Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago

Dec. 14, 2017

As the city of Holyoke has made plans for a new fire hall, part of the proposed site on North Baxter Avenue was owned by CHS Grainland. At the Dec. 5 meeting of the Holyoke City Council, City Superintendent Mark Brown reported that the CHS Grainland board voted to donate the land to the city. The one condition for the acquisition of the land was that the city remove two nearby concrete foundations from old bins.

Rick Unrein, general manager of CHS Grainland, is retiring this month after 35 years. Unrein has been through several mergers and has seen many changes throughout his career. He began as general manager trainee at the Farmers Cooperative in Fleming on Feb. 1, 1983, and six months later he became general manager.

Ten Years Ago

Dec. 13, 2012

Harold Nelson of Denver shares stories from his hunting trips to Phillips County. The 97-year-old has made opening day in the Holyoke area every year but one for 66 years.

First responder Chris Lee was presented the 2012 Jerri Moore Spirit of EMS Award at the Melissa Memorial Hospital holiday gathering on Dec. 4.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Dec. 18, 1997

An extensive restoration is on the way for the historical Hotel Burge in Holyoke, as locals Phillip and Carolyn Wirges purchased the hotel at the end of October.

The Gates Family Foundation has awarded $75,000 to the Peerless Center project. The original request from Golden Plains Recreation Center of $50,000 will be paid in January, with the additional $25,000 being paid when the goal for the project, including the $75,000, is raised by February 1999. The Gates donation will be used in finishing the second phase of the Peerless Center.

A hearing will be held today, Dec. 18, to determine whether the 35 rejected ballots on the Re-1J School District bond issue question should be counted.

Santa Claus is scheduled to make a special visit in Holyoke on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department fire shed. He will arrive by fire truck and will be available to hear Christmas requests as well as give out candy and fruit.

Fifty Years Ago

Dec. 14, 1972

With sub-zero temperatures during the past week and the area completely covered with a heavy blanket of snow, Phillips County has taken on the look of Siberia.

Christmas is just around the corner, and for those of you who haven’t started your Christmas shopping, Holyoke merchants will remain open Saturdays until 8 p.m. and every night next week until 8 p.m. for your convenience.

An agricultural burning inventory program to help Colorado comply with federal pollution control laws has been announced. The inventory will be used during the next year on a trial basis and is designed to replace a burning permit system previously requested.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has granted the United Parcel Service temporary authority to provide package delivery service between all addresses within the state. UPS has applied for permanent authority to offer this service in Colorado, and a hearing on the application has been scheduled by the commission for Jan. 8.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Dec. 18, 1947

According to the annual custom, the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department will again be hosts this year to children and others of this territory at a free picture show and with free Christmas candy treats. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive in Holyoke Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 23, and will be at the front door of the Peerless Theatre to greet all the children of the Holyoke community.

A major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology has been approved by the faculty council and will be offered at Colorado A&M College for the first time in the fall of 1948.