Looking Back
News from Bertha's and Hewitt's Pasts
25 Years Ago
May 4, 1997
“It’s the biggest waste of taxpayer’s money I’ve ever seen,” said Board Chairman Scotty Greenwaldt. He was referring to a bridge replacement project over the Wing River in Bertha Township. The engineer’s estimate was $257,283 with the lowest bid from Kraemer Construction at $247,439. Supervisor Wayne Voge presented a resolution passed by the Bertha Town Board. “I’d like our resolution read into your commissioner’s minutes. We got the dirt end. Ten years ago the bridge was supposed to cost $88,000 with the township’s share of $8000-$10,000. Now the bridge could cost the township $60,000. We are not in a position to spend that kind of money on a bridge.” The resolution informed the county that the township has decided to withdraw from the proposed bridge project.
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Jean M. Skoglund and Heidi Blashack were chosen as East Otter Tail County Dairy Princess representatives. Skoglund is the daughter of dairy farmers Wallace and Bea Skoglund of Parkers Prairie. Blaschack is the daughter of dairy farmers John and Audrey Blashack.
75 Years Ago
May 8, 1947
Bertha Boy Scout Troop No. 59 held the annual Court of Honor on Sunday evening with Scout Leaders C.B. Will and I. W. Anderson making presentations. The following received various awards: Robert Mullin, Charles Bottemiller, Delmar Kotz, Darrell Anderson, Dale Franklin, Galen Bottemiller, Stanley McIntire, Dick Sparks, Allan Cornell, Carl Zutter and Donald Herbert.
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The campaign for funds for the American Cancer Society ended in Bertha last week. Mrs. Wm. Englemann, the Chairman, announced a total of $109 was raised in the community.