110 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 6, 1914

Hazel Signalness and Otto Lien were married by Rev. Koefod at Glenwood last week. They went to the cities for a few days.

The oldest boy of Eilert Barsness was quite sick for a few days last week. The little fellow had gotten ahold of a bottle of poison and taken an overdose. The doctor was called immediately and he is getting along nicely now. 

Report of School District 74: Total enrollment: 14. Cora, Ingolf and Melvin Karud, Olivia Spangrud, Oscar and Arthur Tangen and Kathryn McIver were neither absent nor tardy during the month. Amanda Spangrud, teacher. 

What little Mary did for Pa by reading the Starbuck Times: Pa, will our hogs be ready to sell in 2 weeks? Yes, dear, but we are back in the old rut again. Rogers has left and we all know what that means – a bad market for farmers. O, Pa, don’t worry. I read in the Starbuck Times he is coming back in 2 weeks. O, dear, read it to me again, and this is what she read: W. J. Rogers will make another big shipment of stock February 10. Keep your stock for shipment. From now on I am shipping to Chicago as the Eastern markets are so much better than St. Paul. I can pay you so much better. Anything you wish to know regarding stock market, phone Anton Aaberg or go to see him. He is a dandy good fellow. W, J, Rogers, The Farmer’s Friend. 

100 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 1, 1924

A rabbit hunt was staged last Sunday by the Legion boys and the business men of the village. There were twelve men on each team. Jack rabbits count three points and cottontails one point. The points were 91 to 74 in favor of the Legion team. The winner gave all the rabbits to the losers, and they were sold to the Benson Produce Company. It was reported, that Syver Aaberg chased a jack rabbit for five miles, and wore out a pair of overshoes in the attempt to get it. 

More than two hundred people came to help Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ronning of Barsness celebrate their silver wedding anniversary last Sunday at their home. An impromptu program was given, among the speakers were Ole Branby, Dr. C.R. Christenson, Mr. P.D. Gilbertson, Senator Lee and Dr. Jeffers. 

Mr. Anton Ness closed a deal on Friday by which he became the owner of a Chalmers car, trading in his Chandler. 

The following programs will be given at the Immanuel Y.P.S. Sunday evening: reading by Bernice Talle; recitation by Cordelia Sylvester; vocal solo by Leo Sylvester; reading by Sophie Pederson.

The following program will be given at the Fron Y.P.S. Sunday evening: violin solo, Adolph Bredeson; reading by Mildred Smedstad; vocal solo by Mrs. O.V. Opheim; address by Prof. Walter Estby of the Glenwood High School; trombone solo by Ed Olson. 

Funeral services for Mrs. John Rud will be held at the Fron church on Feb. 2, Rev. M.C. Johnshoy officiating. She is survived by her husband, four children, Sitas, 10 years, James, 6 years, and twins, Leroy and Loren, 3 years; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ness; a sister, Mrs. R.M. Smedstad and a brother, Bennie. 

90 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 1, 1934

Miss Evelyn Tangen of New Prairie has been hired to teach music in Starbuck under the Emergency Education Program sponsored by the federal government. Miss Tangen is a graduate of St. Olaf College. 

Lewis Stocking, a former resident of Starbuck, died at his home in Long Beach, California on January 24. Mr. Stocking will be known in Starbuck having operated the drug store in partnership with R.F. Case for a number of years. 

A baby girl was born to Judge and Mrs. Barsness on Wednesday. 

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ranum on Jan. 26. 

A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Thormod Brevig on Saturday evening. 

The Home Declamation Contest of the Starbuck High School will take place Feb. 8. The following pupils will compete for the honor of representing S. H. S. in the sub-district contest, one in each division: Dramatic – Jeannette Ingvarson, Margaret Larson and Aulis Pederson; humorous – Lucille Larson, Amy Nelson and Pearl Norby; oratorical – Ivend Holen, Dorvan Skoglund and Earl Thompson.

For the second time in less than four months the Starbuck Creamery has been entered by burglars. The loot was small however, since only 50¢ had been left in the cash drawer. 

80 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 3, 1944

Mrs. Marit Nordaune and Alfred Thompson were married at the Minnewaska parsonage by Rev. Sylvester Rue Jan. 29. They were attended by the bride’s sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Helmer Klevann.

Friends and relatives helped Phyllis Lorvig celebrate her 13th birthday Thursday evening.

Pfc. Alvin Mortenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Mortenson, was promoted recently to Corporal. Alvin is somewhere in England.

Reynold and Edner Danielson had dental work done in Starbuck Monday. 

It’s a small world after all. That’s what Marcus Hagert, son of G.A. Hagert of Starbuck must have thought when he bumped into Kermit Knutson, son of Mrs. Annie Knutson, also of Starbuck some time ago at Guadalcanal. They were lined up for mess when the happy meeting took place, and we’ll venture to say they had a lot to talk about. 

An event of unusual interest took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Larson Sunday afternoon. The occasion marked the “Confirming of the Baptism” of their adopted son, James Allen, who had been privately baptized shortly after birth. At such a service, “Confirming of the Baptism”, the child is not baptized over again, but the entire service of consecration, as used by the church is read and special sponsors for the child are selected by the parents in charge. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jellum and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lorvig served as sponsors. 

70 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 4, 1954

The Mortenson Shoe Service has relocated from the Agnes Brenden building across the Street to the former Starbuck Clothiers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hendrickson are the proud parents of a baby boy born Jan. 24 at the Stevens County Hospital.

Funeral services for Lawrence Thorstad, 54, were held at the First Lutheran Church in Morris January 26. He is survived by his wife, Inga; one son, Gordon and a daughter, Mrs. Arnold Nordby of Morris. 

