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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
May 14, 1953
Page
2
The Western Dance marks the final event of Shafter's Cotton n Potato Festival at Veterans Memorial Hall. Jimmy Thomason's Western Band performs 9 p.m. to after midnight as Festival Chairman Jack Fleming awards a 1953 Pontiac at 10 p.m. Barbecued beef sandwiches are available.
Mrs. Irene M Frey mother of Jack Frey of the Tracy Ranch died instantly in a car collision as she and her husband Lawrence crossed an intersection. She suffered 14 broken ribs and is survived by daughter Effie Parker of Bakersfield American Legion Auxiliary to serve cokes.
The Camp Stables will compete in the Grand Circuit for harness racing moving from Sycranse to Hollywood Park and then to Bay Meadow. After Roosevelt Raceway in New York they will travel to Goshen Springfield Sedalia Milwaukee DuQuoin Indianapolis Reading Delaware Lexington before returning to Hollywood Park on the West Coast.
William J. Pyle of Bakersfield and foreman of the Southern Pacific bridge crew moved the construction train to Buttonwillow to rebuild and reinforce bridges from Bakersfield to McKittrick. The operation will take several months to complete with heavy diesel equipment.
Ernest Graf conducted Shafter three music groups in the annual Spring Concert at the school. After seven years in Shafter he will start the music department at New North High School in Oildale. More than 400 people applauded the program featuring the school band glee club and mixed chorus.
Fifty seniors from Shafter High school visited Bakersfield College for an Open House at Harvey Auditorium and Beale Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. U S C dean Dr Bernard L Hyink urged college attendance as essential for the future. Lunch in Beale Park featured the Sharp Notes of Shafter with Jan Gibson Joyce Bartel and Martha Jeffcoat. Dr Grant W Jensen arranged the trip and counselor Sidney Ottman accompanied the group.
Seven Pacific Gas and Electric staff at Wasco receive service pins for five or ten years. Recipients include Lewis F. Hanna Jesse H. Winn Curtis O. Baker Clifford L. Dixon Kenneth R. March Tony G. Mills and Billy R. Smothers. Also note mentions 9951 voting precincts in New York as political material.
Monday through Friday entries show a dense lineup of morning and daytime shows, weather summaries, farm news, hymns, and religious programs. Notable items include Sunrise Serenade, Morning Farm Journal, News of the World, Symphonic Treasures, and portraits in music along with church and devotional broadcasts across Bakersfield stations.
Robert Bann announced festival barbecue entertainment with Shafter High School band directed by Ernest Graf and Evelyn Scott's Shafter Accordion Band. Don Watson will debut the Shafter Festival Song arranged by Miss Scott, joined by the Rainbows and Robbie Lynch, junior division winner in Starring Kern County Artists.
The Shafter Recreation Commission reports 27 youngsters enrolled in a Friday afternoon tennis clinic taught by instructor Robert Gates. The program runs until June 5 for beginners, culminating in a June 6 tournament for under 18 competitors with separate junior divisions for under 15. Gates notes Shafter High School’s tennis team beat McFarland 5 to 0.
The Kern County Junior Olympics trials near Griffith Stadium progress with over 4000 entrants reported and Bakersfield Beardsley and Standard advancing. Officials say the 2030 Kern County Junior Olympics finals on May 16 will feature a large youth track event with preliminary trials and anticipated record performances.
The article recalls Shafter’s incorporation on January 11 1938 and the first five man council. It notes 18 citizens have served on the council since, naming the initial leaders mayor city attorney city judge clerk treasurer and subsequent mayors and council members. It lists Norval Fair Herbert Midgeley Glenn O Nay Phil Channeson O H Strom and others who served.
Paul Drengwitz and Wesley Sherwin received engraved-distinguished scrolls from the Veterans of Foreign Wars California department during officer installation in Shafter. Kern County Council Commander Charles Emory Lea assisted, with Wasco post commander Charles Mathanses present. Installed were Drengwitz as commander, Blake Witcher as senior vice commander, Joe Thompson as junior vice commander, Sherwin as quartermaster, Irwin Lauscy chaplain, Charles Humbert trustee, George Guenther officer of the day, and Ben Froese guard.
Secretary Ernie Hoffman announced the sixth annual Shafter Potato and Cotton Festival sweepstake trophy will be sponsored by Sportsman's Cafe. Local merchants sponsor two other awards the Agricultural Man of the Year plaque by the Shafter Press and a Shafter High band trophy by Nick Johnson. He urged more merchants to sponsor parade prizes and contests.
The record lists daytime hours from Monday to Friday and evening slots on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm. It documents available time blocks for activities or classes.
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