By Deb Moldaschel
60 years ago – July 2, 1964
If you had to wait at the Fifth or Sixth street railroad crossings a bit longer than usual Tuesday afternoon, it was no wonder. The westbound freight train which was passing was made up of 204 cars. About two miles in length, it was pulled by three diesel engines and was the longest train ever pulled either direction out of Waseca. Local men among the crew are Wallace Mohler, fireman and Louis Reynolds, rear brakeman.
E.J. “Bud” Schmidt was installed as president of the Sleepy Eye Lions Club when the group met at Hotel Delroy Tuesday noon. Other officers are: Ed Schroepfer, first vice-president; Gordon Osmonson, second v-p; Jack Kneip, third v-p, S. P. Carstensen, secretary-treasurer; James Ganske, tail twister; Delbert Sandhoefner, lion tamer.
45 years ago – July 5, 1979
Opening ceremonies for the Eagles’ Fourth of July Celebration at Allison Park Wednesday included an honor guard for the flag raising: Ralph Grundmeyer, Wally Macho, and Delmar Lambrecht.
Sleepy Eye Mayor Cliff Fering has resigned his position with the city council effective Monday, July 2. The letter of resignation was read by City Clerk Ed Treml at the regular city council meeting Tuesday. Council President Ed Schotzko chaired the meeting. By a vote of 4-0, with an abstention by councilman Fritz Krueger, the council decided not to accept the resignation. Action was tabled on any decision as to accepting the resignation or filling the position.
40 years ago – July 3, 1984
A closed meeting of the Sleepy Eye Police Commission Tuesday night, at which Chief Bill Klein received a written reprimand, has led to a lawsuit against five city officials. Charged with violating the Minnesota Open Meeting Law are Police Commission members Ronald Gent, James E. Larson, and Norman Ahlrich; Mayor Harry Hornbrook and City Councilman Wayne Novotny. The suit was filed Monday in Brown County Court by Brown County Publishing Co. Inc., which publishes the Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch.
“Only one day for a Holiday on the 4th, no time to go anywhere, not to worry—just stay home and celebrate with the Eagles at Allison Park,” said Warren Sandmann, Eagles Holiday Chairman.
20 years ago – July 1, 2004
Sleepy Eye Community Theatre is finalizing preparations for their production, “Nunsense,” July 8-10 at St. Mary’s Auditorium. The cast includes Linda Seifert as Sr. Mary Regina, Mary Kissner as Sr. Mary Amnesia, Lisa Maurer as Sr. Mary Hubert, Caitlin Hutchins as Sr. Robert Anne and Katie Petersen as Sr. Mary Leo.
Paver stones were recently placed around the Linus statue on the grounds of Dyckman Free Library. Mayor Jim Broich said the statue will be removed next week so its manufacturer can repaint the statue which has had paint bubble in some areas, which he said is not unusual. Sleepy Eye will not incur any expenses for having the statue revamped.
