Throwback Thursday: Sernett Department Store announces it’s going out of business 34 years ago

Today is Thursday, Nov. 14, the 319th day of the year. There are 47 days remaining in 2024. Below are a collection of items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.

4 years ago (2020)

Five Creston/O-M Panthers cracked the all-District 9 football team Thursday night. On the first team, Jackson Kinsella was selected as an at-large member of the offense. On defense, Derek Paup (lineman), Garon Wurster (linebacker) and Colby Burg (defensive back) were each selected. On second team the Panthers had lineman Andy Weis and linebacker Briley Hayes as selections. The Panthers had two honorable mentions in Brance Baker (offensive) and Conner Travis (defensive).

After hearing several letters against the proposed fireworks ordinance during the public forum Tuesday, the city council decided to reduce the number of days residents will be allowed to legally shoot fireworks within city limits to four. This change to the proposed ordinance is significant enough that a new round of public hearings will need to be held.

The Creston Community School District’s board of directors met to discuss activities guidelines in relation to COVID-19 6 p.m. Monday via electronic means. For winter sports, the Hawkeye 10 activities directors are following the guidance of Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union in regard to sporting events and COVID-19. H-10 conference schools are limiting the number of spectators to two per roster participant through Jan. 1.

Three Creston Community High School dancers are headed for state dance competition Nov. 18. In addition the CCHS Peppers, the CCHS color guard and the Southwestern Community College dance team will compete in the team competition. The Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championship will be held at Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines Nov. 17 through 19. Senior Jurnee Harvey and sophomores Trinity Woody and Emma Pantini will be competing in the solo competition.

14 years ago (2010)

As the end of the first semester nears, Creston High School Principal Jay Slight is encouraged about positive developments from a new academic booster shot at the school this year. Modeled after a similarly successful program last year at Creston Middle School, a “success room” was implemented this year at the high school. Nick Blakesley staffs the room, where chronically under-performing students are sent to catch up in their classes and reduce their failure rate. It’s working, Slight said to the Creston School Board this week.

The Southwestern men’s basketball team remained undefeated Tuesday with a 64-57 home victory over Quakerdale Promise Academy. Quakerdale is a new private academy in the Eldora area, where students voluntarily attend to get a new chance at education and athletics.

Creston area bloodmobile was held Nov. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church. With a goal of 100 pints, 92 pints were collected. Eight people were deferred, and nine donors gave a double red. Joining the gallon clubs were: One gallon - Ayla Peppmeier, Taryn Nail and Marlin Neisemier; 17 gallon: Jeanette Lang. First-time donor was Justin Hansen.

24 years ago (2000)

When it comes to water, Creston’s treatment plant will soon be an island. With Hunter Crane of Afton providing the muscle, Creston water plant workers this morning helped guide a 14,000-pound electric generator into place - a generator large enough to provide all the electricity the plant would need in the event of a power outage.

A joint concert by the Southwest Iowa Community Band and Creston Community Chorus will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center. The band is conducted by Dr. Boyd Phelps, Mike Malloy is director of the chorus.

Lamona Bilderback, vice president at First National Bank in Creston, was honored at the Oct. 23 Southwest Iowa Group of Financial Women International meeting for her 22-year membership in the organization.

34 years ago (1990)

The Sernett Department Store chain shocked Creston and seven other communities this morning with the announcement that the company is going out of business after the upcoming holiday season. The company’s press release gave no specific reason for the closing, except a 1989 closing of a Des Moines store hurt the firm’s financial status. Sernett opened its Creston store June 3, 1982.

Eleven Creston Burton R. Jones Middle School students were selected for the Southwest Iowa Honor Band at tryouts on Nov. 3 in Red Oak. Between 500 and 600 students from the area tried out for selection. Creston students chosen were: Seventh grade - Angie Francis and Angie Irelan, alto saxes; Ben Malin and Marc Clayton, trombones. Eighth grade - Angie Wilson, Jenny Craig and Lacy Fry, clarinets; Kathleen Chandler, flute; Russell Pickerell, French horn, Josh Malin, snare drum and Pepper Judd, trumpet.