Looking Back: 1937 - Lake Avenue speed limit to increase by 50 percent

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One year ago

The last sections of fence at Worthington’s new tennis court facility near Worthington Middle School were put into place.

Grassroots Community Theatre presented the comedy “Subject to Change” in the Village Hall at Pioneer Village. Mary Jane Mardesen directed the production.

Total enrollment for the 2011-12 academic year in District 518 was at 2,599 —up about 80 students from the year before. This continued an annual increase the district had experienced over the past five years.

Construction work continued on Minnesota 60, with completion expected by late 2013.

David and Stacy Mente of rural Adrian were selected as Nobles County’s 2011 Conservationists of the Year by the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

An inaugural Breast Health Fund Walk took place in Windom, with about 300 people participating.

Five years ago

Worthington’s racing turkey Paycheck won the second leg of the Great Gobbler Gallop, and the overall annual title, in Cuero, Texas, finishing the year with a cumulative race time of 4:48.22. Cuero’s Ruby Begonia clocked a total of 5:18.22, so Paycheck came home with the Traveling Trophy of Tumultuous Triumph.

Taco John’s of Worthington recently debuted its building’s makeover, featuring an expanded parking area (30 stalls vs. the previous eight), plus new seating, new menu boards, new décor and updated colors. Taco John’s first opened in Worthington in 1976.

Old brick, caulk and tuckpoint were replaced on Memorial Auditorium’s exterior.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards made a campaign stop at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School.

A 29-year-old Luverne man was arrested this week on charges of criminal sexual conduct against a juvenile female less than 13 years old who was believed to be his only victim.

10 years ago

The racing turkey of Cuero, Texas — Ruby Begonia — won the second leg of the Great Gobbler Gallop. Although Paycheck, Worthington’s turkey, won the first heat in Worthington, Ruby Begonia won the overall title and the right to call Cuero the Turkey Capital of the World for the year.

About 130 bowlers participated in a Special Olympics bowling competition at Worthington’s Oxford Bowl.

Lenai Engler, a Worthington child care provider for 25 years, was chosen the Nobles County Child Care Provider of 2002 by the Nobles County Day Care Association.

Good news for District 518 came in the form of a larger-than-expected fund balance — approximately $562,566 more than expected. Board chairman Gordon Moore said it was the result of District 518 belt-tightening and budget-cutting following the failed 2001 levy referendum.

Jackson County Extension Educator Jim Nesseth said 75 to 80 percent of the local soybean crop was in, and about 15-20 percent of the area corn harvest was complete.

25 years ago

The Worthington Hy-Vee store celebrated 10 years of “service, savings and satisfaction” at its Northland Mall location.

Farmers throughout the region had combined virtually the entire 1987 soybean crop with record-meeting and record-breaking results. At Lakefield Farmers Coop, about 225,000 bushels of soybeans were waiting to be transported. Although the corn harvest was not looking quite as spectacular, yields had been running as high as 150 bushels-per-acre in Nobles County, and was quite dry, with most being under 16 percent.

Three Iowa residents who were arrested by Worthington police south of town on Highway 60 were each formally charged with felony theft and misdemeanor theft. The arrests occurred after a woman reported a battery stolen from a vehicle parked at Hardee’s in Worthington and after Andy’s 66 reported that owners of a car had taken it from the lot without paying their service bill, according to the complaints.

Mike Driscoll was named local manager for Peoples Natural Gas in Worthington. He replaced Chuck Groth, who was transferred to the Peoples Natural Gas district office in Fairmont.

Domino’s Pizza opened at 515 South Shore Drive, Worthington.

50 years ago

Beverly Staeffler, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Staeffler, Edgerton, hit and killed a cow while driving on a Rock County road Thursday night. Miss Staeffler and three passengers were returning home after play practice at Edgerton High School, where they were students. There were no serious injuries, though all of the passengers received assorted bruises. The car was a total loss.

The wives of DFL candidates were guests in Worthington Wednesday night at a hamburger basket supper at Michael’s Restaurant. After their stop in Worthington, the group continued on to Luverne, Pipestone, Slayton and Windom. They included Mrs. Francis Judge, Mrs. Walter F. Mondale, Mrs. Eugene McCarthy, Mrs. Ben Diekmann, Mrs. Dave Kanellis, Mrs. Conrad Hammar and Mrs. Karl Rolvaag.

Members of the Worthington Business and Professional Women’s Club named Nobles County’s auditor, Pauline Rohlk, as “Woman of the Year.” Long active in the BPW club, Rohlk was a past president of the local group and had been chairman of many community committees.

Nancy Hand and Mary Jo Steen were honored when the Rev. Russell S. Tate presented them with the God and Church Award at morning services at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Worthington. The two senior Girl Scouts received recognition for Christian growth and work in their church.

75 years ago

Vincent Hollaren, Nobles County probate judge, was reappointed to direct the annual Red Cross drive in Nobles County.

The Boote’s Hatcheries and Packing Company, Inc., of Worthington announced detailed plans for expansion of the present Boote’s Hatcheries. Executives of the organization were President Jack Boote, secretary-treasurer H. H. Kragness and organization supervisor C. E. Tuttle.

Characterizing the 20-mile speed limit in effect on Worthington’s Lake Avenue from the Rock Island tracks to the city limits as “foolish and unenforceable,” City Attorney James G. Mott urged the city council to forthwith change the regulation to comply with the 30-mile state limit.

It cost Nobles County taxpayers $265,749.43 to operate public schools of the county in 1936, said a report completed by County Superintendent John W. Dirks for the State Department of Education. For the 4,014 pupils enrolled in public schools, that averaged $66.25 per pupil. The largest item expended was teachers’ salaries, which totaled $148,789.72.

Tags: looking back, lifestyle, columns, reminiscing