Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, November 7, 1946
• The Heinemann and Goebel store, reported sold to John W. and Wm. E. Scrade of Hinckley, for some reason or another, was not completed. When Mr. Goebel gave us the news last week that the store had been sold, he had no doubt in his mind that the transaction would not be completed, as all preliminary arrangements and a substantial down payment was made to ensure the sale.
• The 36x46 tile and cement school bus building is now completed sufficiently to house the three Verndale school buses. The buses were moved there on November 1. The only part of the structure not finished is the four large doors. The special doors being unobtainable at this time resulted in wooden doors having to be made to serve the purpose.
• In the contest for sheriff, Gus Tullgren won out over Mike Mueller by a majority of 363 votes. For county attorney, Charles Kennedy won over Ray Bradford by 140 votes. In the county representative contest, Joe Lorentz won out over John A. Peterson by a slim margin of 140 votes. In the third district county commissioner race, A.M. Anderson was re-elected over John O. Peterson. In the fifth district, Lars Leionen won over Fred Thompson.
40 Years Ago, November 12, 1981
• Bob Negaard, a former science teacher, and Barry Blaha, a Verndale farmer, acquainted students with taxidermy and sheep productions. They participated in Career Day activities. Among others who were available for consultation were Dick Bernier and Stan Carlson, Wadena-Radio Broadcasting, Paul Teauwen, Alexandria Tech-truck driving; Paul Grunall, Wadena AVTI-auto mechanics; Larry Shellito, Alexandria AVTI-hotel/restaurant/management; Larry Nelson, Wadena-PCS; Dave Bullock, highway patrol and Ron Arbrust, medical technology.
• A diesel-powered bus will be added to the school district’s fleet next year as the result of bidding at Monday night’s regular board meeting. A larger number of sealed bids were received this year, six for the bus bodies and three for the chassis. The bid of Minnesota Body and Uselman’s were accepted for a total of $27,453.
• New Brownie Scouts who were invested into the troop during a special program attended by families were Bernadette Dolezal, Charlene Koons, Noelle Lehner, Becky Ludovissie, Shelly Otto, Melinda Quaal, Heather Van Batavia, Stacy Yule and Amy Kostrzewski.
15 Years Ago, November 9, 2006
• After months of work, Sentenced to Service crews from Wadena and Todd county jails have completed several projects toward the renovation and remodeling of the Wensman Building, otherwise known as the Wadena County Maintenance shop. On November 2, the Wadena County Board of Commissioners visited the public building to see the progress that has been made.
• The Verndale ninth-grade volleyball team placed third in the ninth-grade tournament held in Pillager on October 28. Britney Kern and Trista Fink were named Players of the Tournament.
• On November 3, Jon Hovde visited the Verndale School and spoke to students and community members about his experiences. Hovde almost lost his life in Vietnam. At just 20 years old, the armed personnel carrier he was driving hit an anti-tank mine. The first medic to reach him couldn’t detect a pulse in his left wrist and told the squad leader he was dead. But Hovde’s arm that was still in his sleeve had been severed in the blast along with his left leg. When the squad leader saw him move moments later, Hovde was rushed to a field hospital by helicopter.
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