From the Mascot Files

100 Years Ago
(Feb. 10, 1922)

Grain, corn prices
entices many teams
Counting down on one street in Minneota on Tuesday, we counted 50 teams. The total in town for the day might conservatively be estimated at 150. The boost in corn and grain prices accounts for this. Farmers have been hauling in corn, grain and hogs this week in unusual quantities.

Local lawyers return
after attending court
Gislason, Bromen and Gislason all returned from Granite Falls last Sunday. They had been there for several days attending court. The case involved a land deal and was tried before Judge Daily. The local law firm had charge of one side and were assisted by J.N. Johnson of Canby. There were 11 attorneys in the case on the other side. The decision in this case won't be rendered until April.

Get Together Club
gets sleigh ride party
The Get Together Club of Minneota was entertained with a sleigh ride last Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Werpy, after which refreshments were served to the whole company at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Peterson. Members of the Get Together Club told the Mascot that the whole affair was very pleasant and highly enjoyed by all.

75 Years Ago
(Feb. 14, 1947)

Winter's worst storm
hits community Friday
By far the worst blizzard of the winter hit this community Friday, halting traffic, disrupting train service and closing schools for the day. The raging storm started late Thursday afternoon, the wind increasing in velocity during the night and by Friday morning flying snow and dust cut visibility to about half a block. Although the storm raged here for more than 24 hours, roads in this area were not blocked as badly as in some past blizzards. This was attributed to the light rain which had fell the week before and formed a crust on the snow at that time.

Over $22,000 donated
for hospital in Minneota
Over $22,000 in pledges and cash donations have been contributed by residents and business houses of Minneota toward the erection of a hospital here, members of the Minneota Businessmen's Association hospital committee reported. Not included in this total are some contributions which have been made by residents in the area surrounding the town. The drive for funds in the country districts and Taunton and Ghent will start after the mass meeting at the school auditorium Thursday evening. Members of the hospital committee estimate that $80,000 will be required to erect a 16 to 18 bed hospital and allow enough capital for operating the institution for two years.

Sigvaldson designs
safe-type corn crib
A lot of corn that may spoil this spring can be saved, S.A. Sigvaldson of Ivanhoe believes, if farmers will place it in a new type corn crib that he recommends. This new crib, according to Sigvaldson, is made by placing eight posts in a circle 12 feet in diameter and then fastening slat cribbing to the posts. More cribbing is then placed in a second circle 13 feet in diameter, allowing a five-foot space for the corn. No posts are needed for the second circle.

50 Years Ago
(Feb. 10, 1972)

Well problem causes
lengthy council talks
Minneota's balky Well No. 4, west of town, caused a lengthy discussion by the council Monday evening which resulted in a five-hour meeting of this village's governing body. Mrs. Agnes Nomeland, clerk-treasurer, explained the well and water matter. "Due to the fact that we have to make extensive repairs on Well No. 4, the county decided that a new and adequate source of water should be established." As a result, a survey will be made and the results will be reported at the next meeting.

Allen is candidate for
outstanding board member
Leonard W. Allen was awarded a certificate from the Minnesota School Boards Association for having been nominated as a candidate for Outstanding School Board member for the year. Allen is now completing his 25th year as a member of the Minneota School Board, having been appointed to replace W.H. Evensonm who resigned in 1947. Allen has been the board treasurer for the past 18 years.

Board purchases
new school bus
The Minneota School Board accepted bids for a new 60-passenger school bus at its meeting Thursday night. The board accepted the bid of Charles Olson and Sons, Inc. of Minneapolis for a Superior body and the Charles Lutz Co. of Marshall for a Dodge chassis. The total cost for the new school bus will be $9,388. The 73-passenger "pusher" now used to transport the Taunton students, will be used for trade-in purposes. Also, at the meeting, Mrs. Ed Van Dorpe was hired for the position of head cook.

25 Years Ago
(Feb. 12, 1997)

Snowmelt contest to
be held in Minneota
Minneota will hold a "Snowmelt" contest similar to communities where a car is placed on a lake and entrants predict when the ice will melt and the car will sink. Since Minneota does not have a lake, the local contest will center around the large snow pile in the parking lot adjacent to the City Offices. Those entering the contest must guess the date and time that the pile will be completely gone. Judges will determine the exact time the snow is officially gone. First place is $30 in Minneota Bucks and second place is $20 in Minneota Bucks.

MHS moves up in
Academic Challenge
Minneota High School defeated Redwood Valley 155-105 in the third annual Academic Challenge sponsored by Southwest Minnesota State University and Pioneer Public Television. A total of 15 schools, including Minneota, are competing. Academic Challenge is a scholarly quiz competition. Students answer questions on a wide range of subjects. Ralph Hagen and John Voit coach the Minneota team, which includes Ross Eischens, Joel Hagen, Sara VanMoorlehem and Jacob Murray. Kayla Ahern and Paul DeCock are alternates.

Art students to have
"hands-on" experience
A number of Art students will have a cultural outing when they take in the Exploration Workshop at the Minneapolis College of Arts and Design in Minneapolis. Minneota Art instructor Scott Hanson said that students Beth Miller, Shawnna VanHecke, Matt Telste, Nate Canton, Sara VanMoorlehem and Sharene Gossen would each be taking two sessions of workshops that day.

All-school play
to be held in April
The Minneota High School Fine Arts Department announce the Spring all-school play "The Cross-Cross Lovers" will be held April 4 and 6. Chris Schuckhart is directing the play.