110 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 18, 1914

Albert Lea, the first city in the United States to have a municipal Christmas tree will yield to the demands of children and have a tree which is bigger and better than this year as a choir of 100 will sing Christmas carols.

Marshall Elmer Wesen arrested a drunk one evening last week and put him in the “coop” to sober up. As the jail has been condemned as insecure the marshall had to sit and visit with his charge until the “jag” wore off.

LOST: near the Post office; a pocket book containing $180.00, one meal ticket and two tickets for the Du Glada theatre for Sunday night. The finder may keep the pocketbook and meal ticket, but kindly return the show tickets as I cannot afford to miss the show. -J.M. Somebody

Carl Brandon has leased the Du Glada theatre from Axel Englund and will run it in the future. Mr. Brandon expects to be able to announce his programs a week in advance.

100 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 19, 1924

A.H. Dreyer and John Overson installed a Stearns 1500-watt unit farm lighting plant for Ole S. Ronnie in his new residence at New Prairie. This plant is one of the modern, up-to-date type. It runs very quietly and smoothly and will furnish light and power for Mr. Ronnie’s residence, the residence of his son, and his son’s store.

Myrtle Wold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Wold, former student of Starbuck High School, is a member of the well-known Concordia Choir. Miss Wold, who sings second alto, has been in the choir for two years. The choir plans on taking two long trips. One of the trips will be to Minneapolis, where the choir will sing at the Norse-American Centennial.

Items of interest about the local school, by Eilert Holte: The Economics class had the pleasure of having banker Edward S. Olson explain the Federal Reserve system and its advantages over the other banking system. He also explained other matters pertaining to banking in general.

Christmas vacation began on December 19, and school will re-open Monday, January 5. The teachers will all leave for their respective homes. Miss Oby goes to LeRoy, Minn.; Miss Holden to Brainerd; Miss Larson to Nelson; Miss Haugen to Jasper; Miss Bly to Minneapolis; Miss Weikert to St. Paul; Miss Glesne to Belgrade; and Mr. Hagen and family go to Cavalier, N.D.

90 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 20, 1934

Funeral services for Ole J. Kleven will be held Thursday at the Fron Lutheran Church, Rev. M. Casper Johnshoy officiating. Mr. Kleven is survived by his wife and the following children: Alfred, Mathilde (Mrs. A. Olson); Annette; Bennie; Anna; Gilbert; Bertha (Mrs. Chester Bennett); and William; also two sisters, Mrs. Anton Dokken and Mrs. Ingvald Swensrud, and one brother, John.

The oratorio “Messiah’’ was presented by the Fron choir under the direction of Rev. M. Casper Johnshoy last Sunday, assisted by singers from the Indherred, Benson and Glenwood choirs. Those taking solo parts were Harriet Creswell, Lillian Charlesworth, Mrs. Helen Ramstad, Ella Landaas, Erling Wollan, Eilert Holte and W.A. Peterson.

Miss Marie Hagen and John A. Lee were united in marriage by Rev. M.C. Johnshoy at the Fron parsonage on Dec. 12. The bride was attended by her sister, Jeanette Hagen and the groom by his nephew, Carroll Strom.

“A Wooden Shoe Christmas” is the title of the Christmas Operetta which will be given by the grade pupils in the Starbuck school Thursday night.

The Starbuck basketball squad lost two games last week, to Benson with a score of 25-22, and to Alberta by a score of 21-19.

Miss Agnes Haldorson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Haldorson and Norval Einarson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Einarson were united in marriage at Indherred parsonage on Wednesday by Rev. G.O. Forde. Their attendants were Rena Haldorson and Elmer Elnarson.

The Cyrus Y.P.L.L. held their Christmas meeting Sunday evening. Included in the program was a two-act Christmas play entitled, “Susan Prigg’s Christmas Orpans.” The cast was as follows: Adelaide Hanson, Pearl Pederson, Estella Ofsthun, Virginia Ofsthun, Bruce Tollefson, E.W. Fleming, Raphael Hogy, Carroll Ofsthun.

80 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 21, 1944

Dear Santa: I am in 1st grade. I want a small doll, a nurse kit and a pair of roller skates. ~Janice Johnshoy

Mrs. Teddy Anderson entertained in honor of Betty Lou’s 9th birthday Friday afternoon: Toni and Allene Giesen, Ruth Ann Ophaug, Aileen Kyvig, Kathryn and Gail Myking, Helen Larson and Angeline Benjaminson.

60 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 17, 1964

The Bucks won their first basketball game of the season when they played the Panthers at Cyrus on Saturday and won by a score of 54 to 37.

Funeral services for Mrs. A.P. Norby, 72, were held from the Minnewaska Lutheran Church on Dec. 10, Rev. E.D. Lind officiating. She is survived by two daughters and a son: Mrs. G.O. Digre, Mrs. James Masterson and Allen Paul Norby; 10 grandchildren, five sisters and four brothers.

Mark James, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Mel Roller of Duluth was baptized at the First Lutheran Church of Duluth on Sunday, Dec. 13. The grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Everell Barsness attended the baptism.

The Luther College Concert Band, under the direction of Weston Noble, will tour the east coast from March 17 to April 3. Members of this year’s band included Daniel Forde, son of Rev. and Mrs. G.O. Forde; Jacqueline Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Hanson and David Zemke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter: Zemke of Glenwood.

Funeral services for Clifford Shippey, former resident of Starbuck, now from Auburn, Washington, were held from the Starbuck Funeral Home Dec. 16, Rev. Paul G. Tolo officiating. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, one daughter, Mrs. Darrell Olafson (Nancy), three sons, Clifford, Jr., Wayne and Donald.

