Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, May 2, 1946
•Clerk of Court Florence Clayton reported the births and deaths for Wadena County in 1945 which included 475 births, 141 deaths, compared to 452 births and 166 deaths in 1944. There were 16 sets of twins born in 1945.
•A fire early last Wednesday destroyed a Wadena cafe, and a small garage damaged two other businesses and threatened a section of the Wadena industrial district before being brought under control. Breaking out in the Elmarie Cafe, owned by Elmer Theriault, the fire quickly destroyed it and a truck garage owned by Ray Brandt. The two-story brick Farmer’s Hatchery building, one of the largest hatcheries in this section of the state, was damaged, mainly by smoke and water. The cafe was located close to the Peterson-Biddick Company (seed company plant), a lumber yard and a large warehouse of the seed company.
• A farm home, with all contents, on the Joe Pickar farm in Meadow Township, was totally destroyed by fire about 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, April 13. The fire is presumed to have started from a defective chimney and spread so rapidly that it was impossible to save any of the household goods.
40 Years Ago, April 30, 1981
•Plumbing hookups and footings were placed in the excavation site across the road north of the Verndale School last week and early this week. Preparations are being made for a four-plex, built by Verndale Custom Homes, which is expected to be moved to the site this week providing the weather holds so that preliminary work can be completed.
•Entry into the Bjerga Feed Store, Inc. sometime after closing at noon on Saturday was reported to the local police when it was discovered on Monday morning by Manager Ron Greenwaldt. Nothing appeared to be missing and no damage was noted, although approximately a bushel of feed corn had been spilled from a mixing bin and some items and furniture had been rearranged. Entry appeared to have been through the back door. Police are investigating what appears to have been an act by youth.
•Groundbreaking took place at the England Prairie Pioneer Club site, recently acquired from Chester Cain, approximately three miles west of Verndale last Sunday afternoon during the organization’s open house. In addition to vintage tractors and plows, Les Bain of rural Verndale had his four horses in motion pulling a gang plow, turning over two rows with each revolution of the field. Bain has raised two of the team from colts, part Belgium and part Shire, and uses them in his own farm work.
15 Years Ago, May 4, 2006
•Wadena County Sheriff H. Michael Carr announced he will not seek re-election as sheriff. Carr has been in law enforcement for 35 years, beginning in 1971 as a patrolman. He was appointed chief of police in Staples in 1974 and was then elected sheriff of Wadena County.
• A very emotional Mike Lovelace addressed the Verndale sophomores, juniors and seniors, about the dangers of drinking and driving and seatbelt use on April 28. Lovelace, who lost his son and best friend, Cody, to an auto accident, told of his relationship with his son, and of the final days of his life. Speaking just a couple of weeks before Verndale’s upcoming prom, it is hoped that Mike’s message may have reached at least one student, and will make them think again about drinking and driving and using their seatbelt.
•The Raiders traveled to Long Prairie for the only meet of the week. The meet turned out to be very competitive with several teams having good athletes. The Raiders finished in eighth place. The Raiders relay team of Kayla Finck, Taryn Fuller, Molly Moenkedick and Katie Sero ran well and placed second.
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