110 YEARS AGO

From March 26, 1915

“Jerry, the Tramp,” the home talent play for which local people have been training for some time, will be staged at the Du Glada theatre this evening. The play has been produced under the able direction of Mrs. George Hughes. For several weeks she has generously given up her evenings and surrendered the use of her house for practice.

Nettie Brendahl left Monday for Cooperstown, N.D. A number of young folks had a linen shower for her on Sunday.

Another of the pioneer women of Pope County has been laid to rest. Mrs. Sophie Larson of New Prairie, who died on March 17, was buried last Saturday, the funeral being held at the home of Gustave Peterson. Rev. Forde officiated. Her husband died seven years ago. She is survived by three daughters: Mrs. D.F. Wheaton of Morris, Mrs. G.A. Peterson of White Bear Lake and Mrs. C.A. Siverson of Starbuck.

We are now showing attractive spring suits for young men in models that will convey the impression you want to make. Light weight English suits that evidence all the modern touches. Soft roll lapels, close-fitting sleeves and shapely waists. One-button, two-button and three-button effects from the makers of Sophomore Perfect clothes. Wells – Hanson Company.

100 YEARS AGO

From March 27, 1925

Ole Disrud was in the Farmers Store the other day as the Times reporter happened along and saw the 62 dozen eggs he brought in. They were all fine, large, white eggs, and George Noyes who was handling them remarked it was a shame to ship such eggs out of town. Mr. Disrud has 200 White Leghorns, and the 62 dozen eggs represented just a little less than a week’s laying. He said last year he sold about $300.00 worth of eggs, and that the chickens are about the best paying things he has on the farm.

Miss Olga Knutson and Gilbert Hagen were united in marriage at the Zion parsonage on Wednesday of last week by the Rev. K.R. Palmer. Her bridesmaid was Miss Elma Hagen, a sister of the bride-groom. The groom was attended by the bride’s brother, Fred Knutson. The bride is a daughter of Mrs. Iver Knutson of Barsness. The groom is a son of Mrs. Hilda Hagen of Barsness. The couple will make their home on the groom’s farm in Rolling Forks.

Gerhard Gorder came here from Granville, N.D., on Wednesday. He has been working in a bank there, and has not been at home for the last two years.

90 YEARS AGO

From March 28, 1935

Snow flurries on Wednesday made it look as though seeding would have to be postponed for those who have planned on seeding this week. The ice on the lake is melting along the shore.

Four local students graduate from the Morris Ag. School. They are Tilmer Engebretson, Thorwald C. Johnshoy of Starbuck, Howard McIver of Farwell and Clarence Kamrud of Starbuck, graduates of the fourth year course.

Mrs. O.H. Wollan, Mrs. W.W. Larson and Mrs. Chester Peterson spent one afternoon last week with Mrs: Carl Heggestad.

The Motor Inn Garage sold a Chevrolet coach to S.C. Sorenson this week taking in a Ford coach. Olaf Engen bought a 1929 Ford coach.

Miss Olivia Peterson of St. Paul spent the weekend with her folks here. On Saturday evening she was the speaker at the nurses meeting at Morris. She was accompanied by her sister, Magna and Miss Ida Erickson.

Tilman “Heine” Smedstad, our genial drayman, is spending this week at the home of his brother, R. Smedstad of Glenwood, recuperating after his recent operation.

80 YEARS AGO

From March 29, 1945

A deal was completed some time ago whereby L.W. Brown of Ortonville bought the Midwest Store from E.H. Totushek, and plans to take over the business on April 2. He is married and has two children.

Miss Doris Grenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Grenson and Orville J. Rundquist, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rundquist were married March 9 at the Minnewaska parsonage. The couple will make their home on a farm south of Starbuck.

A 10 lb. 2 oz. girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Femrite on March 23. They now have two boys and four girls.

A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Anderson March 20 at the Glenwood hospital.

The following from Starbuck have been ordered for induction and will report March 30: Walter Dahl and Conrad Pederson.

Alice Ruth Ranum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ranum of White Bear Lake, has the honor of being the Valedictorian of the senior class of 1945 with the average of 93.58%. Gerhard Forde, son of Rev. G.O. Forde, also of White Bear Lake township is salutatorian with an average of 92.88%. 

70 YEARS AGO

From March 31, 1955

Irvin Aal of Starbuck was recently proclaimed county junior corn growing champion, at a banquet held at Alexandria in honor of Northern Minnesota corn growing champions. His yield of 85.27 bushels per acre was the top yield in Pope County in the 1954 selected two-acre DeKalb Junior Corn Growing contest.

