Looking Back: 1984 - Hull Industry closure lamented in Globe

One year ago

More than 500 youths on 46 teams participated at 10 different gyms as part of Worthington's annual Wild Turkey Shootout basketball event.

Tom Lemke was named the Employee of the Year at Worthington Regional Hospital.

Cheryl Carlson was named District 518's Education Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Carlson had taught 31 years in District 518 schools, serving as an instructor in areas including literature, language arts, composition, speech, journalism, newspaper, yearbook and photography. Carlson also spent several years as District 518's assessment and professional development director.

Construction on the Minnesota 60 Bigelow bypass was slated to begin April 4, with the road due to be open for travel by the end of the "road construction" season.

Five years ago

A story discussing the problem of illegal drug use in the area stated that methamphetamine accounted for 90 percent of the drugs found in local police investigations. Worthington Police Department narcotics officers said the easier access to and cheaper grades of meth made it the "drug of choice" in the vicinity.

The District 518 Board of Education ratified a new teacher contract for the next two academic years. Basic salary increases amounted to 2.77 percent the first year and 2.82 percent the second year, while the total package, which included health and long-term disability insurance, retirement, FICA and other benefits, equaled an 8.13 percent increase.

Denise Schlichte, a first-grade and Reading Recovery teacher at Prairie Elementary, was selected the District 518 Teacher of the Year. Schlichte was a 27-year teaching veteran and a native of Worthington.

10 years ago

The Worthington Public Utilities' Water and Light Commission approved the letting of bids to demolish the brick screen house located along Lake Street. "The pump house, long considered an eyesore for its size, currently houses the city's aeration equipment and pumps for the fire department's lake line." Its demolition would make way for a bike path.

Henry Martin, a Worthington resident since 1964 and a long-time organizer and leader of labor efforts in Worthington and southwest Minnesota, died this week at the age of 59. Martin was elected Local Union 1161 president in 1984 and had attended four National Democratic Conventions.

Gov. Jesse Ventura spent four hours in Worthington, starting his day with breakfast at the Windmill Café.

25 years ago

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) essay contest winners were honored at a reception given by the Okabena Chapter of the DAR. Joan Hanson of Slayton was the first place district winner, while local Good Citizen winners included Cheryl Kass of Fulda and Lori Busch of Brewster.

Kindergartners at Worthington's Central Elementary school put on their annual circus show for parents. Included in the show were Jamie Graber and Jason Galles as elephants and Wade Deuel as ringmaster. The kindergarten circus had been an annual tradition at the school for at least 11 years, said teacher Dorothy Mernin.

The Irish and the "almost Irish" gathered for a parade in Luverne that lasted "about six minutes -- maybe eight minutes, tops" -- and drew a crowd of about 200 onlookers.

Globe columnist Lew Hudson commented that "closing down of Hull Industry's Moz-all lawn mower production line is a rough blow for the community. Talks are under way with a prospective buyer for the company, but in the meantime, folks are without work."

50 years ago

A St. Patrick's Day wedding 50 years ago was observed quietly this year by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Feltman, 609 Omaha Ave., Worthington. Freda Mohns and Andrew Feltman were married March 17, 1909, at the Reformed parsonage at Little Rock, Iowa. Until their retirement 15 years ago, they farmed all of their married lives in Ransom Township.

Mary Ellen Kippley, 14, earned the title of Nobles County spelling champion. A student at Worthington's St. Mary's Catholic school, Kippley was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kippley of Rushmore. Second-place winner was Ardys Olson, 13, while Stephen Erickson of Round Lake and Lois Schmit of St. Kilian tied for third place. Among the words spelled to win were mayonnaise, convalescing, ecclesiastical and strychnine.

Governor Orville L. Freeman "will defend his 1959-60 legislative program here Saturday night when he addresses the annual Nobles County Farmers Union banquet at Central Grade school."

75 years ago

The Worthington Choral Club presented the "Crucifixion" at the Presbyterian church. The group was directed by E.R. Pardun and accompanied by Mrs. J. C. Albinson.

A new canoe trip service to northern Minnesota was instituted by Horace J. (Hod) Ludlow and several associates. Ludlow was the grandson of Mrs. H. J. Ludlow of Worthington and a son of J. Burr Ludlow, formerly of Rushmore and now of Minneapolis. Canoe trips starting from Wakemup Narrows on Lake Vermillion near Cook were to be made on scheduled dates throughout the summer, lasting from two to 10 or more days. The first trip was set to start May 21.

Spring temperatures appeared this week, with both Monday and Tuesday having a high of 60 degrees. Lake ice, which had been thin for a week or more, began to break up Tuesday morning as a strong wind pounded it, and by night the lake was more than half open. "As is customary, a violent dust storm accompanied the wind Tuesday and again Wednesday."