Rio Blanco County Days Gone By

The Meeker Herald — 125 years ago
n C.B. Jefferies, formerly with the Union Trading company, is now at Oldland’s. “Jeff” is a popular salesman and a mighty fine fellow.
n Mr. Parrotte is entertaining a distinguished party at his summer home, Windermere Lodge, at present. Among Mr. Parrotte’s guests being Mr. And Mrs. William Loeb and Master Billie Loeb, of New York; Miss Lucy Soper, of Bloomington, Ill.; and Mr. Eames of Buffalo, N.Y. Mr. Loeb is a man of national reputation, having been secretary to President Roosevelt during his two terms in the White House.
n Mr. And Mrs. Sanford Green of Little Beaver were in Wednesday. Mr. Green is able to be around again after his recent mishap whereby he had two ribs broken. He was plowing when the plow struck a rock, throwing him violently to the ground, with the above result.

The Meeker Herald — 50 years ago
n 4-H Club News: The Busy Fingers met at Mrs. Kettermans. Seven members were present. Only July 9 we got a letter from the home demonstration agent thanking us for putting a float in the parade. Refreshments were served by Ella Mintz and Myrna Merriam. ~ Cheryl Rosenlund
n Robert Howey and Clark Wix drove to Casper, Wyo., on Tuesday of this week on a business trip.
n Mr. and Mrs. George Evenson have moved to Littleon to make their home. They have been living in town since they moved from the Lewis ranch in the Marvine community.
n Rio Blanco County high school class of 1952 held its 10-year reunion on July 7 at a family-style picnic at the city park. Prizes were awarded to Wayne Mangus for coming the farthest distance; Edna Randall Brumback, Wayne Mangus and Sue Ann Elliott Smith, a three-way tie for the most children; and Rodney Smith, as the absent classmate, most likely to attend the 20-year reunion.
n The towns between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction are worried now about the new federal interstate highway No. 70.

The Meeker Herald — 25 years ago
n At the AAU Junior Olympic meet that was recently held in Lakewood, Jennifer Phelan won both the high jump and long jump events and qualified for the national Junior Olympic meet which will be held at the end of this month in California.
n Led by the individual performances of Melanie Watt and Kathy Nelson, the Northwest High School rodeo team recently won state championship honors at the state high school rodeo finals that were held in Henderson, Colo. Melanie was also named “all-around cowgirl for the year.” Also competing with Watt and Nelson on the team were Rowdy Atwood and Casey Miller, while Erin Lebby of Aspen and Bo Rohrig of Rifle rounded out the six-member team.
n The LynMar Tool Co. of Carson, Calif., has announced its desire to relocate their business to Meeker.
n Chief Petty Officer Alan D. Chambers, son of H. Dean Chambers of Meeker, is one of 215 crewmen aboard the only U.S. Navy ship sailing amid a multinational squadron — the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT).
n After serving for six years as the elementary principal, Bill Ertmer asked to be reassigned to teach fifth grade.
n Bobbie Jo Tucker, daughter of Robert and Jo Tucker of Meeker, has been awarded a presidential scholarship by Fort Lewis College at Durango.

Rangely Times — 50 years ago
n Congratulations to Marcia Christensen for winning the five-county 4-H Range contest with the highest individual score.
n First Lt. Robert W. Sullivan, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Sullivan, has been home since July 8 from Taiwan. Lt. Sullivan serves aboard a C-130 transport plane, transporting troops and cargo to Vietnam.
n Miss Bonnie Smith became the bride of Gordon Walter Roesink July 1. Smith is the daughter of attorney and Mrs. Carl H. Smith, Jr., of Rangely. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Walter Roesink of San Diego, Calif.
n Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Neeld were the recipients of the yard-of-the-week plaque.
n Mr. and Mrs. Donald Carson announce the birth of a daughter, Carri Sue, on July 13.
n Dr. John Roberts of Rangely College and Arnold Weiss of Rangely met with the county commissioners on July 10 to discuss the possibility of building a nine-plane hangar at the Rangely Airport. Estimated cost of the unit would be around $15,000.
n Marcia Christensen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Christensen, was awarded first place at the Annual Northwest Colorado Range Judging contest.
n Mr. and Mrs. John Neiberger and children from Cody, Wyo., left for home last week after spending their vacation in Rangely with Mrs. Neiberger’s family, the Bud Neibergers, in Vernal, Utah.
Rangely Times — 30 years ago
n Kirby Burchett, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Jack Burchett of Rangely, has received a $650 AIME scholarship for next year. He will attend Mesa College for two years, then transfer to Colorado State University.
n Miss Gelean Nickson, 1977 rodeo queen, won the wild horse roping event each night of the rodeo.
n Rangely entered the Babe Ruth League baseball tournament at Meeker Friday and defeated Steamboat Springs 16-9 before falling to Meeker 15-12 in the championship game.
n Bret Byers of the Rangely Panther wrestling team placed first at the Western State Tournament. Byers finished with only one-half of a Black Point which is next to perfect with all pins but one. The person he didn’t pin, he beat 16-4. What a tiger!
n Mrs. “Buck” Davidson and daughter Carolyn, of Spearman, Texas, were guests at the home of Mrs. D.W. Gilbow and Betty last week. The Davidsons are former residents of Rangely. Carolyn is a former editor of the Rangely Times.

Rangely Times — 20 years ago
n Winners at the Northwest Colorado Livestock Exposition held in Rifle last week were Mike Anderson, Krista Algien and Lisa Bivens.
n Casey and Kendra Wilder traveled to Price, Utah, to visit Casey’s grandfather, Sy Wilder and wife Fawn.
n Walter and Marka Weiss of Idaho Springs stopped by his mother’s, Florence Weiss, July 13, for a short visit.
n J.V. and Donita Tynes, along with their daughter, June Striegel, traveled to Soledad, Calif.
n Mable Banta, Olive McCarrell, Meb Wardell and her mother, Elma Smith and Florence Weiss, joined 20 other tourists from other states for a 13-day travel tour on the Wilkins Tour Bus out of Vernal, Utah.
n Cadet Leslie J. Pratt, son of retired Air Force Major William J. and Meredith L. Pratt of Rangely, has completed a U.S. Air Force ROTC field training encampment at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
n The Rangely River Rats swim team traveled to Delta July 11 to combat some teams they had not previously encountered. The Rats fared well though and managed to grab sixth place from a field of 10 tough teams.