Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, July 3, 1947
•The new Verndale Theater will soon be open to the public according to its owner Mr. Payne. Last week the interior of the theater was painted by George Schroeder, and this week plumbers are finishing the heating and ventilating system. Men from Minneapolis began work Tuesday installing the new seats. Mr. Payne states that he expects to have his grand opening with a matinee on Sunday, July 13.
•Sixteen townspeople and farmer neighbors of Owen Barnhart, gathered at his farm Tuesday and put his 20 acres of hay in the barn. Five teams, two hay loaders, one tractor and sixteen men made up the working crew. Men working were: Everett Davis, Earl Seaton, Manny Webber, Earl and Cecil Seaton, Hook Weber, Lou Beaver, Bud Conley, Bobbie Fischer, Ray Gadaire, Sherman Dalen, Ed Fischer, Tom Bautch, Henry Beven, Harlan Conley and Milford Dague. Mr. Barnhart, it will be remembered has been ill the past few weeks and unable to work.
•We’re sorry to report that the village of Verndale voted down the water system project here Tuesday. There were 218 votes cast with 120 yes and 98 no. In order for the bond issue to carry, five-eighths of the vote had to be in favor, which left Verndale 17 votes short of the required number to carry.
40 Years Ago, July 8, 1982
•American flags flanked the driveway leading into the great farmyard at the Earl Erickson farm Sunday, July 4 to greet family members, relatives and other guests who gathered to observe the 100th year of ownership by the Erickson family. It was the suggestion of grandson Todd Erickson, as a means of making observance more festive and keeping the national holiday. He, however, was unable to be present Sunday. Instead, he lay in the Alexandria hospital having suffered a broken leg the Friday before while assisting with the haying.
•At a special reorganization meeting held Thursday, July 1, Bill Fisher was named chairman of the District 818 school board for the 1982-83 school year. Other officers named were Dave Bessler, vice chairman; Richard Brown, treasurer; and Theresa Wutzke, clerk. Rodney Bounds was seated for the first time, replacing Earl Flores who has served in that capacity for 20 years.
•Ken Waisanen, son of Doris and the late Einard Waisanen of Verndale will be among the talented musicians from more than 20 different Minnesota high schools throughout the state that will soon arrive in Morris to participate in the Minnesota Music Educators Association and National Association of Jazz Educators first All-State Summer High School Music Camp.
15 Years Ago, July 4, 2007
•Hans B. Borstad and Diane M. Hess have joined their practices and will now be known as Borstad and Hess Law Office, P.A. Mr. Borstad has been practicing law in the Staples, Motley and Verndale areas for 35 years, with an emphasis on real estate, wills and probate, and business law. Ms. Hess has been practicing in Verndale and Staples for three years, with an emphasis on litigation and family law. The firm will operate as a general law practice with offices in Staples and Verndale.
•Andy Bramer and Nate Runyan pitched the Verndale Bison to a 6-4 Lake and Pine victory over the Red Eye Country Boys. Bramer scattered 4 hits over 6 innings to get the win. Runyan pitched the last 3 innings giving up 2 hits for the save.
•Before the school board meeting adjourned, Krogstad gave his report, which included student handbook additions, and a report on the systems accountability report. Krogstad then took a moment to thank everyone for the support they have given him as the K-12 principal. He stated he is excited about his new position at Norman County East, and wished the new principal, Mr. Brownlow, all the success possible in this new position.