60 mph gusts swept through Pope County

June 13, 1963 – The eighth annual Waterama parade had already been promised 60 units. A.C. Hedline, parade chair, said that over a dozen high school bands had promised to be in attendance. 

A windstorm with gusts of up to 60 mph hit Pope County. The wind toppled trees, tore down power lines and wreaked havoc with some lake cottages. Fishermen had been trapped on both Lake Minnewaska and Lake Pelican, though no tragedies were reported. The city dock was torn out as well. The storm signaled the end of a hot, humid period.

Ole N. Barsness Township farmer, was pictured in the Tribune after he donated the sod for the landscaping for both of the new nursing homes in Glenwood.

June 14, 1973 – Lewie Holdorson, one of Minnesota’s oldest living residents, died at the Glenwood Community Hospital at the age of 105. Haldorson was born in Norway and came to American in 1876 at the age of 9. He had owned and operated a hardware store in Glenwood for 36 years.

The first state athletic championship team in the history of Glenwood High School returned to a warm welcome. The school’s track team had participated in the state meet. Among the boys were Mitch Long, Dale Kramer, Tom Mork, Rick Wheeler, Greg McIver and Bob Swenson.

Linday Syverson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luverned Syverson of Hoff Township, was crowned as the new Pope County Dairy Princess. Attendants were Margo Heinen and Linda Andert. 

Lightning destroyed a barn on the David Martin Farm in Leven Township. The Martins lost hay and feed as well as the structure in the blaze.

June 16, 1983 – County extension agent Jack Morris called over two inches of rain the county received “a million dollar rain.” Area farmers had been waiting for a much-needed gift from the skies.

The third annual Pope County Appreciation picnic was held in Starbuck and attracted nearly 2,000 folks. The meal was sponsored by the Glenwood and Starbuck chambers of commerce with assistance from businesses in Cyrus, Lowry and Villard. The Starbuck Jaycees organized games and Gerald Holten and The Goodtimers played.

A compact, three-wheeled golf cart for individuals was introduced by Quadro, a local manufacturing firm headed by Leroy Olson, Wayne Jenum, Dan Walter and Jerry Chlian.

Karin Carlsson, a Swedish exchange student at Glenwood High School in 1979-80, returned for a visit to the area. She had spent her time in the area with the families of Huon and June Newburg, Larry and Marcy Stavem and Bill and Mary Peters.

June 14, 1993 – An 18-month-old Pope County child was expected to be released from the Swift County Hospital in Benson over the weekend after being hit by a car in her yard in Pope County. According to the Pope County Sheriff’s Department, a friend of the Cramlet family thought the child was with her mother as she backed up her vehicle in the yard. However, the child was behind the vehicle and was hit. As of the next day, the child was listed in stable condition.

After five years of practicing law in San Diego, Calif., Jim and Karna Peters decided to return home to Glenwood. They joined the management team of Jim’s parents, Bill and Mary, and his brother and wife, David and Julie, as five generations continued to share their talents in offering “creativity hospitality” at Peters Sunset Beach Resort on Lake Minnewaska.

Dagny Schwendemann of Starbuck qualified for the senior citizens state spelling bee in Owatonna. She qualified for the contest by placing second in the regional spelling bee held in Fergus Falls.

June 16, 2003 – Should Lakeside Ballroom be rebuilt? That was a question being sorted through by Glenwood residents following the tragic June 7 fire that destroyed the historic ballroom on the shores of Lake Minnewaska. The city of Glenwood owns Lakeside, and city officials wanted residents of the community to be part of the decision-making process.

June 10, 2013 – New Prairie Township in Pope County will soon house a new swine finishing barn. A conditional use permit application by Solvie Farms, Inc. to build a new 122-foot by 168-foot facility was unanimously approved by county commissioners last Tuesday. 

The permit includes eight conditions relating to odor and manure management, including installation of biofilters on the pit fans ventilating the barn as requested by neighbor Patricia Rathke.

As the Lakeside Dance Club celebrates a milestone anniversary of 30 years in June they begin a new season of dance, breathing in new life as its members simultaneously say “thanks for the memories…”