10 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JULY 1, 2000
Smiles crossed the faces of almost every department manager and staff member Friday at Meeker Memorial Hospital. It was the much-anticipated opening of the new hospital expansion that drew the smiles. Many hospital departments were moving from the old segment into the new 75,000-square-foot, $26.5 million expansion area. A transition team has been planning the heavy lifting of the move for several weeks to make sure the move comes with as little disruption in patient care services as possible.
Patten Chiropractic Clinic has seen a lot of change in the past year. Now with the newest chiropractor to the firm installed, the clinic is settling into a new area. Randy Patten has run the clinic in Litchfield since 1980. But with their new building on U.S. Highway 12, sons Mike and Chris Patten have added their names to the door in the past year. Neither brother anticipated a career as a chiropractor. “I actually planned to be an engineer,” Mike said. “Then my plans changed — took some classes involving the anatomy and turned to chiropractic work, which I sort of had grown up with and seen its positive impact in much of my dad’s work.” Chris had a similar experience at one time, hoping to be teacher and coach before changing plans.
20 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JULY 1, 1999
For the past 25 years, Vern Bohning and his wife Marie have owned and operated the Riveside Store in Forest City. Now, Vern at age 69 and Marie plan to retire and move up the street to Forest City park. The Riverside store, the hub of activities, will remain open with the business being handed down from father to son. Vern first asked his son Bob to take over the Riverside store 15 years ago. With the blessing of his wife Toby, Bob accepted the offer and will take over the store July 1. The Bohnings believe their business — part grocery store, part 3.2 bar and part house, fills a niche in the little burg just northeast of Litchfield off Highway 24. “You might say its the community’s entertainment center,” Vern said. The Riverside store is bordered by a curving pea rock city street in front and by the curving Crow River in back. The building was a blacksmith’s shwop back in the 1860s.
Hutchinson Telecommunications has announced that it will begin burying new a communications cable in Litchfield this week. Four or five crews will be working during the next six to nine months to bury the cable. The cable installation means crews will be entering back yards after obtaining permission to install main cables.
Rev. William Taylor, currently serving Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, will lead the annual Watercade worship service set for July 1, at the middle school auditorium. Rev. Taylor grew up in Litchfield and attended the Presbyterian Church here. He is a St. Cloud State graduate and holds a divinity degree from Dubuque Iowa University. He still owns a farm in the Forest City area, which has been in the family for more than 100 years. His mother Mary is a Litchfield resident and recently celebrated her 90th birthday. His wife Mary is the director of nurses at the Rose City Nursing Home in Portland. The couple has three children.
Eleven young women are competing for the title of Miss Litchfield as the 43rd annual Watercade queen competition unfolds. Coronation is set for July 11 at the Washington auditorium. Queen candidates include Amy Jo Lorensen, Sarah Peterson, Mindy Huhn, Joclyn Loch, Sandy Nicklasson, Sara Cziok, Alison Daeges, Jessica Johnson, April Belinsky and Jackie Riebe.
50 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JUNE 24, 1969
Certainly one of the most unusual groups in the state is the Old Time Fiddlers, who will be performing during the Litchfield Centennial. The 10 men in the group average almost 73 years in age, ranging from 92 to a youthful 58. All have been playing musical instruments since their grade school or teen years. All but two are from the Litchfield area. In the group are Art Knutson, of Willmar, who plays the guitar; Guy Nielson, of Willmar, who plays the mandolin; Adolph Danielson, who plays the mandolin; Peter Draxten fiddle; Axel Roman, 92, who started playing the piano “back on the farm in 1917;” Peter Lindberg and Gotfred Carlson, both of whom have been playing violins since they were 15; Charlie Johnson, playing the violin since he was 9; Maurice Mortenson and Carl Helland.
A 13-year-old Litchfield boy is reported to be in improving condition at Meeker Memorial after suffering a severe head injury when his bicycle ran into a car Wednesday noon at Davis near East Fifth Street. The boy Lee Johnson, son of the John H. Johnsons, was riding an English style bicycle, which has break controls on the handlebars. Being unfamiliar with the controls, Lee was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with a car. It is expected Lee will be hospitalized for from a week to 10 days.
Eight women who graduated from the Normal Training Course in Litchfield in 1927 met Saturday evening for their annual dinner reunion at the Colonia Cafe. The eight who met were Mrs. J.A. Langseth (Marie Nelson), Mrs. Harlow Peterson (Martha Carlson), and Mrs. Rollin Hawkinson (Leota Greely), all of Litchfield; Mrs. Franklin Silseth (Esther Peterson) of Grove City; Mrs. Owen Anderson (Marie Carlson) of Waconia; Mrs. Stella Nelsons (Stella Johnson) of Moorhead; and Mrs. Reginald Carlson (Eleanor Larson) of Minneapolis.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Valiant have been notified that their son Lance Corporal Richard Valiant of the U.S. Marine Corps was injured on June 16, in the fighting in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. He sustained multiple fractures from hostile mortar fire and has been evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, where his condition is listed as good.
DiAnne Smith graduated from George Washington University at commencement exercised June 8 in Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. She received a degree in international affairs. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Smith.
69 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JUNE 27, 1969
After high winds that succeeded in breaking loose the raft, the Red Cross swimming classes went on as usual Monday. Another 330 youngsters have signed up for lessons. Sidney Carlson is the head instructor for the course and Betty Lou Johnson and Mary Peel are assistants. To pass the preliminary tests, swimmers must swim 220 yards, tread water for one minute and swim underwater for two body lengths.
Three khakied Litchfielders were on home grounds this week. Gerald Wakefield, however, left yesterday to report to Colorado Springs where he will join the 14th regimental combat team. Wakefield served 5 and one-half years in the Pacific, was in the Bataan death march and spent about three years in Japanese prison camps. He re-enlisted in April and was sent to Ft. Ripley, Kansas. Gus Schelin returned to his base at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, Sunday. Alonzo Mimor returned to his post at Fort Houston, Texas, and Sgt James Dougherty went back to his base at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan.
Mrs. Fred Marshall, Frank and George returned here Friday from Alexandria Virginia to spend the summer with the Frank Marshalls and other relatives.
Rev. Karl J. Plocher gave his farewell sermon at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Litchfield Sunday. This marked 21 years of service to the church here. A large audience was present to hear his final sermon. In the afternoon he and his family were special guests at a special ceremony at the Litchfield Community Building. Rev. Plocher has accepted a call to Town Helen church in McLeod County. Mrs. Plocher and their four children Lelia, Jan, David and Karl Jr. will leave for a new home soon.
115 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JUNE 24, 1904
The inaugural picnic of the Meeker County Farmers’ club was held at Brightwood on the banks of Lake Ripley on Wednesday. The Litchfield Band discoursed sweet music throughout the day, and games and sports were indulged in. E.P. Randall, secretary of state for agriculture, gave the principal address. The day was all that could be desired — the attendance good, and the picnic was a success in every way.
Don’t forget to hear the Hayseed Quartette; King Sherman, the boy wonder; Miss Ethel, in song; and fancy dances between acts at Ogens Uncle Tom Cabin show here.
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