This Week In History - April 17
Author: Linda Huth, Broadwater County Musuem Curator
“What Happened this Week in History”
Submitted by Linda Huth; Sponsored by: The Broadwater County Historical Society and the Cotter Foundation
April 17
1941
“Townsend Boy Scouts Officially Recognized”
A troupe of Boy Scouts of America was officially recognized here Tuesday evening when 22 tenderfoot scouts were given their cards and badges of merit by their Scout master, Roy L. Stith and their charter presented at a Court of Honor held in the gymnasium of the high school. The charter bears the name of Troupe No. 98.
The following Scouts recited the Tenderfoot merit requirements: Kenneth Bridgewater gave the Scout Oath, John Ragen gave the Scout Law, Dickie Doggett gave the Scout Motto, Bart Stith gave the Scout Salute, Pat Ragen gave the Scout Sign and hand clasp, Mike Gabisch gave the Scout Badge, Jim Healy gave the Scout Uniform, Art Deal gave the History of the Flag, Lester Merritt gave the respect to the Flag and Robert Quist gave the Scout knots.
Treats were extended the troupe and visitors following the Court of Honor in the Home Ec rooms of the school.
1958
“Kite Contest Attracts Many Spectators”
Townsend’s second annual kite flying contest was a decided success with 44 of our young fry entering kites – and most of them were airborne.
A crowd of approximately 500 people were out at the airport to watch the contest, and a colorful sight it was, besides a lot of fun.
The contest was sponsored by the American Legion, with Keith Valentine and Marvin Meyers in charge of the event. These men are to be congratulated on their making it such a success.
Winners of the various events are listed below:
Highest – Butch Schneider; 2nd highest – Bucky Gabisch; 3rd highest – Jim Nave; Biggest – John Ulmer; Smallest – Allan Watson; most original – Billy Merritt; Steadiest – Billy Barraugh; most colorful – Steve Valentine; pre-school highest – Scott Scoffield; pre-school 2nd highest – Kenny Doig. Donna Doig – consolation prize; Trudi Bucy – consolation prize.
“Celebrates Birthday”
Bob Lundborg entertained a group of boys at a dinner and theatre party Friday, to help him celebrate his birthday. Pictures of the boys were used as place cards seating Larry Massa, Dennis Kelly, Dana Stiner, Mike Scoffield, Mike Plymale, John Schwisow, Buck Baker, Dick Black and Lary Lundborg at the birthday table. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lundborg and son, Eric, of Helena were guests also.
1975
“Teacher Profile”
I’ve wanted to be a teacher all my life, I can’t imagine being anything else,” says Mrs. Leona Plymale, who has been doing exactly that for 29 y ears. 26 of them in her home county of Broadwater. With the exception of 2 years at the beginning of her career, spent in Ronan, all of her teaching has been done in Townsend’s elementary schools, and almost all of it in the 4th grade.
Presently, and not for the first time, she has 3 or 4 children in her class who are the sons and daughters of earlier class members.
Asked about differences in teaching and children in the years she has spent in the system, she says the changes come about so gradually that no great adjustment is necessary. She feels that today’s young people receive a broader and wider range of information than their counterparts of 30 years ago because the knowledge of the world and accessibility to it have greatly increased.
One thing that has not changed, she believes is the need for discipline to create a “learning situation” so that each youth is allowed to achieve his or her full potential. This can only be done when each student’s rights are respected and this is the method used by Mrs. Plymale, who says the fourth grade is the beginning of growing up. Fourth graders are more independent, and it is, she feels, one of the hardest grades, but a turning point in their school career, when the gradual assent of the first three grades becomes much steeper.
For 29 years, she has been helping local youngsters to take this big step in their stride.
1997
“Around Town News”
The Orpha Rebekah Friendship Club met at the Mint on Wednesday. Members present were June Paulson, Ione Schwisow, Ema McElravy, Hallie Alexaander, Ann Kirksey, Ruth Davis, Marion Cass, and Dorothy Hahn. Pearl Barraugh, who has been ill, was absent.
Steve Berberet, Shayna and Makayla, of Lewistown were weekend guests at the home of his parents, Bill and Grace Berberet.
Myrtle Geisser returned this week from Ogden, Utah, where she had spent two weeks with her sister, Jean Shcalbrack whose husband, Andy, recently passed away.
Saturday Michelle and Rob Gillespie hosted a sleep over birthday party for their son, Tory. Guests were Nathan Cox, Lane Gobbs and Andrew Sanderson.
Tuesday evening Ruth Zimmerman and Doreen attended a Glow Circle meeting at Fleda Brammer’s. Also attending were Kathleen Jepson, Zella Hunter, Roxane Dexter, Ginny Poole, Julie Diehl, Ann Poynten, Mary Wright, and Evelyn Alley.
