New Waterama royalty chosen

July 30, 1964 –  A Glenwood youth drowned in Lake Minnewaska as the result of attempting to save an 8-year-old water-skier. The accident happened in full view of the young men’s families and others.

Dr. E.A. Eberlin, a Glenwood physician since house calls were made with a horse and buggy, died in Glenwood at the age of 86. He had practiced in the county for 63 years. Eberlin had arrived in the city in 1901.

The Montevideo Fiesta Days committee was going to have to rebuild its float, which caught fire on Lakeshore Drive in Long Beach as it was returning to Montevideo following the Waterama parade.

Aug. 1, 1974 – The Tribune reported that record crowds had attended the 19th annual Waterama festivities in Glenwood. Law enforcement officers, vendors and others determined the event to have drawn between 40,000 and 50,000 people. Julie Schramm was crowned queen of the event with Marie Wold, Judy Christman and Shirley Randt as her court. Doug Kingsriter and Jeff Siemon were special guests for the weekend.

Kiddie Parade winners included Kevin McCann, Jim, David, Missy and Debbie Davids, Mark, Mike, Michelle, Mary Joe and Ricky Blair, Kristin Williams, Jennifer Mattson, Mary Hegna, Karla Colby and Lisa and Chris Conley.

Aug. 2, 1984 – Dr. Arnold Hedine announced his retirement as a Glenwood optometrist after 46 years of serving the community. He expected to spend some time golfing, fishing, gardening and enjoying his idle time.

The 29th annual Waterama celebration had come and gone in Glenwood. Admiral Don McNea and Commodore Tim Torguson declared the event to be a success.

Crowned to reign over the next Waterama were Queen Lisa Bailey and her court, Barb Billehus and Nancy Hovren. Bill Ogdahl was picked to be the new vice commodore. Kiddie Parade winners included Sondra, Andrea and Shannon Nelsen, Katie, Doug and Greg Nelson, Missy and Josh Kath, Carol and David Schroeder, Nicki Marissa and Alison Moe, Philip and Sarah Fossen, Ben McCrory, Sheila Rust, Lindey Schumacher and Sarah Holland.

A Brooten woman was killed when her car left Hwy. No. 104 south of Sunburg. Two Kandiyohi County residents had died earlier in the month on the same highway.

Aug. 1, 1994 – Karena Olson was the new Waterama queen, crowned in ceremonies at the 39th annual Waterama in Glenwood. Her court included first princess Melissa Butler and second princess Robin Himango. A new face also joined the Waterama brass as Sid Domier was named as the new vice commodore. He joined Waterama Commodore Dyanne Parsons and Admiral Barb Ostrander.

The Pope County Free Fair was to open Sunday, Aug. 7, and end on Thursday, Aug. 11, at the fairgrounds. Entry day was Saturday, Aug. 6.

Winners in the Waterama Kiddie Parade were Krista and Sara Kremin, Keven Stier, Taya Staples, Jennifer Jirschele, Jay Brown, Ryan Melichar, Travis Pederson, Jeannie Pederson, Ellen Russell, Tucker Russel, Taylor Jergenson, Collin Jergenson, Jenna Strangler, Alexander Myrom, Kristen and Micheal Strangler, Glenna Goldman, Jessie Jenniges and Damien Callahan.

Gary Mithun was pictured in the Tribune with the 26 1/2-pound muskie he caught on Lake Minnewaska. The 45 1/2-inch long fish had made five runs and took about 20 minutes to reel in. Mithun lived in the Twin Cities and was home visiting his parents, Ellert and Marlys Mithun of Glenwood. He gave thanks to David Anderson for netting the fish and said he never would have gotten it in the boat alone.

July 26, 2004 – The 49th annual Glenwood Waterama went off without a hitch with Tirzah Holte as the new queen and Gordy Moeller as vice commodore. Anna Kalina was the lucky $1,000 winner in the Waterama button drawing. Waterama royalty included Junior Queen Katelyn Elwood, First Princess Elaine Vandenburgh, Queen Tirzah Holte, Second Princess Jennifer Petersen and Junior Princess Rachel Gallagher.

A young man from Litchfield died Saturday morning after the vehicle he was driving struck a semi near the intersection of Highway 55 and Pope County Highway 23 about 10:15 a.m. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the 16-year-old was driving a 1986 Cutlass Ciera east on Highway 55. Near the intersection with Highway 23 he sideswiped a westbound 1996 Freightliner.

July 19, 2014 – As night fell on July 21, an intensely hot and muggy day in west central Minnesota, a major storm system tore across the central and northern areas of the state. While most of the serious damage seems to have hit north of the Minnewaska area, residents didn’t get by unscathed. The National Weather Service reported 49 mph wind gusts at the Glenwood airport on July 21 at 11:14 p.m. The Douglas County airport measured wind gusts at 55 mph just before 11 p.m.

The 2015 Waterama Royalty were pictured seated on stage after the coronation. They were First Princess Mackenzie Walsh, Waterama Queen Jordyn Roggenkamp and Second Princess Katie Haus. Also pictured were newly crowned Junior Waterama Queen Soffia Stadtherr and Junior Princess Kia Matt.

The Minnewaska baseball fields were the site of the Waska Classic Tournament involving teams of players from ages 9-14 playing on Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20. Teams from around the area competed in the tournament, making for a full weekend of youth baseball. The winning teams in each age group were: 10u-Hutchinson, 11u-Willmar, 12u-Cold Spring, 13u-Cold Spring and 14u-Minnewaska. The finish of the Minnewaska teams were: 10u-5th place, 11u-2nd place, 12u-4th place, 13u-6th place and 14u-1st place.