The Meeker Herald — 125 years ago
n Joseph H. Thomas has sold his Spring Creek ranch on the lower White River to Leroy White who intends to go into fruit culture on a larger scale than ordinary.
n One fellow, bolder than the average, rode into town Sunday night with a deer behind his saddle (covered by a saddle blanket, all but the hooves); got his mail and went on his way.
n District Attorney Gentry left Wednesday to attend court at Aspen. At this sitting of the court for Pitkin County, a large criminal docket is to be disposed of, among the complaints being two murder cases. Gentry will get ‘em.
n Messrs. Lou Milner, John Story and Sam Tucker, went hunting in the Miller Creek regional last Saturday, and — caught a blizzard, then bad colds, lots of experience, but nothing else worth noting.
n Railroad building rumors are again in circulation. Grand River to Meeker. But we will not use much red ink till dirt begins to fly on this side of the divide.
n Bank robbery 16 years ago tomorrow (Oct. 13, 1912). If you are not an old timer, see David Smith or Ben Nichols; either will re-tell the tale.
The Meeker Herald — 50 years ago
n The worst fire that has struck this community for several years occurred on Wednesday night (Oct. 10, 1962) of this week when the Purkey Packing Plant, three miles west of Meeker, was completely destroyed.
n A carload of Meeker ladies drove to Denver last weekend to see the play “My Fair Lady.” Those making the trip were Ann Gentry, Caroline Cooley, Jean Dindlay and Eva Oldland. They returned home Sunday.
n A real estate deal was made this past week whereby Mr. and Mrs. Robert Metzger have purchased the Donald Tagert home on Cleveland Street. Mr. and Mrs. Metzger plan to move from their ranch home to their new town home in the near future.
n The Meeker Board of Education has set the following hunting season policies for Meeker High School students: Students will be excused on Oct. 22-24 if they have their work made up in advance and a written excuse from their parents. No other excused absences for hunting will be allowed.
The Meeker Herald — 25 years ago
n Efforts to recall Rio Blanco County Commissioner Kenneth Kenney failed Tuesday as voters in Meeker and Rangely elected to keep him in office by a vote of 665-396.
n Mrs. Bette L. Chambers of Houston, Texas, announces the engagement and approaching marriage of her daughter, Conni Ann, to Nicholas Joseph Lines of Meeker, son of Tom Lines.
n Bill and Dorene Keele returned home to Meeker after four months this summer spent in Fairbanks, Ala. On the route home they spent six days fishing at Browns Park.
n Joy Cox was up from Clifton this past weekend to visit her parents, sisters, Bud, Helen Cox, Penny Brown and Kitty Caulfield, Jason and Jennifer.
n Expected hunting season guests of George, Peggy, Jason and Denielle Back are George’s uncle and aunt, Tom and Louise Back from Fort Jones, Calif. The Tom Backs will be here a month.
n Meeker’s gymnasts took advantage of having their first full team and won the dual meet with Highland High School in Thornton. Pegge Halandras won the all-around competition in her best showing this season. Teammate Carla Seely came in a close second in the all-around.
n Twice this season, Cowboys’ head coach Rick Myers has had to fall back on that old familiar saying, “It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.” However, the Cowboys found themselves on top of Roaring Fork, 21-0.
n Winners of the Yugo of America Pro-Am team competition last weekend in Meeker was the foursome headed by Bookcliff pro Brett Winder , Mark Montgomery, Steve “Power Pod” Nieslanik and Larry Talkington. The four rallied the last day to win by one stroke.
Rangely Times — 45 years ago
n Mrs. Minta Gerry, Rangely, Colo., postmaster is attending the 63rd annual convention of the National Association of Postmasters being held at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
n Mr. and Mrs. Don Dunn announce the arrival of their first grandson, Darin Richard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fogg.
n Butch Young and family from San Jose, Calif., have been visiting with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Young of Rangely. Butch is a Rangely graduate and has lived in San Jose since his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1959.
n Kenneth Tripp attended a Little League football game in Vernal Saturday.
n Mrs. and Mrs. Don Neve of Santa Clara, Calif., ware the proud parents of a baby boy, born Oct. 6. He was named Donald Christopher and has two sisters Karen and Kayleen. The Neves are former residents of Rangely.
n Dr. R.J. May is attending a Judicial meeting this week at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.
Rangely Times — 35 years ago
n James Doohan who played Chief Engineer Scott on the popular T.V. series Start Trek, will present a program which the public is invited to attend.
n A delightful Saturday afternoon coffee was held at Betty Gilbow’s for former resident and teacher Mary Lou Angus.
n Vikingsholm Castle, Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe was the setting for the Sept. 24 wedding of Denise Lynn Jefferson and Lloyd “Skip” Smuts.
n Sandy and Asa Evans are the parents of a baby girl, named Mary Jo, born Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Vernal Hospital.
n Seventy-three Rangely youngsters participated in the annual Punt, Pass and Kick contest sponsored by Valley Ford Company of Meeker. Following is a list of those who placed: Kirk Henderson, Todd Shults, Leif Joy, Blake VanCleave, Justin Seely, Mark Wilczek, Eugene Ary, Bobby Hanson, Chris Powell, Eric Blanke, Mike Lennon, Tim McFarland, Alva Abney, Cody Morris, Chris Chessani, Les Anderson, Dee Bailey and Joe Whalin.
n The young lady chosen as the Girl Student of the Month for September at the Rangely Middle School is Laurie Bock. Dee Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. V.E. Bailey of Rangely, has been selected as the Boy Student of the Month.
Rangely Times — 25 years ago
n A big “thank you” to Rita Reich for her hard work and valuable assistance in planning the Septemberfest celebration.
n Mr. and Mrs. James Lollar announce the birth of their baby boy, Christopher James. He was born Sept. 16, 1987, at 3:57 a.m. He joins his big brother Chad. Maternal grandparents are John and Sharon Gabossi of Carbondale. Paternal grandparents are Cecil and Pat Lollar of Rangely and Floyd and Marlene Hooley of Mesa.
n Suzanne Chapin, a native of Tacoma, Wash., is the new Chapter I reading teacher in the Rangely School District.
n This year’s homecoming attendants were for the freshman class, Geri Gunderson, the daughter of Ray and Edity Gunderson, while Brian Newland, son of Ray and Valerie Mallett, was chosen male freshman attendant. Sophonores Rena Claybough, daughter of James Claybough and Nick Lancaster, son of Wally and Jayne Kuck and Mike Lancaster, represent the Sophomore class. This year’s Junior attendants are Shae Brown, daughter of Jack and Charleen Brown, and John Hume, son of John and Beckey Hume. The female senior attendants are Shelly Bayles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Slavens; Carmen Rivas, daughter of Lynn Jenkins; and Leona Hazelwood, daughter of Evelyn and Junior Hazelwood. Escorting them will be seniors Andrew Paul, son of Del and Paulette Zwirn; Jim Shuckers, brother of Mac and Linda Schuckers; and Clete Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Long. This year’s crownbearers are Brooke Ashley Smith, age 5, daughter of Chri and Mark Smith; and Travis John Peterson, age four, son of Diane and Lyle Peterson.
