Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, June 9, 1949
• Luther W. Youngdahl, Governor of the State of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the period of June 1949 as Dairy Month and urge all civic organizations and citizens to cooperate in its observance, in appreciation of the fact the people of our farms and urban areas have a common interest in the continued progress and prosperity of our great dairy industry.
• The Wadena County Farm Bureau and area 4-H clubs will hold their annual picnic in Verndale on June 22. This is planned as a full day farmer’s holiday for Wadena County. The 4-H boys and girls will have their athletic contests starting at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a huge picnic. Ice cream will be furnished by the Farm Bureau and coffee by the Verndale Commercial Club. After dinner there will be street races for the children and grownups as well. There will also be a speaking program followed by a baseball game between Sebeka and Verndale.
• The good neighborly act was performed again in this community this week when neighbors of Leonard Schwarts came to his place and cultivated his corn. Mr. Schwarts was laid up and unable to work. Those who took part in the good neighborly deed were: Harlan and Bud Conley, Boyd Conley, Cliff Horn and Sherman Dalen.
40 Years Ago, June 13, 1984
• In a brief program at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, the mortgage for Verndale’s museum will be burned. The Historical Society made the final payment on the structure last month, and will celebrate the occasion during the annual Father’s Day open house. Cake and coffee will be served from noon to 4 p.m. and musical entertainment will be provided by Roy Erickson and Joyce Winterfeld.
• To see these three young girls in this photo painting Verndale’s float last week, one would never guess that they were royalty. They are Danelle Colby, and Sherrie Thurston, princesses; and Ericka Schnek, Miss Verndale, who were busy painting the gazebo.
• Pictured is Virgil Seaton holding a sword and scabbard and a corn knife which will be new items on display at the museum this year. The very ornate sword and scabbard were the property of Henry Sottong, who served with the Massachusetts Volunteers in the Civil War during 1861 and 1862. Henry was the grandfather of Fred L. Brauch of Wadena and built the house on 21 Dayton Avenue, SW, Wadena, where Fred was born and lived most of his life.
15 Years Ago, June 11, 2009
• “Fantastic!” That’s what Traci Ryan, financial advisor to the city of Verndale, is saying about the fact that the city has been approved for $395,756 from the Public Facilities Authority to help fund the Year One Sewer and Water Improvements project. She delivered this “very good news” to the council during its Monday, June 1, regular monthly meeting.
• The motorcyclists who participated in Lakewood Health System’s third annual Highways for Hospice motorcycle rally endured the cold, windy weather on May 16 to help raise funds for Lakewood’s Hospice program. The new 100 mile charity ride raised over $1000 for the program and provided a much appreciated sense of support for staff, patients and family.
• The Lady Raiders completed their 2009 track and field season with six individuals competing in the Section Meet in Moorhead. The team also held their awards banquet to hand out some individual awards and to wrap up the season. Lydia Alexander threw well in the shot put with 30’9”. Janessa Weaver made the finals in discus, placing seventh. Rose Shaw ran the 200 meter and placed seventh. The 4x100 relay of Hannah Barrett, Rose Shaw, Heather Lipinski and Anna Anderson placed fifth. Anderson received Rookie of the Year, Lipinski got the Most Improved Award, Golden Baton went to Rose Shaw. Most Valuable Persona and Raider Award both went to Weaver.
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