100 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 2, 1925

The people of Cyrus and vicinity who attended the cantata, “The Christ Child” given by the Cyrus Lutheran Choir on New Year’s Eve heard one of the finest cantatas ever presented here. Miss Pearl Jacobson, who teaches music in Norway, Michigan directed the singing and Mrs. Edwin Solvie played the piano accompaniments.

Rev. T. Kleven was presented with a new Overland Champion car as a Christmas gift by the Hoffman congregation and some members at Pocket Lake and Glenwood. From the Starbuck congregation, he received a fine new parsonage as living quarters.

Ole Berge last week purchased a 5-tube Atwater-Kent radio from Brevig & Co. and has had it installed at the home of his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Landmark, where he is staying. They report enjoying it very much.

A Ford coupe, loaded to the gunwales with moonshine, while speeding through Starbuck on its way to Browns Valley, collided with another car and landed in the ditch. Ed Bingham, the marshal, got about 16 gallons out of the car, but it is said a little more was concealed under the seat, but when he went to get this, he found somebody had “beat” him to it.

90 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 3, 1935

Evelyn Bingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bingham of Starbuck is the new superintendent of the Minnewaska hospital, taking over the duties on January 1st. She takes the place of Miss Helen Dalager, who has been in charge the past year.

Harold L. Eastlund, who has been county superintendent for the past eight years, and whose tenure of office expired Monday, has accepted a position as traveling salesman for Ollyn and Bacon Co. book publishers of Chicago and will begin his new work in the near future. Mr. Eastlund will make his home in Glenwood.

Miss Alice Wollan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben C. Wollan of Starbuck and Mr. Lyman Ward of Glenwood were united in marriage at the Indherred parsonage by Rev. G.O. Forde on Saturday evening, Dec. 29, at 8 o’clock. Their attendants were Miss Helen Wollan, a cousin of the bride and Laurence Zeigler, a friend of the groom.

Immediately after the ceremony a reception was held at the bride’s home in Starbuck, which was attended by near relatives of the young couple

The bride is well known in Starbuck, having resided here for a number of years, and has attended both the Starbuck public school and high school. For the past few years, she has been employed at Morgan’s Cafe as a waitress. A host of friends extend their congratulations and best wishes.

The groom is the son of Mrs. Joe Ward of Glenwood. He is a Glenwood high school graduate and for several years has been employed at Swanson’s Bakery, which position he still holds.

Mr. and Mrs. Ottar Flack and family and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Samuelson and family were entertained at Iver Hagen’s for dinner on Sunday.

Specials at Anderson’s Fairway Fine Foods: Pultost – a real appetizer – 2 lbs. for 25¢; Primost – Cannon Falls homemade – 13¢ lb.; Pillsbury cake flour 28¢; tomato soup, 3 cans for 21¢; loaf sugar, 3 lbs. for 25¢; mixed nuts – No. 1, 17¢ lb.

80 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 4, 1945

Mrs. James Totushek, nee Eloise Hagen, had the honor of being crowned queen of her department at Honeywell in Minneapolis on Dec. 20. She has been working there for the past 15 months but resigned her position and left Friday for Camp Pendleton, Kentucky to be with her husband.

A girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Wollan on New Year’s Day at the Minnewaska Hospital, being the first baby born in Starbuck in 1945.

Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Rosby entertained a number of ladies and little folks for Richard’s 2nd birthday on December 23.

Staff Sergeant Harry P. Aslagson, 26, of the 95th waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 95th Bombardment group, has been awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in Eighth Air Force bombing attacks on vital German industrial targets and on Nazi airfields, supply dumps and gun emplacement in support of advances of allied ground forces on the continent.

Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Hanson were honored on the silver wedding anniversary at the Indherred Church Sunday. They have one son, Arthur.

70 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 30, 1954

Excerpt from Column “Pinch hitting.” Skating parties on Lake Minnewaska are taking on much of the gusto of old times – People from many towns are bringing cars full of young people to skate. This started before Thanksgiving and is continuing after Christmas.

WCCO Radio will present its annual “year end review” with Cedric Adams as narrator, Sunday, Jan. 2. The program will be a half hour summary of the top news stories of 1954.

60 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 31, 1964

Although there are 52 weeks in the year, this week’s issue of the Times is the 53rd issue being printed in 1964. Leap year adds an extra day and moves back the final Thursday to Dec. 31. 

Funeral services for Mrs. Edward Bingham, 89, were held from the Fron church on Dec. 28, with Rev. Paul G. Tolo officiating. She is survived by one son, Lloyd and one daughter, Mrs. John North (Evelyn); one brother, Joseph Solvie; one sister, Mrs. Sena Arfth; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Eisenzimmer of Minneapolis announce the birth of their first child, Cynthia Lynn, born Dec. 15. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Larson are the maternal grandparents.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Hanson of Wayzata are the parents of a baby girl, Karen Louise, born Dec. 18. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hanson are the paternal grandparents.

