mother who resides in Canada. Mr. L reports a very pleasant trip and a splendid visit with his mother. Mr. Lambert informs us that the Canadian people do not take kindly to McKinley and his tariff bill. This to us is an evidence that it is good for this country.
The 11th annual fair of Pierce County will be held on the fair grounds at Pierce on September 13, 14 and 15. More and larger premiums will be offered than ever before. Everyone who is interested in the practical development of our county and its recourses should attend and make an exhibit if possible..
100 Years Ago. . .
One Sunday evening, a group of young folks had a surprise birthday party on Miss Helen Lorenz. The evening was spent in playing games.
A three course lunch was served.
At a late hour, all returned home, having had a good time and wishing Miss Helen many many more happy returns.
In spite of the dry weather, the pump house of the Osmond water works was filled to overflowing, being filled with six feet of water, so that it ran out of the window.
The pump house was about half underground and it looked like a swimming pool. Water users being unable to get water reported the matter and investigation showed that the pipe leading from the pump house into the water main was broken, and that the water from the mains and the standpipe had filled the pump house, leaving the mains and standpipe dry, and the town without water. The pump house was a dirty mess after the flood, and it took some time before they were able to start the engine again, and fill the standpipe.
A Children’s Health Conference was to be held at the Pierce County Fair on Sept. 2 and 3. Parents were urged to “Bring in Deformed Children. There was to be a baby specialist; eye, ear, nose and throat specialists, and dentists both days, and an orthopedist on Thursday only. Osmond persons selected to serve as Petit Jurors at the September 1925 term of the District Court included H. H. Lorenz, Arthur Canon, A. W. Hitz and Louis Oltjenbruns. Two Foster men — Homer Birch and Peter Hansen — were also on the list, as were Frank Shipley and Herman Kumm Jr. of McLean.
75 Years Ago. . .
Kenneth Kenny, 21-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lenis Kenny, was the first Osmond serviceman to be reported “missing in action” in Korean War activity. The missing man was a private. His parents received a telegram announcing the sad news on Aug. 21, 1950. He had been home in April to be with his parents during a furlough and for the Easter holiday. His last letter to his parents was dated June 29 and was written from a hospital in Japan where he was suffering from blood poisoning.
In a deal consummated in mid-August 1950, the Osmond Theatre, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs.
C. H. Albers since January 1948, was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Overhue. The Overhues formerly operated the Osmond Produce Station. The transaction included a quarter section of unimproved farm land as part payment, located northeast of this village. The Albers were not going to sell their fine home in Osmond. They had not revealed their plans for the future.
The week had been a busy one at the Niel Schmit home with many relatives coming and going. The eldest of the family, Francis, who was now Sister M. Lucretia of Milwaukee, was here and would be accompanied back by her sister Evelyn, who was going to enter the convent in Milwaukee as a novice.
65 Years Ago. . .
The Pierce County Convention of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 326, was held in Osmond at the city hall. Approximately 80 persons attended this convention, coming from Plainview, Pierce, Wausa, Osmond and Riverside, CA. After the business meeting, the program committee presented a very impressive and patriotic program. To the accompaniment of “God Bless America,” children marched in carrying flags of the United Nations and placed them in holders. The children represented by song and dance the different countries where they GIs were stationed. Among the entertainment: Cheryl Tacey and Glenda Bahr, in Japanese costumes, represented the Geisha Girls of Japan; Mark Theisen and Jack Adkins, dressed in girls’ costumes, dance the hula for Hawaii; Bill Korth sang “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.”
St. Joseph Hospital at Osmond recorded the birth of three babies in a 24 hour period. Births for the week stood at seven. Parents of the seven had seven different addresses — Osmond, Randolph, Carroll, Wausa, Belden, Bloomfield and Pierce.
At the Pierce County Fair, one big attraction was the display of home grown flowers. The class of Allen Kahler, teacher of agriculture in the Pierce High School, offered a 20-inch bronze trophy for the best display of home grown flowers. Mrs. Ben Fuelberth of Osmond was awarded the trophy which was presented to her by the president of the class. The trophy was given for one year only.
The winner had to earn it for three successive years before it became permanent property.
50 Years Ago. . .
The Osmond City Council was seeking to hire a general maintenance man to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Henry (Junior) Brunckhorst following the August meeting.
Brunckhorst resigned the position amid some controversy with council members as to what work should be performed by city employees.
Full-time operation of Osmond Municipal Pool was suspended with the opening of the 1975-76 school term. Once again in 1975, sufficient life guards were available to permit opening the pool after school. The pool was open from 4 to 8 p.m. depending on temperature, and decisions were to be made on a day-to-day basis.
One of only a limited number of lawns to be maintained attractively green during the dry summer months was that belonging to Mr. and Mrs.
Rudy Dibbert. It was selected for lawn of the week honors by the Osmond Jaycees.
There was a slight increase in enrollment in the city schools again in 1975. According to enrollment figures furnished by the three Osmond schools, there was an increase of one student. Total initial enrollment for the 1975-76 school year was 494 students, compared to 493 for the previous year.
Osmond Community School had 362 students, St. Mary’s had 90 enrollees, and Immanuel Lutheran had 42 pupils.
25 Years Ago. . .
Cathryn Petersen celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 18, 2000. She explained why she lived to be 100 years old: Hard work, will to live, family love and always having a good appetite.
New teachers at Osmond Community School were Randy Kort, Title I instructor and assistant football coach, and Inga Brodersen, Spanish instructor and working with Title I and gifted programs.At St. Mary’s School, Cindy Stone was the new teacher of grades seven and eight.
10 Years Ago. . .
Five newcomers joined the staff at Osmond Community School: Christalin Ginn, band and choir; Ryan Ginn, K-6 vocal music; Jennifer von Rentzell, K-12 administrative assistant; Elizabeth Chelle, K-12 Special Ed director, and Rachel Bruegman, paraprofessional. New at St. Mary’s were Danielle Stech, sixth and seventh grade, and Keri Severson, fourth and fifth.
