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News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, August 13, 1986 • The Sunday morning community church service held in celebration in the new Lions Community Center was well attended. Pastors taking part in the service were: Craig Haberman (Methodist) Gregg Valentine (CM&A), guest speaker Pastor Orie Schrock of Motley, Father Ed Morslander (Catholic) and Roger Melquist (Assemblies of God). Ted Masog provided piano accompaniment for the community singing accompanied by Barb Seaton and

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com What began in 1951 as a small group of rural women wanting to start a garden club has blossomed into a 75-year tradition of friendship, flowers, and community service in Verndale and beyond. The Verndale Country Garden Club met at the home of member Vicki Thompson in July, where they combined regular business with education. Members participated in a quiz about fireflies, finalized plans for their Verndale parade float, and discussed

According to court documents, two 19-year-old men have been charged for causing property damage during a night of vandalism in Verndale, which totaled over $15,000. The men, Eathon Robert Phillips from Wadena and Tristin James Richard Nichols from Perham, are both facing serious charges of first-degree criminal damage to property, as the damage they caused was more than $1,000. The vandalism occurred May 24-25, 2025, when Phillips, Nichols, and three juveniles allegedly wal

News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 30, 1986 • It’s time once again to dust off your strawhat and sunbonnet and join the people pleasers in Verndale for the 11th annual Strawhat and Sunbonnet Day celebration. This year’s activities begin on Saturday, August 2, at 9 a.m., with arts, crafts and concessions in the park. There will be two parades—an 11 a.m. Kiddie Parade and 2 p.m. Grand Parade. Flyte Freestyle, USA, freestyle bike riders, will demonstrate their skilled

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News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 30, 1986 • It’s time once again to dust off your strawhat and sunbonnet and join the people pleasers in Verndale for the 11th annual Strawhat and Sunbonnet Day celebration. This year’s activities begin on Saturday, August 2, at 9 a.m., with arts, crafts and concessions in the park. There will be two parades—an 11 a.m. Kiddie Parade and 2 p.m. Grand Parade. Flyte Freestyle, USA, freestyle bike riders, will demonstrate their skilled

News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 23, 1986 • Minnesota became the 20th state in the nation to pass a mandatory seat belt use law earlier this year. The legislation takes effect Friday, August 1. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota Occupant Restraint Program and the Seatbelt Coalition are continuing educational campaigns pursuant to the law taking effect. At least four seat belt surveys will measure the public’ response. • Dale and Avis Paulsen re

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com Nineteen-year-old Carter White of Verndale is already making a name for himself on some of the best golf courses in the region, even though he just finished his first year of college golf. The former standout from Staples-Motley High School is now playing for North Dakota State University (NDSU) and has been golfing since he was just five years old. “I’ve been golfing since I was like five,” Carter said. His early start has paid of

News from Verndale's Past 40 Years Ago, July 16, 1986 • Lynette Hahn, Miss Verndale, showed the dress she’ll be wearing for the judging and coronation ceremony for the Queen of the Lakes Pageant held during Minneapolis’ Aquatennial next week. Lynn will be leaving early Saturday for the week-long schedule of events. She will be riding Verndale’s float in both the daytime parade on Saturday morning and the Torchlight Parade on Wednesday night. • The first citywide rummage sal

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com The Verndale Area Christian Academy (VACA) has begun a major expansion that will create more classrooms, which will include kindergarten through seventh grade. The approximate 14,000 square foot addition to the existing facility will create additional storage and maintenance areas. As VACA grew, they began planning the building project in 2023, with the assistance of the Verndale Family Life Church. The initial ceremonial groundbre