Hope Furniture opens Central City store

60 Years Ago – 1960

Wm. L. Andrews will become associated with Frank E. Edgerton in his law office on the second floor of the Fidelity building, it was announced this week. Mrs. Betty Andrews, who is a beautician, will open up a beauty parlor on the second floor of the Fidelity building in the front room formerly occupied by Dr. Jack Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews and their daughter, Janet, come from Omaha and will reside in the Gallentine home. Janet will be in the eighth grade in the Aurora schools. Mr. Andrews is a graduate of Creighton University.

Cheryl Ann Jaeke, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. A. Jaeke and granddaughter of Mrs. John Henthorn, was crowned Miss Nebraska at the beauty pageant in Columbus Saturday night. She competed in a field of 19 as Miss Grand Island and will soon start getting ready for the biggest beauty-talent prize of them all — Miss America. Miss Jaeke is well known in Aurora.

50 Years Ago – 1970

Recent new members of the Aurora Police Department are Robert Russell and Richard Janzen. Mr. Russell is a former resident of Marquette and has spent the last several years farming in the Lamar area. He served as a member of the Army Engineers in Korea. Mr. Janzen has been a resident of Hamilton County for 21 years. He is a graduate of Aurora High School. He has been working as dispatch clerk in the Aurora post office for the past five years and will continue in this position. He will serve in the Aurora Police Department on a part-time basis so that the full-time force can work a regular schedule and have days off and vacation time.

PFC Charles Henthorne, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Henthorne of Phillips left for duty in Vietnam on July 1 after a 24-day leave at home. He had completed training at Fort Rucker, Ala. and spent most of June with friends and relatives in the Phillips area. Charles will be assigned to a U.S. Army Aviation Unit that provides maintenance for the UH-1 “Iroquois” helicopter.

40 Years Ago – 1980

Charles M. French, 25, of Kansas City, Mo. has joined the management staff of Morgan’s Men’s Wear, according to Dean Morgan, manager and owner of the firm. French, a 1977 graduate of the University of Nebraska, was previously employed by NCR Corporation as a systemsmedia sales representative in Kansas City. He and his wife, the former Becky Morgan, are residing in Aurora.

Rose Nelson, a former resident of Ashland, has been named manager of the Hampton American Legion Club, according to Commander Herbert Peters. Mrs. Nelson has about 10 years of club management experience including two years as manager of the Post 129 American Legion Club in Ashland and five years as owner-manager of Johnny’s Steak House in Ashland.

30 Years Ago – 1990

State Sen. Rod Johnson said Tuesday morning that he will seek re-election to the District 34 seat in the Nebraska Legislature, probably as a write-in candidate. He told the News-Register by telephone from Lincoln that he plans to make the official announcement today (Wednesday) at the Capitol. The election is scheduled Nov. 6. Johnson, who was elected to the Legislature in 1982 and re-elected in 1986, made a run in the May Primary for the 3rd Congressional District seat being given up by Rep. Virginia Smith. He finished fourth in that race behind the Republican winner Bill Barrett, Merlyn Carlson and Fred Lockwood.

Bob Hope Furniture of Aurora has announced plans to open a store in Central City. President of Bob Hope Furniture, Inc. Jon Hope said Gordon Hope would operate the store in Central City. Opening is set for early September. Jon and Gordon Hope have taken over operation of the Bob Hope Furniture stores from their father, Bob. Bob Hope retired from day-to-day operations of the Aurora store on June 1. Upon retirement he completed over 30 years in the furniture business in this community.

20 Years Ago – 2000

Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson and Oldfather, a Nebraska-based regional law firm with offices in Lincoln and Omaha, has announced plans to open a central office in Aurora. Cline Williams plans to locate its Aurora offices at 1207 M Street on the north side of the courthouse square in the office space last occupied by Riser-Bond Instruments.

Heritage Bank has announced the promotion of Curt Mickey to senior vice president. Mickey’s new responsibilities will require him to work out of and continue to serve his Hamilton County customers. Mickey joined First National Bank & Trust Company in Aurora as a vice president on Nov. 1, 1991.

Traudt Aerial has announced James Jensen of Minden is the new manager of the aerial agriculture spraying business located at the Aurora Airport. Traudt Aerial is owned by Brent and Mary Stewart of Minden, owners of Pioneer Aerial and Pioneer Agricultural Supply and Arlen and Carolyn Olson of Holdrege, owners of Olson Air Services. The business was purchased from Jolene Traudt in March of this year.

10 Years Ago – 2010

Longtime Aurora Legionaire Lavern Wolff was recognized for his service to the American Legion and community when he was presented with the 2010 American Legion Citizenship Award during the Legion’s state convention in Columbus recently. Wolff has been a member of the American Legion Lester S. Harter Post 42 for more than 50 years, serving twice as commander and 35 years as a member of the Color Guard and Firing Squad. He served on the American Legion Baseball Committee 26 years and organized the annual baseball stag fundraising supper for 26 years.

Christa Hunnicutt’s longterm vision to offer optometry services in a rural community came into focus this week as she became the eye-care professional in Aurora after Roger Holling’s retirement. It was a double transition in that sense, as Holling sold his long-time practice July 1 to Grand Island Optical, which then hired Hunnicutt.