Recollections
News from Eagle Bend's Past
25 Years Ago
April 23, 1997
The crowd lined up outside and filled all the tables inside the Lions' tent Sunday afternoon at the Vets Club in Eagle Bend. The occasion was a fundraising dinner for Gregg Heldt, manager of Engebretson Motor Co. Heldt is in Rochester undergoing a stem cell transplant for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The community-sponsored event fed 645 people and raised $8300 toward the family’s expenses. Gregg completed the first round of chemotherapy last week and will begin receiving stem cells this week.
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Sheriff’s Deputy, Bob Mason, began his investigation of a motorcycle accident as the Eagle Bend Rescue Squad and Bertha Ambulance prepared the victim for transfer to the hospital. Duane Eckel of rural Eagle Bend was eastbound on County Road 22 when he lost control of his motorcycle. An eyewitness reported that the bike started fishtailing and then he tipped over. He was taken to the Wadena Hospital where he was treated and held overnight. He was not wearing a helmet and received a severe blow to his face.
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During a three-hour meeting on April 14, the Eagle Valley School Board made decisions that will greatly affect the coming school year. By roll call, with all seven members in favor, elementary teachers Brenda Wieland, Cindy Hudalla, David Sobotka, Jill Lubben, and principal Diana Osterfeld were placed on unrequested leaves of absences. In the high school, home economics teacher Mary Ellen Otremba and councilor Tom Jacobson were also placed on unrequested leaves. This is usually taken as a precaution, with declining enrollment it is almost a given that some teachers will not be recalled.
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The Eagle Valley Rebels softball team played excellent defense in defeating the Royalton Royals. The Rebels pitcher, Jenny Sovich, a sophomore, allowed 3 hits while walking only two and striking out six.