Looking Back Fifty Years

By Al Rabenold

Where were you the week of May 13, 1971? (#161)

Roger Allen celebrated his 32^nd birthday on May 13^th. The 1961 Simpson College graduate has been at the Republican newspaper for ten years.

DR-M senior, Cheryl Tanke, has been chosen as a queen candidate to represent her school in the Eastern Iowa Band Festival in Cedar Rapids.

Jim Arendt is elected president of the Montezuma Lions Club.  The 1971 boys’ state basketball champs were the Lions’ guests for a steak dinner at the Country Club, followed by the 16mm film of the title game vs. Alta.

Former Superintendent Dr. Lee Thomson will be the featured speaker at the 88^th commencement exercises.  Dr. Thomson is now the director of planning at UNI.

Montezuma Jaycees plant 54 trees in their third year of “Lets’ Keep Montezuma Green” campaign.

David Mann was elected FFA president for the Montezuma Chapter.  Gary Bru will be the vice-president.

In memory of the late Kenneth Capper, over $400 worth of new playground equipment was added to the Diamond Lake main shelter area.

Mr. J. L. Morrissey, publisher of the Montezuma Republican, received a congratulations letter from Iowa governor Robert D. Ray, regarding the many honors the local newspaper received at the annual Iowa Press Association meeting.

The Braves qualified five events for the Class B State Track Meet at North Mahaska plus Marv Walker in the shot put.

Fred Gregory was elected president of MHS Curtain Callers Club.  Jack Morrissey will continue to be the secretary.

Dick Rabenold led the Braves’ golf team with a 39 in a four-team match at Pella.

Mark Pugh shot an 84 as the Braves took fifth place in the Sectional tournament.

According to what passed as “social media” fifty years ago, Dan Steffy was “unofficially declared the best dancer at the Junior-Senior prom, barely edging out Donnie Urfer.

Nancy Sanders of Deep River was named to the National Who’s Who of Students in recognition of her academic achievement and collegiate leadership.