One year ago
V & M Locker, Leota, was expanding. The existing grocery store was to be demolished with a new 88- by 48-foot building replacing it. The new space would accommodate both a grocery store and sausage kitchen. While construction was underway, the business would be temporarily closed, though expectations were to reopen by November.
An event intended to prompt more open conversation about racial injustice, entitled Change Starts with Conversation, took place at Round Lake Vineyards and Winery. It included a panel discussion featuring four Worthington women, addressing community-building and efforts to confront racial and gender injustices.
Tara Thompson, Worthington, a 22-year District 518 employee and active community volunteer, received the fourth annual Inspirational Woman Award at the annual Salute to Women Banquet. In presenting the award to Thompson at the Worthington Event Center, presenter Sharon Johnson said Thompson "gracefully balances her professional, family and community commitments."
Aaron Kinser, Worthington, opened his own law practice, Kinser Law Office PLLC, after having worked for five years at Ahlquist & Trout. Kinser, a University of Minnesota Law School graduate, is multi-lingual, with proficiency in English, Korean and Spanish.
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40 years ago
Dr. Arthur Ringen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira D. Ringen, Slayon, recently began practicing at the Worthington Dental Center, 1027 Fifth Ave. Ringen was a product of the Slayton school system and graduated from the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry in June 1977. Previously, Ringen practiced in Windom for three years. His wife, the former Tonya Ramert, was employed by the Barbers at Northland Mall.
Gold-coated ambassadors from the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce attended the grand opening of First Bank System's Group Marketing Office in Mick Plaza on Fourth Avenue, Worthington. Daryl Standafer, assistant vice president for First Bank System, was to coordinate marketing activities for 18 banks in southern Minnesota from the office.
Among other fires burning around the area Wednesday was a barn fire near Brewster. The barn, belonging to Harold Lestico, caught fire from sparks associated with burning brush. The barn and its contents were a total loss.
Larry Lucht, son of Mrs. Mable Lucht, Fulda, entered into a partnership for the practice of law with Jeff Flynn. The firm, at 906 Third Ave., Worthington, was to be known as Flynn and Lucht. Lucht, former owner of the Quik Stop Drive-in at the corner of Oxford Street and Humiston Avenue, graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, in December 1979.
50 years ago
The Second District Republican convention took place at the Coliseum Ballroom, Worthington this week. William O'Brien, who was seeking the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, was present. Ralph Johnson was the Nobles County Republican chairman.
Judy Schlichte, a Worthington Senior High School student, attended the 24th annual National Leadership Conference of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. Schlichte was state historian in the state DECA chapter and was one of 200 Minnesota students selected to attend the conference.
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The Nobles County branch of the American Association of University Women hosted its first "Tour of Homes" in Worthington this week, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets were $1 for the entire tour, with proceeds benefiting the AAUW Fellowship Fund. Featured homes included those of Mr. and Mrs. F.L. La Pachek, 320 13th St.; Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Brecht, 133 Lake Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Vance, 1414 South Shore Drive; Mr. and Mrs Hardy Rickbeil, 210 Lake Ave.; and Dr. and Mrs. H.W. Berner, RR 2.
Friday was "Senior Project Day" in Worthington, with all high school seniors available to work for half the day to earn $5 for a class project. They were willing to clean houses, iron, or clean lawns, gardens or garages. May 4 was set as the second annual free city-wide trash pickup.
Four persons were injured, three seriously, in a two-car collision at 11:45 p.m. Saturday on Highway 62 three miles east of Fulda. Both cars involved were demolished.
65 years ago
Rock County Attorney Mort Skewes said an 18-year-old male was likely to be charged with causing the accident that resulted in the death of two Luverne youths. The young man admitted to challenging another teenage driver to a "drag race" from the outskirts of Luverne to Mount State Park, nine miles away, and then back to Luverne. When the racing parties encountered a truck, the first vehicle made it safely around but the second car was forced into a head-on collision, which killed two teenagers. The instigator allegedly left the scene of the accident, later saying he was "so scared" to stop at the scene.
The three winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution Sixth Grade Essay Contest were Patrick Cruit of St. Mary's School (first place), Jim Morgan of Round Lake (second place) and Julane Bos of Worthington Christian School (third place). The awards were presented at the Nobles County Young Citizens' League Convention.
Advertised specials this week at Worthington's Council Oak Stores included a 25-pound bag of Red Pontiac potatoes for $1.29, three packages of Jell-O for five cents, a two-pound bag of brown or powdered sugar for 19 cents, a pound of skinless franks for 39 cents, a 16-ounce package of Pillsbury's angel food cake mix for 39 cents and a 12-ounce jar of Peter Pan peanut butter for 33 cents.
Martha Sellen, 19, daughter of Mrs. Felix Sellen, was named Miss Rock County in the annual Beauty and Talent contest in Luverne. She planned to enroll in the Minneapolis School of Art in the fall, with the ambition of becoming a fashion illustrator.
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75 years ago
The Rev. Carl Fink, for the past 19 years pastor of the Pfingsten Lutheran church in Bloom township, resigned effective May 15 to accept a call to the pastorate of the church in Hosmer, S.D., west of Aberdeen. He was scheduled to preach his farewell sermon to the Bloom congregation on May 13.
Some Victory Garden plots remained available in Worthington in the area prepared for use by the high school agriculture department, agriculture instructor Elvin Thue said. The plots were plowed the previous fall and were ready for planting.
A new drive was underway to bring into compliance with city ordinance residential properties as of yet unequipped with sewer connections and indoor toilet facilities.
Reuben S. Hurd of 310 11th St., Worthington, celebrated his 100th birthday. Hurd was the third person in Worthington's history to attain that distinction (joining John Levine, now deceased, and Mrs. Johanna Carlson, who was currently 103). Hurd was born in Sandgate, Vermont, in 1845 and "probably was regarded as a man past middle age" when he arrived in Worthington in 1885. He was a member of the Tenth Vermont infantry during the Civil War and, upon moving to Worthington, was for some years a large operator in livestock, reportedly the first carload shipper of stock from Worthington.
