110 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 13, 1914

Dr. C.R. Christenson and William Lloyd Davis will discuss the community problems of Starbuck and the surrounding territory at the Du Glada on Saturday evening. What is lacking in Starbuck? How can we make Starbuck a better market town and develop real cooperation among our business men?

The big West Central Minnesota Road Show put on one evening in each of the 16 counties comprising the West Central Minnesota Development Association to assist aspiring candidates to the queenship of the Corn and Alfalfa Exposition at Benson Nov. 26-28 is proving a brilliant success. The crowds at these shows have been very good. At Morris, Miss Margaret Eckes, the Stevens county candidate obtained over 100,000 votes. A charge of 50¢ admission is made, and a candidate for queen is given 500 votes for each ticket sold.

The first real snowstorm of the year arrived on Thursday. The weather prophets say it won’t last long.

Ole Grondahl won the horse raffled off by Victor Wesen for Louis Stenson at the Threshermen’s Dance last Friday evening. The horse cost him 66 cents.

Dr. O.V. Opheim, who has been connected with the St. Paul City Hospital for some time, has located in Starbuck and will practice medicine here. Dr. Opheim is going in with Dr. Christenson.

100 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 14, 1924

A meeting was held at the courthouse in Glenwood on Tuesday to discuss the matter of getting the new road between Starbuck and Westport graveled this winter. After much discussion, it was decided that it was not wise to push for graveling this winter for the following reasons: first, the state department does not have the money to carry on the work until new license money comes in next February, and second, the road should be allowed to settle this winter and then be smoothed off and gravel put on. The men from Starbuck attending the meeting were: J.S. Skoglund, W.C. Markland, Wm Peterson, Harold Peterson; H.M. Johnshoy, Casper Forbord, H.L. Gorder and Wm Merrill.

Next week is National Education Week. On Monday afternoon the school children will parade thru town carrying banners with appropriate slogans. In the evening there will be a patriotic program in the town hall. The program is as follows: Song by audience; recitation by Margaret Noyes; flag drill-second grade; Gettysburg Address by Hazel Kjonaas; Duties of Citizenship by Orville Sorenson; song by Glee Club; tableaux-third and fourth grades; Signing of Declaration of Independence-fifth and sixth-grade boys; American Creed by Raymond Fredrickson; and a talk by Supt. Hagen.

There will be a basket social in Dist. 92 on Saturday evening, November 22. Ladies, please bring lunch and cups for two. Helen Nordberg, teacher.

The offer by the Starbuck Times of prizes for essays on “Why We Should Have a School Band” brought only one essay, written by Miss Laura Hoiness, so she receives the prize of $1.50.

Smallpox has become quite prevalent in Minnesota and Dr. C.R. Christenson has urged that people be vaccinated. School districts are authorized by law to furnish free vaccination. Half of the expense will come out of township funds and the other half paid by the county.

90 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 15, 1934

The Starbuck Bakery is an organization that believes in keeping abreast with the times, and just recently they installed a new Rodwedder Slice Master bread-slicing machine. Mr. Berg says there has been a great demand for sliced bread, especially from the merchants on the bread route operated by Mr. Hidem.

Miss Valborg Reisrud, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Reisrud of Blue Mounds Township, and Mr. Herbert Johnshoy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Johnshoy were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents on Nov. 10, Rev. G.O. Forde officiating. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Nora Reisrud and the groom was attended by his brother, Thorval Johnshoy.

The White Bear Lake Farmer’s Club will again this year sponsor a traveling library. This is made available through the Minnesota Traveling Library Association and the books can now be secured at the Starbuck Hardware Company. There are 50 volumes in the library and the rental is free, but no books can be kept longer than two weeks. A fine of 2¢ a day must be paid if the books are not back in the library after two weeks.

County Superintendent Harold L. Eastlund, announced acceptance of a project for putting a limited number of people to work on clerical work in the rural schools. Unemployed teachers are preferred because of their previous knowledge of the work which will consist of re-copying permanent records and accession records into new forms. Those who are good penmen are preferred. There is no cash pay for this type of work, but credit on feed or human relief can be worked out. The rate of 50¢ an hour, with a maximum of 30 hours per week.

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred W. Christenson were pleasantly surprised on Sunday afternoon by about a hundred relatives and friends at their home four miles northwest of Starbuck, the occasion being their Silver Wedding anniversary. The Christensons have two children, Florence and Walter.