After a frigid Christmas, temperatures began to moderate Sunday when a high of 18 followed a low of 19 below zero on Friday.

50 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 2, 1975

Two area residents were hospitalized over the weekend as the result of snowmobile accidents. Both were taken to the Minnewaska Hospital in Starbuck. Saturday evening, Mrs. Kenneth Davis was driving her machine on Lake Minnewaska when it overturned. She suffered a broken arm near the shoulder joint as well as a bruised shoulder. She is in some pain, but getting along as well as can be expected.

Sunday, Helen Hagert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hagert had the misfortune of getting her scarf which she was wearing, caught in the engine of the snowmobile. It wrapped around the engine and nearly choked her to death. Fortunately, she was close to home and help was available. She had bruises in her throat area.

Mr. and Mrs. John Engebretson of Benson were coffee guests at the Edwin Engebretson home on Thursday afternoon. Evening guests were Mr. and Mrs. Galen Satrom and children of Page, N.D., Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Buchholz and children of Granite Falls and Mrs. Axel Peterson.

Open house honoring Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stockel (nee Karen Freeman), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Freeman will be held on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Sacred Heart Church in Glenwood. The couple were married on Dec. 28.

Gary Johnson of Minneapolis spent the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Johnson. Other Christmas Eve guests were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Johnson of Alexandria. On Christmas Day, Mr. and Mrs. Wes Johnson and Gary were guests at the Donald Johnson home in Alexandria.

40 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 2, 1985

The Minnewaska District Hospital took delivery of their new 1984 ambulance recently and according to volunteer Harry Blok, shown in the Times with the new rig, has already made a number of runs. The 1984 Ford Super Van was made by Collins Manufacturing of Hutchinson, Kansas, with the “stripped” van being purchased from Star Motors of Starbuck. The new unit is considered a “basic life support” unit and has built-in oxygen and suction. According to officials, the new ambulance provides more patient comfort and complies with recently adopted government regulations.

Craig Pederson, junior Starbuck Buck forward was named to the All-Tournament team last weekend in the first Alexandria-TV 30 Christmas Holiday Boys basketball tourney held on Dec. 21 and 22 at Jefferson High School gymnasium. Pederson led the Bucks in most statistics for the two-day event, scoring 22 points in the two contests.

30 YEARS AGO

From Jan. 5, 1995

Maria Ortiz of El Salvadore, with her sons, Luis Eldorado, 13 and Juan Carlos, 11, and a nephew Luis Antonio, 19, returned to Cyrus for a short visit with the Milton Brulands of Cyrus, Sherri Gerzina family in Inver Grove Heights and the Bob Youngs in Battle Lake. Maria was an exchange student at the Cyrus School in 1977-78.

Funeral services for Karen Dosen, 95, were held Dec. 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She is survived by two nieces, Linnea Morrison of Idaho and Alfild Mills of California.

Marcy Olsen of Starbuck has been named to the President’s List at Northland Community College for the fall quarter.

The Starbuck Creamery/Cyrus Farmers Elevator consolidation vote was reaffirmed Saturday when an emotional meeting of the two Pope County based cooperatives was held. Ron Leinen has been hired as the proposed general manager.

20 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 29, 2004 

Starbuck Elementary School’s music department recently received new drums with funding from a Gladys Ness Brang Foundation grant. A total of 21 drums and instruction books for drums and dance were purchased with the $2,200 grant. Teacher Shari Opdahl said she and the students are grateful for the drums and “Every day, the kids are so excited to play the drums.” Opdahl said she hopes to incorporate the drums into the school’s April 21 spring concert.

Visitors voiced concern over the potential closing of Starbuck Elementary School and Villard Academy Elementary at the regular Minnewaska Area Board of Education meeting last Tuesday, asking for recommendations for what they could do to help keep schools open. The group came after learning that the MAS budgeting committee was planning to recommend that VEA and SES should close for the next school year to save the district money after the failed operating referendum in November.

10 YEARS AGO

From Dec. 31, 2014 

People gathered at the Starbuck VFW for the 25th Annual Christmas Care event. A light lunch was served with several gifts for children and parents that they could wrap for each other. Gift cards for food were given out in place of the food boxes that were prepared in the past. Volunteers from the Minnewaska Jaycees, Starbuck VFW, VFW Auxiliaries and others helped put on the event. The Jaycees paid for the printing of the pictures of children with Santa Claus.

The Minnewaska Area High School Art Show opened on Dec. 16. High School students in grades 9th through 12th work was displayed throughout the art room with 126 ribbons awarded to the 500-600 pieces of art on display. Art Teacher Marit Salveson said the purpose of the art show is to give the kids a chance to show their work in public. “It gives them something to work on, it’s a goal,” Salveson said.

Former Starbuck 1956 graduate Byron Helgeson is now a member of the Florida Citrus Sports and its bowl selection committee. The University of Minnesota Gophers will play the Missouri Tigers on Jan. 1 at noon on ABC in the Citrus Bowl.