Thirty-six students from Pope County are attending St. Cloud State College. Those from Starbuck are John Anderson, Mark Brenden, David Jackson and Robert Kyvig.

Funeral services for Edward N. Berg were held at the Mouse River Lutheran Church at Landa, North Dakota on Dec. 2, with Pastors Dale Striker and Eldred Johnson officiating. Surviving are a son and a daughter, Oscar N. Berg of Minot, North Dakota and Mrs. Ole Bardal (Clara) of Starbuck.

50 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 19, 1974

At the annual Pope County Convention of the ASCS held Wednesday, Dec. 11, Allan Halls of Gilchrist township was elected to a three-year term on the committee and was also elected chairman of the group. Lyle Foslien was elected as vice-chairman of the county committee.

Also elected to the county committee was Oliver Nygaard, Blue Mounds township for a two-year term. Delegates elected were Obert Braaten of Nora township, first alternate and James Erickson, White Bear Lake township as second alternate.

Mrs. John Carlson of Starbuck was the lucky name drawn at last Tuesday’s Bucks drawing. She will receive $75.00 in Starbuck Bucks to which she said, “It was certainly a nice Christmas gift.”

Bucks down Browns Valley 71-57 Friday! Wrestlers improving, win over C-T and Milan.

Larry’s Bakery is out to beat inflation! Prices slashed on white bread – 48¢ loaf or three for $1.40 – 1½ lb. loaves.

40 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 19, 1984

Mr. and Mrs. David Jellum of rural Starbuck were named Pope County Conservation Farmer of the Year at the annual Pope Soil and Water Conservation District last week.

Alice Suckstorff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Suckstorff and Nora Leverson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Leverson have been accepted at the Alexandria Vo Tech Institute for the coming year. Alice will be enrolled in the Accounting program and Nora in the Clerical/Word Processing program.

Rev. Karl Pishaw of Seattle, Washington has accepted the call to be Associate Pastor at the Minnewaska and Fron Churches.

A son, Jared Keith was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Moen of Coon Rapids Dec. 1. Great-grandmother is Arlene Thorstad of Starbuck.

Funeral services for Orlando Ronnie, 91, were held from the Immanuel Lutheran Church Dec. 11. He is survived by a daughter, Violet Ronnie of Starbuck.

30 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 21, 1994

It was a popular event. Once again this year, the Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Tour of Lights” travels around Starbuck in a covered trolley was a popular and well-attended feature of the Holiday Season. Several early-riders take their places in the covered carriage as near-ideal winter weather greeted the riders.

The Truth in Taxation meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council rooms Monday evening preceding the regular meeting of the Starbuck City Council. Arne Pederson, Sanford Wilson and Earl Rundgren appeared at this portion of the meeting regarding the taxes on the depot. The depot is presently classified as commercial property, but the men felt there must be another classification for this area as they are a non-profit organization and there should be a break in taxes on this property. The delegation were told to come back to the Board of Equalization meeting in March, where the question will be addressed. 

Marine PFC John J. Mithun, a 1992 graduate of Minnewaska Area High School of Starbuck, Minn., recently reported for duty at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He joined the Marine Corps in January 1994. He is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Gregory of rural Starbuck.

There will be an open house 50th wedding anniversary celebration in honor of Warren and Agnes Baukol on Saturday, December 31st from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Starbuck. The event will be hosted by their children.

The beautiful Christmas tree at the Lowry State Bank was decorated by Lorraine Jenks, who also made the lovely angel ornaments. Also in the lobby are the winning entries from the Santa Claus Day coloring contests. First prize went to Erica Gulbranson in the 0-4 year-old group, Danielle Lundblad in the 5-7 year-old group, and Melissa Maus in the 8-10 year-old group.

20 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 14, 2004 

Reducing the number of buildings used for elementary students could result in the most even balance of class sizes, a committee looking into school budget issues concluded last week. The Minnewaska Area School district’s budget committee met last week to discuss elementary and junior high building utilization and budget issues, sizing up the elementary situation and beginning to formulate plans to cut costs throughout the district.

Gary Schmidt, owner of Tanis Aircraft Services, and Richard Justice of Alexandria were killed on Thursday when Schmidt’s plane crashed just east of Glen-wood, less than a mile away from the Glenwood Airport, on one of the first snowy and foggy nights the area has seen this season. The victims were reportedly returning home from Fort Myers, Fla., where they had been working on Schmidt’s hurricane-damaged home.

Eva Pederson, a resident of Minnewaska Lutheran Home, will celebrate her 105th birthday on Friday, Dec. 17.

10 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 17, 2014

Dawn Jensen and Laura Backhaus presented the Social Host Ordinance that’s been adopted by the county to the Lowry City Council on Tuesday, December 2. The Lowry Council voted unanimously to adopt the Social Host Ordinance. The Ordinance holds accountable the individual or individuals responsible for underage drinking on property they own, lease or control. It will give law enforcement the ability to charge individuals if they knowingly provide and/or host an underage drinking party.

Dena Hofstad and Inga Mae Urke helped two of their brothers celebrate their birthdays Wednesday at Benson and later visited their former neighbor, Helen Olson and were supper guests at their brother Marvin Urke on the farm. 

Cory Holten, the son of Bruce and Suzan Holten of Starbuck, is the recipient of the Simon and Karen Zeller Family Scholarship from the University of Minnesota, Morris for the 2014-15 academic year. This scholarship is for students who are studying elementary or secondary education and may be renewable, provided the recipient demonstrates satisfactory progress toward a degree. Holten will graduate from Morris in 2015 with a degree in elementary education.

On Friday, Dec. 12, Tanner Holten, the son of Bruce and Suzan Holten of Starbuck, graduated cum laude receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in biology, biomedical sciences from Minnesota State University, Mankato.