20 yrs. ago August 2, 1996 The 1996 Tam county Fair was held July 26-29th at the fairgrounds in Gladbrook with the theme ” Celebrating 90 years of 4-H”. Very nice temperatures prevailed making it a very enjoyable fair with good crowds at all the shows. 30 yrs. ago August 1, 1986 Nearly 10,000 RAGBRI ridres came through Garwin July 24th. Leaving Eldora early in the morning and traveling through Conrad and Green Mountain, with a strong head wind, they began arriving in Garwin mid morning and continued until mid afternoon. Hot and tired, they enjoyed the hospitality of the Garwin community and the shade of the Garwin Park. They rode on through Clutier on to Belle Plaine where they stayed the night. Dennis Smith and Vern Eflin, both of rural Gladbrook, competed in the 1986 Jr. Iowa Body Building Championship held Saturday, July 26th, at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Twenty-eight Iowa Bodybuilders competed for the title of Jr. Mr. Iowa. Dennis captured third place in the light weight class. Vern placed fifth in the medium weight class. The members of Peace United Church of Christ voted to call the Rev. John E. Saxton as their pastor at their service last Sunday morning. Rev. Saxton lives in Waukon, Iowa. He and his wife, Pat, have a three-year-old son, David. 40 yrs. ago August 6, 1976 Weather conditions were perfect Thursday evening for the ascension of Capt. Midnight’s “Hogs are Beautiful” hot air balloon into sunset at Gladbrook’s annual Corn Carnival. The balloon was sponsored by the Tama County Pork Producers and Beaman Co-op. Cindy Wilkerson, 17, daughter of Theron and Elaine Wilkerson was crowned Corn Carnival Queen Thursday evening. The new shelter at the Gladbrook Park was dedicated last Thursday evening prior to the Kiddies Parade during Gladbrook’s Corn Carnival. The shelter was erected by Marie and Burnell Grimmius with memorials given in memory of their son, John Andrew, who was killed in an accident last October 3rd. Gladbrook’s Mayor Harold McKinney accepted the shelter in behalf of the City of Gladbrook. 50 yrs. ago August 5, 1966 The 44th Annual Corn Carnival in underway. The Flynn Dairy of Des Moines this week announced the employment of Roger Eggers as the new route man in this territory. He will be serving the towns of Gladbrook, Garwin, Lincoln, Beaman, and Conrad. Dennis Luethje who has been operating a milk route in this area will now operate a milk transport truck for Flynn Dairy. 60 yrs. ago August 3, 1956 The 1949 black Chevrolet owned by Velma Brown of Gladbrook, was stolen sometime after 11:30 p.m. Friday in Gladbrook and was later found badly damaged in a ditch about three miles east of Liscomb. Authorities have not yet caught the thief. Thieves broke into the Farmers Coop Elevator and Farmers Coop Oil Co. at Lincoln last Thursday night or early Friday taking approximately $165 from both places. Entrance was gained by prying open the doors. Four Gladbrook youths have been charged with breaking and entering the Ploen Grocery Store have been turned over to the Juvenile court in Toledo and released under $500 bond. The youth, all 14 and 15 years of age, were picked up by Marshal Slentz in the alley behind the store July 21. Only one of the group is said to have entered the store and taken three packages of cigarettes while the other three remained outside playing. Gordon Hansen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hanson of Gladbrook, was the winner of a new pony, saddle and bridle Saturday when he held the lucky winning ticket at the Commercial Club drawing. This is the second of three ponies to be given away. 70 yrs. ago August 9, 1946 Gladbrook again was visited by thieves Sunday night, August 4th. This time the group failed to break in at Clow’s Variety, but forced their way into Foster Drug Co. Total value of merchandise and cash taken was $150. What thought to be the same group of thieves broke into Wrede Oil Station at Garwin. The only thing taken as reported was about $6.00 in small change. The Annual Gladbrook Corn Carnival and County 4-H Show starts Wednesday of next week. 80 yrs. ago August 7, 1936 A light plant has been set up at the site of Union Grove Lake. The area is now flooded with light each night, making it possible for an additional force of men to work. more than 100 men are now working on the day and night shifts and all machinery is in daily operation.