Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, March 28, 1946
•Miss Mary Bradford, who has served at the Verndale Post Office since June 1, 1918, and has been on sick leave since October 10, 1945, this week received official confirmation of her application for retirement due to disability. R.L. Bradford has received an official appointment as Acting Postmaster of the Verndale Post Office effective April 1 and will serve in that capacity until Civil Service examinations are called for the selection of a new postmaster.
•Mr. A.C. Johnson, Verndale Red Cross Chairman, reported that Verndale’s quota of $250 in the Red Cross drive was reached last week. Mr. Johnson wishes to thank all the solicitors who helped him, namely: Mrs. F.E. King, Mrs. A.C. Johnson, Mrs. Harold Goepferd, Mrs. Vince Bretz, Miss Shirley Sampson, Mrs. Clayton Kopp and Clarence Horn.
•Clark Klucas, a resident of the county for the past six years or more, will take over the management of the Waterhouse Impl. Co. service station and garage business on April 1. Mr. and Mrs. Klucas who have two daughters, Connie and Marie, will live in the house they purchased recently from Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ludtke at the north edge of town. Mr. Klucas succeeded Bob Anderson who has been with the company the past few months and is leaving to work for the First National Bank.
40 Years Ago, March 29, 1981
•Approximately 10 acres of farmland were burned off Monday afternoon, having a somewhat freakish beginning. As reported by Mrs. Art Otto, her husband had an area bulldozed of trees several years ago, and last January put the torch to it in an effort to clean up the brush and piled trees. Apparently, that fire remained kindled since then, and in the hot, dry breezes Monday, spread to the surrounding grass and took off.
•John Lepper, grandson of Olive Lepper of Verndale, was one of three Glenwood youths awarded the highest honor in scouting on Tuesday evening during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. John, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lepper, was presented the Eagle Scout Award, culminating a scouting career of achievement and service. A total of 21 merit badges are required for this honor.
•Girls State winners this year are Marsha Hines, the daughter of Carl and Viola Hines, and her alternate, Catherine Masog, daughter of Ted and LaDonna Masog. They and Laura Carlson were chosen by faculty members based on qualifications and eligibility requirements to represent the junior class in the American Legion Auxiliary sponsored 35th annual Girls State competition.
15 Years Ago, March 30, 2006
•Wadena County Attorney Jon Edin appeared before the county board on Thursday, March 23, and presented his resignation effective on April 10. This began a serious discussion about what to do. The county attorney is an elected official. To call for applications the county must place a notice in their official paper for two weeks, but it was not possible to run two notices and review applications before the attorney leaves. The other option was to make an emergency appointment. The commissioners chose this option. Board Chair Lane Waldahl would personally call each law firm in the county and inform them of the vacancy and the need for it to be immediately filled.
•Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer on Saturday participated in measuring the world’s largest permanent coin mural, constructed by Bill Himmelwright of Minneapolis, for submission to the Guinness Book of World Records. The mural was found to be 209.5 square feet. The mural weighs about 700 pounds and contains about 100,000 pennies. It is in the shape of an American Flag.
•The Verndale baseball park benefit auction will be held on March 30 at the Verndale Civic Center. A freewill spaghetti dinner will be served with an auction with everything from lodging to golf, a signed Jerry Rice football and more.