Local artists credited with painting Christmas panels

Nov. 21, 1963 – Minnesota Masons honored Harold Eastlund and Bob Belgum. Eastlund had been named grand high priest of the Minnesota Masons while Belgum was to serve as grand chapter chaplain. 

Glenwood artists were credited with painting new panels for the city’s Christmas decorations. The Tribune declared that the local women had both saved the city money and provided “ beautiful work” for city residents to enjoy.

There would be no contests in the city’s annual early December election. Filing for re-election were Mayor Oliver Hoplin, who had become mayor in the summer of 1962 when he was appointed to fill out the term created by the resignation of Orvald Forbord. Attempting to fill two four-year terms on the city commission were James Kinney and Myrl Johnson.

Fritz Massman, the county’s oldest living resident, died at the age of 100. He had been born in Germany and moved to the Villard area in 1917.

Nov. 22, 1973 – School Superintendent N.H. Kerfeld said that he didn’t believe the upcoming winter’s possible fuel shortage would create a “panic situation,” but he did say that the district would be ready. Some of the district’s ways to cope included turning the thermostats in school buildings down to 68 degrees, adding some insulation and covering some west windows. 

Deb Churchill, a Glenwood senior, won top honors in the St. Cloud State speech tourney. Other local winners included Kathy Boyle, Kathy Bryce and Sue Peterson. 

At least one deer hunter had poor eyesight, as testified to by Alfred Sorenson, who found one of his prize Hereford cows shot to death on his Leven Township farm. 

The Central Minnesota Health Planning Council was to convene to consider proposals from the Glenwood Hospital District and the Western Pope County Hospital District. Both had applied for certificates of need to add to their facilities.

Nov. 17, 1983 – Waterama Admiral Don McNea and other officials met to discuss the next year’s festivities. 

Glenwood city crews were busy putting up the new Christmas decorations. The $10,000 worth of new decorations featured eight large angels and some smaller assemblies. 

Three persons had filed for posts on the Glenwood City Commission. They included Bob Dyke and Bruce Thorfinnson as well as Tim Torgeson, a newcomer to city politics. 

Free holiday movies, sponsored by Glenwood businesses, were to be shown at the Glenwood Theatre.

Funeral services for Margot Wells, longtime organist at Glenwood Lutheran Church, were held at the church. 

Jim Beck, a physical therapist, began his work in the community at Lakeview Care Center. Beck was the only physical therapist in the county and would work at Lakeview and at the Hoffman Care Center. 

Nov. 22, 1993 – The Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education had approved a five-year contract with bus contractors, an agreement under which the contractors would receive a 1-1/2 percent increase each year. The contract would affect contractors, Gary and Carol Gerdes and Steve Angen, who serviced over half the routes of Minnewaska Area Schools. The balance of the routes were covered by the buses owned by the district.

The District No. 2149 Board of Education was to review the placement of elementary students in its three schools in order to meet new state mandates for class sizes. 

Ardis Stone and Ron Bowen were pictured in the Tribune as representatives of Post. No. 187 and Auxiliary which showed its support for schools by presenting teachers and other staff with apples during American Education Week. In addition, the Auxiliary also sponsored a tea to recognize educators and support staff. 

Nov. 24, 2003 – Pope County residents were digging out from the first major snowfall of the season. An estimated 6 inches of snow fell. 

A revised ballroom plan was evaluated. Architect Reed Becker of Widseth Smith and Nolting and Associates met with some members of the ballroom design committee and Glenwood City Commission at WSN offices to review the basic changes. 

The Glenwood Fire Department added five new firefighters to its department: Josh Kath, Scott Krueger, Dan Jergenson, Rod Uecker and Eric Weisel.

Nov. 18, 2013 – A mountain of corn grew over the past few weeks as area farmers brought harvested crops to the Prairie Lakes Cooperative elevator at Lowry. Pictured in the Tribune, steam from the dryers forms a background to the growing, golden corn mountain caught in the early morning light. Most area farmers have finished the soybean harvest, and much of the corn crop was harvested over the past few weeks, despite persistent winter weather last spring that pushed planting a few weeks later than usual. 

Twenty years ago, an idea was planted in Pope County: Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with good food and good company. The 20th annual free Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minnewaska Area High School cafeteria. 

Legislators and concerned community leaders met last week to discuss a possible underpass or overpass of the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks crossing Hwy. 29 just north of Glenwood. At the meeting, the railroad crossing was outlined as an issue impacting public safety, economic growth, and even education in the region.