VOLUNTEERS FOR THE STOCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM held in 1994 were (front row, from left): Jessica Rogers, Hannah Moll, Hannah Casad, Danielle Beougher, Gabriel Dix, Stephen Bigge; (middle row) Katrina Kriley, Alisa Jones, Andy Clifford; (back row) Heidi Hunter, Brent McNulty Sarah Moll, Sandra LeFort and Jason Jackson. Not pictured, but also volunteers were Nicole Thayer, Lindsey Muir, Nicole Bellerive, Kayla Cook and Heather Cook.

THE DEMOLITION of the old Stockton High School building had started in July of 1994. After serving the town for over 70 years, many wondered how many students had passed through the halls during that time, but everyone remembered where the principal’s office was located.

IT’S HARVEST TIME IN KANSAS and this picture, taken 75 years ago in 1946, brings back memories from years gone by. Ivan Burgess, father of Eleanor (Burgess) Buss, was 31 years old at the time. The Case pull combine was purchased during WWII, and Ivan was not very happy with it since he said it was very flimsy. His words were to the effect that it was tobacco can quality (Prince Albert style). The Klewers, who lived in the Ozarks but owned the land Ivan farmed southeast of the Acheson place when the Burgesses lived in Graham County, spent that summer in Kansas so they could witness a wheat harvest in action. Even though it was hot, dusty, sweaty and itchy, they were elated and intrigued to be able to ride the combine and experience it for themselves. They sent this picture back to Ivan and Ruby when they returned home, along with a little toy bird for Eleanor and a tiny gunboat made of Missouri wood for her brother Dale. The Burgesses had grown up in Rooks County and, after farming in Graham County until the 1950s, they moved back to Rooks County and lived southeast of Palco for the remainder of their lives. Ivan sold the combine prior to moving back, but kept the JD tractor, a 1941 Model D, until 1960.

THE WHEAT TRUCKS were lined up at the Coop Elevator in the middle of June 1994, with the crop looking very promising for the area farmers..

WINNERS OF THE BIG WHEELS/BICYCLE RACES at the 1994 Summer Festival were (front row, from left): Brett Kreutzer, Erica Pounds, Tyler Johnston; (second row) Cody Dix, Dewey Pounds, Grant Kollman; (third row) Tyler Muir, Drew Waller, Brook Dix; (back row) Chance McKinney, Josh Post and Zane Meehan.

BILL SKINNER sent the Sentinel this picture of Stockton’s Main Street. He believes his father took it because of the staircase on the side of the building went up to his grandfather’s (Judge W. K. Skinner) law office. Bill wasn’t sure when the picture was taken, but has narrowed it down to the late 1950s or early 1960s.

FRED’S PLACE, which was located on the south end of Stockton and where the Farm Service Agency building now resides, was no more when it was demolished during the summer of 1994. Property owner Cal Boethin was clearing the debris. Who remembers getting a Mars candy bar and an ice-cold bottle of pop from Fred?

MEMBERS OF THE SHS CLASS OF 1954 had held their 40th reunion in June of 1994 and took a picture in front of the old high school, which was to be torn down during the summer. They are from left: Alan Roelfs, Ed Winters, Treva (Miller) Ruckelsausen, Reta M. (Van Duvall) Goins, Karlen (Webster) Hrabe, Caryl (Hus) McClaren, Mary Ellen (Brown) Weisman, Bruce Smith, Marilyn (Hunter) Dunning, Merwyn Bice, Kermit Schindler, Sally (Riley) Edwards, Marvin Jackson and Robert McMichael. Paul Sprinkle had attended the reunion but is not pictured.

THE 1997 SHS GIRLS TRACK MEMBERS included (front row, from left): Tara Towns, Betsy Lewis, Jenny McDonald, Jada Krob; (second row) Amber Glover, Sara McReynolds, Misty Bice, Stacey Steeples, (third row) Alicia McBride, Jenny Poore, Melanie Haines, Melanie Romey; (back row) Heather Jackson, Korina Kriley and Melodie Hollern.