Dusting Off the Archives

News from Verndale's Past

40 Years Ago, November 27, 1985

• While each of us has something special for which to be thankful, there is a Verndale resident who is thankful to return to an almost normal life. Mrs. Lorraine (Jim) Finck has a new lease on life having received a kidney transplant on August 30. It’s been a long 12 years. It was a year ago when all four of her children had been stricken with strep throat. The doctor bills kept piling up, so when she was stricken, she “rode it out”. When her fever broke, she was feeling better but that was only temporary. She quickly began feeling worse and really became alarmed when expelling black urine. After many doctors visits, she was sent to a specialist at the Mayo Clinic where she learned her kidneys were failing. And she is very thankful for the kidney donation.

• Rural residents, who are patrons of Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, will be asked to help make a decision on whether to provide expanded television services to their areas. They have been asked to fill out a questionnaire and return it bu the early part of December. The results of this survey will assist its Board of Directors in making a decision on whether or not to get involved in providing rural telecommunications through TVRO (Television Receive Only).

• The Board of Directors of the Wadena Pioneer Journal, along with Para Printer, Inc., WATCO Inc., and the Staples World, Inc. were named in a civil lawsuit brought by Applied Graphic Arts of Wadena, Inc., William and Judith Spear and Michael and Jan Roers. Applied Graphic Arts publishes the Circle Shopper. Michael Partay, Wadena Pioneer Journal publisher, stated the suit alleges that the plaintiffs have been harmed by some competitive business practices carried out by the defendants.

• Girl Scout Troop 339 of Verndale held its Investiture and re-dedication ceremonies last week Monday in the school library. Ten girls were invested into the Brownies while 15 girls were rededicated and given awards they had earned. The girls entertained their parents, grandparents and other guests with a number of action songs and danced the Virginia Reel, then served refreshments.

15 Years Ago, November 25, 2010

• Pictured is the view from Highway 29 on Friday afternoon as two Rachel Contracting backhoes worked on the demolition of the southwest corner of the Wadena-Deer Creek High School, which was destroyed by the June 17 tornadoes. Kraus-Anderson Project Superintendent Eric Domino said the backhoes will alternate between demolition and sorting, working their way to the east end of the school. Two skid steers were also assisting with the sorting of debris.

• There is never a wrong season for a good idea, and that stands true for the Verndale Farmers Market. The market began with high hopes this summer with help from community members Deb Erickson, Lee Tarrell and Mel Wiens. With the Farm to School movement going strong at Verndale and a new found interest in fresh, local produce, the Farmers Market has flourished this year. Success with the market was looking so good, the market was extended through the fall with a move into the Senior Center.

• Lunch With Someone You Love was held for the elementary students on November 10. Students invited someone they loved to have lunch with them and then browse the book fair at the Verndale Library. Family Fun Night was held on November 11, and was also the culmination of the Verndale Book Fair. Family Fun Night is held by the After School Program and includes games, supper and a chance to spend time together.

• The Verndale Independent School District No. 818 board has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Audit Report as presented by Brian Jacobson of Carlson Highland. Board Member Jeremy Schwartz asked Jacobson if he thought the audit was a “fairly healthy report,” and Jacobson responded that it was. One factor Jacobson said has been positive for Verndale over other districts is its increasing enrollment. Current enrollment is at 486, which is an increase of about 60 students from just three years ago.

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