125 Years
May 24, 1892
The advent of bicycles into general practical use suggest the need of a special law against bicycle stealing, just as there is a special law against horse stealing. Bicycles are worth about as much as horses, and their owners are obliged to leave them where they can be easily stolen by those who wish to do so. They are more easily concealed than horses, and bicycle stealers take far less chances than horse stealers.
100 Years
May 24, 1917
The fire department was called to the Barker grocery on Highland Avenue, recently purchased by Louis Rieck, on account of a gas explosion. The explosion occurred in the basement. It is believed gas escaped into the cellar from pipes in the street being dug up at the present time. Mr. Riech suffered a few slight burns.
75 Years
May 24, 1942
Plans are fast being completed for the opening of Harmon playground for the summer, members of the Sidney Softball commission and city recreation commission said today. The program during the summer months will be under the supervision of Coach Brown of the Sidney High School athletic department. In addition to the youth activities, three adult softball leagues will be operated.
50 Years
May 24, 1967
Shelby County Fish and Game held its 13th annual Kiddies Fishing Derby and over 200 children turned out to try their luck at landing a big one.
Twelve-year-old Jack Schmiesing landed the biggest and heaviest fish of the day, a 15 inch, two pound cat, and won the top boy’s prize, a catcher’s mitt. Seven-year-old Julie Potts’s one pound, 12 ounce cat earned her the top girl’s award, a suitcase.
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Charles Thompson, Sidney Teen Center’s 17-year-old table tennis champion, advanced to the semifinal round of the Midwest Table Tennis championships before elimination at Columbus Saturday.
Thompson was eliminated by 15-year-old John Tannehill, of Middleport, O., United States junior champion. The Sidney youth defeated two ranking Ohio players before being defeated by Tannehill who represented the United States in the World Table Tennis championships last year in Hungary.
25 Years
May 24, 1992
A rural Shelby County woman had a surprise visitor at her house Saturday when a snake entered a shower stall.
Mary Richardson called the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department at 5:34 p.m. to report there was a snake in her house. She described the animal as being five feet long.
The sheriff’s department contacted Charles Manning who has experience in handling snakes and other animals through his association with the Shelby County Humane Society. Manning came to the Richardson house and removed the snake.
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Many people question the practicality of learning a foreign language in school. Sidney City School teacher Marlin Shamblin believes those who feel that way should reconsider.
Not only did learning the Spanish language lead Shamblin into a 32-year career in teaching, the last 30 years of which were spent in Sidney City Schools, but his knowledge of the language has also led him to doing interesting work for area business and law enforcement officials.
Shamblin is retiring from teaching after this school year.
