Villard depot named to registry of historic sites

Nov. 28, 1963 – The biggest headline in the Tribune for some time reported that Pope County joined the county in mourning the death of President John F. Kennedy. Area schools and businesses were closed on the day of the funeral and local churches held memorial services. 

In other news, Russ Torfin of Torfin’s Resort on Lake Amelia was elected to head the area resorters’ association. Other officers of the group were Earl Camp, Pierce Peters of Peters Sunset Beach Hotel, Fritz Derick of Club Reno Resort on Grove Lake. 

A “green” Lakers wrestling squad kicked off its season against Montevideo. Wrestle-offs were held for the 12 A squad positions which went to Roger Erdahl, Mike Gaffaney, Gary Overgaard, Bruce Store, Eddie Sievert, Ron Olbeckson, Miles Joplin, Dan Gades, Allan Krook, Dennis Sager, Tom Gaffaney and Mike Grager. 

Nov. 29, 1973 – The fuel crisis hit Glenwood Waterama officials who had to decide whether to give away a more fuel-efficient vehicle than they had been giving in recent years.

The United States House of Representatives had voted to place the entire country on daylight savings time for the foreseeable future due to the energy crisis. DTS would last through two winters. This was the first time since  World War II that the country had been on such a plan. Homeowners, business owners, etc. were also asked to turn down thermostats six to 10 degrees below the previous year’s settings.

Several Waska Riders were presented with awards at the club’s annual banquet. Among the winners were Jane Swenson, Bobbi Pennie, Linda Martin, Sue Berg, Jane Irgens, Bev Ronnie, Jennifer Thompson, Randy Thompson, Jimmy Irgens, Jodi Blair, Julie Swenson, Curtis Boe, Tracy Searcy, Jennifer Dalager and Christi Cooley.

Nov. 24, 1983 – About 40 supporters waited outside the FmHA office in Glenwood while Pope County farmer Jim Langman met with officials inside. The Langmans had applied for a loan to rebuild a dairy barn following a fire. The loan application had been denied. The FmHA had asked the Langmans to liquidate to pay off another loan. 

WASP, Inc., a Glenwood manufacturing firm, announced that it had won a $1 million contract with Federal Express of Memphis, Tenn., to provide the company with cargo trailers, freight carts and storage racks. 

The Northern Pacific depot in Villard had been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The city of Villard got its name from Henry Villard, president of the NP railroad when the line was built through Villard in 1881. The building was a one-story, frame structure on the north end of Villard’s business district and was currently owned by Arnold Tank. Fewer than a dozen Pope County buildings were listed on the national register at the time.  

Nov. 29, 1993 – Winter had arrived on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, in earnest with between 8 and 10 inches of snow. The snow hampered holiday travel for some. More snow had arrived on Friday as 4 to 5 more inches fell. Lake Minnewaska had frozen over late Tuesday or early Wednesday so the snow covered the lake. One of the first ice houses in the area showed up late Tuesday on Lake Reno before the lake was completely covered with ice. 

Barb and Jake Sorenson were the lucky winners of $1,000 given away in the final 52 Club drawing for the year. Pictured in the Tribune was Waterama Queen Angel Holte, who had the honor of drawing the winner. She was assisted by Lee Sorset and Wally Rajdl, Waterama admiral for 1994.

“An Evening in December” was the theme for the Minnewaska Showstoppers’ annual holiday variety show. Over 70 residents were to present a variety of talent on the auditorium stage at Minnewaska Area High School. Under the direction of Jan Leach, vocalists, dancers and instrumentalists would perform Christmas music, Broadway tunes and country western music.

Dec. 1, 2003 – Dick and Sandee Seibert are the new owners of Minnewaska Ford in Glenwood. Dick Seibert has been manager of the former Steinbring Ford dealership in Glenwood since the Steinbrings purchased the dealership from David Finke on Dec. 1, 1988.

The ski hill in Glenwood’s Barsness Park will not open this year. In fact, increasing costs of liability insurance and operating expenses may mean that the hill’s future as a ski area is in jeopardy. Jim Clayton, Glenwood Chamber of Commerce manager, told the Tribune that although there were plans to open the hill this year, and the early snowfall made for a positive outlook, the search for affordable insurance has made an opening impossible. 

Nov. 25, 2013 – Minnewaska Area Schools approved a settlement with a former student and the American Civil Liberties Union over treatment rendered by the district following an incident a couple of years ago. 

The annual lighting of the Tree of Life concluded a ceremony held Nov. 1 at Ridgewood Villa in Glenwood. The Tree of Life ceremony is designed to help those dealing with the loss of loved ones. The program, offered by Glacial Ridge Hospice, included music, messages and an indoor candle lighting ceremony as well as the outdoor tree lighting. 

Minnewaska Area Schools is improving its financial position according to the audit presented to the board of education at last Tuesday’s regular school board meeting. “This is a clean opinion,” said accountant Ed Desautels of Desautels Bartosiewski & Associates. “Everything looks good number wise, and your financial position is improving,” he added.