Floor plans for Ballroom taking shape

August 29, 1963 – A Leven Township farmer was killed when his car collided with another on a rural road near Villard. The five occupants of the second car were injured in the crash. The death was the county’s second auto fatality of the year and occurred just a few miles from the scene of the first fatal accident. 

Two Evansville well drillers died on a farm in Nora Township as methane gas overcame them while they were drilling a well. A Kensington fireman was overcome by the fumes as well when he descended into the well to recover the bodies. He was treated at Minnewaska Hospital. 

Dave Finke of Finke Ford Motor Sales announced his intent to construct a new building at his business site. The building would house the service and parts department of the business. Finke Ford had been operating since 1957.  

August 30, 1973 – In 19342 a young couple from St. Paul purchased virgin land on Lake Minnewaska and moved to the area to build one cabin which they later developed into Woodland Resort. Now Mr. and Mrs. Tag Olson were selling the resort to move to San Diego to be near their daughter there. The Olson’s sold the resort to Mr. and Mrs. Randy Crumb. 

Pope County and the rest of Central Minnesota were sizzling in a heat wave so hot “you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.” Temperatures ranged from the high 80s to the mid-90s with the comfort index at “uncomfortable” due to the high humidity left by the area rains.

Classes were already underway in the local schools in spite of the uncomfortable weather. Enrollments passed the 1,400 mark, with 74 teachers on the faculty.

The Lakers football coaching staff, consisting of head coach Dale Gasser, Mike Louden and Butch Taschner, had started training for the season. Home games were scheduled against New London-Spicer, Sauk Centre, Albany and Long Prairie.

August 25, 1983 – The annual 4-H county fair tractor driving contest winners were pictured in the Tribune. They included Lynn Peterson, Robert Bryce, Rod Stoen and Kevin Malo. Stoen, Kurt Lardy and Mike Stoen would represent the local FFA at the state fair driving contest so Bryce would go as a 4-H representative. 

Several hundred area homes and businesses were left without power on a Friday afternoon for about 2 1/2 hours following a lightning strike. Winds up to 60 mph had also roared into the area leaving downed trees and branches lying around. 

Among the 4-H champions at the annual Pope County Fair, those pictured in The Tribune included Joel Maanum, Matt Mattson, Jolene Mattson, Libby Hoffman, Dawn Kuseske, Tammy Zavadil, Carol Bryce, Michelle Maher, Tanya Lardy, Sherri Svec, Amy Oeltjen, Scott Johnson and Rod Stoen. These 4-Hers were only a small representation of all county kids participating in the fair with their exhibits and demonstrations. 

Outstanding senior citizens named at the fair were Henry Foelschow, of Glenwood, and Agnes Brenden, of Starbuck. Both would appear at the Minnesota State Fair with other outstanding seniors from throughout the state.

August 30, 1993 – It was back to school for over 1,800 students in the Minnewaska Area School District on Tuesday Sept. 7. This was to be the first year for the elementary schools in Glenwood, Starbuck, Villard and Minnewaska Area High School to operate as one district, School District No. 2149.

While many farmers were reporting below-average corps due to the weather one segment of agriculture, fish farming was not affected by adverse weather conditions. Known as “aquaculture,” this new industry was growing fast in Minnesota in order to meet consumers’ demand for fish. 

City sidewalks which bordered State Highways 104, 28 and 29 were in the process of being made more accessible for the handicapped. F & S Concrete and Paving of Brandon had won the contract from the State of Minnesota to do the work in Glenwood along the state highways. The work involved removing old curb and sidewalk approaches and replacing them with cut down curbs and approaches. Federal Law said that all sidewalks were to be accessible by 1996, but the state started the work early in Glenwood. 

September 1, 2003 – Eurasian watermilfoil is forever. Once the aggressive weed gets into a lake, the chances of getting rid of it are nearly impossible. And was growing in several locations in Lake Minnewaska. Despite the fact that Eurasian watermilfoil is not a desirable were to have in any body of water, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources studies showed that it didn’t spell the demise of the lake. 

The new Lakeside floor plan was taking shape. Due to codes, rebuilding the ball room would cost $2 million. 

August 26, 2013 – Enrollment will be up for the start of the 2013-2014 school year according to registration information available at this time, the Minnewaska Area Board of Education was told last week at its regular board meeting. Minnewaska Area High School Principal Pat Falk said that nearly 650 students are projected to be in grades 5-12 compared with 605 at this time last year. 

Leaders from five different Minnesota communities came to Glenwood last week to take part in a panel discussion that in the end, could help local leaders create a common vision and goals for the future of Pope County. 

Like the recently razed Culligan buildings in Glenwood, Starbuck is currently home to a tax-forfeited property that is a safety hazard and has been described as “blight.” Because of its tax forfeited status, the property, located at 610 Hagenson Street, has been turned over to the county under state law; the county now has to decide how best to deal with the issue.