Yesteryear
100 Years Ago
(June 8, 1923)
Johnson learning trades at School for the Blind
Earnest Johnson of Minneota went to Faribault on Wednesday to take his third course at the State School for the Blind. He was accompanied by Otto Anderson. Mr. Johnson has learned basket making and typewriting at this school and he is very enthusiastic about the institution. He says that he looks forward, each year, to the weeks he spends there.
Dahl wins writing contest held at Macalester College
Carl A. Dahl, a junior at Minneota High School, has been awarded first place in the annual high school writers' contest conducted at Macalester College, Mr. Dahl was singled out from among the 131 contestants entered, which is decidedly a big recognition of his ability and is a source of gratification for himself and his many friends here. Minneapolis students finished second and third in the contest. Carl received honorable mention in the contest last year. His winning entry this year was a 4,000-word story entitled "The Stagnant Pool", which was published in the Gateway Magazine, the Macalester periodical.
Fire damages Gislason Hardware Store Thursday
The local fire department was called to W.B. Gislason's hardware store Thursday morning when dense clouds of smoke were seen to fill the building. The firemen were able to extinguish the fire within 30 minutes of arrival. The cause of the fire was due to electrical wiring.
75 Years Ago
(June 11, 1948)
3-year-old girl nearly drowns in river here
A little Minneota girl, three-year-old Victoria Dero, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Dero, nearly drowned in the river at Riverside Park last Saturday afternoon and probably is alive today because her brother, Lawrence, 5, had the presence of mind to run for help and M.D. Johnson, who lives near the park, was at home at the time and ran to the river to rescue her. The little girl was playing with her brother and some other children and they wandered to the park, The youngsters began throwing stones into the river at the bridge when Victoria got too close to the edge of the river and slipped into the deep water. Johnson carried the girl, who was almost drowned, to her home and with the assistance of Mrs. Kenneth Nomeland, who lives nearby, she was soon revived.
Mrs. Roberg named President of Minneota Legion Auxiliary
Mrs. Claron Roberg was elected president of the Minneota American Legion Auxiliary at the final meeting of the year held last Thursday. Other officers named at the meeting were: Mrs. Jennell Simning, secretary; Mrs. Virgil Ufkin, treasurer; Mrs. Nels Kompelien, 1st vice president; Mrs. Henry Johnson, 2nd vice president; Mrs. Chris Sigurdson, sergeant at arms; Mrs. Nick Mootz and Miss Elizabeth Anderson, color-bearers; and Mrs. Nels Engberg and Mrs. John Spanton were each elected to the executive committee.
Scene set for donkey softball game on Friday
Legionnaires and Foresters were getting in condition this week for the donkey softball game that they will play at the ball park here on Friday evening. Donkeys that will be used for the game are being brought here by a firm from Duluth that promotes these contests. Those who have seen similar contests say it's not so simple to get donkeys to do what they are supposed to do.
50 Years Ago
(June 14, 1973)
Temperatures reach 100 here twice during past week
There were signs of the summer coming in Minneota during this past week when the temperature hit 100 degrees twice and then there was an indication that spring was still here when the mercury dropped to 45 degrees. On both June 9 and June 10, the high temperature was exactly 100 degrees. The low temperature was 45 degrees on June 12.
Garden Club's annual Iris Show here drew 346 entries
The Minneota Garden Club's annual Iris Show had 346 entries this year at the American Legion. There was a total of 75 individuals who exhibited. There were 191 specimen iris stalks, 25 peony exhibits. and a total of 130 arrangements. Voted as the Queen Iris of the show was Mrs. Norman Orsen's "Celestial Snow." Named to the Court of Honor were Mrs. Albert Borson's "Cascade of Splendor" and "Channel Islands", and Mrs. Abo Josephson's "Lavendar Sparkle."
Minneota school board hires high school teacher, janitor
At its regular monthly meeting Thursday night, the Minneota school board voted to hire Aldon Johnson as janitor to replace Charles Hebrank, who retired after 11 years of service at the school. The board also approved the hiring of Mary Jo Petrich of North St. Paul to serve as part-time speech therapist, The board also voted to install a complete new set of stage curtains in the high school auditorium. The curtains will cost $2,269, which includes installation.
Youths apprehended after breaking into Dairy Store
Three Minneota young men, one 19 years old and the other two juveniles, were apprehended in the past week and charged with a break-in at the local Dairy Store last Saturday evening. Goods which were removed from the store were valued at $15.
25 Years Ago
(June 17, 1998)
Vandals strike again at Minneota Public School
Vandals have again struck in our area, this time at the Minneota Public School. It was discovered on Monday morning that vandals had entered the building sometime over the weekend and a did a significant amount of damage to the new gym floor. Entry was gained through a window on the second floor into the biology room. A number of items were thrown around that room. The recording barometer in the other science room was broken and a VCR was stolen. The vandals also went into the gym and spread oil used for the air guns onto the new floor, and also urinated on it. Approximately 400 square feet of the gym floor was damaged. Superintendent Orlyn Wiemers said the floor will have to be torn up and replaced.
Minneota Manor to host annual Senior Olympics
The Minneota Manor will host the 10th annual Senior Olympics on June 25. Approximately 56 residents from seven area Health Care Centers will compete in 11 events during the competition. The events will be: 500 (card game), bowling, bean bag toss, chicken calling, egg tossing, dominoes, ping pong toss, bedpan races, carrot peeling and dice games. Facilities entering this event are coming from Minneota, Clara City, Renville, Montevideo, Canby, Clarkfield and Granite Falls.