Good Old Days 10-03-14

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.

50 years ago

Oct. 3, 1964

'Depot Plans Retail Sale For Surplus'

According to Lt. Col. Cyril P. Williams, commanding officer of Sioux Army Depot, various items of usable property no longer needed by the government due to the termination of Army activities at the depot on or about June 30, 1967, will be disposed of by retail sale.

This method of selling is designed primarily to sell small quantities of various types of property that appeal to individual users. Sales will be conducted, for cash, on a first-come, first-served basis. This property includes wood ammunition boxes, office supplies, kitchen ranges (both gas and electric), cabinets, ornamental fences, tables, wooden benches, screen, storm doors, wooden fence posts, leather holsters and many other items.

Some of the items originally intended for military use can, with a little ingenuity, be put to good use around the home or farm. Ammunition boxes, for example, have many uses just as they are and the end bolts from these boxes can be used as a reinforcing rod in concrete walks or driveways.

The types of items offered for sale are so numerous and varied it would not be possible to list all of them. Col. Williams suggested that anyone interested in purchasing such items should either visit the depot or make inquiry by calling the Property Disposal Officer.

25 Years Ago

Oct. 5, 1989

'Lowe Will Be Inducted Into News Hall of Fame'

Jack Lowe, one of Nebraska's most honored journalists, will receive still another award Saturday at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lowe will become the 29th person to be inducted into the Nebraska Newspaper Hall of Fame at UNL's College of Journalism.

Lowe, 81, editor emeritus of The Sidney Telegraph, has practiced journalism for 61 years, most of it in Sidney. He has been publisher, editor and reporter and has done about every task there is. He recently resumed writing his popular People, Places and Things column, and contributes other items.

Lowe is personnel director for the City of Sidney, but plans to retire from that post later this year.

Lowe stared his writing career in 1925 while a student at Sidney High School. In 1951, he became a part-owner and co-publisher, remaining in that post until the newspaper was sold in 1972. He then became executive director of Panhandle Growth Inc. Among his achievements has been assisting in the formation of a short line railroad that bears his name – The Sidney and Lowe – twice serving as interim city manager of the City of Sidney, and serving both on the city council and as mayor.

10 years ago

Oct. 1, 2004

'Benny's 'kraut Is An O'fest Favorite'

To many, a highlight of the Sidney Oktoberfest is not the beer and brats, or all the entertainment, crafts show and marching bands. It's an opportunity to try some of Benny's Kickona Kapusta. "When I first suggested we needed sauerkraut (for the Kiwanis bratwurst booth), they got some cans of kraut and served it out of the can," said Benny Hochman. "Thats not what I mean," he told his fellow Kiwanians, and he began to make his first from memory, and then tweaking the recipe over the years to his version of the traditional dish that is common to his native Poland.

People who said they don't like kraut found they did like Kichona Kapusta, best described as a sweetened kraut. It's a dish that Hochman grew up eating as a boy in Poland. Then, he recalled, his mother would but a wagon load of cabbage that she and a kitchen would shred into a giant barrel. "My sister and I wash our feet real good and begin stomping," he recalls. Now he makes about 60 gallons of Kichona Kapusta each year for the Oktoberfest that is sold with brats, in side dishes, and many customers but containers to take home. It is one of the organizations main moneyraisers to support club projects. He credits his wife, Marie, with helping perfect his recipe. "I'm a good taster, " she said

The secret, he says, is cooking it long and slowly. "Its a lot of work, but we love it," he said.

5 years ago

Oct. 2, 2009

'Skate Drive For Sidney Ice Rink'

The Sidney ice rink will be ready for local ice skaters around Thanksgiving "if the weather is cold enough," City of Sidney's John Hehnke told the Sidney Sun-Telegraph.

Located at Legion Park, Hehnke said the rink will have a liner and frame that will be filled with water when temperatures are consistently near freezing.

Since ice skating isn't as common here as in other parts of the country, the Cheyenne County Ladies Chamber decided to have an ice skate drive this fall to help local children find skates to use on the rink.

Cheyenne County Chamber Director Megan McGown said downtown retail businesses have agreed to be drop-off points for ice skates. Boxes will be placed at various businesses for people to donate skates. She said the drive will help people who don't have the money to pay for skates.

Businesses will then take the boxes of donated ice skates to the Salvation Army, where skates will be distributed to whoever needs them.