Dusting Off the Archives

News from Verndale's Past

40 Years Ago, August 27, 1986

• Loren Horsager was recently presented a plaque and a $100 check by Herman Wiese, Verndale Legion Post commander, in recognition for his essay placing second in the District 6 Legion Oratorical contest. He lost out to a former Verndale student, Aaron Ostrom of Park Rapids, whose entry finished fourth in state competition. All ninth through twelfth grade students are eligible to enter this competition which reaches the national level, and greater rewards. Loren’s sister, Clarice, was the local winner in 1983.

• The Wadena County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information from the public about growers of a large patch of marijuana which was found northeast of Huntersville. It was seized and destroyed. According to County Sheriff Mike Carr, this patch has been under surveillance for some time prior to removal of approximately 400 pounds of marijuana, but due to lack of manpower and limited success with the surveillance, it was decided to take and destroy the plants.

• A heavy equipment crane had to be brought in to unload heavy equipment at J & D machining which will give them the ability to produce almost anything for their customers. Purchased at a recent auction were an air press, brake press, overhead crane, metal shearer and punch press.

• Special recognition was given to Alyce and Shorty Seaton for the many years of service to the celebration committee; to Jim Neuerburg on behalf of the Lions Club for undertaking the staging for the parade each year and to Fire Chief Duane Davis, representing the firemen, in recognition of the giant task of clean-up after Saturday’s celebration activities.

15 Years Ago, September 1, 2011

• Old time threshing, spinning and sawmill demonstrations were among the many attractions at England Prairie this past weekend. Jim Bounds of Wadena said that all it took was a little tinkering and he was able to get the Do Nothing Machine built by the late Walter Derby working again. The Do Nothing Machine hosts a variety of cartoon characters including the Kool-Aid man, the Smurfs and the California Raisins, among others.

• A football scrimmage was held in Verndale on Saturday, August 27, with eight teams participating in the first of the 2011 season. All local teams play their first game on September 2. Verndale will host Lincoln HI at 7 p.m., Eagle Valley will host Hancock, Bertha-Hewitt will be playing at CGB and Browerville will host Barnsville.

• This week many residents from the Verndale community will be coming together to build an amazing playground for the kids on the north side of town. We are very excited to see this finally happen in our town so the kids have a great and safe place to play. All are welcome to come and enjoy the playground.

• The postseason run of the Bertha Blazers came to an end last Saturday night in Glencoe when the Mankato Mets handed the Blazers a 6-0 defeat in the second round of the State Class C Tournament. The Blazers were 8-2 in the post season, taking second place in the Hi-Team League playoffs, first in the Region 14 tournament and posting a 1-1 record in the State Tournament. The Blazers were 24-8 overall in 2011.

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