Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: November 28, 1996

There’s a bird of a different feather in the neighborhood. Dana and Terry Sampson, of Whitehall, lived and cattle ranched in South Dakota for two years, but recently returned to the Whitehall area with emus (large, flightless birds native to Australia) in tow. Building a home in the Lower Rader Creek area, the Sampsons are ready to ranch emus instead of cattle.

“Terry and I were seeking an alternative lifestyle when we came upon emu. We read about them in ranch magazines and then we found people who owned emus and they delivered the birds to us. It’s possible to raise a lot of birds in a small area and that makes them easier to handle,” Dana said. She fearlessly goes into the pen with the long-necked feathered creatures and strokes one bird named Captain Hook, who nuzzles against her. Emus are generally docile and friendly, and Dana laughingly said the nuzzling bird is “in love with me.”

Everyone’s Christmas shopping list has at least one person who is hard to buy for, someone who seemingly has everything, and for whom you have already purchased all your good gift ideas last year or the year before. But the merchants of the Whitehall area are ready to help with new and different gift ideas. How about a peppermint hot chocolate or an Italian ice from Gio’s Pizzeria? Maybe your favorite commuter could use a tank of gas from the Corner Store? Or, if you want to be more extravagant, how about all of the fare and equipment for a party from Events to Remember? Need other ideas? How about a day of pampering which includes a massage from the Asten Center, a series of visits to the Whitehall Chiropractic Center for that aching back, a new hairdo from LJ’s Barber and Styling, or a slow, candlelight dinner at the Land of Magic Too? Whatever you are looking for, the merchants of Whitehall are waiting to help you find just the right selection to put a smile on the face of that difficult recipient. And it will probably put a smile on your face, too, when you discover how easy it is to fill your Christmas shopping list in town.

Trojan Educator of the Week is science teacher Todd Breitenfeldt. He was nominated by Mrs. Thronson because he is an excellent teacher of science. Ten students in the A. P. Biology class received honors in Biology. He teaches both middle school and high school science, teaching research skills and other skills.

Trojan Athletes of the Week are senior basketball players Keli Mabbott, Nichole Gooch, Terra Reiff, Shaunda Glaus, and MiRanda Martinson. They were nominated by coach Julie Kieckbusch for their contributions to the Whitehall Trojan basketball team this season. These five seniors provided the team with great leadership throughout the entire season. Along with that leadership, they helped the younger girls develop into better players.

Trojan Student of the Week is senior Julie Babcock. She was nominated by LeeAnn Gallagher for her creative writing. She works diligently in developing her writing and writes on her own regularly. She is the daughter of Sue and Dennis Babcock.