Dusting Off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, February 25, 1945
• Cpl. Leonard Ryder, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ryder is serving with an Engineer High Shop Co. in the Hawaiian Islands. Leonard went overseas in May 1944.
• John Stang, owner and operator of a garage and store in Verndale since 1923 passed away Monday in the Brainerd hospital where he had been a patient for less than a week. John had been ailing the past few months, but his condition was not known to be critical, he being determined to keep on working as much as he could. It was not until last week that he consented to be taken to the hospital. John Stang was born in Askavald, Sunfjard, Norway on November 26, 1878, making him sixty-six years old. He came to America when he was 17 years old.
• The Verndale Pirates dropped their second game to Aitkin here Tuesday night when Aitkin came here for their return engagement. The score by quarters of this game with Aitkin leading all the way through the game was: first quarter 11-7; second quarter, 23-10; third 32-16, with the final score being 45-30.
40 Years Ago, February 28, 1980
• Ballots are being passed out at the I-R caucus prior to the straw vote to learn which presidential candidate is preferred by voters of this area. Regan won by a wide margin, 28 compared to his next contender, Bush with 12.
• The annual Premier Dairy Award, sponsored by Minnesota Power and Light Company was awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Horn of Wadena who certified with the association high three year butterfat average. Their 1977-78 and 79 record showed their herd averaged 557 pounds butterfat and 15,378 pounds of milk. The presentation took place at the 1980 annual meeting held February 19 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka.
• Members of the Verndale FFA Chapter competed in three of four district contest held at the Staples AVTI on February 19, each placing against representatives from 14 other schools in the district. Clarice Horsager set a good example for other FFA members to follow by placing second in the district demonstration contest. She is now eligible to compete in the FFA demonstration contest held at the Minnesota State Fair this summer. Kent Horsager placed eighth in the salesmanship contest. Ninth place in the job interview contest went to Rusty Baker.
15 Years Ago, February 24, 2005
• The Senior Citizen’s Center held their birthday celebration of February 17. Celebrating birthdays were: Merlyne Bissell, Elaine Schmitz, Vi Jessen, Aroyla Rogge, Emily Crocker and Helen Balknol. Happy birthday!
• Megan Richter, daughter of Brian and Michelle Richter of Verndale, was declared a district winner in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association piano contest held January 29 at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Megan is a fourth grader and entered the Junior A Division. She played “Mexican Salsa Cha-Cha” by Mier. Megan now advances to state competition which will be March 12 at Northwestern College in Roseville. Her teacher is Alice Gronlund of Sebeka.
• Fourth grade science fair winners were: Jackie Swenson, Dallas Ehrmantraut, Corey Uselman, Danielle Card, Teresa Moenkedick, Sara Richter, Josh Clews and Ben Horstmann. Fifth grade science fair winners were: Ariel Stocker, Ariana Snadburg, Megan Sly, Tori Kern, Jordanna Schluttner, Kraig Kenyon and Kory Stave. Sixth grade winners were: Christine Moenkedick, Jenny Hackler, Keri VanHeel, Shani Bain, Amanda Dailey, Hannah Barrett, Ryan Gronlund, Tim Kern and Nathan Bart.