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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Sep 28, 1950
Page
1
Taft Wildcats appear stronger than the Shafter Generals in the 1950 season opener. Coach Dan Bledsoe notes the Generals’ backfield led by Paul Cato faces a two touchdown edge for Taft, but an unpredictable game could tilt the tide.
The 1950 cotton season begins with seven gins in Shafter operating on a 24 hour shift. Hand-picked cotton dominates now but gins expect faster production by next week as mechanical pickers join manual workers. Prices rise to about 235 per bale with demand high. United Ginning Company opens Monday with an open house for growers Saturday.
The Shafter Press recounts an unexpected open house at its new printing plant. Five hundred visitors arrived as a fire siren sounded, prompting organizers to postpone the event until the new office unit is finished around January 1. Gratitude is extended to local fire crews for rapid response and safety.
Assemblyman Joe Lewis of Kern County was one of five lower house members who voted against a loyalty oath covering all public employees and volunteers for California's civilian defense program during a roll call in Sacramento. Lewis previously said he believed a person who admits membership in the Communist party could be loyal.
The Shafter Police Department moves toward a five day work week aligned with other agencies. Chief Reily and Assistant Chief Witcher describe nine hour shifts with two officers on duty during peak evening hours and a temporary six day period during a sine season.
Jacob Quiring pastor of the South Shafter Gospel Chapel was ordained a minister in a Mennonite Brethren Church ceremony Sunday afternoon. Deacons ordained were Messrs and Mesdames John F. E. Wiens and Willard Janzen. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Waldo Wicbe and the Rev. B. J. Braun of Dinuba. The invocation was led by the Rev. Allen Fast of Bakersfield Mennonite Brethren Church. Messages were delivered by Dr. Walter Penney of the Rosedale Mennonite Brethren Church and the Rev. Mr. Braun. Music by the Gospel Messengers Quartet and the church choir.
Officer Jack Mc Cabe warned the Shafter Rotary Club about safe driving during their weekly meeting on Tuesday. He urged motorists to stop for school buses to protect children. New members Dick Prather and Jack Fleming joined the club.
Auxiliary police in Shafter will start training at 7 30 p m on Wednesday in Shafter High School. Auxiliary Chief Perry said Bakersfield instructors will teach methods of law enforcement to five squads led by Perry and five squad leaders named. Additional officers are listed by squad with aims to aid regular officers during emergencies or disasters.
Pvt. Frank Pellet, recalled to active duty, receives a permanent assignment at Fort Ord. He was home briefly last week and expects a short furlough about twice a month. His wife Esther Brooks stays with her parents in Wasco.
C. J. Ted Vignolo, reservation chairman, announced today a joint Shafter-Wasco Rotary Club stag party planned for October 7 at the Phil Channeson Kimber lina Ranch.
Kern Mosquito Abatement District head A F Gieb told Shafter Kiwanis that spraying alone fails to curb mosquitoes unless breeding sites are removed. He blamed farmers for stagnant irrigation leftovers and noted cotton fields with defoliation drive the problem. Gieb urged tracking mosquito migration and shown films of larvae habitats, including irrigation ditches and pools, as the key to control.
Shafter and McFarland gain recognition as Kern County agricultural centers as Shafter wins multiple blue ribbons. Shafter High School entries claim 12 blue ribbons in steer divisions, with top placings by Mike Crawford, Dee Wilson, and Bobby Baze. Delano and Wasco lead county displays as Shafter earns applause for its float and exhibition efforts.
Shafter Rotary Club marks United Nations Day October 24 with a talk by Rotary International director George Wooster. Past California district governors and other Rotarians invited to attend as United Nations Week begins October 17 with Congressman Tom Werdel addressing Congress and the UN. Fifty nine UN flags will be displayed downtown to acquaint residents with member nations.
Courtesy Food Market operator C. Crabb escaped damage when water shut off and volunteers passed by. City works supervisor Jack Harris needed the fire truck to supply water during a street project. Chief Albert Finkbeiner and Councilman Frank Russell alerted Crabb after spotting smoke. No fire after all, but near-miss prompted quick action.
Vitya Vronsky and Victor Rabin will open the Shafter-Wasco Community Concert Association season with a Wasco Auditorium performance on Oct 4 at 8 15 p.m. The program includes future events Mac Morgan on Nov 16 Bary Ensemble on Feb 7 and the Trapp Family on Feb 26.
Shafter Community Chest directors plan a campaign kickoff in early November with a one day canvass. Phil Clarkin the local banker and board member noted the chamber of commerce backing and a need to recruit more helpers to speed the drive and share the fundraising burden.
Eleven new members were baptized at the Thiessen Ranch by Rev. Waldo Wiebe. Those baptized include Marjorie Engel Elwood Enns Marlene Enns Zoe Ann Janzen Donald Neufeld Betty Petker William Ratzlaff and couples Mr and Mrs Harvey Gaede and Mr and Mrs Ralph Lachenmaier.
Three Shafter Press subscribers may win free tickets by finding their names on the classifed page and calling the office. Prizes include entries to the State Theater Shafter Theater or the Del Kern drive in. The promotion highlights the value of the classified ads for bargains rooms rentals and item trades.
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