80 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 9, 1944

Alice Ranum, a senior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ranum of White Bear Lake, was the newly crowned carnival queen of 1944. Attendants to the queen were Delores Smedstad, junior; Joyce Hagen, sophomore; and Marilyn Peterson, freshman. Janyce Helgeson and Sharon Aaberg were the train leaders and Kenneth Gorder was the crown bearer.

A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Thilmer Rosten. She received the name Janet Louise.

Rollo Cordell, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Pederson, was baptized at East Zion Lutheran Church Sunday afternoon. Sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. George Pederson and Mr. and Mrs. Hartvig Pederson.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jellum had their infant son, David, baptized at Indherred Church. His sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. I.E. Aal and Mr. and Mrs. Milo Nelson.

The Starbuck Cement Products Co. had completed the walls of a large warehouse on the lots north of the office building.

70 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 11, 1954

Allen Sigatuss, executive secretary of the Pope County Welfare Board, announced this week the appointment of Edwin Opheim as a case worker. Mr. Opheim resigned the position of assistant field director with the American Red Cross at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Opheim of Cyrus. He received his B.A. degree from St. Olaf College at Northfield in 1953.

The following have completed their basic infantry training with a unit of the Sixth Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood: Pvt. Chester J. Flack, son of Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Flack of Starbuck; Pvt. Ronald M. Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson, Starbuck; and Pvt. Maynard D. Hoium, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin N. Hoium, Starbuck.

Distribution of aerated city water from the new plant is expected to start Friday. Some final tests of the newly installed equipment are now in progress in preparation for turning on the water, freed from much of its iron content, directly into the mains.

Herman Talle of Glenwood was elected president of the Pope County 4-H Club Council at their annual meeting Thursday evening.

60 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 12, 1964

Six members of the 1964 football team of Starbuck High School were selected for the Pheasant All-Conference team, Coach Julian Gulsvig was notified last week. They are Rick Anderson, quarterback; Bruce Smedstad, guard; Paul Olson, guard; Dan Janisch, linebacker; and Jerry Gorder and Dave Rollie, linemen. Starbuck completed the season undefeated in 9 games.

With all reports now in, the board of directors of the Starbuck United Fund is pleased to report that the drive has gone over the top for the third successive year. Total pledges and cash received amounted to approximately $3,900.00.

Gregory Wayne, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Ednard Barsness, Jr. of Richfield was baptized at the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church on Nov. 8.

A host of friends and relatives gathered at the St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, Nov. 1, to honor Mr. and Mrs. Albert Stoen on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Loren Wiger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wiger of Cyrus, a senior at Augsburg College, has been selected as a member of the male chorus of the college.

Funeral services for Edmar Kjera of Minneapolis, formerly of Starbuck, were held at the Gill Bros. Funeral Chapel in Minneapolis on Oct. 29. Mr. Kjera is survived by his widow, one son, one daughter, two grandchildren, six brothers and two sisters.

50 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 14, 1974

The Starbuck “Buckettes” finally broke the ice as far as regional basketball play is concerned as they “peeled” the hide off the Moorhead Spuds Tuesday night, 58-49 in Alexandria. The first regional win will qualify the Buckettes for the state play-offs since two teams from Region Six will be allowed to participate. They will play again Thursday evening at Alexandria for the Region Six crown against Wadena, the winner over Henning in the second game. 

Patricia Dietzler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Dietzler, Sr., of rural Starbuck, has been chosen as a participant in the Minnesota Teen-Ager Pageant to be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown at Rochester in April 1975. She will be one of many who will compete for a trip to the national contest to be held in Kansas City next August. 

The Pope County Commissioners heard final arguments on the controversial power line proposed to build through Pope County at a meeting held last Wednesday in Glenwood. Chairman of the Board, Melvin Heggestad, said a decision could not be made immediately on whether or not to accept the recommendation of the planning commission to deny the power companies the right to build the line.

Postmaster Walline reminded customers that effective Sunday, Nov. 17, 1974, the U.S. Postal Service intends to discontinue delivering mail on which there is no postage. The new policy was instituted because of the high costs beings incurred by the Postal Service in its attempt to deliver such mail. After Nov. 17, letters mailed without postage will be returned to sender if there is a return address, or to the dead letter office.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Johnshoy, Sr., honored their parents on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary at a turkey dinner served at the Fron Church parlors Saturday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Watnaas are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Linda, to Larry Halvorson, son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Halvorson of Starbuck. They have chosen Nov. 30 as their wedding date.

40 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 7, 1984

Robert and Bonnie Erickson are the parents of a baby girl, Judy Marie born Oct. 17.

