Years Gone By

10 years ago:

     • The mortar around the cornerstone at St. Matthew Lutheran Church was cut as part of the church’s 100^th anniversary. The contents of the container have been removed and will be displayed at events throughout the centennial celebration. On Sept. 9, 2012 at the final celebration ceremony weekend new contents will be put into the container and sealed away inside the cornerstone for the bicentennial celebration in 2112.  (8/31/2011)

15 years ago:

     • State Representative Ray Zirkelbach of Monticello, who has been serving in Iraq as a member of the Iowa National Guard, survived an explosion when a vehicle he was in hit a roadside bomb. Zirkelbach was knocked unconscious from the blast, but was. otherwise okay, suffering only a pulled muscle.  (8/30/2006)

30 years ago:

     • Swimming will return to the lake in Jones County Central Park. The Board of Supervisors directed the Conservation Board to take whatever measures are necessary to get the swimming area open as soon as possible. Swimming was banned in the lake by the supervisors five years ago because of rising insurance costs.  (8/28/1991)

50 years ago:

     • Monday, Aug. 30 is “back to school” day for approximately 1,800 students in Monticello. Classes will begin at 8:45 a.m. for students at both Sacred Heart and Monticello Community schools. The school day will end at 3:30 p.m.  (8/26/1971)

75 years ago:

     • Most of the downtown business houses will close their doors on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day but will remain open in the morning for the convenience of shoppers who will be in need after the Sunday holiday. (8/29/1946)

     • With registration going on all this week, the Monticello public school will open next Monday, Sept. 2. The school offers a curriculum well rounded in all phases of education through a well balanced program of extra-curricular activities and a wide choice of elective subjects. Training in typing, shorthand and commercial law will be offered in the commerce department. A course in Spanish will be added this year, and a new course in World Geography. Both will be additions to the general and college preparatory curriculums. (8/29/1946)

100 years ago:

     • The Monticello-Scotch Grove band rendered a concert at the city park, last Sunday afternoon. An unusually large crowd enjoyed the band concert, as well as the base ball game, which was played at the same time. Numerous stands had been erected and were doing business on the grounds. The crowd was estimated as being as large as the average attendance on Wednesday of the fair. (8/28/1921)

     • The annual mission feast of the Wayne Township Lutheran church will be held next Sunday with services in both English and German. (8/28/1921)

     • James Skelley has exhausted his supply of ice, which he put up locally last winter, and is now shipping ice from St. Paul. (8/28/1921)