Local news in the Gazette area from 1931

Where in the world did 2021 go? Unlike some, I am not in a hurry to say goodbye yet even though I certainly would not claim this year to be up in the “best year” category, at my age the years seem to melt away like a spring snow.

This week I delved back into the McCook Daily Gazette published by none other than H. D. Strunk in 1931. All of these clippings come from the November 30th issue.

“Santa Claus will be here Friday, Dec. 4, as originally announced. Old Santa is having a hard time getting his dates all set for his visits around the country before Christmas, and then he is terribly busy right now getting all the toys and gifts ready for his trip on Christmas eve. Santa wired the Chamber of Commerce last week that he was afraid that he couldn’t get here on the date he originally announced for his visit, but today he reported that he could come all right. His candy factories at the north pole are getting a little behind schedule, so that he can’t bring his supply to the McCook kids by this Friday, but he will be on hand to find out what each wants for his Christmas.”

Oberlin: “The formal laying of the cornerstone of the McKague memorial Masonic temple will be performed according to the Masonic ritualistic requirements, Thursday, December 3. Officers and members of the local lodge are completing the program arrangements which will mark the formal starting of the erection of the building. Funds for the lodge building were given to the organization by the Samuel R. McKague and his sister, Theresa McKague.”

“Miss Gretchen Hassler of Culbertson left McCook Sunday evening to resume her university studies at Lincoln. Miss Eleanor Hassler, Miss Eloise Sailors, McCook, and Miss Laurel Fitzgibbons of St. Ann, left Saturday for Hastings to resume their studies at the Immaculate Conception academy, after spending several days with their relatives. Joe Stephens who is attending the University of Nebraska, returned to Lincoln Sunday after visiting with his parents over Thanksgiving vacation.”

Indianola: “Mrs. J. C. Hayden, 69, fell on the icy sidewalk Sunday, fracturing two ribs and cutting a gash in the back of her head. She slipped on the ice jus after she had stepped on the ice just after she had stepped down from the porch. A doctor was called immediately.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Matt Colling and Mrs. Emma Deveney, all of Indianola, started Wednesday for California where they will spend the winter. They intended to spend Thanksgiving with Mrs. Paul Hume of Boulder, Colorado, daughter of the Collings. The party does not plan to return to Indianola until warm weather returns in the spring.”

“Style Chats with Alma Archer: Time was when no one but a mandolin player, or a girl selling cheese sandwiches, could get away with mixing up her accessories, but one of the very newest and smartest jewelry fashions now is to go to absurd extremes. Mrs. Robert H. McAdoo expressed this new thought of opposites very well not long ago at one of the race meets, by wearing a sturdy jacket and skirt of suede leather with a wool turtle-neck sweater, the turtle-neck she rolled down and clamped in place at the base of her throat with a lovely diamond clip. Another smartly dressed girl in a strictly sports sweater and skirt wore as her only jewelry a huge baguette diamond horseshoe carelessly pinned to her sweater belt. The idea, of course, is to wear only one piece of beautiful jewelry, real or synthetic, with the severe opposite of sports clothes.” ( I had to add this column because it reminds me of all the “fashion” dos and don’ts that used to exist but are out the window now. I remember all the beautiful pairs of gloves and handkerchiefs that my mother owned along with fancy full and half-slips, things that are no longer used.)

SWNGS Christmas party is this Saturday at 1 PM. Everyone is welcomed to join us at 322 Norris Ave., Rooms 2-7. There is an elevator for your use.