The Howells Journal publishes a weekly column entitled "Do You Remember" compiled by Myra Langhorst and taken from earlier Journal files. A special thank you to Ramonyca Hanel Brown for retyping these articles and to the Howells Journal for allowing us to put them online!
Thursday, May 31, 1951 - reprinted February 24, 2010School Custodian Resigns His Job - Wm. Blum, for many years the excellent custodian at the Howells Public School, has resigned his job and we understand that Mr. Blum has been offered the position as caretaker of the Howells Ballroom. We also understand that the school board does not plan to hire a new custodian until later in the summer.
Motors Burned Out After Big Storm - As a result of the electrical storm that accompanied the rain Wednesday night, a transformer was damaged at the Howells substation. This reduced the voltage received in Howells during the night and a number of motors burned out, including a compressor motor in the F&M beer vault and a refrigerator motor at the Frank Melena home. The suggestion has been made today that an automatic switch should be installed to cut off electrical power whenever the voltage drops too low for the operation of motors.
Home From Coast - Elmer Bradley and his family are home after a three-week absence. Mr. Bradley, who is a member of the naval reserve, has been in California for training while Mrs. Bradley and their daughter, Kathleen, have been visiting Mrs. Bradley's parents in Omaha.
Daughter Born - On Monday, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hegemann at St. Mary's Hospital at Columbus.
Home Started - Work is underway on the new home being built in northwest Howells by Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Ritzdorf. Work is now being done on a large basement.
Pat Kosta Visits Nebraska Friends - The Journal office acknowledges a pleasant visit from Pat Kosta of San Diego, Calif. Pat, who looks just like he did when he left Howells nine years ago, likes his location on the west coast and reports that their son is in the armed services, their oldest daughter is married and living in San Diego and their youngest daughter is in grade school. He is employed by a large Buick garage which sells one hundred new cars each month and he likes his work very much. Pat says his family has a television set and with a choice of eight stations, they enjoy the programs every night. Like most Californians, he says that the wages are high, but that living costs are also up in the air.
Back To Work - Miss Betty Dostal leaves tomorrow morning by plane on her return to Washington, D.C., after a week's visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Dostal.
Rain Causes Flooding at Schuyler...Basements Flooded - With about sixty per cent of the corn planted in this area, rains last night complicated the problem by soaking many fields already too wet to work. The Memorial Day rain fell at night after a beautiful day that permitted traditional programs, picnics, and traveling. A total of 1.17 inches fell here and was excellent for small grain, corn fields already planted and gardens. South of Howells, in the Bethlehem Chapel neighborhood the rain measured about three inches and caused serious washing. At Schuyler the storm brought 5.37 inches of rain flooding part of the city and filling many basements. We understood the heaviest part of the storm was between Schuyler and David City where there was a cloudburst.
Concerning the corn situation, Vinc Strudl says that as a farmer he has done many things, but that this spring was the first time he ever plowed with chains on his tractor. Joseph Kotrba says that in all his years as a farmer, he ever knew plowing to be so late. Mr. Kotrba observes that if this had occurred years ago (when all field work was the slow way with horses) farmers would have been able to plant very little corn this year. But now, with tractors running day and night, a tremendous amount of work has been accomplished in less than two weeks.
Lad Belina reports that he has been on the same farm for twenty-seven years and never has field work been so delayed. He told us Tuesday that he is doing a few acres a day (as the ground dries) and that additional rainfall will mean that he will be unable to plant all of the corn acres he planned to get in. This, Mr. Belina feels, is true of many farmers and, as a result, he predicts a sharp cut in corn acreage, especially south of town.
Big Event - Robert Busch and Lois Busch, cousins, leave to spend the coming week attending the Boys and Girls State as representatives of the Howells American Legion Post and the Howells American Legion Auxiliary.
Redecorated - Workmen have been busily engaged in painting and otherwise redecorating the interior of St. Henry's Church northwest of Howells.
Surgery Patient - Jos. Limbach was taken ill at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Schlautman and being in a serious condition was taken to Columbus for special treatment.
Graduates - Fred Novak, Jr. was home from Lincoln over the weekend and returned Wednesday to participate in graduation exercises today. Fred, who has two more years in the College of Dentistry, is today receiving a Bachelor's degree in Science. He plans to attend summer school in Lincoln.