Funeral services for Inga Lorvig, 88, will be held today at Fron Lutheran Church. She is survived by three children: Robert Samuelson and Dorothy Norum of Minneapolis and Ruth Herbst of St. Paul and three stepchildren: Olive Nyholm of Sun City, Arizona, Lester Lorvig of Phoenix, Arizona and Phyllis Bevis of Atlanta, Georgia.

United Bank of Academy Place in Colorado Springs, Colorado has promoted Daniel J. Rundgren to Commercial Loan Officer. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Rundgren of Starbuck.

Senior co-captains, Shaun Stottler and Doug Toivonen along with senior Mike Syverson have been named to the 1984 Pheasant Conference North All-Conference Team. Senior Mike Lagua was chosen as an honorable mention selection.

30 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 9, 1994

The Veterans of Pope County will have a beautiful memorial dedicated to them on Friday, Nov. 11 when a memorial and dedication service will be held on the front lawn of the Pope County Courthouse. 

Jeff and LaDona Molander of Cardova, Ind., are the parents of a son, Reed Connor born Nov. 3.

Funeral services for Maurice Anderson, 74, were held at Fron Lutheran Church Oct. 21. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine and three sons, Richard of Sitka, Alaska, Paul of Starbuck and Dale of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Casey Knabe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Knabe of Kensington is recovering at North Memorial Medical Center at Robbinsdale after he had his right hand and wrist successfully reattached after they had been ripped off in a combine accident

20 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 10, 2004 

Starbuck voters turned out in full force on election day and some familiar local government names will return for another term in office. Plus, a new name to local politics will also become part of the process. Incumbent Starbuck mayor Milo Holte will return for his third term at the city’s mayoral post. Holte won the mayor’s race with 436 votes. Write-in challenger Steve Gorder received 196 votes, Janice Raaum, 120 votes and Ron Disrud had two write-in votes for mayor.

Starbuck Elementary School (SES) students had the opportunity to cast their vote for president in a school-wide mock election on November 2. According to sixth-grade teacher Gloria Nichtern, President George W. Bush won the popular vote among the students by 51 votes. Nichtern said since she has taught social studies and held the mock elections, “The students have always voted like the general public.” She added, “It’s really great to see their interest in politics at such a young age. They’re going to be responsible adult citizens.”

The 2004 Laker girls’ tennis season ended on a strong note recently, especially for state contenders Emma Hustad and Leanne Pfeninger. The Waska duo took fourth place in the state doubles competition, only falling out of the tournament after a loss to state champions Rachel Tiegs and Natalie Scanlon of Rochester Lourdes.

There weren’t many smiles at the Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education meeting on Nov. 3 when the final results of the failed school referendum levy were canvassed. Although the results were close, there was no recount needed. The levy failed with 2,598 votes ‘yes’ and 2,760 votes ‘no.’

10 YEARS AGO

From Nov. 12, 2014

Starbuck will have a new mayor in January after Gary Swenson was elected as Starbuck Mayor, defeating Dori S. Ann. Swenson received 395 votes, while Ann received 90. Ted Razink and Cary R. Jenson, were elected to the Starbuck City Council. Steve Gorder was elected to the two-year council term, he ran unopposed.

Glacial Hills Elementary student Caden Koziol was awarded a pair of binoculars from Sid Stivland, a representative from a Minnesota Ornithologists Organization that gives out two sets of binoculars every year. Only two Minnesota students that are highly interested in observing nature and birds can earn these binoculars. Koziol showed great interest in Ornithology – the study of birds – so his teacher, Mrs. Kaley Poegel wrote a letter of recommendation and Koziol was awarded the binoculars on Monday, October 26.

Sunday, November 2, and the weather conditions were perfect for the 2nd annual Minnewaska Lutheran Church’s hayride at the Jim Langman Farm, west of Starbuck. Twenty-four “partiers” piled onto the haywagon and rode through the beautiful countryside, singing songs with Miriam strumming her guitar. When the ride was over, they all disembarked the hay wagon and went inside to a warm BBQ sandwich, coffee and a great dessert in the Langman’s garage. Pictured in the Times were Pastor Paul Johnson, Pastor Todd Klemme, Miriam Klemme, Donald Dullum, Helen Dullum, Linda Gjerdingen, Don Gjerdingen and Bev Melde.

Funeral services for Cora Stoen, of Starbuck, were held on Nov. 10 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. Cora died on Nov. 4, 2014. She lived to be 102 years and 8 months old. She is survived by daughter, Lois (Sid) Koerlin of Florida; two sons, Arne (Carol) Stoen of Starbuck and Ron (Jeanette) Stoen of Lowry; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Cora was an Avon lady for over 40 years.