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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Sep 21, 1939
Page
3
A dated column reflects on Congress and neutrality debates, weather in Iowa with a heat wave near a hundred degrees, and farmers’ gratitude for rainfall. Anecdotes include a Missouri auction pulpit tale and musings on Thanksgiving traditions and WPA criticism.
A speaker laments entanglement in European conflict while praising Canada’s neutrality and urging United States restraint. The piece contrasts border defenses in Europe with peaceful coexistence in North America and warns against mistrust. It also reports a hopeful cure for infantile paralysis using chlorate of potash, noting successful trials in children and animal studies and placing it among early disease treatments.
Editorial writers note concerns about civilization advancing in Africa and praise Dutch heritage. Eldora Herald Ledger questions past local whisker days value and urges creation of a new annual event to attract attention and improve public opinion. The piece invites suggestions for a city festival akin to the Pella festival.
Knoxville Journal hails Marion County 4-H boys and girls for sweeping honors at the State Fair baby beef show. Grand and reserve championships, breed titles, and multiple county breed wins mark a top performance. The paper credits hard work, parental support, and club leadership. It praises livestock return to high productivity and hopes for prosperous farms and a generation committed to the land.
Thirty years ago Leighton held its first election after incorporation on September 21 1909 with Dr L C Howe chosen mayor and C E Frey secretary. Aldermen named included L C Walker J E Vander Zyl Charles Frey G Stowie and E Workman. The issue covered street use for fair traffic, mission work in Nebraska, an appendectomy, bakery venture plans The Royal Dutch Baking Co, a sorghum mill fire, and local business moves. The issue also notes travel to fairs, Northwestern University attendance, and the Lake Prairie Fair Program with balloons, races, concerts, and acts.
Twenty years ago in Pella Iowa the 1919 fair saw light crowds despite good weather and a costly exhibit setup. The Second Reformed church welcomed WWI veterans with speakers from the Rainbow Division and Navy men, while the Honor Roll of 53 names highlighted John Van Veen’s gold-lettered entry. Local updates include job moves, farm prices, and students traveling to the University of Iowa.
A man named Charles Hart died instantly at the J B Vos farm near Pella when he fell into a saw. Pella High opened with a game at Milo coached by Andrew Butt. The Pella band toured Sully and Carl De Vries visited from San Francisco where he works for General Motors. Ralph Kaldenberg serves in the U S Navy at San Diego. Local luncheon club enjoyed a meal at Mrs Al Clark's home. Miss Ai Sodeyama enrolled at Congal College after visiting Pella. Seventy freshmen entered Central College the largest class to date as the second floor of New Central opens. Florence Black from Manchester Iowa joins the Western Union office in Pella. A photo features Ross Schakel, a skilled golfer with one arm.
The article argues Pel la High School spirit extends beyond sports to academics and other activities. It notes scholastic zeal is high, while athletic support wanes after losses. It urges steadfast backing for teams, classes, and school events, including the upcoming theater production The Cat on October 5th.
County superintendent Tracy outlined a plan for the Tri-County demonstration at Newton on September 28. A committee including W. L. Martin, M. A. Trabert and Jack Tracy was appointed to study Iowa State Teachers Association constitution and suggest improvements. Next meeting set for October 11 at South Side Cafe with wives as guests.
The start of the school year brought heat and shortened periods until Thursday when the school board granted an afternoon off. Pupils cooled under shade, swam, or relaxed at home, while some planned water fights. Friday’s heat shifted activities to the morning as students cheered the extra rest.
Homemaking girls prepare for their class work by inventorying laboratory products and planning food preparation. Freshmen show interest in motion and food placement while studying color combinations using the color wheel as a basic study for clothing and decoration.
There were a few late registrations this year due to students attending the fair. Among those registering were Phil Herney and the Vander Linden boys who showed at the Oskaloosa fair. Physical Training classes under Mrs. Richard Tysseling have begun and the regular schedule for G P will be on Tuesday.
Philip Henry a Pella High senior dominated Iowa State and Southern Iowa fairs with cattle showing. He brought home six blue four red and four white ribbons from Oska loosa plus four purple Grand Champion showmanship ribbons. At Des Moines state fair he earned a banner for his 4 H Club and champion milking shorthorn heifers.
A reporter uncovers that Mr. Robert Ruby once acted in a famous student production of The Cat. He recalls playing Fox with vivid memories of scaring the audience. Fellow faculty members Charles Lautenbach and Mr. Birdsall also reportedly portrayed Fox in earlier performances.
The Ames Homemaking Conference on August 21 and 22 at Iowa State College drew two Pella High delegates Ruth Klein and Jean Van Gorkom amid a bustling campus. A September 30 district meeting in Pella will host many girls from Oskaloosa and Montezuma, with Pella to entertain and register attendees using the high school building.
Pella High meets Sigourney High on home field Friday September 22 at 7 30 pm after a loss to Knox ville. Sigourney has won its two games this season while Pella has one defeat. Home crowd urged to support a stronger follow up performance.
The Pella High Flying Dutchmen lost to their rival Knoxville Panthers in a fumble plagued game. Knoxville scored early on a return, added a safety, while Pella showed late drive success but failed to convert. Pella gained ten first downs to Knoxville's two and remained confident for the rest of the season.
The Pella High School Band wore black and white uniforms for a debut at the Knoxville stadium dedication during the opening football game. About 2,000 spectators watched the halftime show as the band formed a large K, then an I with the Iowa Corn Song, and finally PHS, before Knoxville’s band performed.
Friday morning the first pep meeting of the year energized Pella High. Band in full swing, cheerleaders Margie Veenman and Jay Lankelma led peppy yells, as Coach Claypool urged harmony and five sports commandments. Freshmen support praised for helping during the assembly.
The Newton scrimmage hints at team spirit and student life. A Lat in class poem circulates, Edythe Hackett is noted, Ruth Van Donselaar’s birthday, and Pride in Pella gear. Town rallies for Sigourney game, heat breaks grant school board time off, coach preaches ten athletic commandments.
Joe Anderson of New Holland plans to resume student night movies at his theatre this year but urges more student cooperation after last year’s raids. He offered Friday shows at 15 cents to draw college and high school crowds, and warns drastic steps if raids recur, awaiting talks with college bodies to fix a curtain week and price.
A fragmented feature recalls Everette Atias Hercules Klein and Leonard Napoleon Booy in a quirky football tale. Circa long-ago times, critics noted a boy deemed too short yet later proved tall, defying early limits and lifting a team with a surprising rise.
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