Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, April 11, 1946
• Superintendent C.R. Peterson and all other instructors at the Verndale School with the exception of three will return to Verndale for the next school term it was learned from the annual election of teachers at the meeting on Monday night. Those not coming back another term are Miss Ruth Johnson, first and second-grade teacher; Mrs. Drescher of Wadena, commercial; and Mrs. DeMars of Wadena, social studies and English.
•Valedictorian Gayle Sommars was a class officer of four years, member of the Glee Club for three years, member of the Girls Sextet for two years, participated in two class plays, on “Pirate” staff for four years, and Editor-in-Chief for one year. Salutatorian Phyllis Thompson was class president, member of the Glee Club for four years, member of the Girls Sextet for two years, on the “Pirate” staff for four years, Editor-in-Chief for one year, participated in two class plays, and was a member of the band.
•The Verndale Sun is another year older this week as it starts off on its 54th volume.
40 Years Ago, April 9, 1981
•Verndale firemen were rousted from their beds at 5:15 a.m. on Friday morning when a traveler on Highway 10 saw a fire and notified the department. Flames were pouring through the wall and the roof when firefighters arrived at a farm home owned by Ray Ismil located on the “cemetery” road. The origin of the fire is undetermined since the previous tenant had vacated the premises on Sunday.
• Ken Kneisl was named to the All-Conference basketball team at a recent meeting of coaches. Mentioned honorably were his teammates Chip Paulsen and Todd Pilgrim. The Pirates completed the season in fourth place, from a roster of nine teams in the Park Region Conference.
•Verndale vocalists who were among Star performers at the District 24 solo and ensemble contest hosted by Verndale last week Tuesday were: Matt LeFebvre, Katie Wutzke, Ken Waisanen, Jan Horsager, Ron Denny, Donna Lovelace, Jay Weiher, JoAnn Bergquist, and Laura Carlson.
15 Years Ago, April 13, 2006
•Verndale’s new Police Chief Bill Gilroy is expected to start his new job sometime in April, according to Mayor Wayne Stave. Gilroy has been working in Fargo-Moorhead as chief of security for a large company. Before that, he worked as a police officer for several Minnesota cities and as a deputy for several counties.
•Director Deb Haraldson and six Honor Choir members recently participated in the 14th annual Children’s Choral Festival sponsored by the Northern Plains Kolady Chapter. The event was held at the Roland Dille Center for the Arts on the Minnesota State University Campus in Moorhead. The students were Jessica Sibert, Kassandra Sheldon, Megan Holm, Brittany Cottrell, Harley Anderson, and Arica Gades.
•Three BHV wrestlers participated in the West Fargo wrestling tournament on April 1. All three proudly displayed their trophies, as each received first place in their weight categories. They are Anthony Kern, Ethan Orlando, and James Kveton.