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Patriotism keeps cars moving
A nearly full page ad in the Friday, April 10, 1942, Gazette stated in bold letters that "America Can't Be Bicycled to VICTORY."
It said "A stored car is an economic catastrophe, 'Keep 'em Rolling.'" It urged area citizens to use their cars judiciously ... give your neighbor a lift. This was no time for fads, the ad continued ... America had a job to do. Every car owner in Red Willow County could keep their car rolling through sensible driving and good care.
You were urged to keep your car in good mechanical repair, arrive at an estimate of the miles left in your tires, then budget these miles to last as long as possible. A stored car would develop pistons which would freeze, valves which would stick and gears that would become pitted and growl. If you definitely decided to store your car, the most patriotic thing you could do is offer your tires to a friend or neighbor to get to work and back.
There was a place on the home front for bicycles and for horses but, "a serviceable automobile, up on bricks, hidden in a garage, does not represent a contribution to the war effort." The patriotic citizens sponsoring the ad were: Hormel Chevrolet Co, East 1st and B Sts; Joe Rothmeier, Conoco Bulk Agent; Otto Oil Co., 402 East B; Corey Oil Co, 424 West B; D.G. Divine, 124 West B; F.M. Janisch, Conoco Station No.1, 305 East B St., McCook Equity Station, West 3rd & B Sts; "Cal" Calvin, 601 Main, Valley Motor Co, 318 West B; Texaco Co., Art John, Bulk Agent; Schneider Auto Co, 317 West B St; and McClain Service Station in McCook. The war effort, by the way at this point in 1942 was centered in the Phillipines. Bataan had just been lost while the battles raged on around Corregidor. A total of 766 Victory Home and Garden pledge cards had been signed and returned to the county extension service office Clyde Noyes reported. Noyes was the county extension agent. Anne Bute, home demonstration agent for Red Willow County, announced the formation of a new 4-H club. Fifteen members had already joined and Mrs. Willard Schlegel of Culbertson was the club leader. Evelyn Roberts was president, Doris Bortner vice-president; Virginia Vaughn secretary and Veldron Koetter news reporter.
Five new clubs were formed in the Indianola area with some 50 youngsters participating. Presidents of the respective new clubs were: Gayle Kircher, Progressive Feeders Calf club; Dorothy Kisling, Busy Bees club; Robert Thomas, Busy Indian Garden club; Marilyn Quigley, Peppy Pals; and Evelyn Crawmer, Busy Workers. The District Five Music Contest was set to be held in McCook on the weekend of April 16-17, 1942. Approximately 1200 students and 250 sponsors were expected from 23 towns. A plea went out to homeowners willing to put up some of the students and sponsors overnight. Contest centers would be at the city auditorium, Methodist church and the Junior High auditorium in the 200 block of West F Street. Many ads directed at the expected crowds for food and shopping appeared in the Gazette. McCook was also the site for 130 volunteer firemen from 25 communities in Southwest Nebraska on Sunday, April 12, 1942. An editorial in the Gazette praised firefighters. "For 365 days a year, day and night, they stand ready in all kinds of weather to answer the call to fight this most terrible enemy-fire-with less remuneration than it takes to replace the clothing which is destroyed."
Brown McDonald store advertised what I would have called lace collars, the ones you add to a dress to give it a little look. They referred to them as "gilets, jabots or yokes" and they had them in plunging necklines or high round collars and in fresh white lace, frilled organdy, eyelet embroidery, net or rayon sharkskin. A large ad advertising Coca Cola in the familiar bottle reminded us it was still the same great quality and at the same great price, 5 cents ... but there was less being made -- so enjoy it. The ad said they were relying on the cooperation of retail dealers to keep the five-cent price. Coca- Cola was bottled in Holdrege and McCook. McCook's facility was the brick and tile building at 405 West 5th Street, where the Green Herb and Farm Bureau Insurance is now. Since I lived just a block and a half north on West Fourth, that was our sledding hill in winter. I walk up the alley now and wonder how we ever managed it, but I'm sure the hill has changed somewhat ... sure doesn't look as big.
The McCook YMCA board of directors met with a representative of the Railroad YMCA and offered a number of suggestions as to how the local organization can increase its benefit to railway employees here. A number of railroad organizations were already using the YMCA facilities for their headquarters and meeting place. I know my Mom's Brotherhood of Railroad Trainman Auxiliary (B of RT) always met there. When I visited Landmark Apartments, which is the old Y and saw the apartment which now occupies that meeting room with the little stage area and heard they were adding a skylight over it ... that's the one I wanted. That was until I saw the front apartment which combined two floors ... then that was the apartment I wanted. They really are wonderful living spaces, even more so if you have memories which go with most of the nooks and crannies. Paul Gilbert, dean of men and head of the biology department at McCook Junior College was named secretary of the state game commission on April 16, 1942. He was finishing his sixth year as instructor of zoology, biology and botany. "Locally he has been regarded as an authority on wild life and is an ardent fisherman and hunter." His being named to the post came as a surprise to his friends locally since his appointment was considered only days before news of the appointment was made.
The contributors to the Romanoff project raffle of a vehicle from Howard Kool Motors have or shortly will be receiving a letter with their options for return of their money. Some have indicated that they would like their contribution to stay with the project. If you purchased a raffle ticket and have not received a letter or if you have questions, please call Dan Miller at (308) 345-2933 or Ivan at the McCook Main Street office at (308) 345-6223.