Looking Back 3.1.23
1948
Duane Wiemers succeeded Forrest Hall as Burlington agent at Endicott.
Officers of the new American Legion Auxiliary chapter at Mahaska included Mmes. Harold Smith, Albert Busch, K.L. Drummert, Kenneth Zlab and Keith Kvasnicka.
1958
Emmett Dedmon, brother of Deloris Henney of Fairbury, and an FHS alumnus, was made managing editor of The Chicago Sun-Times.
Fred Huss Jr. marked the close of his 12th consecutive year as timekeeper for FHS and junior college sports events. He had been a three-sports star at Fairbury. FHS students honored for leadership by the Fairbury Elks Lodge were Jerry Dragoo, Jean Lewis, Jean Miller and Caryl Nelson. “Most Valuable Student” awards from the lodge went to Celesta Weise and Judy Walker.
1968
Fairbury High School Future Farmers of America qualified for the state parliamentary contest, its officers’ team led by president Gary Traeger. Qualifying for the state talent contest was the local chapter’s vocal trio-Rex DeFrain, Bob Glaesemann and Ken Hoge.
Gwen Logan of Diller was chosen Nebraska Angus Queen.
Jim Becker, John Nigh and Don Stewart scored for FHS in the state Class B wrestling championships.
Western High School girls closed out a 15-0 volleyball schedule, inflicting Diller girls’ first loss in the final game. The Western girls later won the tournament. Spiking of Leslie Mosley and Kathy Klasek had featured their play.
1978
Edward Lundak turned down a contract extension as Diller schools superintendent.
1983
Cast for the FACT presentation of “No Opera at the Op’ry House Tonight” included Bryce Exstrom, Mary Lou Foster, Phil Rogge, Dianne Barker, Karen Hein, Tom Curry, Amy Holloway, Verlyn Foster, Brenda Mannschreck and Judith Kluge. Steve Peregrine headed the technical crew.
Darlene Nespor was honored by the Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging for five years planning and preparing meals at the Fairbury site, and planning menus for Alexandria, Beatrice, Chester, Deshler, Hebron, and Wymore, also Nebraska City and Falls City.
1988
Neil and Audrey Dawes of Fairbury were presented the “We Believe in Fairbury” Award from the president of the Fairbury Community Improvement Committee, J.D. Lofing. The Daweses were being recognized for having been active for many years with numerous volunteer community projects. District 8 School Board members looked into different companies to perform inspections and create management plans for the school buildings affected by asbestos. According to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) signed into law Oct. 22, 1986 by then President Ronald Reagan, every building used by students had to be inspected for the possible presence of asbestos. Those buildings affected in Fairbury included Central, East and West elementary schools, the 1904, 1923 and 1947 buildings, the auto shop and the new fourth through sixth grade elementary school (the former SCC buildings.)
1998
Representing Fairbury this week at the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament was Joe Taylor, David Noel!and Derek Boeckner.
Winners in the Jefferson County Spelling Bee Contest held at Tri County were Tri County fifth grader Jamie Hagemeier, fourth place, Fairbury fifth grader Cynthia Guy, third place, Fairbury fifth grader Mike Fox, second place and Tri County sixth grader Elizabeth Penner, first place.
Kendall Schlake of Fairbury was named to the Farm Bureau Financial Services Honor Council as a result of his outstanding service to his clients.
2003
The Fairbury Lady Jeffs qualified for the state basketball tournament after winning the C1-1 District fi-nal against Lincoln Lutheran 58-44.
