Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, March 7, 1946
• At present an average of 308 Wadena County veterans are reporting to the United States Employment Service office weekly, drawing adjustment allowances under the GI Bill. There is not a large number of job openings available to these veterans and it is becoming increasingly difficult to offer employment to them.
•Four counties, Wadena, Hubbard, Becker, and Norman, took part in the District Radio Speaking Contest at Moorhead on Friday, March 1. The contestants spoke over KVOX with Mr. R.H. Giberson, state 4-H club agent. The topic for the contest was “How I can best serve as a world citizen.” Ellen Malone, Wadena Jrs. 4-H Club participated as a contestant from Wadena County.
•Pfc. Fredrick Berg arrived home last Saturday for a 30-day furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Berg. He has been a patient in the hospital at Battle Creek, Michigan, and is recovering nicely from his recent attack of Polio.
40 Years Ago, March 5, 1981
•Two Verndale FFA members hold the distinction of being the first to take top honors in district competition from the Verndale Chapter for several years. Pam Schmidt and Clarice Horsager gave a demonstration on the care of a lamb, using one from Clarice’s flock. In addition, they were required to answer a number of questions orally, which were presented by the judges.
•Roger Olson gave sixth-grade class officers, Jennifer Ninneman, Wayne Hess, Jon Shereck, and Dean Fisher a check for over $20 which was from the collection and sale of aluminum cans. Money raised thus far is $82 plus which is two-thirds of their goal. It will be used to pay admission to various exhibits the class will be viewing on the annual sixth-grade trip.
•Kenton and Harriet Le Febvre, who live three miles north and about a half-mile west of Verndale, were honored at the Wadena County Dairy Herd Improvement Association annual meeting at Sebeka. Paul Shea of Minnesota Power presented them with the Premier Dairy Award for having a three-year average high butterfat production. Their herd averaged 598 pounds of butterfat and 17,203 pounds of milk for the years 1978-1980.
15 Years Ago, March 9, 2006
•The Verndale School Board appointed Board Member Denise Bramer as chair of the superintendent search committee at its meeting on February 27. Bramer will work with Superintendent Jim Madsen, who is retiring in June, to prepare advertising to be placed in publications and online job listings that are read by school personnel.
•Ethan Kern, in his second trip to the big show, won his first match 4-1 over Jacob Narveson of Chatfield. His next match was a come-from-behind 7-5 victory and the following one was a tough 3-1 victory over his opponent. This put Kern in the championship match against three-time state champion Zach Sanders from Wabasha-Kellog. Kern was tech falled in 5:20 by Sanders, thus losing his first match of the season and earning a second-place medal.
•The Verndale fifth and sixth-grade girls traveled to Staples on February 18 and placed third in the Staples Tournament. They defeated Crosby-Ironton 16-11, lost to Staples-Motley Red 31-25, then defeated Staples-Motley White 21-6 for third place. Team members were: Crystal Week, Tori Kern, Jordy Schluttner, Marissa Willis, Sarah Bain Richter, Teresa Moenkedick, Jordyn Reisenhauer, Megan Richter, Cody Week, Jennifer Kern. They were coached by Art Schluttner and Brian Richter.