From the Mascot Files

100 Years Ago
(Dec. 30, 1921)

Man loses thumb in
power saw accident
James Flemming had the misfortune of losing the thumb of his left hand last Wednesday. He was standing near a revolving shaft of a power saw and a mitten on his hand caught on the shaft and wound around tearing the thumb so that it had to be amputated.

Finnegans entertain
high school seniors
Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Finnegan and their daughter, Miss Bernice, entertained the class of 1921 of the Minneota High School, and a number of other friends at their home on Wednesday evening. Cards and music were the order of the evening. Mr. Finnegan captured the crowd with his Irish solos and a company of young ladies rendered several songs that were highly appreciated. Excellent refreshments were served and the party was voted a grand success by all the guests.

75 Years Ago
(Jan. 3, 1946)

Tillemans retiring as
banker for 43 years
H.J. Tillemans, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank here since 1918, who was elected cashier of that institution on Jan. 9, 1906, will retire next Thursday after being associated with that bank for 46 years. Tillemans started work in the bank Aug. 1, 1904 and was elected a director the following year. He was named associate cashier Oct. 15, 1905 and then cashier in 1906, the youngest bank executive in the country at age 26.

Hospital gets $15,000
in donations in week
Individuals in Minneota and the surrounding communities, and business firms in the village donated a total of $15,000 during the past week for erection of a hospital here, co-chairman of the hospital committee informed the Mascot Friday morning. A drive for funds for the erection of a hospital has not been started yet and these contributions were made by persons who believe that a hospital is needed here and wish to "start the ball rolling." Some of the contributions from business firms were as high as $2,900. A number of $1,000 donations were received from individuals.

Porter Grain Show
to give cash prizes
More than $166 will be given in cash prizes to exhibitors at the Porter Community Corn and Grain Show to be held at Porter on Jan. 6, 7 and 8. The exhibit is being sponsored by the community seed growers and dealers in cooperation with the Extension Division of the University farm. Tuesday's evening program will consist of readings, musical numbers and the appearance of a magician.

50 Years Ago
(Dec. 30, 1971)

Minneotan, 20, dies
after gun mishap
Perry C. Berends, 20, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Berends of Minneota and an employee of Dr. Kerr's Feed Co., died late in the afternoon on Christmas Day of an accidental self-inflicted pistol wound. The fatal accident occurred about 1:45 p.m. in the vicinity of the George Buysse farm in Westerheim Township. Perry, accompanied by several other young people of this community, were preparing to go hunting. He was in an automobile when the .22-calibre pistol discharged and the bullet struck him in his head.

St. Leo Legion
to receive award
St. Leo's American Legion Post will receive an award for being the first post in the state to go "over the top" with its membership at a dinner to be held at the Green Door Supper Club on Jan. 13. State Legion officials will make the presentation at the dinner, which is slated to be served at 7 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are available from any member of the St. Leo's Legion.

93 pints of blood
were donated here
Mrs. Bernard Tillemans, who is in charge of the local community's blood program here, reported that 93 pints of blood had been donated when the bloodmobile visited here on Dec. 22. There were six first-time donors and 10 deferrals. Leon Ousman and Mrs. Peter Berends were each given four-gallon pins. Henry Van Dorpe of Ghent received a two-gallon pin.

25 Years Ago
(Jan. 1, 1996)

Rev. Larson leaves
Hope Lutheran Church
Rev. Timothy Larson and his family, who have spent the last 7 1/2 years here, have decided to move to Wisconsin. Rec. Larson has been the pastor at Hope Lutheran Church. There has been a number of changes at Hope Lutheran Church in the last seven years, including a new pipe organ, an elevator, a new sound system, the rebroadcasting ability, and major repairs to the outside of the church and parsonage. The Larsons are heading to Fond du Lac, Wisc. Rev. Tim will be serving as Senior Pastor at Immanuel/Trinity Lutheran Church there.

GMT Women of Today
helping area families
The Ghent-Minneota-Taunton (GMT) Women of Today sponsored the Minneota Toys for Tots program this season, and are grateful for the generous support of the community. Linda Pedersen and Nancy Wiese co-chaired the project. Approximately $1,400 was donated through gifts, monetary donations and baked goods. These donations were turned into gifts for 45 families in this community. The Women of Today, along with the help of community volunteers, wrapped all the gifts. Members of the Minneota Jaycees helped deliver the gifts.