Good Old Days 12-26-14

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

Dec. 28, 2964

'Sidney Fireman Play Santa Claus'

This was the scene at the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Thursday just before the firemen loaded up all these renovated toys to distribute to 124 underprivileged children.

The firemen even had Santa Claus on hand to help take the toys around and give the youngsters a Merry Christmas. There were 124 on the list. All of the toys were repaired and repainted by the firemen. A large number of dolls, renovated by the volunteers, were dressed by members of the ONO Extension Club.

This is an annual project for the firemen and a year-around job – but all the work is made worthwhile when they see the faces of the kids they have helped make happy.

25 YEARS AGO

Dec. 26, 1989

'Crime Stoppers, Police Seek Information on Vandalism'

The Sidney Police Department has issued an appeal for information about the deliberate destruction of several city-owned trash containers by being struck by motor vehicles in the past several days.

The department's public notice said, "In an effort to halt this senseless destruction of public property, the Sidney Police Department asks that anyone having information about these incidents should make that information available to law enforcement, either by calling the Cheyenne County Crime Stoppers at 354-3344 of the Sidney Police Department at 254-5515."

Lou Bennett of the city's sanitation and landfill department said he has replaced 32 city-owned trash containers so far in the mont of December and that at least eight were due to vandalism. "Someone is driving through alleys and crashing into them," he said.

The containers cost the city from about $100 to $150 each, according to Bennett. "It gets awfully expensive," he said.

10 YEARS AGO

Dec. 28, 2004

'Business Boosters to Hold Brainstorming Session'

In an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing face of local business, the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Business Boosters organization is looking to broaden its membership base and promotion tactics. Following a recent survey of Chamber business, the group decided to hold a special brainstorming meeting at 8 a.m., Jan.6 at Perkins. The organization has extended an invitation to all businesses regardless of location to attend the meeting and offer suggestions.

When the Business Boosters initially formed there were no businesses at the I-80 interchange. Since the majority of businesses then were located in downtown Sidney, promotions were designed to attract customers to that area.

Now with businesses stretching from the interstate to Sidney's north side beyond, the committee is looking to restructure its promotions to better serve the entire business community.

The Business Boosters have organized four annual promotions in the pat. These include Spring Fling, Appreciation Day, Moonlight Madness and the Christmas Kick-off. Survey results indicate that one option may be the elimination of Spring Fling and the combining of Appreciation Day and Gold Rush Day to form a new early-summer community event.

The inaugural Gold Rush Day was held June 12 and was deemed a success by organizers. The celebration featured events with a pioneer flare like period demonstrations of baking, quilting and candle making, a chuck-wagon, an antique appraisal and live entertainment.

The special meeting is open to all business that would like to offer ideas on promotions as well as forming a more inclusive Business Boosters organization.

5 YEARS AGO

'Vacant House Burns Down'

Dec. 24, 2009

A vacant house near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Forest Street burned to the ground late Tuesday night and continued to smolder late Wednesday morning. The Sidney Volunteer Department responded to the blaze.

Fire Chief Keith Stone said by the time fire crews arrived, the vacant house had already begun to crumble as a result of the blaze. Crews did their best to fight the fire while protecting nearby business T-N-T Lumber from ashes, debris and flames.

Stone said the fire marshall had not been called in to the case because of the devastation to the area.

"There's nothing for him to look at," Stone said. "There's only one wall standing."

The cause of the tire remained unknown Wednesday morning as Stone said there was no power hooked up to the home when the blaze started and no ignition source in the home. Twenty-four firemen brought four fire trucks to the site to fight the blaze, Stone said.

Fire crews returned to the site briefly Wednesday morning because the site continued to smoke. Stone said crews would likely to return one more time to ensure the fire won't restart. City officials brought in bulldozers to doze the site before noon to cave in the basement.