A lot has happened since the last newsletter for the Stanley Area Historical Society went out this past June. Among them, is a switch to color printing.

“By now, you will have noticed something different about this newsletter, SAHS Newsletter Editor Betty Plombon announces to readers. “Something much more colorful perhaps.” Deciding to try color in the January 2022 issue, Plombon relates that the colorful improvement will cost the historical society $1 more per newsletter per year. “Do you feel it is worth it?” She asks. “Please give us your opinion.” With many long-serving officers and an annual meeting with potluck afterwards coming up this January 26, readers will have the opportunity to make their thoughts heard on the matter. In the meantime, there have been other changes at the local historical society.

Most notably, the society has a new Vice President, after Fred Evans passed away last January. Area resident Jean Ketterhagen has agreed to be the Society’s Vice-President.

“Jean’s father, Lawrence Thompson was a stalwart SAHS member and was responsible for putting our original museum foundation, after years of neglect, on a solid foundation,” President David Jankoski writes in the January newsletter update.

Also of note in the January edition are new and/or renamed businesses, a piece on Quentin Roosevelt in World War I, along with a retelling by Betty Plombon of the city’s centennial, now forty years past. Among the highlights was a kangaroo court. Beards, costumes, a barber jailed for cutting hair after hours and the “notorious Worden Boys” riding in on horses to save Dave Mohr are all included in the retelling. Others commanded to appear, didn’t show at all, while at the bottom in parentheses a note remarks that, “a lot of beer was sold that night.”

As to area history prior to Stanley’s platting in 1881, SAHS President Jankoski reported that the society had received “an incredible collection of arrowheads” in late October.

“I will wait to give further details on that until my June 2022 message,” Jankoski states. “I can hardly wait.”

Dating from before European settlement of the area, such arrowheads were often found by farmers plowing as well as along creek beds, as evidence of the past.

Speaking of which, it’s almost past due to pay your membership dues, if you haven’t already. Details are on the newsletter mailing label, with “2021” meaning dues are paid through last year and are now due again.

“If it says “contrib. Mem,” it means that you contribute in other ways than being an actual society member, and you will continue to receive the newsletter unless you receive a last issue note,” the latest edition makes known. “It is essential that our membership grow. We need both financial support and enthusiasm" for our mem bership to thrive. Along with the exhortation for new members was a recognition of those who had passed, including Frank Roman (Rominski), Glenn Heian, Lavalle Williams, Wayne Qualheim, Don Halterman, Marie Wartolec, Janet Benson, and Marion Walsdorf.

The annual meeting is January 26th at the historical society building on Helgerson Street. Officer elections for the coming year will take place at the meeting.

“Any perspective member is welcome to attend,” relates SAHS President Jankoski of the annual meeting. Any member interested in serving as an officer or board member can con tact me at 715-644-5880 or they can come an be nominated at the meeting.”

The Society would like help to determine/confirm what this item is as well.