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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jun 21, 1951
Page
1
Lilija Dzirkals an 18 year old Latvian described America as democracy and Russia as communism in a talk titled warning cry to the free world. She said Latvians kept language and self sufficiency before Soviet invasion in 1940 and urged support against red aggression.
Citizens from Atlantic avenue urged relocation of a Kerner Incinerator on the Richland School yard but the school board, after review by A. J. Caveney and local officials, rejected changing the site citing cost and feasibility. Superintendent Bruce Crawford informed resident Mrs. Bramwell that no alternative location meets installation requirements.
The Housing Authority of Kern County directs improvement work at North and South Shafter labor camps this week. Widmer says all district labor will be used for upgrades including gas lines, new blocks, trimming, repainting, and water services. At North Shafter, relining of old trucks and showers plus updated hardware are planned.
Shafter residents warned to conserve as water supplies tighten during the summer. Public works superintendent Jack is urges residents not to waste water by letting it run in sand gutters. The note references ongoing potato shed operations affecting supply.
More than 500 Boy Scouts from Shafter and elsewhere will spend 10 day camping trips at Camp Kern on Huntington Lake between June 25 and Aug 9. G L Winslow notes strong enrollment as staff lists include Herb Smith and Charles Henderson among others. Camp periods run June 25 to July 4 and July 4 to Aug 9 with supervised aquatic activities and hikes, plus camping, sanitation, conservation, and Sunday services emphasized.
Kenneth Pipkin announced his resignation as scoutmaster of Rotary Troop 53 to the Rotary Club this week. He will remain active in Scouting through organizational and extension duties in the Northern District, with the resignation taking effect in the fall.
Frank Russell's club holds first in the men s league as Reed and Bell post five junior league wins with no defeat. Next week features key matches including Reed and Bell and Wasco vs Rio Bravo, plus title contenders in multiple divisions.
E. A. Brown, local agricultural leader, will head the Children's Home Society drive in Shafter, with an $800 quota. The campaign seeks $20,000 from Kern Kings Tulare and Inyo counties, Kern contributing $10,420. Funds fund a full time Bakersfield office serving four counties and aid the state licensed adoption agency.
Pvt J J Martinez son of Mrs A Martinez of Rt 1 Box 101 Shafter was assigned to the Medical Replacement Training Center unit of Brooke Army Medical Center Fort Sam Houston Texas.
Shafter potato season winds down with four sheds closed and five more to shut by June 29. Only three sheds will operate after month end, while shipments slow to about 300000 190 pound sacks next week. One farmer yielded 360 sacks per acre at $2.85, a top deal. Onion harvest also ends with 186 cars and 32810 five pound sacks shipped.
The Richland School District bus service earns high praise from the California Highway Patrol in a letter to Superintendent Bruce M Crawford. CHP commends Kenneth Pipkin for excellent bus checks with no reportable accidents and notes the district in first place for fine equipment.
Rosalee Duerksen 83, longtime Shafter pioneer who arrived here 33 years ago, died June 12. Funeral services were held last Sunday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church with Elder E. A. Bentz officiating. Interment followed at Shafter Cemetery. She is survived by Gus Duerksen C Fy Duerksen John Duerksen David Duerksen Flora Schwartz Mrs Joe Pouim Marysville and a sister in Germany plus 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The Shafter Recreation Commission appoints Jack Manweiler as the newest member replacing Joe Frizzell in a report dated today.
Josh Clarke, director of the Central Valley Highway Association, told Shafter Kiwanis members that grade separations along the central Valley Highway would reduce hazards. He urged crossing improvements at Santa Fe tracks Kimberlina and Rosebadge and touted a billion dollar bond plan with 25 percent for tributary roads. Clarke, also president of the San Joaquin Valley Tunnel Association and Cross Country Highway Association, described a cross-com Obispo route linking Las Vegas and Kern River Canyon to shorten Bakersfield to sea distance to 94 miles and highlighted Lerdo highway spending for Buttonwillow maintenance.
Lawrence A. Kattenhorn, 32, of Shafter, earned an education degree from Fresno State on June 8 1950 and secured a teaching post at Elk Hills Tupman. He entered college in February 1950 with his wife Ida and son Lloyd. His brother Marion also earned a teaching credential from Fresno State.
Katherine Roberts age 17 daughter of Mr and Mrs Steve Roberts leaves Bakersfield for Girls State at California Junior High School in Sacramento. She completed her junior year at Shafter High School and was selected for outstanding record, with eight days at the state capitol to study county city and state government and vote for officers.
Shafter resident Sgt. William H. Pierce serves with the 99th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea. He supports the 8th Cavalry and was among howitzers first sent to action in July 1950. Pierce’s unit endured the Unsan encirclement as Chinese forces outflanked the regiment.
Chief John Reily reports burglars hit Topper's Bakery through a rear window again but found no loot. The same gang tried Eastside Cleaners and Richland Chevrolet with a broken window, yet failed in their purpose.
Kern County officials announce the Shafter Defense and Disaster Corps will form next week with 450 volunteers enrolled. Sixty-six divisions will operate under appointed leaders, with volunteers drawn from city and rural areas. New signups include Dorothy Burke, Bruce Crawford, Genevieve Craig, Alma Janko, Betty Klatt, and others.
The Shafter Chamber of Commerce seeks a larger county allocation for the next fiscal year as Secretary Ernie Hofman notes a recent increase in county funds and decisions on park lavatories lighting and lease terms. A 150 membership goal aims to unlock more aid with a $3000 campaign led by 16 civic leaders across agriculture business and commerce.
Jack D. Hill aged 26, son of Mr and Mrs Darrell C Hill of Bakersfield, earns a $5000 Andrew Schmitt scholarship at the University of California Davis. Hill, married and residing in Davis, is a Bakersfield College graduate who studied after a year at Nebraska. He has maintained an A minus average and plans to pursue a doctorate. He has worked as a potato field inspector and a truck crop inspector for the government.
Sixteenth Township Justice court was swamped by speeding tickets issued by highway patrol officers on Highway 99. The office logged 40 tickets with seven motorists cited for over 80 mph, including three women. one woman reached 95 mph. Judge E. K. Grant noted the top speed.
Robert Carlson of the Sequoia National Forest invites visitors to Kern County's Kern River Canyon as a top vacation spot. Last year over 30 000 people used the area and last weekend 1500 enjoyed beach areas. $5000 in funds will rehabilitate facilities after November floods with labor from the county industrial farm and artists from the Forest Service.
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