Duck hunting reported to be ‘the best in years’

Oct. 8, 1964 – County hunters said that duck hunting was the best in years. Limits were said to be “a dime a dozen.” Game warden Walter Trippe credited the strong winds in the area for the successful limits bagged.

More than 300 Arch Masons and their wives from throughout Minnesota attended the 103rd annual convocation of the Grand Chapter in Glenwood. Harold Eastlund presided over the event as grand high priest.

Reigning over Villard’s homecoming were Queen Betty Grussing and attendants Josephine Townsend and Peggy Neumann. Villard also broke a long losing streak by defeating Ashby 7-6 in the homecoming football game.

Oct. 10, 1974 – A 25-year-old Brooten man was Pope County’s fifth highway fatality of the year. The man died of injuries suffered when his car left the road east of Sedan.

Crowned to reign over homecoming festivities in Villard were Queen Lolly Boe and Tammy Fischer and Janet Hanson. Underwood ripped the Mallards 28-0 to spoil the homecoming football game.

Area duck hunters were again reporting the opening of the animal season to be “one of the best in years.” It was a rare hunter who hadn’t “filled up” at least once. Conservation officer Jerry Matison told the Tribune that there were still a lot of birds around. He also said, however, that the law was having trouble with hunters who took more ducks than the limit. One party of five had been arrested while in possession of more than 30 birds.

Oct. 11, 1984 – It was announced that it was possible the proposed Pope/Douglas County solid waste incinerator project would be eligible for a state Energy and Economic Development loan though officials also said that the money would not be available until September 1985. If the project were eligible, funds up to 90 percent would be available at an interest rate of 9.3 percent.

Several hundred people attended the sixth annual Fall Festival and Fiddlers’ Contest at the Terrace Mill in spite of dark skies and occasional drizzle. The event also included tours of the mill, craft demonstrations and food. 

The Glenwood volleyball team continued its winning ways. The team was tied with Long Prairie for the conference lead where they stood 4-1. The team had won the last four in a row and five of the last six.

Oct. 10, 1994 – The playground at E.N. Nordgaard Elementary School was beginning 10 take shape – on paper. It was an all-school effort as the 509 ENN students gave their ideas to what their “dream” playground should look like. The community playground project had begun the previous spring with a team of 22 parents. The biggest goal was to have a playground facility which would accommodate over 500 kids.

The Glenwood City Commission had approved a building permit for the Scotwood Motel to install an indoor swimming pool. Construction was hoped to be started before winter.

The Minnewaska Area High School Jazz Band was pictured in the Tribune. They were to provide the musical entertainment at the Ann Bickle Heritage House gala mystery at Lakeside Ballroom on Oct. 29.

Heidi Mueller was named Minnewaska Star of the Week. She was the daughter of Rob and Dinneen Mueller of Glenwood. She had recently been named to the All-Tournament team at the Minnewaska Invitational, having 21 kills for the day. She was a senior at Minnewaska Area High School and participated in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Oct. 4, 2004 – The Melrose Dutchmen played the role of homecoming spoiler, stopping the Minnewaska Lakers 30-13. Riding the strong passing arm of quarter back Jimmy Gieske and the running of Shawn Meyer, the Dutchmen put together long drives en route to the win.

Since the beginning of this school year, many changes had taken place in Minnewaska Area Schools. One of these was the creation of a school called Minnewaska East High School (MEHS). It occupied the upper floor of the old VFW in Glenwood, making it essentially a two-room schoolhouse. Previously Early Child Family Education (ECFE) used this space. ECFE had moved to E.N. Nordgaard Elementary while the day treatment program occupied he lower floor directly under MEHS.

Oct. 6, 2014 – Glenwood’s three candidates for mayor took center stage at Minnewaska Area Elementary School on Sunday night to discuss their views in a public debate. Scott Formo Sr., Mayor Bill Ogdahl and Shannon Bodeker answered questions and discussed city issues in front of an audience of about 70 people. An hour-long session of answering pre-set questions was followed by a half-hour session of answering audience questions, which had been submitted to debate moderator Ted Hill. Minnewaska Area High School students assisting with the debate process were Rachel Stai, Courtney Grammentz, Chris Claussen, Carly Stewart and Alisha Vigil. Issues discussed included attracting businesses to Glenwood, the city’s new property maintenance standards ordinance, the upcoming Complete Streets project and much more.

Debbie Hoven, a longtime teacher at Minnewaska Elementary School, had released her first children’s book. “Light Up the Year!” takes children on a colorful, playful romp through the calendar year with a string of holiday lights who don’t want to be put away. 

GrandStay Hotel & Suites in Glenwood opened its doors to the community for a grand opening ceremony and open house. Local business owners, city officials and those simply interested in seeing the “new digs” stopped by to tour the facility.