Mural to leave a mark

August 23, 1962 – A record school enrollment of at least 50 more students than the previous year was expected as classes got underway in District No. 612. A new teacher for the year was Arlene Chatfield. 

Ole N. Barsness turned over the first shovelful of dirt for a “home for the aged” to be located in Glenwood. Also pictured at the groundbreaking were Oliver Hoplin, the Rev. John Mason, Clarence Barsness, Nels Halvorson, Melvin Bjokne and Russell Davidson. Construction on the home was to begin immediately. The need for housing for the elderly was cited at the ceremonies. 

The Rev. William Gustafson, of Omaha, Neb., was called to be the new pastor of the First Baptist Church. He followed the Rev. Larry Seiffert who had accepted a call to the pastorate in Cook. Gustafson was a law school graduate who attended Moody Bible Institute. 

August 24, 1972 – Over 1,400 students were expected to head back to school in District No. 612 according to Superintendent N. H. Kerfeld. New faculty members for the year include Richard Ofstedal, Donald Swenson, Michael Loudon, Jan Hubinger and Kathleen Schiemann. Villard had three new faculty members according to Superintendent Vern Cowley. They were Mrs. Richard Glaesmann, Lucy Ann Bergum and Susan Seltz. 

Pope County farmers, businessmen and nonprofit organizations were now eligible for food relief funds. Farmers and resort operators were expected to apply for the monies. 

Area residents participating in the Ft. Lake Johanna horseshoe tourney included Jim Whittemore, Kermit Gardrud, Ernest Frovold, Harvey Hanson, Stanley Anderson, Jim Huntington, Darrel Syverson, David Evanson and John Hamre. 

Three Glenwood Lakers were pictured in their new football uniforms. They were John Gloege, Mitch Long and Tom Mork. 

August 26, 1982 – A Glenwood Dentist for 36 years. Dr. J. G. Gilman, announced his retirement due to poor health. He had sold his practice and the building which housed Dr. Michael Greene, who had been in practice with him for a number of years. 

Ray and Dora Hawn announced that they would not really retire but would open the Sedan grocery store. Both had worked in the Seattle area for over 30 years but returned to Pope County which was “home.” 

The dedication of the new morning Glory Gardens, complete with its new chapel, was set. The gardens were tended by Harold and Evelyn Kvale. The chapel had stood on the grounds of Challenge Ministries before its move to the site west of town. 

The first solar-powered train crossing lights in the state were installed on Hwy. No. 114 west of Lowry. Soo Line officials saw new guards as a boon to rural areas. 

August 24, 1992 – A 41-year old Glenwood man appeared before Judge Jon Stafsholt in Pope County District Court and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. This was a result of an incident in March when he was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree and two counts of kidnapping against a Glenwood woman.  

Pictured in the Tribune were six determined youth on their way to canoe on Lake Minnewaska. They began their trek from Highway 28 just east of Weber Oil toward the lake. Included in this trek were Adam Inquinto, Brian Rilea, Nicole Rilea, Danny Rilea, Desirae Tulio and J. R. Tulio.

Up to one thirds of the students who made honor roll at Minnewaska Area High School the previous year would possibly not be on the scholastic list this year. A new policy was approved by the joint powers board which raised the grade point average (GPA) from 2.67to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to qualify for the “B” honor roll. The 3.67 GPA to qualify for the “A” honor roll would stay the same. 

August 26, 2002 – U.S. Representative Colin Peterson took the opportunity to attend Pope County’s Board meeting, when he updated commissioners on his efforts at the Capitol. He spoke at length about his work on the House Intelligence Committee. After hearing Peterson’s account of his efforts on Capitol Hill, commissioners had the opportunity to ask questions and relate. 

Photos of the Pope County Law Enforcement Fair were featured in the Tribune. Photos of kids with the DARE lion, Safety Pup and Larry of the crash test dummies; Pope County Deputy Nathan Brecht trying to distract a softball thrower as he awaits his plunge into the frigid waters of the dunk tank and Chris Johnson and his drug-sniffing dog, Kilo.

Some of the grocery store savings this week included: apples for 88 cents per pound, grapes for 98 cents per pound, Doritos 2/$4, New York strip steak at $5.99 per pound and 24 packs of Pepsi products for $4.99. Six packs of Hershey’s bars for $1.888, bags of marshmallows for 69 cents, and a box of graham crackers for 98 cents to make s’mores around the campfire. 

August 27, 2012 – Minnewaska Area High School senior Sharaya Schwardt has been busy painting one of the walls in the MAHS cafeteria. She has finished the large Lakers logo and is working on a football player and softball player to go beside the logo. Sharaya is known for her art skills throughout the school. When asked what it was like to be asked to provide art in the cafeteria Sharaya said, “It’s cool because it is probably gonna be here 40 years from now. I get to leave my mark on the school.” 

Last June county commissioners gave the green light to the sheriff’s department to purchase a software package that will allow county residents to receive instant notification of area weather alerts and more. 

Work progressed last week as replacement steps in the front of the Pope County Courthouse started to take shape. The steps should be completed in the next few weeks and will become the main entrance to the courthouse building.