Bit of History - October 9, 2024

Here are a few things that happened in Ridgeway in October 1962:

Floyd Tuggle was elected Chairman of the Harrison County Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Committee.  He had previously held the position of Vice-President.  The committee was “responsible for the administration of the Department of Agriculture programs on the county level”, including Feed Grain, Wheat Allotment and Stabilization, ACP, Wood subsidy, Price Support, Conservation Reserve and Facility Load programs.  (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Oct 3, 1962)

The Ridgeway FFA encouraged farmers to “cooperate in the FFA Safe Corn Harvest Program”, a statewide program sponsored by the Missouri FFA which provided signs, posters and other reminders about the special dangers of mechanical corn harvesters to “help prevent tragic injuries”.  The program was also supported by Ridgeway firms Shepard Equipment Company, Polley Bros. Feed and Seed, Farmers Produce and Oil Company, Tripp Insurance and Milligan Insurance. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Oct 3, 1962)

The Ridgeway 4-H club worked on a wildlife conservation and erosion control project on a watershed lake on the Okla Fitzpatrick and Jim Polley farms.  They planted trees, grasses and rose fences to provide better erosion control as well as food and cover for wildlife.  

Two Ridgeway 4-H members were recognized for their Junior Leadership projects.  Shirley Rucker took Health as her project which called for every 4-H member to be tested for diabetes, a breakfast survey, health picnic in the Ridgeway Park and a visit to the club from Dr. Nibbe who talked about Care of the Skin.  Gary Tomes was in his 4th year of Junior Leadership and selected Safety as his project which included having each member check their home for fire and safety hazards as well as writing articles and setting up displays in store windows.  His project won the fire safety contest sponsored by the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company in which he placed first in county, state and national contests. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Oct 31, 1962)

Bit of History - January 25, 2023

January 1962 was a busy time for Ridgeway residents.  Ridgeway High School hosted a basketball tournament that didn’t go quite as planned.  The weather and bad roads resulted in quite a drop in attendance and the school took in only $750.  Illness also took a toll and 86 students were absent the Friday before the tournament.  Two days before that, there was a small fire in the boiler room, caused by some mops that were touching the hot water pipes.  Thankfully, no other damage resulted from the fire.  Jameson won the boys tournament with Ridgeway coming in second, Cainsville third and Mount Mariah took home the consolation win.  In the girls’ games, North Harrison took first, Mt. Moriah second, Jameson third and Coffey consolation.  

In other news, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Henry celebrated 50 years of wedlock with their family, friends, and neighbors with a dinner in the basement of the Methodist church.  The couple had four sons:  Claude, Glen, Dick, and Robert and thirteen grandchildren.  Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Booth of Kansas City announced the birth of their second son, Mark Austin.  Mrs. Sam Rankin celebrated her 83^rd birthday at the home of her son Johnny Rankin.  The sick list was too long to print that week but most of the illness were from colds and other complications. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Jan 31, 1962).

Bit of History - October 27, 2021

This week, I have two bits for you from 1962, courtesy of the St. Joseph News-Press.  On February 14, 1962, the Ridgeway Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America held their respective business meetings, then conducted a “dance clinic” to practice dancing for the Sweetheart Dance on February 28.  Janice Reeder was crowed as F. F. A. Sweetheart at that dance. (St. Joseph News-Press, Feb 08, 1962, Page 2)

In July, the Ridgeway volunteer fire department took on a different kind of battle:  they played softball against the Bethany fire department.  I don’t know who won the game, but the Ridgeway department were the ultimate winners as the game was a benefit to raise money for a desperately needed fire whistle.  At the time, the only way they could contact other volunteer fire fighters was to call each one on the telephone.  In the days before voice mail, cell phones and texting, this was undoubtedly a frustrating process.  (St. Joseph News-Press, Jul 22, 1962, page 38)