1933: Horse thefts are rampant

One year ago

Dr. Lisa Gerdes, a pediatrician at Worthington Specialty Clinics, was named Doctor of the Year at Worthington Regional Hospital. The award was based on nominations from the Worthington Regional Hospital staff; Gerdes was the fourth recipient of the award.

The third annual Regional Bioscience Conference took place in Worthington.

Worthington High School sophomore Brittany Berger was selected Worthington's ambassador to Crailsheim, Germany, for the 2007-08 school year. Her selection was announced at the annual Worthington-Crailsheim International, Inc., banquet.

Roger Nelson sold Worthington Glass Inc. to Rex Hennings after 25 years of ownership.

Jade Giese, a Slayton fourth- grader, advanced to the national handwriting contest after having won the 2007 state handwriting contest.

Five years ago

Worthington High School senior Craig Ailts placed first in payroll accounts at the state Business Professionals of America (BPA) conference, and qualified for the national BPA competition, to take place in Dallas, Texas, in late April.

The city of Luverne sought a new city administrator after reaching a separation agreement with Matt Hylen. Hylen had been Luverne's city administrator since Jan. 30, 1996.

A schematic design for a new 98,000 square-foot hospital and clinic in Luverne was unveiled at a community open house.

The Grassroots Community Theater staged "The Octette Bridge Club."

Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council (SMOC) was relieved to learn that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would give $745,559 to fund its HeadStart program that served a four-county area.

10 years ago

Worthington High School presented the musical "Finian's Rainbow" at Memorial Auditorium. It was co-directed by Kris Besel and Judy Rickbeil.

The Mercantile Bank of Western Iowa, Sibley, Iowa, gifted its former building to the 4-H Foundation of Osceola County, Inc.

Ellsworth was the first Nobles County to test the Nobles County Enhanced 911 system. "When we are satisfied that everything is in place, then we'll move on," said Les Ebeling, Nobles County sheriff. "So far it's been real good."

John Sutter, Worthington's manager of economic development and planning, resigned his position at the end of March after 16 months on the job.

The Grassroots Community Theater presented the play "The Foreigner."

25 years ago

Paul Windschill, a native of St. James, joined the pharmacy staff of Snyder Drug at the corner of Oxford Street and Humiston Avenues, Worthington.

The Luverne Cardinals boys' basketball team finished second in the state Class A basketball finals with a 53-47 loss to Barnum. The Cardinals won 19 of their 26 games over the course of the season.

David Cole and Norman Gallagher were appointed to Worthington's five-member Water and Light Commission, replacing the retiring Elmer Kuhl and Bruce Lease.

Scott Schuur and Paula Hurley were selected by the Round Lake American Legion and its Auxiliary Unit to represent Round Lake at the 1982 Boys and Girls State programs.

50 years ago

Two dictionaries "to insure continued success" were presented to Carol Mulligan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mulligan, Luverne, after Carol won the Rock County spelling championship in a contest at the county courthouse. Second-place winner was Marie Dunn of Beaver Creek.

Worthington music students won 37 "A" ratings at the district music festival in Luverne. The ratings earned them entry in the state-regional contest scheduled to take place in Worthington on April 25.

A few days earlier -- Friday, March 28, 1958, to be exact -- marked the climax of 18 months of waiting and watching (as the new Worthington High School structure had taken shape), with students and staff occupying the new high school for classes for the very first time. "I don't know how we could wish for more," said senior high principal Arnold Sanderson. "Everybody is thrilled."

Barbara Gould, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gould, Worthington, was chosen the best of six contestants in the annual essay contest on "What the United Nations Means to Me," sponsored by the Odd Fellows and its auxiliaries. David Minge was selected as alternate for the champion's trip to the U.N.

75 years ago

The Worthington High School junior class presented "Daddies" at Memorial Auditorium. The play, directed by Nancy Wick, was a comedy in four acts and featured Robert Albinson, Willis Ehlers, John Schmid and Clinton Smestad.

A team of black mares was stolen from the Harold Selberg farm a mile south of Org Tuesday night. Mr. Selberg informed sheriff Eldon Rowe at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, and Mr. Rowe immediately started on the trail. Horse thieves had become common in recent weeks, with horses having been stolen in nearly all surrounding counties. With the sharp advance in the price of horses, there was a ready market for them at a good price.

Prohibition was the theme of the Parent-Teachers Association meeting Friday night at Memorial Auditorium, Worthington, with approximately 300 people in attendance. One of the most serious mistakes made after the adoption of the 18th amendment, in the opinion of John Flynn, the first speaker, was the belief on the part of "the drys" that the battle against intoxicating liquor was won. Educational work was largely dropped, while the "wet" interests began a strong attack with propaganda in magazines, newspapers, radio and movies. Mrs. G. C. Turner also spoke on the program, stressing the evil effects of liquor. With the widespread use of cars, the use of alcohol was a vastly more serious problem than it had been a decade and more ago, she pointed out.