Yo-Yos were important toys in the 1950s

Moses Lake and surrounding areas can expect fast service from Merchants Delivery Service. Phone 402.

Morning Sun Dairy features Yankee Milk. It’s homogenized and fresher. Phone 362.

by Herald Columnist & DENNIS. L. CLAY
| December 20, 2014 3:00 AM

Morning Sun Dairy features Yankee Milk. Its homogenized and fresher. Phone 362.

When was the last time you worked a yo-yo? They were important toys in the 1950s, with both boys and girls learning and mastering as many tricks as possible. Moses Lake even had a city championship as did Washington State. Read on.

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Columbia Basin Herald on May 15, 1952:

Yo-Yo finalists compete tonight for city title

The city yo-yo championship will be decided tonight when finalists from Central and Peninsula grade schools compete during a parent-Teacher Association meeting at Central School. The annual contest is sponsored by the Eagles Lodge and run off under a committee headed by Harold Schwab.

Leo Merkley is the Peninsula Champ, followed by Susan Bishop in second place and Calvin Stewart in third. They won their rankings Friday after three weekly go-rounds had narrowed the field to nine boys and five girls. The other finalists: Jesse Barnes, Steve Tolley, Merrill Clemo, Alvin Stewart, Bob Landon, Richard Torbenson, Jerry Jones, Beth Cook, Gloria Waterman, Judy Rieton and Kathy Dunn.

The Central champ was to have been picked Tuesday afternoon in competition at that school. Billy Huntswork won the last weekly competition there, with Gary Anacker second. The city champion will compete for the state championship at the Eagles' State Convention in Wenatchee on June 26 through 28.

1965 Class reunion just a little over eight months away

Yes, this event will be explored often, as we want to get the word out to all class members. Plus members of classes before and after 1965 are welcome to attend as well. Read on.

Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965 will present their 50th class reunion on Aug. 28, 29 and 30, 2015.

We are in the planning stages with a goal at this time is to contact all of our classmates. Spread the word far and wide. A simple entry on Facebook has initiated responses from Dave Kruger, Nick Daurte, Sherry Mike Turner, Norm Benson, Diana Bateman, James "Rocky" Stone, Sheryl Durham Ott, David Wilson and Linda Barrett Hall, April Duvall McBride, Nels Johnson, Dave Fuller, Robert Threlkeld, Harold Statshaug and Dana Harrington Dent.

The next planning meeting is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the skill Center. All are welcome to attend.

Stay tuned for more info, but feel free to contact me at any time.