Warmer weather raises concerns for ice houses

Jan. 2, 1964 – News stories of the year, according to the Pope County Tribune, were: 1. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated; 2. Construction began at the new Prospect Park Elementary School at a cost of $650,000; 3. Gyro-Drive was leased to Wesco Corporation of Chicago; 4. The Interstate Commerce Commission allowed the Soo Line to discontinue passenger service on two trains; 5. Two new nursing homes were opened in Glenwood with 85 beds for elderly; 6. The first oral cancer clinic in the area was held with over 1,700 people attending in four counties; 7. The U. S. Department of Agriculture approved a rural development project in Pope, Swift and Kandiyohi counties; 8. Construction on the city’s new sewage system began following the sale of $220,000 in bonds;  9. The eighth annual Waterama drew over 35,000 people; and 10. A bill authorizing the development of Glacial Lakes State Park was signed by Gov. Karl Rolvaag.

Tribune editor, James Kinney, Congratulated St. John’s University and coach John Gagliardi for winning Camellia Bowl by defeating Texas A&M. Kinney said the Johnnies had a long tradition of playing good football. 

Jan. 3, 1974 – An elderly Villard woman died at the Glenwood hospital following a fire in her home. The 93 year old suffered burns in the fire and apparently died of cardiac problems at the hospital. 

The mercury plunged to 35 degrees below zero on New Year’s Day, Leaving county residents and visitors to the area jump starting cars, glaring at the thermometer and shivering. 

A joint city-federal government project to improve Mt. Lookout was approved. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service would assist the city of Glenwood with the project. Work was expected to get underway in the spring. 

Jan. 5, 1984 – The Tribune’s publisher, James M. Kinney, announced the sale of the newspaper to John R. Stone, who was only the third owner in the history of the paper. Jim and Audrey Kinney had owned the Tribune since 1955 when they purchased it from Edward E. Barsness. The Kinney’s had been active in community affairs and in newspaper organizations. 

The first baby of the year in 1959, Deb Myrom, talked with the newspaper about her status. Myrom was now a mother herself. The First Baby of the year promotion began in Glenwood the year after her birth. Ralph and Gloria Heieie, Deb’s parents, were living in Brooten when she was born. 

Ten area “idiots” braved the waters of Lake Minnewaska for the annual Polar Bear Dip. They were John P. Shea, Dan Hendricks, Gordon Stock, Phil Stumpf, Bill Neuenfeldt, Scott Overstad, Melanie Dougherty, Jim Quinn, Scott Maden and Kim Gugisberg, organizer of the fundraiser for the Glenwood Jaycees. 

Jan. 3, 1994 – A fire early the previous Tuesday morning had destroyed the home of Franklin and Bev Thompson, but the Thompson’s and their son, John, were not injured. It was Bev Thompson who arose to turn out some lights when she saw flames shooting from the garage at the east end of the house. The firefighters thought they had the blaze out several times, but were called back three more times to deal with flare ups. 

Drawing boundary lines to allocate elementary school students between the three elementary schools in Glenwood, Starbuck and Villard was the recommendation of the student realignment task force. This recommendation was to be brought to the Jan. 18 school board meeting for the board’s consideration. 

Champion Minnewaska had placed three members on the all-tournament team. Forwards Misty Burns and Josie Hoffman, along with center Robin Himango, were named from Minnewaska. 

Dec. 29, 2003 – It was back to the drawing board for the Lakeside Ballroom reconstruction project. The Glenwood City Commission voted unanimously to reject a proposal to build a $2.2 million ballroom. That “no” vote meant the commission would not borrow over $900,000 to help pay for the project and would not incur the high debt load that amount of financing would create.

People who had fish houses out on the lake needed to keep an eye on them. Mild weather, ice ridges and heavy concentrations of houses had raised the need to be extra careful. This was according to Dean Beck of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Most of Lake Minnewaska had 10 to 12 inches of ice, but recent warm weather had slowed the formation of new ice. Add to that situation the fact that there were lots of houses in certain areas of the lake. 

Dec. 30, 2013 – Though temperatures plummeted, the annual Living Nativity went on as planned Dec. 19. The scene of the season is just one of the many community activities arranged by the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber as part of its “Magical Christmas” celebration. One of the wisemen (Lloyd Campbell) and Mary  (Trisha Stallman) braved the cold along with the stable animals – camels, a donkey, goats and a llama provided by Doreen and Richard Cihlar. Other materials were donated by Dorrich Dairy and Glenwood Floral. 

The top 10 stories of 2013 according to the Pope County Tribune are: 1. Latest ice out on record for Minnewaska; 2. Culligan buildings come down after being purchased by Klick Foundation; 3. Ground broken on new GrandStay Hotel & Suites in Glenwood; 4. Pope County wins Gift of Life Award; 5. New hotel/diner opens in Glenwood (Oak Tree Inn/Penny’s Diner); 6. MAS board hires new superintendent; 7. Blizzard hits area on April 11; 8. County board proceeds with quiet title action on South Lakeshore Drive; 9. School enrollment at MAS increases; 10. Former Elsey House demolished to make way for new multi-purpose building.