Looking Back: 1986 - Groundbreaking for Swift expansion project takes place

One year ago

Worthington's racing turkey, Paycheck, won the second heat of the Great Gobbler Gallop in Cuero, Texas, and brought home the Traveling Trophy of Tumultuous Triumph as a result. Paycheck beat Ruby Begonia by a mere 21 seconds for the victory, and Worthington's right to proclaim itself the "Turkey Capital of the World" for the next 12 months.

Minnesota Sen. Yvonne Prettner-Solon, DFL-Duluth, and lieutenant governor candidate, stopped in Worthington to discuss mental health care issues with area providers. Prettner-Solon is a clinical psychologist who was elected to the Senate in 2002 to complete her husband's term after he died of cancer.

The area soybean harvest was nearly wrapped up, and the corn harvest was well underway, with "fantastic" yields, according to area farmers.

Unseasonably warm temperatures and clear skies led to a later-than-usual algae bloom on Lake Okabena. Dan Livdahl, Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District Administrator, said it was the worst algae bloom on Lake Okabena of the year.

Five years ago

Jessica Lynn purchased the Urban Edge Salon on Worthington's Oxford Street from Kim Schroeder.

Pipestone County received the Transit System of the Year Award from the Minnesota Public Transit Association. Pipestone County had a 2½-bus dial-a-ride system that made about 40,000 trips annually.

The Twin Cities-based Continental Ballet Company presented "Sleeping Beauty" at Worthington's Memorial Auditorium.

Sibley-Ocheyedan middle- and high school art teacher Shanise Brockshus was named Iowa's Outstanding Secondary Art Teacher.

It was Fire Prevention Week, and Kevin Flynn's retirement as a volunteer firefighter at the end of September ended an era of more than 50 years of local firefighting Flynns. That era started with Kevin's father, Frank "Mick" Flynn Jr., who was on the force from 1950-81; Frank's brother, Dave Flynn, served from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s; Kevin's brother, Jeff Flynn, served from 1978-98; and Kevin's volunteer firefighting tenure dated from 1986-2006.

10 years ago

Nick Garza was crowned homecoming king and Jodi Drost queen as part of Worthington High School's homecoming festivities.

Worthington Director of Public Safety Mike Cumiskey asked for vigilance in the search for those responsible for a recent rash of thefts, break-ins and vandalism. At least six reports of vandalism to homes or businesses, 10 reports of vandalism to vehicles and three reports of objects thrown through home windows had been received since Sept. 15.

A $5,000 reward was announced for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator responsible for the murder of Carrie Nelson, 20, a Blue Mounds state park worker who was killed there on May 20.

With the area soybean harvest nearly complete, area elevators were reporting higher-than-expected yields -- but the yields were still below those of the last two years. Yields of between 38 and 52 bushels per acre were coming in, with the average around 40 bushels per acre.

Prices at Worthington's County Market this week included Hearth Farm bread, 88 cents a loaf; a five-pound bag of Gold Medal flour, 77 cents; a 32-ounce jar of Kraft Miracle Whip, $1.68; red grapes, $1.18 a pound; and an eight-ounce can of Kraft grated parmesan cheese, $2.39.

25 years ago

Gov. Rudy Perpich, along with city, state and company dignitaries and even the Worthington Senior High school band, were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new $5 million Swift Independent Packing Company's expansion in Worthington. The new expansion was to increase production and upgrade the product quality; in addition, an extra 81 jobs would result, as would an additional $1 million to the payroll.

Nobles County taxpayers were to fund a tax levy about six percent higher than that for the current fiscal year, following action taken by the board of commissioners.

Worthington's Planning Commission was recommending to the city council that a popcorn wagon -- a familiar sight on local streets since 1938 -- be designated a historic landmark.

Jean Weness, Worthington, was recognized at a statewide banquet as one of four outstanding alumni for her six years of 4-H leadership in a variety of areas. Only four 4-H alumni were recognized annually.

50 years ago

Jean Kraft and Rosemary Lueck, Brewster, Minnesota 4-H champion safety demonstration team, attended the National Safety Congress in Chicago, Ill. They were members of the Brewster Go-Getters Club.

Worthington's City Council gave an old park a new name at its regular meeting, choosing to rename Sunrise Park on Lake Okabena's south shore "Ehlers Park" as a tribute to A. J. "Hap" Ehlers, longtime city park superintendent who retired during the summer.

Bob Burns' Evergreen farm was the site of the 1961 Minnesota Corn Picking Contest. The 42-acre exhibit site and the contest fields, soaked by more than two inches of rain on Tuesday, were reported in "fine condition" by Thursday morning.

A 32-year-old Dewald Township farmer, a father of three children, was instantly killed at 10:55 a.m. Thursday when his tractor overturned and pinned him beneath it. Dr. E. A. Kilbride, Nobles County coroner, said death was instantaneous.

Dr. John Stam, Worthington physician, was elected chairman of the newly formed Citizens School site committee, and Mrs. Don Gravon was elected vice chairman. The purpose of the new committee was to disseminate information throughout the school district regarding a proposed purchase of 164 acres of land on the north shore of Lake Okabena as a school expansion site.

75 years ago

Dr. Frederick L. Shade of St. Paul joined the medical staff at the Worthington clinic hospital. He came to Worthington in the middle of June to act as a substitute for Dr. B. O. Mork Sr. during his vacation to Europe. He and his wife were temporarily residing at the Albinson home.

Phyllis Heil, 6, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Heil, suffered a bad cut on the forehead over the right eye Monday noon, just before school took up for the afternoon session, when she was struck on the head by a baseball bat, thrown by a schoolmate engaged in an impromptu playground game. Four stitches were required to close the wound, but all concerned were relieved that the possibility of skull fracture was avoided.