Good Old Days 01-23-15

Compiled By The Sidney Sun-Telegraph Staff

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

50 years ago

Jan. 22, 1965

'Pair put on probation for check thefts'

Two Sidney youths have been placed on probation after admitting the theft of a check, forging an endorsement on it and cashing it.

Cheyenne County Judge Sydney Finch ordered Edward Ribera and Gary Goen to be placed on probation following a juvenile hearing held this week.

Charges against the pair were filed by County Attorney John Peetz Jr. after a check for $70 was discovered missing from a mailbox at Sergent Apartments. The check had been written by R.D. Brown in payment of his rent and placed in the mailbox for collection. The boys admitted taking the check, forging an endorsement and then cashing it at Safeway. They reportedly bought $9 worth of groceries which they dumped in an alley and then split the difference in the cash.

25 years ago

Jan. 23, 1990

'Potential young thespians get initial lesson'

There is quiet and there is quiet.

Scores of local would be thespians learned the difference Monday afternoon-and it doesn't mean just not talking.

An estimated 165 children, ranging in age from 15 to six auditioned for parts in the Missoula Children's Theatre presentation of Cinderella, which will be be performed here Saturday, Jan. 27.

This is the fourth year the Missoula group has presented a production in Sidney, and each year, the number of young hopefuls auditioning increases.

They went through two hours of emoting, expression, dancing and singing-and keeping quiet-under the watchful eyes of Jim Burke and Lila Ann Michael, both with MCT who will work with the young cast all week in preparation for the weekend performances.

"We're looking for three things," Burke told the potential thespians. Needed, he said, were youngsters with loud and expressive voices, students with expressive bodies, and "how will you follow our directions."

The lessons on being quiet started early-such as when the potential cast members were asked to lune up around the stage in the Sidney High School auditorium. Twice, Burke and Michael sent them back, telling them, that quiet also meant walking. "You have to be quiet behind stage,"Burke warned."

After three attempts, that phase of being quiet was moastered, and the auditions began, with the youngsters asked to give their names and age, being loud and expressive while doing so. Then it was to give names and age, but being sad.

There was a lesson on a song that will be sung, instruction in a dance step and even conversations in "cat" and "dog" to fill two of the roles.

Gradually, Burke and Michael began to pull youngsters from the mass and try them with carious lines, or actions. The cast began to take shape.

After two hours, came the much awaited announcement-those who had earned roles in the production, and who will get to attend rehearsals each day this week in preparation for a dress rehearsal for area elementary schools Friday afternoon, and for the public performances at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday.

Burke will play the roles of "Rags" and "Beggar" and The Prince, while Michael will be "The Stepmother" and "Raggedy Annie."

10 years ago

Jan. 21, 2005

'Chamber to greet new governor, give awards tonight'

Nebraska's new governor and the new president of the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce will probably exchange congratulations this evening.

Dave Heineman, who took his oath of office as the 38th governor of the State of Nebraska this morning, will attend the 2005 Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet this evening.

Between 125 adn150 people are expected to attend, said Carol Porter, who will pass the gavel of the chamber presidency to Shane Claussen as chamber president.

The banquet, to be at the Sidney Holiday Inn and Convention Center, begins with the banquet served at 7 p.m. Heineman is expected to arrive about 8:30 p.m., coming from Scottsbluff where he attended the Scottsbluff Gering Chamber annual banquet.

Heineman became governor afternoon Thursday just minutes after the U.S. Senate confirmed former governor Mike Johanns as the Secretary of Agriculture.

Besides Heineman's appearance, Porter said other banquet business will include the installation of Claussen as chamber president, and remarks by him about his plans and goals for the chamber during 2005.

Also to be introduced will be the new chamber vice president, Kelly Lapp, and five newly elected members to the chamber board of directors.

Porter said her farewell remarks will be brief. "I will be thanking people who helped me during the year," she said.

"It went really fast," Porter said of her year as chamber president. "I really am kind of sad that is its over."

She said that the possible introduction of a new executive director of the chamber will not be introduced.

However, one of two candidates being interviewed for the position will attend tonight's banquet.

Besides the speeches and entertainment by Sidney native and comedian Darrin Meyer, there will also be the presentation of awards, including the Edna Anderson Award, the highest accolade the Cheyenne County Chamber can present.

5 years ago

Jan. 22, 2010

'Lawler: Prevention advocate'

Jann Lawler wears many hats. She is a wife, a mother and Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year for 2009, but her latest venture is serving as the Region 1 Prevention Grant Manager.

Her role includes providing resources to surrounding counties for the Panhandle Prevention Coalition to reduce substance abuse.

Lawler said the provides technical assistance to each county as well as managing two grants.

The former Kids Plus director said offering help to young people through alcohol prevention is her passion.

The goal of Panhandle Prevention Coalition is to focus on strategic plans centered around the use of alcohol among persons under the age of 17, binge drinking among those between 18 and 25 and drinking and driving among all ages.

She said it is difficult to create things that greatly reduce the use of substances, but believes the Panhandle is taking steps in the right direction.

Lawler supported the responsible beverage server training that has recently offered to assist area business and organizations in ensuring that underage drinkers are not served.

Lawler said two types of strategies are implemented in prevention.

Events, for example, function as a detour for underage drinkers. She said Rocktoberfest is an example of a few nights of alternative activity to decrease underage drinking at Oktoberfest.

She said the more long-term approach is to change and environment completely, which Oshkosh accomplished when implementing server training for all liquor establishments.