5 years ago

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Dawson Seelhammer has been hitting the open gravel roads in rural Deer Creek this summer thanks to a little persistence, elbow grease and willingness to barter to get items for the right price. The rural Deer Creek resident has been able to turn a non working lawn mower he found in the woods into a custom hog on the road with a fresh coat of paint to boot. His new lawn mower not only has given him a bit of freedom on the back country roads, but has also given him a chance to learn about the inner workings of an engine and how to properly repair a lawn mower in need of some TLC.

Odd Farbo was a persistent man, who understood quality workmanship and the importance of supporting one’s own community. When he learned a centennial quilt made by the New York Mills Garden Club in 1984 was going on the auction block, he made sure to attend the event. A bidding war for the ages ensued. Jim Parks, Farbo’s grandson, recalled hearing the fabled story about how the family came to own the quilt. “I don’t remember the name of the other guy, but he was one that went to town early every day with my grandpa to have caramel rolls at the Mills Cafe, which was near the Eagles Cafe, if I recall correctly,” he said. “They all knew each other well.”

35 years ago

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 1991

State gives District 553 OK to pursue single-site school option; voters will decide bond issue Oct. 29. Local voters will have their work cut out for them  the last Tuesday night in October, as they go to the polls to decide the fate of the district’s latest school facility improvement proposal—$4.1 million worth of classroom and other additions designed to transform  the current elementary school into a single-site K-12. School officials see the single-site  facility improvement plan as the “last, best chance” for District 553 to keep a high school in New York Mills or use the improved building later as a middle-school or junior-high  if the district joins with another in a merger. If the bond issue fails, local school officials will have to go back to the drawing board and work up an agreement with another school district for a merger or tuition agreement. Improvements to the existing  high school building will not be supported by the state. 

It was a happy scene at Smith Park Monday night as the New York Mills American  Legion Post 116 baseball team won top honors in a four team weekend tournament held here in Mills. The squad beat a tough and well-respected Frazee opponent  to advance to the larger eight team District 9, Division II American Legion Tournament this weekend in Ada.

Closing the Grandstand this year at the East Otter Tail County Fair was country music artist Sherwin Linton and his band. Linton and his group performed Sunday night to an enthusiastic crowd. Featured in Linton’s songs was  a special melody tribute to  Johnny Cash—“The Man in Black.” Linton also sang several songs for the kids in the audience, inviting them up for a sing-along session.

50 years ago

Thursday, July 29, 1976

The sweltering heat of this overly hot and dry summer smothered the area Sunday as the mercury touched the 100 degree mark before thunder showers brought some  relief to the area late in the afternoon. The 100 degree reading is the first time the temperature has reached the century mark in New York Mills since the Municipal Gas System began keeping records. It is reported that 100 degree readings were noted in the area during the dry 30’s according to one old timer. The hot summer sun pushed the temperature into the 90’s 2 other days during the week as highs of 94  and 92 degrees were recorded last week. Two light rain falls were received during the past week to settle the dust as .30 of rain fell last Thursday and another .30 was received in Mills on Sunday. A good long heavy rain is still needed to end the drought conditions that have plagued the area this summer.

The reported apprehension of three juveniles this week by New York Mills Police Department and sheriff’s office brought to an end the mystery of many incidents  that have taken place this summer. According to authorities, the youth have been linked

to several losses in the county and tied in  with shop lifting, burglary, tire slashing and  other incidents. The juveniles were taken in for questioning and later reportedly admitted their involvement in the crimes after two of them were linked to two burglaries last week. The youth broke into the Oman Beverage warehouse an Wednesday evening reportedly  taking some $312 in cash, about 25 cases of beer, and other miscellaneous. On Thursday they tried their luck at the Bake Shoppe, but were surprised in their efforts when hearing noise upstairs, the proprietor walked in on one of the youth. Using this and other leads the local police department then completed their investigation with the apprehension of the juveniles who will now face a court  appearance.

As an older American have you taken advantage of the Nutrition Program (Noon  meals for Senior Citizens)? Meals are served daily in New York Mills at the Senior Citizen Center. If you are 60 years of age, or if your spouse is, we need you to enjoy the meals with friends and neighbors. 50-60 meals are served daily in New York Mills. Staff report that 29 volunteers in New York Mills contributed 665 hours of work during a three month period for  a $1,530 in-kind donation to the Nutrition Program. Senior Citizens contribute to the cost of the meal on an individual basis. Food stamps may be accepted in lieu of a donation. Senior Citizens are encouraged to use meal tickets to insure confidentiality of donations. It really isn’t any fun to cook and eat alone, is it?

75 years ago

Thursday, Aug. 2, 1951

A heavy hail and wind storm, which struck throughout this area last Thursday afternoon, wiped out crops on many farms in the Heinola area. Several barns in the  Deer Creek area were also demolished. The storm struck an area extending from Detroit Lakes to Bertha with the Heinola and Deer Creek suffering the greatest  damage. No damage occurred  in the village of New York Mills although the wind was quite heavy and rain fell in torrents during the period of about a half hour when the storm was at its height. About an inch of rain fell. Unlike most hail stones which are round, the hail which fell during this storm was composed of jagged, oblong pieces of ice. Some were four inches in length. Many fields which were bearing the most luxuriant crops seen in the area in decades were completely laid waste. Oats, barley, corn was battered to nothingness in the short period of the storm. Not only were corn stalks broken off, but in many instances the large hailstones had driven the leaves of the corn stalks down into the ground. 

Thieves broke into four business in New York Mills during the early hours of Thursday morning. Local policeman Edwin Ala reports that Maynard Lee of the Sheriff’s office in Fergus Falls has taken fingerprints and that every effort is being made to apprehend the criminals. Deputy Sheriff Carl Jahn of Perham, also investigated the scenes of the four robberies. Places which were broken into are The Co-op Services Store, Peterson-Biddick Co, Rep’s Standard Service and Bob’s Place. The method of entry was similar.  A window or glass in the door was broken and then locks or catches were released. Peterson-Biddick reports no loss other than the broken window. Pennies in the cash register  were not taken. Rep’s Standard Service reports the loss of some lighter fluid. Pennies in the cash register were not taken. The Co-op Store reports the loss of about $60 in  cash. Again the pennies were not taken, however. The culprits also took some ice cream, but forgot it on one of the counters when they were leaving. At Bob’s Place however, the  thieves showed a greater interest in pennies. Here they stole a cigar box which contained  about $16,000 worth of pennies. It has been reported that the business places which have been broken into are contemplating the posting of a reward for the apprehension of the thieves.