Dusting Off The Archives
75 Years Ago, January 11, 1945
• A large crowd gathered at the Methodist Church in Verndale on Sunday when the church mortgage was burned and the church re-dedicated by Rev. Bishop Ralph Cushman. It was an honor to have Bishop Cushman here to re-dedicate the church and he gave a very inspiring sermon that will be remembered for quite some time by those who heard him. Every denomination of churches in town were present in the afternoon for the mortgage burning and to hear the bishop.
• Due to a shortage of help, Mary Karl is holding an auction sale on January 18 at her place located seven miles north and three and a half miles east of Verndale, or two and a half miles east of Hope Chapel Church. Her list consists of 20 high grade shorthorn cattle, one horse, farm machinery, etc.
• Following is part of a letter from Pfc. Norman Hines to his mother Mrs. Mary Hines. Since Norman was wounded July 8. 1944, in France and had recuperated sufficiently from his injuries, he has been helping other wounded soldiers. Dear Mom, You asked me about the work I am doing and how long it will last. My work is working in the gymnasium with three Physiotherapists. My job is to apply all exercises they prescribe for gym patients. Or in other words to men that are able to walk or come to the gym on crutches.
40 Years Ago, January 10, 1980
• In Checking with Harold Jesh of Jim Miller Construction, St. Cloud, the firm which conducted a survey to determine need for elderly housing, Mayor Louise Otremba relayed that “everything is looking good.” Jesh reported that he had received 68 questionnaires with 46 responding favorably and that he had eight more on his desk received in that morning’s mail. If they are of the affirmative, it could mean that the entire 2-unit facility could be constructed here, pending acquisition of land, etc.
• Gathering Christmas trees Saturday were Jim Runyan, Les Davidson, Mark Callahan, Gary Bramer, Dick and Chuck Tangeman of the Verndale Jaycees. This is the third year they have undertaken this, hauling them to a rural area to provide habitat for wildlife.
• A model 94 Winchester 30-30 rifle was given to Phil Sickel of Rt. 1. Sebeka. Winner of this past season’s Jaycee Big Buck Contest. Making the presentation recently, was Chuck Tangeman, local chapter president. Sickel’s 10-point buck, downed on November 10, 1979, in Beltrami County weighed in at 239 pounds.
15 Years Ago, January 13, 2005
• The business portion of the Verndale City Council’s first meeting of 2005, January 3, began with the swearing in of newly elected mayor, Wayne Stave, by City Clerk Dawn Nelson, and of council members Janell Carr, and Todd Brenna. When Stave became mayor, his council seat was then vacated and was an opening on the council. Mayor Stave immediately appointed Leland Moyer to the vacant seat.
• The BHV Raiders got back into action when they faced a tough Wadena-Deer Creek team. The Wolverines and Raiders met earlier this season and the Raiders came out the victor by one point. The match was exciting from the start to finish with the Raiders coming out on top by a six point margin, 37-31.
• The students have completed their course of snowmobile instruction classes. On Saturday, January 8, the following students tested their skills and received their certificates: Nathan Bart, Nathan Dunbar, Duke Harrison, Drew Hill, Daniel Kniesl, Dana Motschenbacher, Dustin Motschenbacher, Phillip Scharff, Amos Schmidt, Tyler Schmitz, Beau Weiher and Matthew Willis. The instructor for this year’s class were Dan Schultz, Jim Carr and Bob Schultz.