Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Civil defense
Members of the Valley Center Civil Defense Unit are shown in this September 1956 photograph. They are (front from left) Fuzzy Fielding, Raymond Botts, Wayne Carnahan, Ronnie Fielding, Guy Sawhill, Harley Miles, Henry Thompson, J.N. Hoefgen, (middle from left) Ab Carnahan, Marvin Whitted, Maynard Mitchell, Wayne Nantkes, Cotton Garner, Carl Girk or Gene Brent (The News was unable to determine this person's identity with certainty) and (back) John Berry.

Looking Back
Last Updated: June 25, 2015

50 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Carr of Gulf Breeze, Fla., announced the birth of a son June 28. They have three other children, a son, Gary, and two daughters, Cindy and Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Carr and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hough are the grandparents.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Carnahan, Honda and Guy of Batavia, Ohio, recently visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Carnahan. Callers were his sisters, Mrs. Fred Miller and Mrs. Pat Goosy and their families, and Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Fielding and Janet.

45 years ago

Mr. Listen H. On Stott was born and raised in Denver, Colo., but has been a resident of Kansas the past 24 years. He lived at 500 N. Colby in Valley Center with his wife, Laura M., and their daughter, Loretta. They also had a married daughter, Mrs. Laura L. Conner, and a granddaughter, Lori Lyn of Wichita. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in active duty four years in the South Pacific. He was called back during the Korean conflict.

Miss Linda Box, bride-elect of Mike Freed, was honored with a shower in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church. Yellow and white decorations adorned the reception table where cake, punch and mints were served. She received more than 30 gifts. Honored guests were mothers of the bride and the groom-to-be, Mrs. Doyle Box of Everett, Wash., and Mrs. Cheryl Nordstedt, Mrs. Glenn Nagel, Mrs. Calvin Byerley, and Mrs. Alvin Brandt.

40 years ago

Marine Pvt. George G. Bulta Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. George G. Bulta Sr., of Route 1, Valley Center, graduated from recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Physical conditioning, discipline and teamwork are emphasized during Marine recruit training. Classes include instruction in close order drill, Marine Corps history, first aid, uniform regulations and military customs and courtesies.

Miss Laura Redding married Mr. Robert Coffell and Miss Patricia Redding married Mr. Ronald Chadwell in the First Bible Baptist Church June 21. The brides are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Redding of rural Valley Center. Robert Coffell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Coffell of Onaway, Mich. Ronald Chadwell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Chadwell of Flint, Mich. Miss Ronni Coffell, sister of Robert, was the maid of honor for Laura. Mrs. Armentia Harshbarger was the matron of honor for Patricia. Bride's matron was Mrs. Linda Redding, sister-in-law of the brides. Mr. Mike Harshbarger was Ronald's best man. Groomsmen was David May. Flower girl was the bride's niece Shelly Redding. Soloist was their brother, the Rev. Dick Redding.

35 years ago

Games, races, fireworks, a picnic and a flag raising at Main and Park. All this and more will be a part of the InterClub Council's fifth annual July 4 celebration.

Pat and Tim Dierberger announced the birth of their first child, Megan Kylie, June 22 at Wesley Medical Center. She weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Pat Dierberger was a learning disabilities teacher at West Elementary.

30 years ago

Valley Center residents could see a decrease in their taxes if the city council passed one of the proposed budgets. City administrator Mac Manning Jr. worked up three budgets so council members would not have to rework the 1986 budget if the proposed 1-cent county sales tax is approved by the voters.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hill were to have celebrated their 50th anniversary with an open house at their home east of Furley. Frank Hill married Elizabeth Trouslot July 10, 1935, at the Christian Church in Newton. He was a retired farmer, and they had lived in Furley since their marriage. Hosting the open house were their children, Jack and Darlene Johnson of Fort Scott, Dennis and Carolyn Hill of Benton, and Ronald and Jan Hill of Whitewater. They had 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

25 years ago

A recent storm produced strong winds resulting in millions of dollars in damage, uprooting trees and unsettling lives. In his recent Sunday morning sermon, Pastor Joseph Voss of the Valley Center Assembly of God spoke of "tranquility through the storm." His congregation's tranquility was to be put to the test in the next several weeks as members repair major damage to the north wing of the church, a result of one of the area's worst storms ever.

Kenneth and Linda Bailey, Valley Center, announced the birth of twin daughters born June 14. Tina Maria weighed 5 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces and was 18 inches long. Trisha Maria weighed 6 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces and was 18 inches long. The twins join sisters and brothers Clinton, 15; Colleen, 13; Greg, 12; Donovan, 10; April, 9; Aaron, 8; Katrina, 6; Ryan, 4 and Crystal, 2. Grandparents are Bud and Jean Bailey of Wichita and Charles and Lois Sprout of California. Great-grandparents are Theresia Kraus and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bailey, all of Wichita, and Winifred Bratton of Missouri.

20 years ago

Mike and Tracy Mellinger announced the birth of their daughter, Morgan Ashley, June 22. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. She joins brothers Todd, 3, and Tanner, 1 1/2. Grandparents are Bob and Shirley Mellinger and Ed and Glenda Terry, all of Valley Center. Great-grandparents are Roy and Evelyn Terry and Bob and Marie Schober of Wichita. Great-grandmother is Bertha Woodard of Wichita.

15 years ago

The Valley Center Planning Commission received about 30 percent of the surveys it sent to area residents earlier this year and commissioners reviewed the results of the questionnaires at their last meeting. The surveys were sent to homes and businesses in the city limits and some just outside town. The responses would aid the planning commission as it worked on its comprehensive development plan.

Harvey and Bonnie Siemens of Topeka, formerly of Valley Center, were to be guests of honor at a 40th anniversary reception hosted by their children in Newton. Harvey Siemens and Bonnie McNolty were married July 13, 1960, in Walton. He was employed by Western Resources in Topeka, and she was a homemaker. The couple had three children, Deb Swift of Valley Center, Steve Siemens of Towanda and Russ Siemens of Boise, Idaho, and seven grandchildren.

10 years ago

Christian Gregory and Matthew Stoner announced their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-elect is the daughter of Jim and Gina Gregory and the granddaughter of A.J. and Virginia Mies, all of Valley Center. She was a 1997 graduate of Valley Center High School and earned a bachelor's degree at Wichita State University. The prospective groom is the son of Mike and Linda Stoner of Wichita. He was a 2000 graduate of Wichita High School North and earned an associate's degree at Fort Hays State University.

5 years ago

For the second straight year, Valley Center public school employees will not be getting pay raises. The school board June 28 accepted an agreement with the teachers association that calls for a freeze in salaries for the 2010-11 school year.

Kendall and Paris McGinn of Sedgwick announced the birth of their son, Lane Jay, born June 1, 2010. He weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Denny ad Carla Farrell of Valley Center, and C.G. and Debbie McGinn of Sedgwick. Great-grandparents are Corky Armstrong of Valley Center and Al Kasitz of Sedgwick.