Dusting Off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
40 Years Ago, September 10, 1986
• Joe and Diane Rousslang of Verndale look on in this photo as their son, John, was awarded a special honor medal for quick, correct thinking in an emergency situation. The award was presented by the Park Region Scout Council. Bruce MacKenzie, district executive officer from Brainerd, made the presentation last Thursday evening during a program held at Sunnybrook Park in Wadena. John was the one who discovered the fire following a lightning strike at the school last summer, and his quick action in alerting his father and the fire department resulted in minor damages when considering what could have happened.
• The Wadena County Board of Commissioners voted on September 2 to offer a reward of $100 to any person with information that will lead to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for damage at the Old Wadena historical site. It was reported on August 30, a picnic shelter had been torn down and burned. In addition one picnic table and sign were destroyed and partially burned. Total damage is estimated to be between $600-$700.
• Barb Schenk and Helen Melquist of Verndale will be on the program of the Staples Christian Women’s Club at its September 18 meeting held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Staples Technical Institute. Fall wedding ideas will be presented by Barb of Barb’s Cards and Gifts, while music will be by Helen. The guest speaker will be Sara Triplett of Redwood Falls, speaking on The Road to Happiness.
• Candidates for homecoming, which will be featured in Verndale next week, include Wendy Richter, Kim Trosen, Rachelle Adams, Jason White, Dean Fisher and Randy Denny. The coronation will take place Monday evening at 8 p.m. following an open house of the secondary department of the school. The homecoming game will be against Akeley-Laport and will be held at 3 p.m.
15 Years Ago, September 15, 2011
• Sam Bell, 14, of Nimrod was severely injured on Tuesday, September 3, when he was bucked off the 1600 pound bull he was riding and landed hard on his back, cracking his helmet. He was participating in the Nimrod Bull Bash held at the Troy Meech Ranch. He was wearing protective equipment and is an experienced and well-trained bull rider who has won state competitions and participated in national competitions. He was airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. Cat scan test results showed he has brain contusions, but they had not gotten any bigger. He also is suffering from broken ribs and one lung was tubed to remove excess fluid.
• On Tuesday evening, September 20, at 8 p.m., the following senior students will take center stage and two of them will be crowned homecoming king and queen. Candidates are: Abby Martinson, Travis Lollar, Jordanna Schluttner, Aaron Denny, Dan Houchin, Kira Ollila, Kory Stave and Tori Kern.
• The Lady Pirates traveled to Swanville for a non-conference game against the Bulldogs. Despite their best efforts, the young Pirates came up just short, losing to a more experienced Swanville team 1-3. Once again Teresa Moenkedick carried the load for the Pirates as she racked up 17 kills and 18 digs, followed by Miranda Dougherty with 7 kills.
• The Verndale Pirates football team traveled to Echo Charter on Friday night looking to secure their first win. The Pirates have not played against any live competition since a scrimmage in August due to a canceled game. The boys imposed their will early and often in this one and ran away with a 60-0 victory. Verndale scored six touchdowns in the first half. Dallas Ehrmantraut had two scores through the air, one a 14 yard pass and the other 34, and one rushing, 29. Andy Bounds also contributed with two early scores on runs of 7 and 65.
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