Years Gone By

5 years ago:

     • Bud and Georgia Johnson of Monticello have purchased B.E. Somebody Fitness. Plans call for the facility to re-open under the name B.E. Somebody Fitness and Training Center.  (9/7/2016)

10 years ago:

     • Balster’s of Scotch Grove will come to an end after 137 years. An auction will be held Sept. 15 through 17. The four-ring event will start at 9 a.m. each day. Everything is for sale, including all 17 buildings. The auction company has received e-mails and phone calls from all over the country and world, including Canada, England, Greece and Australia, showing interest in the items for sale. Even the Smithsonian Institute has called showing interest in the sale.  (9/7/2011)

25 years ago:

     • Construction of the new Kramer Funeral Home got its ceremonial start on Aug. 28, with a groundbreaking near the building site.  (9/4/1996)

50 years ago:

     • Construction of new additions and remodeling of the Monticello post office is progressing. Work on the $377,727 project was started last April. Under construction are a loading dock on the north side of the building, an addition on the west side, and a new entryway at the front of the building.  (9/2/1971)

     • Monticello’s first and only world record was set Saturday when 15 local boys and girls beat the former endurance swimming record. They swam continuously for 80 hours, beating the old record by eight hours. At 5 a.m. Thursday the first swimmer dove into the water. From then until 2 p.m. Sunday someone was swimming continuously in the pool. Altogether the team swam 75 miles. The new world record holders are: Bill Maxon, “Poncho” Craig, Virginia Brashaw, Ellen Strittmatter, Jeff Intlekofer, Mark Gabriel, Scott Hornstein, Denise Yossi, Dan DeSousa, Doug Rickels, Dennis Yossi, Jill Hines, John Anderson, John Hines and Tom Brashaw.  (9/2/1971)

75 years ago:

     • A full faculty launched the 1946-47 Monticello school year. The staff this year includes 27 instructors, two more than last year. Superintendent Boyd Shannon is starting his third year. After three years of army service, Ray Stumbaugh has returned as principal and head of the instrumental music department. (9/5/1946)

100 years ago:

     • Teachers in the public schools for next year include Supt. Paul C. Shelley, with 15 years experience, and Mary I. Jarman, high school principal, with 40 years experience. Shelley’s salary for the year was set at $3,600 and Miss Jarman’s at $1,700. (9/2/1921)