On Sunday evening, March 27, the Minnewaska Luther League sponsored a Lenten song service, presented by the senior choir. The theme of the program was the Seven Last Words of Christ. Soloists were Ray Kyvig, Noel Johnson, Andrew Thorstad, Mrs. Harry Thorstad and Janice Nordaune. Other special numbers were a triple trio consisting of Kathryn Myking, Maxine Kirkwold, Janice Nordaune and Ann Thorstad, and a duet by Mrs. Andrew Thorstad and Milo Hagen. Mrs. Andrew Thorstad is director of the choir.

The Marshall – Wells store in Starbuck has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Larson of St. Paul. The store will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week while an inventory will be taken, and will be opened by the new proprietors on Saturday, April 9th. Mr. Larson has been connected with a paint manufacturing concern in St. Paul.

Alc DuWayne Stensby who recently received his discharge from the service arrived at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Stensby, last Monday. He spent 2% years in Japan, and then returned to Parks Air Force Base in California.

60 YEARS AGO

From April 1, 1965

Approximately 14 inches of snow fell here on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there was no wind to speak of, so the snow covered the ground quite evenly. Sunday there was a little drifting, but not much. Most of the snow melted on Monday and Tuesday.

One of the oldest college touring groups in the country, the Luther College Concert Band, will return April 3 from a tour of 10 states in the Midwest and the East Coast. The band is under the direction of Weston Noble. Members from this area are: Daniel Forde of Starbuck; David Zemke and Jacqueline Hanson of Glenwood; Karen Kvammen and Gretchen Brockmeyer of Osakis; and Carol Lygre of Montevideo.

Two Starbuck High School Future Farmers of America teams qualified for competition at the state convention to be held at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul on May 2-4. On the F.F.A. General Livestock team are Charles Branch, Ronald Branch, Richard Meyer and Jerry Gorder. On the F.F.A. Dairy Products team are Allen Hippe, Urness Larson Jr., Dave Gregerson and Ronald Sundheim.

Mr. and Mrs. James Opheim of Casper, Wyoming, announce the birth of their first child, a girl, born Saturday, March 27. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvan Opheim are the paternal grandparents.

A Northern Pacific Railway snow plow was partially derailed while attempting to open the snow clogged sidetracks in Starbuck Monday afternoon. Both the plow and the train had to remain overnight.

50 YEARS AGO

From March 27, 1975

In one of the worst snowmobile accidents recorded in Minnesota, three young Douglas County residents lost their lives last Friday evening while all three were riding on one snowmobile. Involved in the accident were Dale Haabala (age 15), son of the Roger Haabalas, rural Farwell; James Overstad (age 15), son of the Herbert Overstads, rural Holmes City; and Duwayne Hoefer (15), son of the Walter Hoefers, rural Farwell. As they attempted to cross Highway 55, a bulk milk truck, proceeding in a westerly direction on highway 55, hit the snowmobile carrying the three persons.

Bonnie Klevann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Helmer Klevann of Starbuck, and James Lerberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lerberg of Elgin, Illinois were united in marriage at 2 o’clock on Oct. 12, 1974 at St. John’s Lutheran Church or rural Starbuck.

40 YEARS AGO

From March 27, 1985

Renae Spore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Spore has been accepted at the Canby Area Vocational Technical Institute into the dental assisting program.

Funeral services for Blythe McDonald, 70, of Glenwood were held at the Hoplin Funeral Chapel March 16. She is survived by three children, Patrick McDonald of Forest Lake, Jackie Ranum of Starbuck and JoDee Shea of Glenwood.

Starbuck’s Jan Doty was one of 31 outstanding women basketball players named to the WCCO “Prep Parade All State Women’s Basketball Team of the Year.” 

Funeral services for Edward Chan, 78, were held from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Lowry March 11. He is survived by his wife, Violet and two sons, Ronald and Gary. 

Specials this week at Chuck’s Super Market are: ring bologna $2.15; tomato soup 4/$1.00; large navel oranges 2/$1.29; vegetable lb. 69¢. beef soup 2/99¢; saltine crackers, 1 lb. 69¢. 

