Dusting Off the Archives

News from Verndale's Past

40 Years Ago, May 7, 1986

• Eleven board and staff members took part in the groundbreaking ceremony signifying the beginning of a new addition project for Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. One of the shovels used was also instrumental in the groundbreaking for Wesley Hospital (now Tri-County Hospital) on August 2, 1972. Pictured are Robert Zosel, Dr. Druan Ness, Jack Browne, Roger Folkestad, Don Bottemiller, and Luther Nerving; and Doctors Tom Van Bruggen, Tim Schmitt, L.K. Lamberty, L.G. Reichelt and Charles McGraw. The ceremony, with brief comments, was held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29.

• Five juniors from Verndale High School accompanied Legionnaire Andy Schmith to St. Cloud where they attended County Day. The six chosen to attend were: Jennifer Ninneman, Wendy Richter, Kim Trosen, Jon Shereck, Sean Buckreis and Jason White. While participating in County Day, the students toured the various county offices of the Stearns County Courthouse, jail and had the opportunity to sit in on a trial.

• Pictured, Steve Aeling gingerly received a clay elephant from Theresa Ludovissie to put into the kiln, while her sister Jennifer, awaited her turn with her brontosaurus dinosaur. Other students in the class were Karl Carpenter, Jessica Yule, Scott Nanik, Shelia Mudek, Patty Notch and Melinda Quaal.

• Shari McClue, a junior speech student, finished in the top eight of her category—original oratory—at the Region Speech Contest held at Wadena on April 19. Although she was unable to compete, she accompanied her teacher Kimberly Falk to the State competition in hopes of learning more about delivering speeches.

15 Years Ago, April 28, 2011

• For many years, the Donna and Wilbur Desrocher family of Verndale had a family tradition which has been passed on through the generations. Each year the family gets together and they dye eggs and then have a big Easter egg hunt. The tradition started several years ago with the Desrocher’s grandchildren and has carried over to the great-grandchildren.

• Cody Youngbauer cruised through the first few innings on the hill in Menahga while his teammates plated two runs in the first two innings. Jared Hoemberg had the hot bat as he blasted a two-run home run in the first inning behind a Jasmer single and drove in two more runs in the second with a single.

• The Pirates again started out strong with Jenny Swenson holding OTC to just one run through four innings before tiring and giving up four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Pirates were able to get one run back in the sixth inning, but the comeback fell short. The Pirates were led at the plate by Teresa Moenkedick who went 1-2 with a run scored.

• The Verndale School held their annual Family Fun Night on Thursday, March 31, with many activities, games, booths and a meal for the children to enjoy while their parents attended parent teacher conferences. Children took turns in the large bounce house while Cub Scout Master Chris Youngbauer set up a booth to show all the fun things you can do if you join the local Cub Scout pack.

Subscribe to get more of you current news!