From the Mascot Files: 75, 50, and 25 years ago
75 Years Ago-April 16, 1943
The U.S.S. Wyffels
One of Lyon county’s first war heros, the late Lawrence E. Wyffels, brother of Mrs. E.L. Meger of Minneota, will have a ship named after him. The news was received last week by his father, J. B. Wyffels of Marshall.
Surprise blackout in Ghent was a success
Ghent, April 13—There was a surprise blackout in Ghent Wednesday night at nine o’clock. It was successful, although, as the wind was blowing, some failed to hear the signal and did not turn out their lights until the wardens made their rounds.
Joy Theatre
“Eye in the Night” with Edward Arnold Ann Harding “Now Voyager” with Bette Davis, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid
Gaston Vlaminck Estate Auction sale Saturday, April 17th
A public auction of the livestock and farm machinery, household goods and grain and feed belonging to the estate of the late Gaston Vlaminck will be held Saturday, April 17. The Vlaminck farm is located seven miles south and five miles west of Minneota. Mr. Vlaminck, a bachelor, was about 40 years of age. He was born is Belgium, but had begun naturalization proceedings and was to apply for his final papers at Ivanhoe Tuesday.
50 Years Ago-April 18, 1968
‘Slave’ Labor
Kenneth Stassen, instructor in the Minneota high school’s agriculture department was one of the “slave” laborers last week following the auction staged by the local FFA organization Friday evening, April 5. He, along with 30 boys raised money for FFA by “hiring” out for a day’s work to buyers of the community. Stassen’s employer was Leon Ousman and the instructor spent most of the day raking the lawn. Unlike many of the “slaves,” Stassen had the help of his son, Mark, who is 10 years old.
Wrecked and burned
The grandstands at the ball park, which probably carried their biggest crowds in the late twenties and early thirties during the “golden age of baseball” in Minneota, were pulled down and burned by workmen of the Hi-Way Surfacing Co. last week. There were no crowds of mourners present to witness their departure - just a few youngsters, who thought that the blaze might make a good fire for a wiener roast. The field, which now belongs to the school district, is undergoing a complete renovation. The outfield fence has been torn down, along with the old wire fence, and the entire area is to be sodded in preparation for 11-man football which is to be played here in the future as well as the local summer recreation program.
Canby Theatre
Jon Wayne, Richard Widmark in “The Alamo”
Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton in “Taming of the Shrew”
25 Years Ago-April 14, 1993
New Police Officer begins duties
Joel Brott of St. Cloud began working this week at the Minneota Police Department. He is the new night patrolman on our local force.
Local teen to dance in Russia
Nicole Haugen, a 7th grade student at Minneota Public School, has the trip of a lifetime ahead of her, and she is excited about it. This summer, she will be one of twenty-six students performing in Russia.
Community Band plays for residents
The Minneota Community Band played some old-time music for residents at the Minneota Manor Monday night. The residents were a very appreciative audience as they tapped their toes and clapped in time to the music. Those who were able to play for the mini-concert were Gayle VanVooren, Val Lundquist, Darrel Anderson, Kevin Anderson, John Voit, Neal Bot and Chris Shuckhart.