30 YEARS AGO

From March 29, 1995

A group of 57 persons, from all over Minnesota and Iowa, gathered in Starbuck recently to learn about current Viking historical research. As part of a three hour consortium, the group viewed some artifacts and listened to several interesting speakers, including Mr. Marion Dahm of Chokio, recognized as a leading authority on Viking history in America; Rev. Orval Fredrich of Elma, Iowa, an author of several books on Viking history, especially as evidenced in Iowa; Peter Whelan, a geology professor at UMM, Morris; and Jerry Lee, Spring Grove, relating some interesting developments in that area.

Minnewaska Area High School’s Secondary “Odyssey of the Minds” team took first place on Saturday, March 11 in Regional Competition held at Moorhead. They will now advance to the state competition on April 29 in Plymouth. Team members include Matt Shirkey, Connie Cihlar, Jeff Chapman, Troy Ronning and John Cihlar. They are coached by MAHS instructor Art Forte. The program coordinator is Paddy Domier.

Albert and Sue Blok and children, Ian and Joanna of Windsor, Ontario, spent a few days with the Harry Blok family. Albert and Sue are missionaries from Equatorial Guinea in Africa. They are on leave, and returning to Africa in July, for another three years. Monday night at the Lowry Gospel Hall, Albert Blok showed slides of Equatorial Guinea (a Spanish speaking country) and of their work there. Albert also had the privilege of showing the slides to his nephew, Eddie Blok’s Spanish class at MAHS. They also enjoyed listening to the MAHS Concert Band contest songs on Tuesday at MAHS. Their nephew, Eddie is a member of the band.

20 YEARS AGO

From March 30, 2005 

The board of the Western Pope County Hospital District approved a resolution which could lead to the closure of inpatient rooms and the emergency room of the Starbuck hospital. The motion to approve the resolution took place during a five hour meeting at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Monday night that was peppered with accusations of board malfeasance. The board discussed the resolution after a sobering review of the district’s financial condition, which showed that the district has about 3.5 months of cash on which to operate. 

Nicole Erickson and Lisa Thompson, both of rural Starbuck, were crowned the 2005-2006 Pope County Dairy Princesses. Nicole is the daughter of Kelly and Audrey Erickson and she is currently attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Lisa is the daughter of David and Dawn Thompson and she is currently attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The princesses will make dairy classroom visits and appear in various parades and dairy promotional events in the county and throughout the region.

Minnewaska Area High School has once again been recognized as an outstanding school through its support of our team and individuals during the Business Professionals of America State Contest. Four students earned the opportunity to compete at the National Level in Anaheim, Calif., this April. Students advancing are Scott Gullickson, Scott Faehnrich and Joe Swartz, placed first in the Small Business Management Team competition; and Joe Swartz and Sam Goracke earned their State Torch Award.

Placing at first in the Knowledge Bowl team at State, but not advancing to Nationals, were Javen Pauly, Joe Swartz, Nathan Vanderby, and Sam Goracke. Placing at state this past weekend were Nathan Vanderby, 16th in Information Technology Concepts, Nathan Vanderby, 15th in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting, and Sam Goracke, 13th in Prepared Speech.

10 YEARS AGO

From April 1, 2015 

Evan and Brielle Gullickson are twins that were born extremely premature to parents Alyssa and Scott Gullickson last July and August. Evan was born at 23 weeks and 5 days while Brielle was born 17 days later at 26 weeks and 1 day. Against the odds both twins have overcome several preemie birth issues and are doing very well at home in Saint Joseph. Editor’s Note: Scott and Alyssa Gullickson are from Starbuck and Glenwood, respectively. They now reside in Saint Joseph with their kids.

Glacial Hills Elementary School is an environmental school that spends a substantial amount of the day learning about science. In 6th grade the students are asked to come up with a question they are interested in and then by using the scientific method they come to a conclusion. The students spend over a month researching and conducting their experiments. In the end they each create a board to explain their project and then they present to a panel of judges. The 6th graders Science Fair winners were selected on Friday, March 20. Pictured in the Times were David Lilienthal (third place), Tori Kuczek (first place) and Jacob Aaberg (second place). Kuczek’s project asked which hook should he use to catch the most fish while ice fishing? Aaberg’s project asked which vascular plant transports water the most? Lilienthal explored whether a three or four blade helicopter is easier to maneuver through obstacles. 

Morgan Hess recently competed at the Northland Figure Skating Competition held in Duluth. Morgan is a sophomore at MAHS and skates with the Alexandria Figure Skating Club. She competed in the Novice Freeskate event and placed first.