Miss Dorothy Kleven, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kleven of Starbuck and Norman Pabst of Clifford, Idaho, were married in December in Great Falls, Montana. The couple will make their home in Great Falls.  

60 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 6, 1964

Births: A son, Craig Thomas to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wolhowe Jan. 25; a son, Michael Lee, to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Walter (Janice Johnson) of Ashland, Wisconsin Jan. 23. 

Robert Hendrickson celebrated his 6th birthday recently when several families visited at the Ralph Hendrickson home. 

A Boy Scout Court of Honor will be held at Fron Church Saturday evening when Foster Bucher, 14-year-old son of Dr. and Mrs. F. D. Bucher will receive his Eagle Scout award. 

Marine Private William C. Pederson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad O. Pederson of Starbuck completed the four-week Second Infantry Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

Three new members have been received into the Barsness church Sunday morning. They were Miss Selma Barsness, Mrs. Leonard Jenkins and Bessie Handmer.   

50 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 31, 1974

David Tollefson, Blue Mounds township, was honored at the annual meeting of the cooperators of the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District held at Cyrus last week. He received the Farm Magazine Certificate of Merit as the outstanding conservationist in the county for 1973. Joe Gandrud, secretary of the District made the presentation. 

Charles Blocher, owner of Chuck’s Super Market, was elected the new president of the Starbuck Chamber of Commerce for the 1974 year. He replaces Don Nelson, whose term expired. The annual meeting was held at the Minnewaska House Monday evening with dinner served to well lover 100 people including the wives who were special guests.

Pope County Swine Producer’s Association really “hammed-it-u” Friday as they shelled out close to 500 ham sandwiches at the Community Rooms in Starbuck. To complete the luncheon, beans, cookies, milk and coffee were served. Movies on pork were shown by County Agent Jack Morris. 

40 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 1, 1984

Two Starbuck businesses will be having grand Openings this week. Gspenson Olson Realty and Insurance will have an open house Thursday in the new office located next to the Klothes Kloset and Norman and LuAnn Nytroe, owners of the Starbuck Locker will have a grand opening on Saturday. 

Jan Bjorge of rural New London, daughter of Odell Smedstad is featured in this issue, describing her life since she was diagnosed as having an ependymoma, a benign tumor located on the spine. She is now paralyzed.

Funeral services for Ruth E. Barsness, 77, were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church Jan. 23. She is survived by four daughters and one son, Muriel Holslin and Dagny Scheelk of Alberta, Marlys Smith of Blaine, Orrine Werhan of Hewitt, and Odin Barsness of River Falls, Wisconsin. 

Rose Ann Kraemer, Devin Mix and Paula Ness have been named Students of the Quarter at Cyrus High School. 

Funeral services for Dorine Erickson, 61, were held from the Fron Lutheran Church Jan. 21. She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Sommers of Bloomington and two sons, Mander and Richard Thompson of Glenwood.   

30 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 2, 1994

Michal Hustad and Joe Alexander were crowned 1994 MAHS Snow Week Queen and King Saturday night.

Births: A daughter, Emily Jo, to Dan and Tammy Erickson Jan. 24; A daughter, Emily Susan to Marlin and Sally (Aaberg) Marquardt of Santiago, MN January 7; a son, Evan Jacob to Drs. Keith Wiger and Rebecca Burns-Wiger of Anchorage, Alaska. 

Misty Burns of Minnewaska Lakers Girls Basketball team scored her high school career 1,000th point last Thursday evening at the Laker vs. New London/Spicer basketball game. 

Marie Odegaard will retire Friday from her position at the Starbuck Nutrition Center after 16-1/2 years of service. 

LeAnn Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Hanson of Starbuck and Ronald Fasen of Sartell, MN were married New Year’s Eve at the East Zion Lutheran Church. The couple will make their home in rural Hastings.   

20 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 4, 2004

As they flitter about their business even on the coldest of Minnesota winter days, winter birding is drawing a flock of enthusiasts. Winter birding brings hearty birds like the cardinal to Minnesota’s snow swept backyard feeders. Pictured in the Times, a photo of a cardinal perched on a feeder, courtesy of B. Chaffins. 

As nearly 20 people squeezed into a conference room and spilled into a hallway on a frigid winter night last week, there were supporters from both sides of a hot-button issue present to make a stand at the latest gathering regarding the employment of Dr. Robert Bösl.  The monthly meeting of the Minnewaska Regional Health System Board of Directors kicked off with public comment directed at the board’s decision not to re-offer a contract to Bösl. 

Benson auctioneer Abner Jacobson was inducted into the Minnesota Auctioneers Hall of Fame during the auctioneer’s annual convention at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd last month. He was one of three auctioneers recognized for long service to the auction business in the state by the association. Also recognized was Lefty Norling, until recently a long-time partner with LaDon Henslin in the Norling-Henslin Auctioneers business. Norling is of Kandiyohi.

10 YEARS AGO

From Feb. 5, 2014

Glacial Hills Director Deb Mathias told the second board that February is “I Love to Read Month” and this year’s theme is “Read for the GOLD – Olympic theme.” The classrooms will have Olympic torches outside of their rooms that will have a certain color flame depending on the reading goals reached.

The 2014 Minnewaska Area High School speech team is aiming to build on the success of the 2013 team with many members returning as well as seven new members joining the ranks. New Assistant Coach Chris Lence joins Head Coach Sherry Wedum this year. 

It’s been rough finding and keeping good paraprofessional help – that’s the sentiment from administration throughout the district that spurred a boost to paras’ starting day. At Last Thursday’s school board meeting, the board raised the beginning wage for paraprofessionals in the Minnewaska District from $8.99 per hour to $10 per hour, retroactive to the beginning of the second semester.