Dusting Off the Archives

News from Verndale's Past

40 Years Ago, February 26, 1986

• A decision to proceed with repair/replacement of the gymnasium floor was again tabled at the February 18 meeting to allow members time to look into other needs, such as possible additional classroom space based on future enrollment projections, work on improving the track, etc. The two types of new construction for the floor were again reviewed along with architectural directives from two firms. Repairing the floor was estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $30,000 with no guarantees that the problem of lack of resilience would be solved, while new construction is estimated at approximately $35,000.

• Angela Peterson, a 1983 graduate of Verndale High School, recently returned from studying in England and Europe and submitted a report of her activities and experiences while there. It proved to be a very educational and thought-provoking trip. She returned from her studies in London on Monday, January 27. She was in the International Studies Program through St. John’s University from September 12-December 20. From January 20-21 she traveled the continent and went to Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Denmark, West Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy, and Spain and Scotland.

• Jennifer Ninneman, 16, was selected to represent the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative during a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. The 1986 Youth Tour competition featured juniors from Menahga, Sebeka, Wadena, Verndale, Staples, Bertha-Hewitt, Eagle Bend, Clarissa, Browerville and Long Prairie. Jennifer is the daughter of Richard and Sylvia Ninneman.

• Verndale’s Knowledge Bowl teams had varied success in the five meets in which they have thus far participated, winning two firsts and a second when competing with six teams and sixth and ninth when competing with nine teams. They placed first in bouts at Bertha and Sebeka, and second at the Wadena Contest. Although team members change back and forth and some are alternates, Robert Heilig, advisor to the groups, said basically they are comprised of two teams consisting of Team 1: Sean Buckries, Shari McClure, Jeff Olson, Brenda Richter, Jon Shereck and Heidi Van Batavia and Team 2: Don Campbell, Dan Dahlvang, Jeff Harne, Bryan Jacobson, Carol Masog, Jennifer Ninneman and Wendy Richter.

15 Years Ago, February 24, 2011

• The village of Aldrich was actually a community before the tracks for the Northern Pacific Railroad were completed in 1871-1872. The present Aldrich site on the north side of Highway 10 consisted of railroad land grants purchased from the Pudget Sound Railroad Company. The remainder of the village south of the tracks was originally homesteads or pre-emption land. Aldrich was platted in 1880, the oldest permanent settlement in Wadena County.

• Kelly Youngbauer has been named a candidate for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Youngbauer, a teacher at Verndale Public Schools, has been teaching for 16 years. She teaches seventh grade life science, eighth grade earth science, tenth grade biology, senior high anatomy, physiology and biology with special topic environmental science. She is also the high school Knowledge Bowl coach, prom coordinator and the drama director.

• After 29 years of service with Wadena County, Public Health Director Karen Nelson gave a tearful resignation to the board of commissioners. After 46 years of working in public heath, Nelson plans to retire.

• The Raiders finished out the regular season last week when they traveled to Wheaton for a triangular against Breckenridge and Border West. In the first dual for the Raiders, they took on section favorite Border West and although they were aggressive they were outmatched and under manned. In the next dual, they took on Breckenridge and it looked like they might have been able to pull a dual out, but the Cowboys were just too much for the Raiders who have been without many wrestlers throughout the season.

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