Looking Back: 2002 - Bigelow school has last graduation

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One year ago

Worthington High School graduated 137 seniors at its 124th commencement ceremony.

Although the national real estate market was underperforming, Worthington-area sales were going strong. Local realtors said homes priced between $95,000 and $180,000 were selling most quickly.

Two alleged methamphetamine dealers were arrested last week in the Worthington area, with approximately 34 grams of meth and more than $11,000 in cash seized by Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force agents.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Mark Daniel Stewart, 28, of Hills, who was accused of burglary, intentional damage to property, trespassing and fleeing a police officer on foot.

During a series of recent checks on all licensed alcohol retailers, the Nobles County Sheriff’s Office found an 86 percent compliance when it came to establishments selling to underage drinkers.

Thirty-four string players performed as part of the second Worthington Area Orchestra concert of 2010-11.

Five years ago

The 150th anniversary of Nobles County’s establishment was officially marked on May 23, although most of the celebrating was slated for the summer months.

Longtime Worthington resident and recently retired life insurance provider Bob Petrich recently was honored with the G. Bennet Serrill Award of Excellence at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ Minnesota annual convention.

Dedication ceremonies took place for Nobles County’s new Freedom Veterans’ Memorial Park near the shores of Lake Okabena.

Laura Bidne, Jackson County Central ag teacher and FFA coach, won the Outstanding Educator Award in Academic Coaching—along with a $10,000 prize—from the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Foundation.

Prairie Elementary principal Nancy Antoine resigned from her position effective June 30, as she had accepted a job at a Northfield elementary school.

10 years ago

The Worthington Dollars for Scholars chapter awarded $16,500 in scholarships to 29 Worthington High School graduating seniors.

Members of Worthington’s Optimist Club held a bike inspection round-up at the Worthington High School parking lot. Optimist Steve Thill said the club, which aimed to support kids, had held a bike inspection event annually for at least 25 years.

Volunteers helped install new playground equipment at Worthington’s Prairie Elementary.

Seven graduating seniors took part in the final commencement ceremony at Faith Christian High School, Bigelow. The school’s board had decided earlier that the 2001-02 school year would be the last, due to declining enrollment.

Forty-two eighth grade Worthington Middle School students received the Presidential Academic Achievement Award for the 2001-02 school year, having maintained a 3.5 or higher grade point average and achieved at least 85 percent on level tests over a two-year period.

25 years ago

Dorthy Rickers’ “Mixing and Musing” column featured recipes for Mexican pizza, burritos, Tex-Mex Squares and Tortilla Enchilada Pies.

Trent Leopold was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor at the Reading Community Center. Leopold, the son of Jesse and Carol Leopold, Reading, started scouting as a Cub Scout in August 1977.

Vintage World War II P-51 Mustang and F-6F Hellcat fighter planes landed at the Worthington airport Monday evening, staying for a brief visit and greeted by a small crowd of spectators.

The Turkey Day race team for the September event was announced: Tom Koppy, Dave Carlson, Claire Gerber and Darlene Lyon.

U.S. Representative Richard Gephardt, a Democratic candidate for U.S. President, campaigned in Sibley, Iowa.

Advertised specials at the Worthington Hy-Vee store this week included a four-roll pack of Family Scott bathroom tissue, 69 cents; 12-count bakery cookies, $1.19; 10 Kool-Aid packets, $1; celery stalk, $1; and five pounds of ground beef patties, $5.99.

50 years ago

Specials this week at Worthington’s Red Owl included a 16-ounce can of Campbell’s pork & beans, 13 cents; Swanson’s frozen TV dinners, 48 cents each; a 10.5 ounce can of tomato soup, 10 cents; a two-pound bag of skinless wieners, 89 cents; a pound of fresh asparagus, 23 cents; and a 25-pound bag of red potatoes, 79 cents.

A Monday night tornado passed through the area, littering Nobles County farms with downed tree limbs. A large picture window at the Kenneth Langland farm near Worthington was smashed, and two small buildings were destroyed (two others also were damaged) at the same farm.

Despite heavy rains in preceding days, county agents reported a still-favorable crop situation. Corn planting was “well along” and soybeans were also being planted until the rains stalled the work.

Authorities had broken up a gang of juveniles in Luverne who had been stealing cars and taking them for joyrides. The young people were apprehended at 1:30 a.m. Thursday with the cooperation of the Luverne city police. Four boys, ages 12 to 15, were picked up, but one escaped.

Mrs. Nels Oldre, rural Magnolia, was the sweepstakes winner at the 13th annual Adrian Flower show in the basement of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Oldre was a repeat winner, having been judged best flower arranger in the 1961 show.

75 years ago

A raid at an Ellsworth night club netted two arrests.

On Chick Day, 53 cooperating merchants gave to all shoppers three baby chicks, free of charge, with each $1 cash purchase, with the restriction that not more than 100 chicks be given on any one article sold. The free chicks were given only for cash purchases, and were not given on payments on accounts, nor with purchases of sugar or flour.

A handsome German police dog female had most appropriately adopted Sheriff Eldon Rowe and Deputy Albert Levine, by the simple expedient of refusing to budge from the vicinity. “She is gentle and unobtrusive, but is giving the officers some concern because she refuses to eat a thing.”

Vernon Anderson, presently superintendent of schools at Elk River, was elected dean of Worthington Junior College.

Advertised specials this week at Silverberg’s in Worthington included a dozen oranges, 15 cents; four pounds of winesap apples, 25 cents; 10 pounds of new California white potatoes, 29 cents; three bunches of radishes, 10 cents; and a bunch of celery, 10 cents.

Tags: looking back, lifestyle, columns, reminiscing