Good Old Days - 04-01-16

Compiled By Delaney Uhrig

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

'4-H Junior Leaders On Ski Trip'

March 28, 1966

On March 5 and 6 the 4-H Junior Leader Club went on it's annual ski trip. An anxious group of skiers met at the Point Office early Saturday morning to begin the fun filled weekend.

A breakfast stop was made at Cheyenne and then the four were driven by Ivan Lijegren DelRae Beerman, Mr. Gary Patrick and Mrs. Everett Mercer and proceeded to the Happy Jack Ski Area. Because of unfavorable snow conditions at Happy Jack, most of the group continued to Steamboat Springs, Colo.

The very best weather conditions were experienced and the trip to Steamboat Springs revealed indescribable scenery. By noon the 20 skiers had rented ski equipment and purchased ski two permits. In the afternoon, lessons were taken and after frequent spills and tumbles, most of the group began to get the general idea of keeping their balance. After supper a group of folk singers provided the evening's entertainment. The tired and exhausted group spent the night at a Steamboat Springs motel but were ready for another day of skiing Sunday morning. Most of the group stayed on the excellent beginner slopes, however several members and sponsors ventured to the top of Mr. Werner and slowly snowplowed their way back to the bottom. At two o'clock the skis and poles were checked back in and the long trip home began. Because of unfortunate car troubles some of the members had to go on the train, and others didn't return home until very late.

These annual trips began three years ago when the club went to Estes Park. Last year the two day trip was spent at Happy Jack near Laramie. A bake sale eloped finance the trip and some money out of the Junior Leader treasury was also the weekend was almost enjoyable and many members are looking forward to participating a similar trip next year.

40 Years Ago

'Hard Work is Minnie's Secret'

March 29, 1976

A diet of hard work, chicken wings and homemade pie isn't a recipe Minnie Louise Juhl guarantees will result in longevity, but she acknowledges that it has worked for her.

Mrs. Juhl, who helps her daughter wash the dishes three times a day, sweeps the kitchen, peels potatoes, bakes pie crusts, and occasionally goes to town will be 100 years old on Wednesday.

She lives with her daughters and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Fisher, on a farm about 16 miles northeast of Potter.

"I used to get around a lot more than I do now," she said in a recent interview. "But these last two years my eyes have been getting tired and I don't get around as well. I had to give up making quilts. But I still peel potatoes and do my ironing."

Mrs. Juhl has lived with her 74-year-old daughter for about 15 years after she moved from her home in Brock.

"I love the farm. I like living here very much. I guess I've always kept busy with as much as I could at any time. My secret (for living to be 100) must be that I have always kept busy. In the spring I'd have a garden, raise chickens, geese, ducks, can fruit and work in the fields."

Today cataracts in her eyes prevent Mrs. Juhl from hand sewing more quilts (many of which went to church missions) but her hearing and speech is till sharp and she enjoys talking with friends and relatives.

Mrs. Juhl was born March 31, 1876 at Peru. Her parents, August and Charlotte Buss Lehrman, had immigrated to the United States from Germany on separate ships during the early 1870s and eventually found each other in Nebraska and were married. They had been childhood friends in Germany. Minnie was the eldest of their children.

The family farmed southeast of Peru in the Honey Creek community.

On June 17, 1900, Minnie married her childhood sweetheart, Charles Juhl on her parent's farm. They had known each other since their school days at Honey Creek. They farmed southwest of Peru on 120 acres for the next 42 years when they retired to Brock.

25 Years Ago

'Benzel, Gorman Sidney Boys State Delegates'

April 1, 1991

Sidney delegates to Cornhusker Boys State in June are P.J. Gorman, St. Patrick's High School and Doug Benzel, Sidney High School. Both are high school juniors.

Boys State is a week long study of how government operates and is held on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sponsor is the American Legion with local assistance by the Sidney Rotary Club and the Sidney Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Gorman, 16, is the son of Dale and Kathleen Gorman. He participates in football, basketball and golf at St. Pat's and last year competed in the Chadron State College Scholastic contest. After graduating from St. Pat's in 1992, he plans to enlist in the Marines to help finance his college tuition, where he will major in political science or history. Benzel, son of Jim and Karen Benzel, has been an honor roll student while in high school, and participates in band, pep band, track and has earned a letter in track since he was a freshman. He is active in the Spanish Club, of which he is vice president; Science Club and S Club and, plays American Legion baseball and competes in Junior Olympics.

He was a paper carrier more than three years and is now employed part time at Memorial Hospital. For hobbies he lists golf, baseball, running, water skiing, and swimming.

10 Years Ago

'Motocross Races Sunday'

March 28, 2006

The Sidney Cycle Association will have Nebraska Cornhusker Motocross Association motocross races Sunday at the Lodgepole Valley Motocross Track at Sunol.

This is the opening race for the local track and it will feature 21 classes from the always popular Pee Wees to the fast and furious Pros.

A groomed practice session will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $10 per motorcycle.

There are three different Pee Wee classes, depending on size of the motorcycle and motor's age. The Pee Wee B and C classes are for riders eight years old and younger. The 65 B and C classes are for 6 to 11-year-old riders.

The 85 B and C classes are for 9 to 16-year-old racers. There will also be a Mini Open and Open Outlaw.

There will be non-pro classes for 125cc and 250cc machines, veteran's classes, over 40 class and a women's competition.

The gates will open at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with practice starting at 8 a.m. and races start at 10 a.m.

The spectator gate fee is $5 per person and the racers fee is $25. A NCMA day pass of $5 is required to race.

Primitive camping facilities are also available.