Dusting off the Archives

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 22, 1985

• Opening for business this week is the new Verndale Truss owned by Dave Gould who posed in this picture near one of the most important pieces in this manufacturing plant, the miter saw. They will be equipped to manufacture up to 60-foot trusses, employing up to three people at first. Other equipment includes a press, radial arm and table saws. Housing all the equipment is a 54’ x 80’ steel building located on Eastside Drive.

• Poppy poster winners in the Legion-Auxiliary sponsored contest this year were: Lorrie Goddard, receiving her first place check from Kathy Wiese, president of the Auxiliary; Jennifer Geray, second place; Louann Terveer, third place; and Andy Schmitz, honorable mention. The Girl Scouts conducted a house-to house campaign on Monday after school and Legion Auxiliary members will be selling the traditional poppies on street corners in the business district next Friday, May 24.

• A candle lighting ceremony culminated the annual Girl Scout Fly-up and Bridging ceremonies, held at the school auditorium last week Monday, following the potluck supper served in the school cafeteria. The Girl Scouts stood at attention while colors were presented prior to the opening of the program. The Brownies entertained with a Dutch Windmill Dance. There are 28 Brownies, 10 Juniors and 11 Cadettes. Leaders are: Brownies-Maureen Baker, Marcia Kostrzewski, Vickie Kern, Barb Masog and Lisa Randall; Juniors-Jackie Perius and Kathy Wiese; Cadettes-Rosalie Miller and Shari Radniecki.

• Pictured is Devon Dougherty holding a certificate awarded to him on May 16 at the Minnesota Press Club’s Annual Journalism Education banquet held at the Northstar Hotel in Minneapolis. Devon was one of 12 recipients of eight scholarship categories ranging from $250 to $500. He received the Edward P. Schwartz memorial scholarship which is for $55 given in recognition of professional promise and a superior academic record. This is the first year for this award.

15 Years Ago, May 27, 2010

• Ken Bro could see the entire town of Lovenich, Germany underneath the airborne body of his U.S. Army comrade who had just been hit with a mortar shell on March 3, 1945 during WWII. Ken thought PFC Walter “Wally” Raymond Gronlund, then 19, of Sebeka, had breathed his last as the shell had ripped into the teens soldier’s torso and left him motionless in a muddy field. He would not breathe his last breath until 65 years later on March 8, 2010 with only one functioning lung. Walt drug himself nearly three blocks through a muddy field toward the road until he was spotted by medics. He received two purple hearts, one for the leg wound, Oak Leaf Clusters for his chest wound, the Bronze Star Medal for Good Courage in the Battle of the Bulge Conflict, Good Conduct Ribbon, Combat and Infantryman badges and a Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon. He and Melvin Limanen purchased the gas station on Walt’s 27th birthday in 1952, calling it G&L (Gronlund and Limanen).

• The Bison picked up two big wins in the Lake and Pine Baseball league this past weekend. On Saturday, they defeated the Sebeka Stingers in ten innings 4-3 and then on Sunday, Verndale won over the Redeye Country Boys 8-7. Verndale’s Dan Johnson led off the bottom of the 10th with a single followed by another single by Shawn Motl. With runners at first and second, Sebeka’s pitcher was called for a balk, moving Johnson and Motl to third and second base. Sebeka intentionally walked Mitch Carr to load the bases. Steve Schmitz then blasted a hit over the right fielder’s head, scoring Johnson and Motl, giving the Herd the victory.

• BHV traveled to Pillager for the Park Region Conference Track and Field meet. The Raiders have a deep tradition in the PRC and this year Barrett and VanDenheuvel shared in the success of the Raiders. BHV holds two PRC records on the boy’s side of things. But more impressively, the girls hold six conference records. The number of conference championships is too numerous to count. The Raiders started out with a bang in the second event of the day when Hannah Barrett ran an excellent race. She took the early lead then crossed in 17.0 seconds and received a conference title in the 100 hurdles. Kathryn VanDenheuvel hit her personal best on the high jump at 4’10” landing her the PRC title in the high jump.

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