By Deb Moldaschel
50 years ago – May 28, 1974
A 21-year-old Sleepy Eye youth lost his life in a boating accident at Sleepy Eye Lake last evening about 8:15. The victim is Thomas E. Hertling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Hertling, north of Sleepy Eye. A companion, Kay Bratsch, 19, of New Ulm was rescued. The police said the two apparently fell from their boat as it made a turn and then crashed into piping which is being used in the lake-dredging project.
Beer amounting to about $15 was taken from the Lincoln Tavern, West Main, late Friday or early Saturday. Entry was gained through a basement door.
35 years ago – June 1, 1989
School is almost out and it’s time to enjoy summer. Erickson’s IGA and the Herald-Dispatch are teaming up again for the Sleepy Eye Lake Fishing Contest June 10. The event is being held in conjunction with the 1989 Minnesota Take a Kid Fishing weekend. The contest will be held at Sportsmen’s Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A $2 registration fee will be charged and the proceeds will go to the Sleepy Eye FFA National Championship Dairy Judging Team to help send them to Europe to compete internationally.
Swimmers will pay the same charges as last summer at the Sleepy Eye pool, the park board decided last week. Season tickets will cost $40 for a family, $15 for youngsters age five through sixth grade, $20 for seventh through 12th graders, and $25 for adults. Daily rates are $1, $1.25, $1.50 for those ages; children under five are free.
20 years ago – May 27, 2004
The Sleepy Eye VFW initiated a project which has erected a flagpole at Home Cemetery in honor of the community’s lone Medal of Honor recipient. Alonzo H. Pickle was awarded a Medal of Honor on June 5, 1895 “for most distinguished gallantry in action at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, 1864, when at risk of his life he went to the assistance of a wounded officer lying close to the the enemy’s lines, and, under fire, carried him to a place of safety.”
Six 5th grade students from Sleepy Eye Elementary School recently competed in the Math Masters of Minnesota competition at Mankato West High School. Individual award winners were Jordan Hillesheim, Trisha Roiger, and Nathan Miller. Rounding out the team were Christopher Seifert, Paige Walter, and George Hirschboeck.
10 years ago – May 29, 2014
Sleepy Eye Medical Center announced that Dr. John Pelzel has agreed to a contract to join the medical staff of SEMC in August to practice family medicine. Dr. Pelzel is the son of Wayne and Pattie Pelzel of Sleepy Eye. He and his wife Geri have two children, Kylie and Miles. Geri is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Carr of Sleepy Eye. “Geri and I are excited about the opportunity to live and work in Sleepy Eye and to raise our children here,” said Dr. Pelzel. “We are looking forward to moving home.”
Mark Thomas Company was recognized on May 22 as the 2014 Business of the Year at a luncheon sponsored by the Sleepy Eye Area Chamber of Commerce. Business owners Mark Beito and Casey Coulson were presented with a framed certificate of their achievement and an ornamental glass award. Beito and his wife Sandra started Mark Thomas Company in 1991 with one employee.
