Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, April 22, 1948
• Verndale was successful in the special election held on Tuesday of this week, which was their second attempt to obtain a city water system. It will be remembered that the first attempt to get city water was voted on in July 1947 and it was voted down 120 to 98. It was lacking 17 votes from the five-eighths majority needed to pass it. The vote on Tuesday of this week for a $40,000 bond for city water was as follows: “yes” 163, “no” 58.
• The lawsuit brought by Walt Bockelman of this city against the Malikowski Bros. of Perham went to trial in district court here yesterday morning. Plaintiff Bockelman sued for $576. He claimed the Malikowski Bros. owed him on a cattle deal. He alleges in his complaint that on April 26, 1946, he entered into an agreement with the defendants to purchase eight cows for $1200. Bockelman claims that he paid the defendants the $1200, but on the condition the cows would be tested for Bang’s disease. If one or more of the cows had the disease the deal would be void. All the cows tested positive. He claimed he was only paid $624 of the $1200. The district court jury returned a verdict on Monday in favor of the Malikowski Bros.
• A fleet of 14 tractors partook in a good neighborly act last Friday when they gathered at the Albert Mack farm at the north edge of town to plow up 40 acres of land. Mr. Mack underwent an operation about seven weeks ago and due to a set back or two, he still is unable to handle his farm work. Mr. Mack, who has in other years helped out unfortunate farmers in a fix, was at this time repaid for his efforts. The 14 tractors that invaded the Mack farm last Friday afternoon made quick work of their plowing chore, covering 40 acres in two hours and 45 minutes.
• Two more basements were dug in Verndale this past week, and two commercial buildings were started. The two buildings that have started construction are the Marquardt Blacksmith Shop and the Pete Gaul and Wm. Juergens garage. The two additional basements dug the past week were the Emmet Callahan basement for his house just south of the Verndale Farm Store and the church basement in the north part of town for the new German Lutheran Church.
40 Years Ago, April 21, 1983
• Because of many prior conflicting dates for queen candidates for the Miss Verndale Queen Pageant, the date has again been changed to the only available date. This time it has been moved up to Saturday, May 14. Committee Chairman Maurie Finck also announced that all contestants have expressed their desire to be entered in the Miss Heartland pageant which will be held in October in Crosby. Should a Verndale girl win, the pageant would then be held here the following year. Winners of this pageant take part in the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Minneapolis Aquatennial celebrations as well as other Heartland festivals.
• Pam Schmidt, daughter of Florian and Mildred Schmidt, was chosen as District FFA Sweetheart, and will represent the district at Minnesota Royal in the Twin Cities on May 7 and 8. She competed against girls from 14 other district schools. Contestants were required to give a speech, take a test and were then interviewed by judges. In addition to her trophy, Pam received a half dozen red roses.
• Three Verndale students were honored during the Saturday noon luncheon at the State PTA/PTSA convention held this past weekend in Minneapolis. Receiving medals and recognition for their Cultural Arts entries were Ken Waisanen, who placed first out of 30 music entries and he was asked to perform his piano solo at the convention; Matt LeFebvre, who placed first out of 119 entries in the art division; and Jessica Yule, first grader, who placed second in the art division. They and their parents were guests at the convention, courtesy of the local chapter.
• Members of the congregation of Thomastown Covenant Church have been busy dismantling the interior of the church, and last weekend completed the project in preparation for building a new structure over the basement addition constructed about two years ago. It will provide the foundation for an enlarged church. About 70 workers in all took part in the project on Sunday. As much of the lumber as possible that could be salvaged will be used in the new structure, which is located on the shore of the Crow Wing River.
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