This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From The Odessa Record

September 3, 1915

Long hot spell broken. With a change in the wind to the southwest last Monday evening, the longest spell of hot weather ever known in this country was brought to an end. Monday’s high temperature was 92, and it followed temperatures of 102 on Sunday and 101 on Saturday. On Tuesday, the highest point reached was 76, and it was a most welcome change to everyone. The hot spell covered a period of exactly 31 days, startling on the 31st of July and ending on the 30th of August. The average high temperature for the entire period of four weeks and three days was 95.5.

Will straw road. Straw day will be observed here next Wednesday when local citizens and farmers will straw the bad stretch of road in the North Central highway extending from the Star ranch to the Irby road, 3 miles. Horses, straw, manure, wagons, etc. will be furnished by various farmers residing in that vicinity and a number of business men have agreed to get out and help them fix up the road at that time.

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record

September 5, 1940

Festival group working on final plans: A meeting of the chairmen of the festival committees will be called by H.H. Strate, general chairman, for early next week, at which time a final review of plans will be made, he informed the commercial club at the Wednesday meeting. With less than two weeks before the festival date, September 14, all seems in readiness. Senator J.P. Keller, who is acting on the finance committee, stated that funds for every department will be available, a collection of donations from business men to be completed by Friday noon.

County will dance at Odessa Saturday: The towns of Lincoln County will send their fairest daughters to a dance at Odessa on Saturday night, the girls to represent their communities as princesses, and from whom will be selected a queen for the Lincoln county fair. The Odessa Grange is sponsoring the dance.

50 years ago

From The Odessa Record

September 2, 1965

Football draws 39 hopefuls: The Odessa Tigers coaching staff greeted 39 hopeful football players last week as they began preparation for the 1965 football season opening game against Grand Coulee on September 10. Among the 39 players are nine returning lettermen, eight of whom saw regular duty on last year’s team. Returning lettermen are Gary Schmierer, Mike Schauerman, Ron Swartz, Rick Walter, Larry Lobe, Tom Arlt, Forrey Walter, Russ Kruckenberg and Jim Evavold.

Gettman shorthorns tops at tri-county livestock showing: Shorthorn cattle from Creekview Ranch, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Gettman, made the show for the open class livestock at the Tri-County Fair here Friday and Saturday. At the showing of the 4-H fat steers, Jim Evavold showed the grand champion and reserve. Other blue ribbon winners were Steve Evavold and Penny Wraspir. Red ribbons went to entries by Marcia Ott, Diane Goetz, Randy Wacker, Tom Wacker, Claudia Wraspir and Steve Evavold. White ribbons were won by Mary Ann Schoonover and Penny Wraspir.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

September 6, 1990

Parkside Day Care, in coalition with the Odessa School District, has been awarded a grant to help with startup costs involved in starting up a childcare program for before/after school hours.

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

September 8, 2005

Many added attractions, an expanded entertainment program and other innovative features promise to make Deutschesfest 2005 a new kind of show, but one that won’t depart from the traditions of the celebration of Odessa’s German Russian heritage that annually attracts about 15,000 visitors.