School bus struck at railroad crossing

May 31, 1962 – For the second time in eight years, Glenwood was getting ready to host the Seventh District convention of the American Legion. Around 700 delegates from the Legion and its auxiliary were expected to visit the town. Glenwood Commander, Don Miller, and auxiliary president, Pauline LaCroix, were pictured in the Tribune preparing for the event.

Jim Wheeler, Fred Schroeder and Butch Hansen were cited for their efforts in the annual Jaycee Teen Road-E-O. Wheeler stacked up 340 out of a possible 400 points to champion the event. He was to represent Pope County in the statewide competition in St. Cloud.

The annual Firemen’s Ball was set. Fire Department officials planning for the dance included Red Edinger and Don Kelly. Music was to be by Jules Herman at the Lakeside Ballroom.

June 1, 1972 – Villard High School was planning commencement exercises for thirty-one seniors. The valedictory would be given to Randy Kuseske. Fred Capp would give the salutatory. Other graduates included Patricia Bracken, Julie Butler, Dale Colton, Sherry Cowley, Jean Eblen, Marilyn Elliott, Donne Fetterer, Ricky Fischer, Charles Gaffaney, Mary Beth Gaffaney, Terrance Gerdes, Patricia Goninga, Bruce Jergenson, Byron Lutterman, Diane Majerus, Joyce Patrick, David Pfeninger, David Rajdl, Larry Randt, Kathleen Reents, Anne Ruegermer, Barbara Sanvig, Virginia Stein, Steve Traveirne, Rita Townsend, Gary Vliem, Rosemary Walther, Alan Ward and Robert Winter. 

June 3, 1982 – The 91st graduating class of Glenwood High School was expected to be the last class with over 100 students for awhile. Scholarship winners for the class of 1982 included Darla Wharton, Ann Stackpool, Julie Rosten, Nancy Rippe, Ruth Whittemore, Janet Paulzine, Patricia Eklo, Pam Dorn, Renae Tostenson, Ken Kalina, Lisa Torgerson, Lisa Conley, Don Ostrander, Robin Rinken, Deb Koubsky, Denise Austin and Chris Morris.

Thomas Beuckens was appointed to be postmaster in Starbuck. Beuckens began his career with the postal service in 1974 as a part-time employee in the Starbuck facility. He succeeded Maurice Walline who retired after serving in the post for many years. Dennis Jones, Lowry postmaster, had served as interim and was then transferred to the Alexandria post office.

C.R. “Swanne” Swanson, a Glenwood native, was honored at a party for his retirement. He was owner of Northwest Organ and Piano. He had also played the organ at many functions around the metropolitan area. He had founded organ clubs for those who liked that music.

June 1, 1992 – A new tradition had begun as ninety seniors from Minnewaska Area High School received diplomas. The ninety students were the first to graduate from MAHS, the combined high school serving Glenwood-Lowry, Starbuck and Villard. The ninety all attended classes the previous year in their home school districts and joined together in the fall.

Lee Paulson, along with Dr. Sanford and Jean Wilson of Starbuck, were to be honored at the annual Heritage Ball, sponsored by the Ann Bickle Heritage House. The event recognized people who had a positive impact by the contributions they made to their communities.

June 3, 2002 – Where do people in Pope County buy their gas and auto supplies? Those were two questions answered in the Pope County Community cash flow survey. Results from the 250-person survey yielded the following results, as identified by Dr. Jon Anderson, associate professor of statistics, and Dr. Engin Sungur, professor of statistics, of the University of Minnesota Morris. According to the survey, 62.4 percent of those polled said that competitive pricing was the number one factor in determining whether they would spend more locally on gasoline. Convenience was next (51.1 percent) followed by reputation (47.4 percent) and availability of appointment.

The American Red Cross “O” Bloodmobile was in Glenwood June 5, at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. The goal for the bloodmobile was 110 units, including the Starbuck area bloodmobile. Type “O” blood is the universal blood and is always in demand.

The annual Kids Weekend was held on Friday and Saturday in Glenwood with good crowds both days. The Glenwood Pizza Ranch sponsored a concert by Phil Baker. They also distributed free pop and pizza to the more than 120 kids and their parents in attendance. Prizes were also given out. Kids and their parents lined the shores of Lake Minnewaska next to the Lakeside Ballroom for the annual Take A Kid Fishing Day.

June 4, 2012 – Brandi Otto qualified for the state track and field tournament for the second year in a row. Brandi tossed the shot put 34 feet 10 inches, good for second place and a trip to Hamline University.

Minnewaska Area Schools decided to not be part of consolidation talks with Cyrus and decided to step back and see if Morris and Cyrus could come to an agreement. The MAS school board took that action at a special meeting.

All four Pope County Commissioners who were up for election in November had filed for re-election, according to the Pope County Auditor’s Office. Gordy Wagner and Paul Gerde filed for four-year terms and Cody Rogahn and Larry Lindor filed for two-year terms. Larry Kittleson was the only seat not up for election.

Glenwood firefighters were on the scene at the intersection of Highways 55 and 29 just north of Glenwood Friday, May 25, when a vehicle crashed into the back of a school bus from Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. According to the state patrol report, five children were treated for minor injuries at Glacial Ridge Hospital after the crash. The driver of a Chevy Cobalt, who rear-ended the bus, was also treated for minor injuries. There were 43 children and one adult passenger in the school bus at the time of the accident.