Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, December 15, 1949
• Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lynch are announcing a free lunch at their store for next Tuesday (Santa Claus Day) in Verndale. The lunch will consist of old fashioned hot Monarch pork and beans and coffee from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• The Verndale Masonic Lodge 139 held their annual election of officers Tuesday, December 6, with the following officers elected for the ensuing year. Wm. Horn, Worshipful Master; Roger E. Button, Senior Warden; John Friedli, Jr., Junior Warden; Gordon L. Peterson, Treasurer; E.W. Orr, Secretary; Glen H. Seal, Trustee. These officers will be installed at an Open Installation on Tuesday, December 20.
• The Sunflower Patrol, Girl Scouts are having a luncheon the 17th of December at the Legion Hall. They are serving cake, pie, coffee and ice cream. They will start serving at 2 o’ clock and the public is cordially invited to attend.
40 Years Ago, December 12, 1984
• The Verndale City Council was approached at their regular meeting Monday, December 3, asking for permission to conduct feasibility and cost studies for the possibility of bringing cable television to the city of Verndale. Andrew Schmith and Bob Larson of West Central Telephone Association of Sebeka, representing United Data Vision, Inc., told the council that if they’re interested, they should contact the city attorney to draft a resolution and pass and publish an ordinance before they can apply for a franchise. The erection of the new West Central Telephone tower will make it possible to bring cable TV to city residents.
• The climax of the Christmas Extravaganza last Saturday was the 20-minute pageant acted out by Sean Buckreis, Jason Neuerburg, Ken and Valerie Schmitz, Dean Fisher, Terry Sickels and Mark Christianson to the music sung by the Verndale Community Choir and Staples Area Men’s Choir. Marlene Finck directed the choirs.
• Too frightened last year to be fingerprinted, Jeff Brown, son of Bruce and Barb Brown, watched carefully as Police Chief Scott Miller recorded his fingerprints for future reference. The only copy was given to Jeff’s mother for safekeeping. About two dozen youngsters were fingerprinted in this, the second year of the program, sponsored by the Verndale PTSA and law enforcement agencies.
15 Years Ago, December 10, 2009
• Verndale students will, for the eighth year now, participate in RIF (Reading Is Fundamental). RIF is a national organization that provides books for children. It is also funded partly with matching donations from local organizations. They were fortunate to have the Verndale Lions Club contribute matching funds. The first of three distributions this school year will be Friday, December 11. Third grade students were excited about choosing a book for their own to keep in their home libraries. Pictured are: Olivia Helland, Morgan Glenz, Quinn Kern, Tate Bounds, Imogen Stinar, Michelle Ismil, Autumn Clews, Autumn Poppe, Michael Bonkoski, Brandon Olson, Molly Brownlow, Preston Kern, Aaron Robben, Jackson Weniger, Hunter Seefeldt, Nicholas Drone, Haylee Disslebrett, Skyler Honer and Jarrett Kveton.
• The students in fourth through sixth grades from St. Frederick’s Church went caroling at the Village Green Apartments last week. After singing, refreshments were served while stories of past and present were shared. The students and residents then played games. Pictured are: Stacy Richter, Ashley Hammer, Haley Youngbauer, Jensyn Schluttner, Lynette Kern, McKenzee Schluttner, Jared Manuel, John McIntire, Sarah Moenkedick, Samantha Kveton, Kendra Wilhelmi and Tina Moenkedick.
• The Verndale boys basketball team opened their season on December 4 by hosting the Upsala Cardinals. The senior-led Upsala team came out on top by a score of 80-48. Verndale had four players see playing time on varsity for the first time in their career. The Pirates were led in scoring by Zack Meidinger with 15 points and Caleb Burczyk with 11 points.