Bit of History - June 19, 2024

On Sunday, August 21, 1955, farmers in Harrison County were invited to the Stanton Hallock farm two miles south of Ridgeway to participate in an aerial tour of the county.  For a small fee, they were treated to a 50-mile plane ride that lasted about thirty minutes.  They were encouraged to bring a camera to “take pictures from the air of the old home place or that north 40 which has been giving trouble”.  There were six four-passenger planes and the “Flying Farmers” (farmers who owned and flew their own private planes) were also welcome to participate.  The Ridgeway Lions Club had a stand to serve food and drinks to attendees. (Harrison County Times, Aug. 18, 1955).  Picnickers were invited as there were lots of shade trees and free ice water available.

Sponsored by the Soil Conservation District of Harrison County, the purpose of the event was to educate farmers about soil conservation.  “It was stated that the effects of soil erosion are plainer when seen from above.”  (Webb City Sentinel, Aug 18, 1955.) 

The exhibits included soil and tissue testing, pest weed and grasses, a seed display by the S. W. Harrison F. F. A. chapter and an exhibit on legumes by the Cainsville F. F. A.  Bud Phillips of King City demonstrated aerial spraying for weeds and insects.  The planes and pilots were provided by the St. Joseph Flying Service.  

Bit of History - February 23, 2022

Thank you to Betty P. who gave me a large stack of Ridgeway school newspapers titled “The Owl”.  The paper was put out every two weeks by the publications class.  In the February 18, 1955, edition, the Delta Lamba Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority announced their picks for queen of the Heart Dance.  Queen candidates were Shirley Buis from the 8^th grade, freshman Nita Provin, sophomore Janice Hogan, junior Zoe Baker, and senior Dorothy Nible.  The candidates’ pictures were all hung in Meek’s Café with a heart.  A penny in the heart counted as one vote and the candidate with the most votes would be the queen.

In the class news:  the girls’ glee club was learning “Chop Sticks” and “Velvet Shoes”; the latter piece was going to be one of their two songs for the Maryville music competition in April.  In addition to the girls’ glee club, there were several students going to the competition to do vocal solos.  Martin Taylor planned to do a trombone solo and Dale Pontius was going to perform a trumpet solo.

The paper closed with the “Owl Hoots” gossip column that hinted at several school romances and gave this wise definition:  “Birthday – when a girl wants her PAST forgotten and her PRESENT remembered.”