Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, December 2, 1948
• Verndale and the entire community was deeply grieved last Saturday morning when news of the untimely death of Gayle Larson, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Larson, was learned. Gail Denyce Larson was born at Oak Grove on March 10, 1935, and passed away at the Wesley Hospital at 3 :15 a.m., November 27, at the age of 13 years, 8 months, and 17 days. She became ill Thanksgiving morning from a severe gastric infection and entered the hospital the following evening.
• A chance to try their hands at script writing and their voices at radio speaking is offered to Minnesota senior and junior high school pupils taking part in the 18th annual Christmas Seal Radio Project. “What you can do about tuberculosis” is this year’s subject, according the Minnesota Public Health Association, which announced November 29 as the final date for accepting school entries.
• A bazaar and supper sponsored by members of the W.S.C.S. will be held at the Methodist Church parlor next Thursday, December 9. The bazaar will open about 4:30 and continue on through the supper hour. A handmade quilt made by the ladies is a special feature of the bazaar. This will be auctioned off about 6:30 p.m.
40 Years Ago, December 7, 1983
• The Lioness Club of Verndale is planning to have a tree hauled into McNair Park and decorated with lights for the holidays this year. Next summer they plan to purchase a permanent tree for the park to decorate each year. Other Christmas street lighting was also discussed with the suggestion that the organization start a fund at the bank to go toward that purpose with all organizations, businesses and individuals invited to contribute. The Lioness voted to start the fund with a $100 donation.
• Several items were reported missing from the Jeff Hackett home in Verndale after a thief or thieves gained entry through the front door. The break-in was discovered by a plumber who had been hired to drain the water lines since the Hackett family returned to their former home at Benedict, near Walker, after having sold their local grocery store. The break-in occurred sometime between MEA weekend and November 26 when the incident was reported to local police. The entire house had been rifled, a trail of candle wax marking the route of the vandals who had used candles on the premises for illumination. According to Police Chief Scott Miller, an investigation is also being done on the theft of an AM-FM cassette radio taken earlier from the high school.
• Santa Claus was seen strolling up and down Main Street last Monday afternoon, greeting young and old alike. He will be back this Saturday afternoon, making an appearance at the First National Bank Holiday and Appreciation Day at the Verndale Community Center. All youngsters are urged to complete their lists so they’ll be prepared to tell him their wishes at that time, while their parents enjoy refreshments.
15 Years Ago, December 4, 2008
• On Tuesday, November 25, the Verndale Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 13 new members into its ranks, bringing its total membership to 21. The students selected for membership are chosen for their success in four areas: scholarship, leadership, service and character. The new inductees are: Seniors Curtis Barrett, Alicia Johnson, Kristen Lollar, Patrick Price, and Jeremy Sibert; and Juniors Clay Cottrell, Crystal Haskin, Heather Heijhall, Jamie Kern, Brianna Kimber, Darian Nadgwick, Amos Schmidt and Nathan Wiese.
• In a 3-1 vote, with Council Member Janell Carr abstaining, the Verndale City Council has approved a motion by Mayor Wayne Stave, seconded by Council Member Bruce Koppenhaver, to terminate the full-time police officer position that has been occupied by Cory Carr. Council Member Jim Ackerson opposed the motion. It was explained after fine tuning and refining the budget numbers, Verndale does not have the tax base to sustain two full-time positions in the police department.
• Get in the holiday spirit on Tuesday, December 9, at Family Fun Night from 5-7 p.m.! Come join us at the Verndale School for horse-drawn carriage rides with Roger White and Lester Bain, pictures with Santa and more! After enjoying a ride around town, come into the cafeteria and warm up with a freewill offering supper of walking tacos then decorate your own dessert!
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