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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Apr 16, 1942
Page
2
The piece reports on civic volunteers and women at listening posts during wartime, contrasts democracy with dictatorship, and recounts a local steel distribution frustration. It notes Army Day disrespect toward the flag, then critiques high school principals halting interschool athletics and advocates feasible athletic continuance.
Local American Legion post launches a house to house pledge drive to fund war bonds with voluntary payments when affordable. A separate California drive urges 40 mph speeds, car sharing, tire checks, and minimizing civilian traffic to aid military logistics amid rubber shortages. Authorities condemn disrespectful flag observance during a Shafter parade and urge proper salute and reverence.
The Shafter Coordinating council urges city groups to unite for Lerdo road improvements toward the west to strengthen farming links and serve as a defense route. Lerdo would connect major county roads, aiding the southern valley road system, with taxes due April 20. Experts note California families spend more on food postwar, offset by cuts in furnishings and car upkeep.
Downtime memory item describes work on a 75,000 gallon steel tank by Shafter Utility District on Pacific Avenue. Tank on a 75 foot tower, total height 97 feet, providing 45 pounds pressure with automatic control. Piers seven by eight feet at base, three at top. notes on local judging team and a Sacramento trip with Shafter High School’s prize.
Alma Zimmerman and Ruby Mingus were injured in a collision at James and California avenues as their cars turned a corner. Zimmerman suffered a dislocated shoulder while Mingus broke an arm.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion hosted the Ladies Aid of the Congregational church at the Legion hall on Thursday afternoon. They sewed and crafted items for a sale set for Saturday in the lobby of the post office. Afterward the Auxiliary served brick ice cream wafers and ice tea to a large group of members listed by name.
The Richland school operetta Cherry Blossom Time drew a packed house and stood as one of the finest examples of its kind. McKinley and Martha Gloeckler led performances with Tina Davies as accompanist. Ema bel Henderson and Hattie Van Buskirk trained the children in folk games. Ida B. Engle and Mamie Streumpf handled costumes and scenery. The show opened with grammar school orchestra numbers followed by Edith Sly and Elaine Anderson solos and the Teddy bears segment.
Shell Oil plans a deep test well in the Semitropic district 12 miles west of Wasco on the Lost Hills highway. A gigantic derrick is expected to be erected as work commences shortly one and a half miles south of the Semitropic school house to probe oil bearing strata in the North Dome area.
Mrs A B Fox entertained at her home Wednesday with a chicken dinner for friends of her son Frank Fox. After the meal, cards were played with guests Elmer Rothe Aaron Rothe Vernon Friesen Everett Jumper and Richard Pedersen joining Mr and Mrs Fox.
Rev Sumner of Taft addressed the Women’s Club at the club building on Easter and the immortality question. Miss Mary Smith played two piano selections before reports by Mrs John Maurer and Miss Marion Hitchcock. The group voted to send new president Mrs Dan Glantz to the State federation convention in Merced on April 28.
The Shafter team lost to the Malcolm Brock All-Star squad by one run 7 to 6 in a Sunday game. Manager G J Reiker praises the team’s sportsmanship and play while noting Easter Sunday rest plans. Local league action may expand to include Delano McFarland and other towns as renovations continue on Shafter High School facilities.
Mrs. Nettie Hall mother of Mrs Earl Terry leaves Shafter Friday morning for Fresno to spend a couple of weeks with relatives. Frank Kirkland a Negro became intoxicated last Thursday and sought shelter in a stranger’s bed finding none he slept in a county pail. Mrs F Richards and Mr and Mrs Wayne Richards of Corcoran spent the weekend with Mr and Mrs Roy Martin of Rio Bravo. A large family dinner followed at the Martin home with Corcoran guests and others.
Pat Gallegar returned from Turlock where he had visited his wife who is ill. Louise and Charl Kolbenstetter of Corcoran were visitors with their brother Ed Kolbenstetter of Shafter last Thursday. Other visitors at the Kolbenstetter home were Mr and Mrs Rhodes Jack Brown and Miss Margaret Gallagher of Los Angeles.
A clipped survey of editorials notes debates over absentee registration for Japanese Americans removed from coast defense areas. It cites 23 000 Nisei in Los Angeles county and queries on birth certificates for older citizens while commenting on wartime political expectations and rising sun imagery.
Will Connolly quotes a sports writer comparing wartime ferocity to competitive matches. He notes that international warfare rules resemble fair play in sport but argues the contest has no holds barred and combatants may employ any tactic.
A column notes Patsy O’Neill, 5 S. F. office secretary, reflecting on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and the WBP’s fashion policy. The piece jokes that freeing styles saves cloth more than the man, citing fashion wisdom from the bard.
John W. Bookhoff an S.A. citizen born in Germany fled before his death and left his possessions to the government asserting gratitude for the freedom he enjoyed in a free land. His statement declares the privilege of being free and loyal to the state.
Australian journalist Mrs Linda Littlejohn travels to California by clipper and says her goal is to relay messages to the women of American servicemen hospitalized in Australia. She aims to reach mothers wives and sweethearts with her messages.
Ray Lyman Wilbur, president of Stanford, declares the Pacific’s future tied to the world, stating that modern communications have shrunk the Pacific to the size of the Mediterranean and that the oceanic region is rising in importance with the world’s fate in American hands.
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