MAHS holds annual talent show

Jan. 7, 1965 – Herbert Bly was elected chairman of the Pope County Board of Commissioners during the board’s two-day meeting. Bly, a Hoff Township farmer, succeeded Brick Vold of Glenwood in the position. Bly was a 10-year veteran of the county board at that time.

Combined deposits in the Glenwood banks topped $7 million for the first time. The record figure was an increase of 6.7 percent over the 1963 high. Deposits in the Lowry State Bank also reached an all-time high of over a million dollars.

Bids were to be opened for the special laboratory equipment at the new Glenwood sewage treatment plant under the terms of the National Institute of Health which provided a grant for the project. Congress approved a total of $136,000 to be spread over a three-year period for research to prove the effectiveness of the long-term sludge system in the removal of nitrogen and phosphates from the sewage effluent. 

Jan. 2, 1975 – The tax load in Pope County hit $670 per capita, according to figures released by the Commerce Clearing House. Americans as a whole paid $577 in state and local taxes in 1974. The range across the nation was from a low of $342 in Arkansas to a high of $894 in New York. The total county tax burden amounted to $7,102,000.

Several major news stories during 1974 remained unresolved at the year’s end. The question of where, when and if there would be a new hospital in the county remained unsolved. The 500 kvDC power line, which was scheduled to be built through the county, continued to be an issue. Traffic accidents claimed six lives in the county in the previous year. Gas prices soared, and the availability of gasoline and fuel oil dropped during 1974 as the effects of a national crisis also fell locally. Several major fires resulted in tragedy and severe damage. The biggest of those took the Rogers Hotel, Dovel Furniture and Green Shoes.

Jan. 3, 1985 –  The Tribune reflected on some of the county’s top news stories of 1984. In January, John R. Stone bought the Pope County Tribune from James and Audrey Kinney. In February, about 25 percent of the county’s dairy farmers signed up for the PIK program, which paid them to reduce milk production. In March, the voters of Pope and Douglas counties approved a bond issue for the construction of a solid waste incinerator. The school board OK’d cuts of $152,000 in staff and program cuts in April, and in May, a tentative agreement between Dist. No. 612 and the Glenwood Education Association was reached for the years 1983-84 and 1984-85. More people were charged with vandalism in connection with the new UPA/CPA power line in June. In July, Dr. Rod Brown, Glenwood’s third doctor, moved to town. Separate freak county accidents claimed the lives of two in August, and in September, lightning hit a transformer on Soo Hill, knocking out power in parts of town for 16 hours or more. In October, the city approved a proposal to upgrade its cable TV franchise. In November, incumbents won in local, state and national races. In December, the name “Waska Warriors” was chosen for the paired teams of Glenwood and Starbuck.

Jan. 2, 1995 – The five counties of Pope, Douglas, Stevens, Grant and Traverse had received a $96,101 grant for the implementation of a public transportation system. A total of $2.4 million in grants had been awarded by the Minnesota Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation which was aimed to help local governments provide public services more effectively.

Efforts continued to find the sources which caused the foul smell and to improve the water quality of Trappers Run, a problem which had worsened in the past 20 years. In certain sampling situations, it was evident that organic pollution was high due to “environmental and toxic stress.” The quality of water for habitation was nonsupporting.

Minnesota had lost 10,000 farms between 1987 and 1992, according to early findings from the 1992 Census of Agriculture. The drop in farm numbers had occurred predominately in the 50-100 acre category.

Dec. 27, 2004 – Minnewaska area district financial needs and state school financing were the subjects at a meeting with area residents and Minnesota Senator Dean Johnson on Wednesday at the Minnewaska Area High School. The group of teachers, administration and parents briefed the senator about the situation Minnewaska area students face today with declining enrollment, a failed operative referendum and decreases in state aid.

Brittany Coolbroth took first place in the individual category at the MAHS talent and variety show, singing Amazing Grace unaccompanied. Coolbroth took home $100 for her performance. Joe Swartz and Heidi Carls took first place in the group category with a dance routine, taking home $100 for their showstopper act.

Dec. 29, 2014 – Seventeen acts took the stage by storm as Minnewaska Area High School held its annual talent and variety show to kick off winter break. Acts included a group of male faculty who earned the People’s Choice award for their rendition of the Nutcracker ballet. This act included Arden Hyland, Chris Bennes, Ted Hill, Justin Song and Chris Lence. Colin Cochran gave a stellar solo piano performance, and Gavin Jensen kept the show rolling with his emcee skills.

A familiar landmark in Glenwood was slated for demolition. After announcing its imminent closing last August, the Good Samaritan Society Glenwood Lakeview property, located at 515 Franklin Street S., was purchased in September by the Glacial Ridge Hospital Foundation. The sale closed this month, and Glacial Ridge Health System outlined its immediate plans for Glenwood Lakeview.

Students at Minnewaska Area Elementary School had some special visitors on Dec. 19. Santa and Mrs. Claus spent the day at MAES chatting with children and spreading holiday cheer.