Dusting Off the Archives
- Trinity Gruenberg
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
News from Verndale's Past
40 Years Ago, November 20, 1985
• The transfer of the Waisanen family home in Verndale to the Verndale Historical Society took place last September, prior to the death of Doris Waisanen on October 4, 1985. The family donated its home on 501 South Brown Street to the people of Verndale and surrounding communities to retain for posterity the history and feelings of raising a family in small town central Minnesota. It will be known as the Wasisanen Heritage House.
• Eighty-five more dollars have been received by the Verndale Lioness to be used toward the purchase of new Christmas lights to brighten up the city for the holidays. The Lioness, with the help of donors last year, purchased four fixtures at $210 each and this year with donations of $135 will purchase two more to match. Members will again make garlands from local pine bough to add to the displays, planning a workday to assemble the garlands at the firehall on Monday, December 9.
• Almost as much snow has fallen thus far this fall as we had all last winter. The county plows were out early cleaning up to four inches which fell last weekend and another three inches on Monday, which by mid-day had turned to freezing rain.
• A fight at a school dance ensued as seniors presented their class play this year. Cast members were: Chris Youngbauer, Roger Denny, Heidi Van Batavia, Bryan Jacobson, Jerry Anderson, Ronda Andrews and Peg Hokanson. Chris is reluctant to go on a blind date arranged by his friend Bryan and the dates are Deb Scheller and Peg Hokanson in the class play, “I’m A Stranger Here Myself” by E. Miller.
15 Years Ago, November 18, 2010
• The sale of the G&L station in Verndale became official on Monday, November 8. Former G & L Employee Steve Elfstrum purchased the business merely because he thought it was a good idea. Elfstrum said he thought seriously about it since earlier this summer. The purchase of G&L from recent owner Ruth Gronlund was intended to be completed in October, but after some delays the new ownership began in November.
• Carman Berry Farm was started in 1979 by Richard and Maggie Carman. It’s located in a rural, yet easy to find location in Wadena, just past the Country Club. Started as a quaint strawberry farm for personal use, Carman Berry Farm became a destination for people around the area to come and pick as many berries as they pleased. The Carmans ran the farm alone until their eldest daughter graduated in 1985 and shortly after hired a farmhand, Darren Rohr. The couple retired in 2000 and sold the farm to Rohr. It’s their 10 year anniversary and Darren and Debby Rohr couldn’t be more enthusiastic about their berry farm.
• The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine girls volleyball team celebrated their Class AA State Tile Championship win after beating the Hutchinson Tigers 3-0 on Saturday, November 13. They are the only undefeated team in Minnesota, finishing with an impressive record of 33-0.
• The Verndale Pirates finished the season with a 10-17 record overall. With the loss of three seniors (Amanda Dailey, Elizabeth Johnson, and Ashley Richter), the Pirates hope to improve on their conference record. Ashley Richter received the All Conference award, and Elizabeth Johnson and Teresa Moenkedick received Honorable Mention in the Park Region Conference.
