Years Gone By

25 years ago:

   • Camp Courageous hosted a 25^th Anniversary Staff Reunion on April 10, celebrating a quarter century of serving the handicapped. “For Camp Courageous to work, we’ve needed a lot of excellent volunteers,” Camp Director Charlie Becker said. “And we’ve had a lot of excellent volunteers.” On hand was the first director of the camp, Gary Turbes. He helped start Camp Courageous and was Director from 1974-76. He remembers serving just about 25 kids that first summer. The event was the first of several events aimed at celebrating 25 years of serving campers. (4/14/1999)

50 years ago:

   • A new business is opening today (Thursday) in the building formerly housing Ricklefs’ Dry Goods. Dale and Rose Breon of Anamosa are the owners. Breon’s will feature women’s ready-to-wear, including juniors, girls and infants, as well as a full line of fabrics and accessories. The building has been completely remodeled. Walls are painted a soft green with the junior department papered in a “young” design with reds and blues predominating. One outstanding feature of the new store is the use of mercury lights which are an entirely new concept for merchandising. The lights bring out the true color of the merchandise. One mercury light is equal to four 8-foot fluorescent lights. (4/11/1974)

75 years ago:

   • The Monticello canning plant will be in operation again this year. The announcement was made by W.A. Long of Clear Lake, Wis., who with his sons has leased the plant from Durboer Bros. Present plans call for about 30 days canning cream-style corn. It is estimated that nearly 75 people will be employed at the plant during peak operation. (4/11/1949)

100 years ago:

   • Thieves broke into the office of Dr. P.E. Gibson last weekend and stole a small quantity of cocaine and morphine. They also took a small savings bank which contained $12.50 in change. The bank was found on the Davenport-Monticello passenger train last Saturday. No trace was found of the robbers. (4/10/1924)