Good Old Days - 12-13-13

COMPILED BY THE SIDNEY Sun-Telegraph Staff

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

100 YEARS AGO

'J. A. Bentley Buys Large Property'

December 13, 1913

A large business deal was closed Friday whereby J. A. Bentley became the owner of the Callahan block, the consideration being $14,000. This is a profitable piece of property and the owner will at once remodel and renovate it for rental for first-class tenants who desire steam heat, electric lights and all the modern appliances conducive to greater physical comfort. This deal is gratifying to the community at large, indicating the confidence that Mr. Bentley has in the town. He already owns many valuable holdings here, including the finest residence in town and a splendid ranch a short distance out, besides much other property and his further investment shows that he does not believe that any limitations can be set upon this section of the world for its future development.

75 YEARS AGO

'Roche Hospital To Increase Capacity'

December 16, 1938

Enlargement of the Roche Hospital an installation of a complete air conditioning system will be started next week, Dr. R. E. Roche announced yesterday. Contract for the work has been granted to Carl Christ, Sidney contractor.

When work is completed, the normal hospital capacity will have been increased to eighteen beds. The hospital's normal capacity at this time is ten beds, Dr. Roche said.

No additional floors will be added to the building but the basement will be completely remodeled, improved and air-conditioned for use in minor surgery and ward cases, Dr. Roche stated. The kitchen will be moved to the basement and the first floor remodeled to provide more examining room, which has been a vital need for several months, he explained.

"We plan to install an air conditioning system in the basement that will serve the entire building." Dr. Roche added. "We also will build in a new elevator that will serve the basement and two ground floors."

Work will be speed ed, he said, but the completion date has not been fixed. The reconstruction and remodeling will not interfere with the operation of the hospital.

Considerable excavation will be necessary as there is only a partial basement in the building now. When completed, a full basement will be available.

50 YEARS AGO

'Ron Tighe Appointed TV Manager'

December 13, 1963

The Sidney Community TV Company today announced the appointment of Ron Tighe of Sidney as manager of the local cable system. Mr. Tighe will assume his duties as manager effective Jan. 1, 1964. It was announced that in addition to his local duties he will also serve as manager of the Kimball Community TV Company of Kimball.

Mr. Tighe is well known and has many friends in the Sidney area through his affiliation with the local radio station, KSID. He has resided in Sidney since moving here from Omaha in 1953.

Mr. Tighe replaces Charles Pope who has served the Sidney Cable System since its inception in Sidney in Sept. 1955. This will replace Mr. Pope for full time duties with the Cable System in Sterling, Colorado. In Kimball, he replaces Bill Brazeal who will spend his time with the Cable Systems in Alliance and Gering.

Sidney Community TV Company spokesmen stated they felt very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Tighe. They further stated that he would do a fine job for both the community and the company. He will continue to reside in Sidney.

25 YEARS AGO

'Long-time Campus Director Lund Resigns'

December 16, 1988

In a letter dated Dec. 4, Gary Lund, former campus manager at WNCC, resigned his position with the college.

Lund, who came to the school in 1978 as campus director, held that position until the summer of 1987, when a wholesale renovation of the college's administration was begun by President John Harms.

At that time Lund was named to the post of Vice president of Planning, Program Development and Dean of Campus Services. He was put in charge of heading all campus services for both the Sidney and Scottsbluff campuses, although he continued to live on the Sidney campus.

In his letter to Harms, Klund noted "My nearly ten years at the Sidney campus was an extraordinary experience, one which I will always remember and value. I do feel that I made a contribution, and left the campus, hopefully the college, a better place.

"There were times in the first two or three years that were difficult, I must admit. Had it not been for your support, the board's support, and the help of some really solid people on the campus rising to the occasion, I could not have prevailed at that time."

In October last year, Lund sought, and was granted, a one year leave of absence to pursue a doctorate in education at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT.

Lund's letter reflects, "I truly feel a great attachment to the Sidney campus. The campus programs are fitting to the service area and region and with the faculty rehabilitation initiated and progressing, I see a strong component of the WTCCA continuing to evolve. I will miss being associated with the college."

The resignation, to be effective Dec. 31, 1988, was approved by the WTCCA board Wednesday afternoon during the regular meeting held on the Sidney campus.

10 YEARS AGO

Pre-Schoolers Get Personal Thanks From Guardsmen

December 11, 2003

Those loaves of pumpkin bread were appreciated and didn't last very long.

That was the message that two Sidney National Guardsmen told the Button and Bows Pre-School Wednesday.

"Thank you for everything," said Seth Wecker, who along with Travis Richards, are members of the 1074th Transportation Co. that returned from almost a year long deployment at Ft. McCoy, Wisc. earlier this month.

The pumpkin bread was sent the Sidney troops by the four and five year olds who attend the Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions at the pre-school as part of their campaign to remember the American troops who are serving their country.

Richards and Wecker, who, as youngsters both attended Buttons and Bows, wore and displayed their uniforms and conveyed their personal thanks to the children.

"It makes the soldiers there feel proud," Wecker said. "A lot of them have kids and didn't get to see them too much this past year," he said.

Richards said the small loaves of bread that the pre-schoolers had made disaappeared quickly after being distributed. They arrived for the Sidney members of 1074th just prior to the departure home for Thanksgiving, but were not distributed until the troops had boarded buses for the ride home.

Wecker said while most of the unit got at least one loaf, some managed to get two or three. Seventy loaves were sent.

Or, as Richards put it, "our bus was good to go" once they had their loaves.

During their active duty at Fort McCoy, Wecker and Richards said they were assigned a variety of jobs, ranging from training other troops in the use and maintenance of their weapons to loading vehicles being sent to Iraq onto railroad cars.

Wecker and Richards left Wednesday for Hastings where both will be attending Hastings college next semester.