By Deb Moldaschel
50 years ago – Dec. 5, 1974
Plans for beautifying Sportsmen’s Park – removing dead timber, planting trees and grass and building an access road – got the “go ahead” from the City Council Tuesday evening. Present to air the matter with the Council were Wayne Pelzel, city recreation director, and Elmer Fischer, president of the Sportsmen’s Club. Pelzel and Fischer pointed out that most of the work would be done by the club; the Council agreed the city would handle the grading and graveling.
Bennie Suess and Don Oberle of the Sleepy Eye Auction Market couldn’t be present for the 4-H Recognition Night Friday so Lonnie Johnson, assistant county agent, stopped at the Auction Market Monday to present them with the Outstanding Business Friend award.
40 years ago – Dec. 4, 1984
For the third year now, the Sleepy Eye Eagles Club is sponsoring weekly sheephead tournaments on Thursday nights. For a two dollar entry fee, card players have the chance to play 60 games against three other opponents, and a chance to take home the cash if they finish with one of the top four scores. “We don’t keep any of the cash. We just want to give people some fun and an opportunity to play cards,” said Eagles Club member Bill Bertrand.
A rash of Christmas light thefts and damage was reported last week to Sleepy Eye police. Six south end residents reported lights stolen from their properties. Police Chief Bill Klein said he was unsure what has prompted this sudden rash of thefts and destruction, but asked city residents to report any unusual pedestrian activity.
25 years ago – Dec. 2, 1999
Fourteen-year-old Crystal Neid, daughter of Sandy and Les Neid, has never traveled anywhere beyond Iowa and Wisconsin. She’s never flown in a plane. Yet, in the summer of 2000, Crystal will join dozens of other American teenagers on a three-week tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.
The Inquiring Photographer asked, “When do you start and finish all your Christmas shopping?” Lorraine Schroepfer said, “I start in August and I’m always done shopping by Thanksgiving.” Kristy Forster said, “I start about two weeks before Thanksgiving and finish about a week before Christmas.” Madonna Sellner said, “I have quite a large family so I start shopping before Thanksgiving and finish the day before Christmas.” Paul Severson said, “I start and finish in one day. I wait about a week before Christmas and then shop on a weekday so I miss the crowds.”
10 years ago – Dec. 4, 2014
The Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation recognized and awarded outstanding agricultural professionals at the MFB annual meeting Nov. 21 in Bloomington. The FFA Advisor of the Year award was presented to Mary Hoffmann of Sleepy Eye. Hoffmann has been teaching in Sleepy Eye the last nine years.
The Inquiring Photographer asked, ‘How cold is too cold?” Frankie Trevino said, “When nobody goes outside.” Josh Nelson said, “When I can’t snowmobile.” Kegan Heiderscheidt said, “When it’s below negative 10.” Logan Mertz said, “When you can see your breath.”
