Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, September 15, 1949
• The enrollment approaches 360 in our school this year which is about 20 more than last year. The increase was mainly because of seventh and eight grade pupils entering high school from neighboring rural districts. Some changes in bus transportation are necessary. With minor adjustments in the present time schedules, it is hoped that the transportation will be satisfactory to those being serviced.
• Verndale is to have storage bins set up by Commodity Credit Corp. Farmers who have loans or purchase agreements on corn can deliver their corn to this bin site which is located at the north edge of Verndale on the Albert Mack farm. The corn must be shelled and a receipt from the sheller showing the bill has been paid must be presented to the county committee before the settlement can be completed.
• Little Joe Schandl, tavern owner from Aldrich, recently found that his name has suddenly become popular throughout Northern Minnesota and as far west as Williston, North Dakota. The peculiar circumstances behind this were related today in a special story in The Sun. Schandl, only five feet in height and over 250 pounds has owned a tavern in Aldrich for many years. His friends and customers know him as Little Joe Schandl.
40 Years Ago, September 19, 1984
• The photo shows the crowd gathered at noon for the Ecumenical Service at 12:30 p.m. and Mass by Pope John Paul at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in Birds Hill Park northeast of Winnipeg, Canada. The roofed area covering the altar and the carpeting were all in bright blue. The tower was reserved for television cameras. The crowd was very orderly except for the time of the Pope’s arrival in his popemobile when they stood on chairs or sat on other’s shoulders, blocking the view of those behind them. There were over 3000 buses arriving in Winnipeg.
• Team members gathered around their Coach Mike Mahlen, congratulating him on his 100th win in the 16 years he has been a Pirates coach. He was given a game ball inscribed by all team players as well as the date, score and name of the opponent. The team had scored seven points on their first play of the game with Upsala on Friday and with strong defense, kept that score to 7-0 until the end. Flanking Mahlen are co-captains Dan Smith and Craig Beaver.
• Students from Mr. Tuseth’s 10th grade biology class took a field trip to the Staples Irrigation Farm last week on Thursday. They looked at varieties of raspberry bushes and listened to one of the experts explain what they do in search of better, more productive plants.
15 Years Ago, September 17, 2009
• Lonie Shively of Verndale saw a need in 1983 for a store that not only sold tools, but also catered to men in general and the sort of shopping they do. He and his family established Tools And More on a farm outside of Verndale in a dairy barn. When the lumber building became available in Verndale, they decided to open the store in town. They have other locations in Fargo, International Falls, Coon Rapids, Detroit Lakes, The Cities and are opening a store in Wahpeton.
• The Little Moran Hunting Club held their first annual Hunting Experience Game Fair on the grounds this past Saturday and Sunday. As part of the show Tom Knapp, a professional sharp shooter, was there both days to perform. Knapp is recognized as the greatest exhibition shooter of modern times. He has made TV appearances and performed more than 100 live shows a year in the United States and Europe. Knapp has thrilled countless shooters with his seemingly impossible feats with shotguns.
• Judith Krell of Verndale won the $6000 dining room set from the Furniture Gallery in Wadena in the Wadena Wad O’ Fun promotion sponsored by the Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce. Miss Wadena 2009 Casandra Behl congratulated her during the Firefighters Rodeo held on Saturday, September 12.
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