Dusting off the Archives
News from Verndale's Past
75 Years Ago, December 26, 1946
•The Verndale fans and basketball teams were a happy bunch when they returned from Bertha last Thursday night with a doubleheader victory over their old rivals, Bertha. For Bertha, we can’t say the same for we know that they went home that night with anything but a happy atmosphere.
•On Wednesday, December 4, the Wadena County Farm Bureau annual meeting went on record sponsoring three resolutions that will mean a great deal to not only the rural but urban population of Minnesota. The first and probably the most important was a resolution asking that the high school curriculum of the state be gone over with the possibility of eliminating 16 subjects that are being offered at the present time. Our high school curriculum should be replaced by subjects that are current and practical.
•The Verndale American Legion boys are sponsoring a big New Year’s Eve dance in the village hall next Tuesday night, December 31, with Billy Mitchell and his orchestra furnishing the music.
40 Years Ago, December 31, 1981
•Virgil Seaton stands outside the new entryway to the Verndale United Methodist Church which was completed in time for Christmas, much of the work done by volunteers. It is carpeted, paneled and features four stained-glass windows, the pride of the congregation. It provides for easy access for the handicapped with a sidewalk leading to the entrance and a ramp inside as well. A number of religious pictures which had been memorials, grace the walls.
•Winter time can be fun for both young and old and, in this case, it’s old-fashioned fun. The most unusual sight of a four-horse hitch pulling a sleigh caught the attention of numerous passersby on Highway 71 south of Wadena Saturday. The team belonging to Jim Richter provided the horsepower while plowing through the snow, their breath evident on the cool, clear day.
• Rotarians Steve Sorko and Loren Fiskum with residents Harding Blake and Jo Rice were among those who enjoyed “Men’s Night” with a number of Rotarians and Shady Laners on deck. Many groups helped in a number of capacities to make Christmas at Sandy Lane a merry one.
15 Years Ago, December 28, 2006
•The Verndale Senior High School band was interviewed by KSAX channel 5 news for the Strike up the Band segment. The band was featured on the 6 p.m. news on December 21. The news station also interviewed the counselor about college placement.
•Lakewood Health System is pleased to welcome the first baby born at the new hospital and clinic campus. A team of Lakewood Health System professionals including Dr. Sarah Israelson and OB nurse Nan Kalk, R.N., delivered Matthew Bryan Wegscheid at 4 p.m. on the very first day of service at the new facility. Matthew was greeted by two older brothers and parents Bryan and Lucinda Wegscheid.
•Action, action, action was the name of the game for the BHV Raiders this past week. On Tuesday they hosted the Parkers Prairie Panthers at Bertha. On Thursday the Verndale gym was the sight of the match between the Raiders and Pine River/Backus Pequot Lakes. On Saturday the Raiders traveled to Clarissa to compete in the Bronco Invitational Individual Tournament.