Looking Back to 1972

The spring and summer of 1972 promised a full slate of events - from politics to rodeo - for Olney residents. Democratic and Republican party primaries happened on Saturday, May 6. A day earlier, a public reception for Gov. Preston Smith was to be held at Olney Recreation Association to say “thank you” to the Governor for Olney’s participation in the Small Community Development Program. A full slate of 72 teams were entered in the annual Olney Partnership Golf Tournament at the Olney Recreation Association, according to tournament director Al Myers. Regular quarterly visit of the Red River Red Cross Bloodmobile was set for May 4 with a quota of 70 pints. Cherrye Edwards was named Miss Olney for 1972 at the annual Miss Olney Pageant sponsored by the Olney Jaycees. Jill Kunkel was named first runner-up and Rocki Holder, second runner-up. Preschool round-up for parents and would-be first-graders was set for the elementary school auditorium. Little League boys and their managers were to meet at the First Baptist Church parking lot in uniform for the Little League opening parade.

The annual Rodeo parade was set for May 25 with the theme “Songs of the West.”

Dedication ceremonies for the new neighborhood park were held with the Rev. Harold Heckmann giving the invocation to open Tommy Perkins Memorial Park. The park was made available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Olney and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Perkins. It cost an estimated $32,175.