5 years ago

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021

The fifth event of the fishing season is in the books and Kacie Steinbach, Nevaeh Cavalier and their boat captain Steve Steinbach took their first ever, first place finish on a hot and smoky day. Nevaeh and Kacie teamed up to form their fishing team a few years ago, when the league opportunity was presented. Both young ladies grew up fishing. Through the years of standing on docks and sitting in boats, their fathers handed down their wisdom about bait, enticing fish to bite and more.

It may have a new name, new location and new owners, but one thing won’t be changing at Interiors by Winkels, formerly Winkels Carpet Center—a small town touch and willingness to get to know each customer. The new owners are Joe and Tasha Foltz who held an open house last Thursday in their new location on East Main Ave. in Perham, while also honoring longtime owner Rich Winkels, who retired from the store back in April.  

The goal of Betty’s Pantry owners Vanessa and Jon Neels is to have their restaurant in the town of Ottertail feel like “customers are part of our family.” Vanessa and Jon have owned the restaurant since the spring of 2018. Vanessa is the daughter of Betty who was the previous owner. This is where Vanessa worked for her mother for 17 years.

35 years ago

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 1991

Fire crews from three area departments spent the better part of Friday afternoon and evening battling the aftermath of an extensive barn fire at the Einar and Elaine Paavola farm south of New York Mills. The Paavola’s two-story barn and all their milking equipment were destroyed in the blaze. Thirty-three dairy cows were lost, said Einar “Erp”  Paavola in an interview Monday. The three silos on the farm also received heavy damage, added NYM Fire Department Assistant Chief Kenny Becker, with a large amount of hay and straw stored in the barn being destroyed in the fire. The New York Mills Fire Department was called on the scene at 3:30 p.m. and received assistance shortly afterward from the Deer Creek and Perham Fire Departments. Upon arrival at the scene, Mills fire crews found a full-blown barn fire that was well in progress. Since little could be done to save the barn and hay already burning, fire fighters concentrated their efforts on protecting the surrounding buildings and silos. One of the silos was empty, but the two others were  nearly full. A main concern for fire officials at the onset of the blaze, Becker said, was making sure the barn was clear of people. Neighboring farmers and others were successful  in setting free 12 cows, but the remainder of the Paavola herd did not escape. (Erp and Elaine were not  home at the time the fire started: they were in Brainerd getting ready for son Todd’s wedding).The cause of the fire has not been determined. 

Finntastic language fun was held at Finn Creek, with about 10 kids attending. The children were taught conversational Finnish by Hazel Mellin and Laura Haapasaari last week. The kids learned to read short stories and even learned to sing “Happy Birthday” in Finnish. The classes were held everyday from 9-11 a.m. Those kids attending were Derek Henderson, Maria Salo, Melissa Mursu, Sarah Mursu, Jacob Wallgren Bridget Mursu, Jedd Wallgren, Kurt Mursu, Adam Salo and Robbie Luhning. 

Flying demonstrations of ultra-light aircraft will be the highlight attraction at next weekend’s Finn Creek Museum Summer Festival. The annual New York Mills historical celebration kicks off early on Saturday, Aug. 24 as local ultralight pilot Ken Friese is joined by Todd Fosse for a demonstration. Ultralight aircraft are becoming common in this area, and  more often than not can be seen cruising the skies around Mills early on a clear and calm night. The crafts are usually nothing more than a hang glider with a small engine attached. The flying shows will be held three times each day out at Finn Creek, weather and wind conditions permitting.

50 years ago

Thursday, Aug. 12, 1976

The second annual Wagon Wheel Ranch Jackpot Rodeo is slated for this weekend Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. The event, which drew an estimated 2,000 people last year will be held on the grounds of the Wagon Wheel Ranch located 10 miles north of New York Mills on County Road 67, about two miles south of Butler. Ed Garcia and his boys have been busy all summer getting the arena all set up and contestants are coming in from a wide area for  this second annual event. Events to be run during the rodeo include: bareback bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, bull riding, steer riding (14 and under), and wild cow milking. On Sunday the activities will get underway at 2 p.m. and on Monday the action will start at 5 p.m.

Bob Hope returns for his second performance  at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. Appearing with the popular comedian in a Grandstand show are the Kral Sisters, singer Patricia Price and comic juggler Dieter Tasso. For ticket information write: Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN. 55108.

Firemen took quick action and adverted what could have been disaster for the community when they extinguished a fire near the elementary school last Friday afternoon. Fire broke out in a huge stack of roofing material being stored next to the elementary school building for a roofing project being conducted at the school. Youth playing basketball spotted the smoke and reported it to the office immediately. The quick action by everyone involved may have saved a disaster as the fire was just really getting underway when the fire department arrived. About 30-40 feet from the fire was the main natural gas line into the school. The fire was persistent as it burned inside of the high block of insulation and the fire department had to be called back two times to douse the smoldering ruins. 

75 years ago

Thursday, Aug. 16, 1951

Corn stalks in the Annual Herald Tall Corn Contest have now extended over 10 feet. Ralph Putikka, Route 3 Sebeka, brought in a stalk Wednesday which measure 10 feet 8 inches. It’s Funk’s Hybrid variety. Arvo Peldo, last year’s winner, held the record for a short time with his stalk that measured 9 feet 2 inches. His farm is located in the area which was struck by the storm of the other week and the corn fields were bent down to within three feet of the ground by the wind at that time. He states that it has all come up again, however. Hubert Rantala was another record holder for a short time while during the week with a corn stalk measuring 9 feet 3 inches.

Millers and Menahga open playoffs, Wolf Lake wins Pennant, Mills second. The Millers placed second n the league standings for the season with a 11-3  record as they recorded two league triumphs over the week. Wolf Lake hung up an impressive 13-1 record to win the North Section pennant, as they edged out Bertha Friday night 3 to 2 and swamped Sebeka 13-7 Sunday.