A special thank you to all those who have participated in our “I Remember Rippey” series. Your remembrances have allowed readers to share in our town’s history, activities, sports, school, church and daily life covering 150 years. We will continue collecting your stories through April 30. Phyllis McElheney Lepke is serving as our volunteer coordinator and stories may be sent to her at Rippey150@gmail.com.
There are many more wonderful articles to enjoy if you click on this link to reach the Rippey Library website: https://www.rippey.lib.ia.us . Then from the home page, click on Rippey History/Genealogy and you’ll be taken to a wealth of articles and news clippings, many provided by Rippey historian Jean Borgeson. Jean is a tireless researcher and great story teller, so you can continue to read about Rippey into the future.
Rippey Methodist Church Annual Halloween Costume Party by Mike Sharingson
It was the fall of 1959 and I was in the 3rd grade, I being Mike Scharingson, and in desperate need of a costume idea. At that time my grandma (Maude Egan) on my father’s side was living with us. She was a small little lady, in fact about my size. I do not remember if she or my mother (Dorothy Dorris Scharingson) came up with the costume idea. It was decided I should go as a lady wearing my grandmother’s clothes and mask of young lady. I, of course, thought it was a poor idea, but my opinion was not important. The night arrived and each costume was judged and, low and behold, I came in 2nd place, but this is where the story gets interesting. The judge was Margaret Dorris, my aunt, who had no idea that she had just awarded 2nd place to her nephew. When I lifted my mask and she saw it was me, she was mortified. Everyone else thought it was hilarious and I was just happy I won.
