By Deb Moldaschel

50 years ago – July 25, 1974

Dean Ibberson, 20, will receive the American Farmer Degree at the National FFA Convention in Kansas City in October. Dean will be the ninth member of the Sleepy Eye Chapter to receive the high award. Others are Roger and Floyd Marti, Paul Krienke, Reynold Dittbenner, Jerome Graff, Brad Berkner, Larry Kramer, and James Meinert.

Fifty-five ducks and 150 pheasants were released in the area Monday by members of the Sleepy Eye Future Farmers class. Class members have been raising the birds for several weeks. Feed was donated by Steve’s Feed and Farm Supply.

35 years ago – July 27, 1989

Headline: Tragedy strikes twice. The article was about the accidental deaths of two young Sleepy Eye men. Randy Johnson was killed when a farm tractor he was using tipped over, pinning him underneath. Just days later, Steve Fischer was enjoying a ride on his motorcycle with a friend when tragedy struck. His motorcycle crashed on a McLeod County road and he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Hutchinson Hospital.

Donna Eischen will end a 33-year career at Anthony’s this month. She has managed the store for the past 24 years. “It’ll be hard to leave,” said Eischen. “I’ll miss the people. I’ll have lots of rocking chair memories.” She said she wants to do some fishing, travel, and go to a Twins game.

20 years ago – July 29, 2004

Amanda Spaeth was crowned 2005 Aquatennial princess at the festivities Friday in Minneapolis. She joins past royalty from Sleepy Eye: Janet Schotzko, Sandy Polesky, Shannon Zeig and her sister Laura Spaeth. “As far as we know, Laura and I are the first sisters to be Aquatennial royalty,” said Amanda.

According to Sleepy Eye Police, the Linus statue was vandalized some time during the late night hours of July 23 and early morning hours of July 24. The heart stating “I Love Sleepy Eye” was found near the statue.