Ark Valley News - Looking Back

Looking Back
Last Updated: September 07, 2017

50 years ago

Fundraising to send Mr. and Mrs. John I. Sward on a European cruise was underway, with contribution boxes decorated and distributed by Dean Dellinger, Park School vocal music instructor. Everyone was optimistic that funds would be collected in time, including Marilyn Nuckolls, president of the executive board of the Valley Center Teachers Association.

The junior high class of the Assembly of God Church held a party at the home of their teacher, Mrs. William Shackelford. Indoor games were played and birthday cards from the class were presented to Jeannine Heaton.

45 years ago

Jeffrey Hull, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hull, entered a nativity stained and jeweled nativity set in the ceramic show at Century II. His entry received a second-place ribbon.

The Beta Conclave of Kappa Kappa Iota met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Webster. Special guest was Dr. Nona Berhaus, state president of Kappa Kappa Iota. Co-hostesses were Mrs. Mae Cook, Mrs. Phyllis Perkins and Mrs. Faith Boyer, all of Wichita.

40 years ago

Tom Dillon, a member of the Valley Center Jaycees team, fell off his donkey while riding to first base as Maize defeated Valley Center 2-1 in a donkey softball game in Maize.

The Valley Center City Council voted 6-1 to issue $40,000 in no-fund warrants to purchase a lot at 123 S. Meridian, across the street from the Sonic Drive-In, as the future site of a proposed new city hall/civic center.

35 years ago

The reigning Miss Kansas, Lisa Berwick, of Valley Center, was a contestant at the Miss America Pageant to be held in Atlantic City, N.J.

More than 60 people attended the 40th anniversary celebration for Lorene and Maurice Dressler at the home of Ray and Jetta Stinson in Wichita.

30 years ago

Tracy Mosiman, of rural Valley Center, was teaching second grade in Hillsboro. A 1987 graduate of Friends University, she completed her student teaching at McLean Elementary School in Wichita. Mosiman also served as a teacher's aide in the Friends University Child Development Center's kindergarten.

Doug Evans, son of Ginger Heaton, was promoted to second lieutenant and was the Alpha Company platoon leader at Wentworth Military Academy in Missouri.

25 years ago

Nele Reitmeier, a former Valley Center exchange student from Germany, survived Hurricane Andrew while on vacation in Miami. She returned to Valley Center and shared her experiences with her friends and host parents Bobby and Beth Massey.

Santa Fe's restored steam engine, No. 3751, roared through Valley Center en route to Newton and Topeka. The engine attracted thousands of spectators, including several dozen in Valley Center, during its 18-day trip from Los Angeles to Chicago to recognize employees.

20 years ago

Bradley J. Brisco, son of Bill and Wilma Brisco of Valley Center, was ordained to the ministry at Central Christian Church in Wichita. A 1979 graduate of Valley Center High School, he had started two businesses, Yogurt Heaven and Health Knead Bakery, with his brother, Marty.

Bobby Stafford carved the 1997 Fall Festival Medallion used for the medallion hunt.

15 years ago

Harold Brandt was selected as the grand marshal for the 41st annual Valley Center Fall Festival. He had lived in Valley Center for 56 years.

People in around Valley Center remembered Sept. 11, 2001, one year after the tragic attacks. Local church services and other events were being planned for the anniversary observance.

10 years ago

Navy Seaman Christopher Smith, son of Kevin Smith of Bel Aire and Donna Andreas of Rose Hill, completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Rhonda Price of Valley Center was named to the Kansas Association of School Boards legislative committee. She was a member of the USD 262 Board of Education.

5 years ago

Shawn Tucker announced he would open a restaurant at Fifth and Meridian called Tucker's BBQ. Originally he was to open the restaurant with his brother, Joe, and call it Tucker Brothers BBQ.

Drake Robinson was recognized for his Eagle Scout project of building fake aquatic shrubbery used to place on the bottom of the pond at Arrowhead Park to act as habitat for fish and to aid in their growth and multiplication. Valley Center Mayor Mike McNown gave Robinson a certificate for completing the project.