Dusting off the Archives
- Trinity Gruenberg
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, 1950
Editor’s Note: Records from 1950-1952 are unavailable. We will resume printing “75 Years Ago” in May of 2027 to keep the dates in sync.
40 Years Ago, May 26, 1985
• Three candidates are seeking to fill the two vacancies on the school board which will occur June 30 when the terms of Russ Birch and Rodney Bounds expire. The election will be held next Tuesday, May 21 between 5-9 p.m. in the hallway of the southern most entry on the east side of the school. Seeking to fill the two vacancies are incumbent Rodney Bounds, completing his first term and newcomers T. Dalene Bishenauer and Jim Runyan.
• Honored on Mother’s Day during services at Verndale Methodist Church on Sunday was Marguerite Seaton, identified as “Mrs. Music” by Robert and Judy Schultz. Marguerite, a former teacher in the Verndale School, has been organist in the church and for various other programs and events for over 57 years. The presentation was made on behalf of the Celebration Committee who will honor her during Strawhat and Sunbonnet Days. Ted Masog, director of the Verndale High School band for over 15 years, has been named grand marshal for this year’s parade.
• Barb Schenk, the owner of Verndale’s newest business, was kept busy creating bouquets and corsages for Mother’s Day last week. She received her training in this field from one of the nation’s top floral designers who at one time owned the Flowers by Janette shop in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The owner, who had made all the flower arrangements for the Kennedy family, taught Barb everything she knew about flowers during the three years Barb was employed there. Barb then went into business for herself under the name of “Barbie’s Shower of Flowers.” Her location on First Avenue Southwest is called “Barb’s Cards and Gifts”.
• Verndale Lions and Lioness joined others from throughout the district in the Journey for Sight, either walking or biking to Sunnybrook Park in Wadena where they enjoyed a picnic supper on Sunday, May 5. Each sought pledges for distance. Total pledged for the district that day was $8246. Those from Verndale participating were Lions Marcellus Heilhoff, Rodney Anderson, John Wanner, and Jim Neuerburg and Lioness Florence Bounds.
15 Years Ago, May 20, 2010
• The Hoots ‘n Toots Family Fun Night was held on Thursday, May 13 with an outdoor extravaganza of horns and sirens. Families enjoyed the displays made available to them by many local businesses. Emergency care and local law enforcement were also in attendance. Free helmets for the kids were also provided. An added attraction this year was a race car provided by a Verndale student, Lauren Turner, who was on hand to answer any questions. Pelts and furs were also on display by Trapper Don Fredriksen.
• Kelsie Trosen, 20, daughter of Allen and Karen Trosen of Verndale, was chosen as a finalist in the Princess Kay contest. The contestant’s names were announced at the conclusion of a statewide workshop for approximately 90 young women who live or work on dairy farms and serve as county dairy princesses; 73 of them completed judging for the finalist position. Princess Kay is crowned at the state fair band shell the night before the fair opens and is the first of the 12 to be sculpted in butter.
• On Thursday, May 13, Lake Park traveled to Verndale and the Pirates were ready for action as they won the game 4-3. Clay Cottrell took the mound for the Pirates and went the distance as he struck out five batters, including three in the top of the seventh. Cottrell was helped by the Pirates defense as they turned two double plays. One of them was with men on first and second and no outs.
• Following is the Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale FFA state convention participants and their scores and placings. Derek Hamann scored 425 points and placed in the bronze category at the State Fish and Wildlife CDE held on April 26 at the St. Paul U of M campus. Cody Current, Stephon Whitaker, Dakota Aeling and Kristy Show placed 25th out of 55 teams in the State FFA Fish and Wildlife CDE. Cody led the team with a score of 590 points and in the gold category overall. Kristy scored 540 points and was also in the Gold category.
