Remember When?

Anders Appointed New American Envoy to Norway

March 19-23, 1976

La Grange’s favorite astronaut, WilliamA. (Bill)Anders, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Norway, effective May 1, by President Gerald Ford. Anders was a member of the Apollo 8 team, which was the first to orbit the moon in 1968. Before this announcement, Anders, 42, was Commissioner of Nuclear Regulations in Washington. When he was growing up, Bill spent several years in La Grange during the time his father was associated with his brother at Hermes Drug Store.

The La Grange planning commission denied an application by Prause Market for a variance that would have approved construction of a slaughterhouse adjacent to the market on the southwest corner of the courthouse square. The decision came after a public hearing at city hall attended by over 60 people that lasted nearly two hours.

A fire in the Velehrad sector near Praha was fatal for Ed. Polasek, 79, who had lived alone in the four-room frame home for about 12 years. Flatonia Fire Chief Leonard Barta said the fire had not been reported until after the flames had broken through the structure’s roof.

Two mobile homes were destroyed by fire several miles east of La Grange off Hwy. 71 on Tuesday evening. Firefighters said the smaller unit had been inhabited and the larger trailer, containing a considerable amount of records and paraphernalia, had in use as an office. The mobile homes were owned by Martin Truck and Equipment Company, which was hauling material for the Fayette Power Project from the Zapalac Gravel Pit on Zapalac Lane.

A 1972 Pontiac was badly damaged by fire after it stopped for service at Schulze Garage on Tuesday afternoon. Local firefighters doused the blaze in short order but not before the motor was badly damaged and the two front tires were destroyed.

Jackie Narrel of Rivera was named La Grange High School’s new head coach and athletic director.

A record sale totaling $29,364.52 was paid to exhibitors at the 42nd annual Schu-lenburg FFA Livestock Show auction. The grand champion steer exhibited by David Besetzny was bought by Mrs. Barbara Stein for $1.56 a pound. The grand champion lamb belonging to Sandi Hendon was purchased by First National Bank of Schulenburg for $5.50 per pound. Steve Friedrich showed the grand champion hog that Schulenburg Farmers Co-op bought for $3.15 per pound. Ray Elliott Ford bought the grand champion broilers exhibited by William Ernstes for $430.

At the group’s monthly meeting, Fayetteville’s revitalized chamber of commerce began preparing a float to enter in area parades. It was decided to purchase a four-wheel trailer designed by Billy Adams’ high school art class to transport it. Appointed to the float committee were Janice Kasmiersky, Joan Sladek, Violet Krenek, Ruthie Baca and Emilie Bertsch.

Funeral services were held for: Miss Minnie Drescher, 45, a former Fayette County resident; Harry Cook, 78, who was buried at Hostyn Hill Catholic Cemetery; and Rudolph A. Baca, 75, of Fayetteville.

Nutrena dealers Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Peters Sr. of Carmine were awarded a trip to San Diego. They left from Dallas by plane with a group of dealers and stayed at the Sheraton Harbor Hotel.

Winchester 4-Her Michael Schulze encountered some bad luck the week before he could show his calf. When Michael was exercising the calf with short and long ropes hooked to the halter, the animal suddenly took off running. When the ropes wrapped around his waist and over his nose and head, Michael was dragged for quite a distance before the calf came to a fence and stopped. That gave Michael time to get untangled. After Mike’s father grabbed the rope, the calf started running again. Mr. Schulz threw a half-hitch around a fence post, stopping the animal suddenly. The calf flipped, breaking a leg. A call to the vet confirmed that nothing could be done for the show animal, so it was immediately processed for the home freezer.

Mr. and Mrs. LeeRoy Polasek of La Grange celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on March 13 at Roitsch’s Camp in La Grange. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Henneke of Ellinger and Mr. and Mrs. Rud. Polasek of La Grange, the honorees’ parents.

The clothesline pole that Bruce Mozisek fabricated in the La Grange Vocational High School shops won the Fayette County Junior Livestock Show ag mechanics division.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www. elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at (979) 263-5031.

Below are ads from 1976