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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Sep 04, 1952
Page
1
Dwellers emerge from summer as September brings back to school, cotton harvests, and rising commerce. Downtown stores launch back to school sales while inventories are rebuilt for the cotton season bringing hundreds of agricultural workers to the area. Social events and sports chatter grow as nonprofits plan fund drives and clubs prepare for Kern County Fair and community activities.
Eighteen Shafter High School agricultural students enter Kern County Fair in Bakersfield on Sept 22. Junior Farmer division features Gordon Kirschenmann and John Dooley with three fat sheep. FFA livestock entries include Vernon Carr and many others with Duroc swine, Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn breeds. Directors progress toward a $6.36 million distribution system amid water contract talks with the Bureau of Reclamation. Final decisions expected Oct 7 as Bailey outlines cost estimates and system layouts.
Shafter Generals head coach Dan Bledsoe counts returning backs and linemen as the 1952 season opens. He notes about 40 heavyweights and 60 lightweights report for equipment. key returnees include Dale Scales at quarterback and other veterans. Schedule features non league games before Sequoia League play culminating in a Valley title bid.
Shafter builders are close to breaking the 1951 construction record as Grant expects a strong 1952 boom. August permits total $34,834, including earthquake repairs, with a new post office building on State Street estimated at $20,000. Yearly total rises to $652,109, while 1951's $846,925 remains the peak with Dandy Homes contributing new residences in several tracts.
Six members of the Shafter American Legion donated six pints of blood to Kern County Houchin Blood Bank to aid Mrs. Cagle who was hemorrhaging. Post commander Earl Wipf noted the bank’s replacement policy and thanked the donors for their life saving contribution. The six donors named include Wesley Gorsching and Rudy Lee Boyle.
The Shafter-Wasco Iring District board unanimously backs State funds for a bay barrier study. The plan aims to use rock earth fill across the bay to access fresh water for the San Joaquin Valley, supporting transportation, defense and water conservation. Similar backing came from the Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utility District.
Superintendent Bruce Crawford announced on the Richland School campus that buildings are structurally sound and safe. Structural engineers inspected after recent earthquakes and earned approval from School Architect Ernest McCoy to dispel parental concerns.
Kings Department Store announces back-to-school sales this week for all ages from tots to teens. The store will offer gym clothes sport outfits skirts jeans and other outfits plus leather luggage for campus travel. Manager G Whitson touts the value and style under the motto customer is King.
Ginning firms in the Shafter region anticipate the 1952 cotton harvest delayed by poor growing conditions. Acreage will reach about 28 000, near last year, with gins preparing for round the clock operation as defoliation by aerial dusting begins. A rush season is expected once bolls open, potentially glutting gins beyond capacity.
The Weinberger Tract on South Shafter avenue announces construction of 23 new homes in a development taken over by Dandy Homes. The project will add seven business lots, two existing houses, and will include two model homes to showcase varied two to three bedroom designs with full utilities.
The Shafter Planning Commission plans its first organizational meeting at 7 30 p m in the Boy Scout Hall with City Clerk Frank Shaw presiding. Members include Dalke Zenk Clarkin Ruggenberg Wiedmann and two women, to seek a site for the new City Hall and to appoint a chairman.
Shafter centers on the United States Experimental Station as the origin of Acala 442 seed used in California. Local growers like Cal. Growers prepare for a rapid harvest, building trailers for field distribution and expecting mechanical harvesters to mirror 1951 levels while manual labor remains essential. Farm labor centers begin to fill as the cotton season nears.
More than 2300 students in the Shafter area are set to return to school Monday with Richland School and Shafter High opening. High schools will focus on registration tomorrow and Saturday. Shafter High anticipates up to 600 students, while Kern Penaf academy enrolls 80 students. Bakersfield delays persist due to July August earthquake damage. openings set for Sept 22. School workshops prepare staff for the new term as repairs proceed and cafeteria expansion completes.
Harry West led a four horse draft team to first place in the state fair division and also won a two horse draft team event. A six horse Clydesdale team placed second while other entries from Owl Rock Products and Coberly West earned spots in the top five. Judge Howard Dickey praised the exceptionally matched draft teams.
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