A Look Back At The Times
10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 2012
The hot topic of conversation in Turtle Lake has been a school referendum due to a projected three-year budget crisis that could conclude with the Turtle Lake School District either consolidating with another area school, or even dissolving. The referendum was asking school district residents to approve $2,241,000 over three years for non-recurring purposes. The voters hit the polls Tuesday, and in a tight race voted no. Unofficial counts showed 974 votes were cast, 540 voting no and 434 voting yes.
Erik Fagerlin, a member of Turtle Lake Pack 59 Cub Scouts, recently competed in the Pinewood Derby race held Saturday, March 19 at the Camp Phillips dining hall and came home with a third place finish in his Webelos 1 bracket and a second place finish in the Grand Championship race. In his bracket race Erik finished with a time of 2.8369 seconds (192.11 mph). In his championship race he posted a time of 2.8221 (193.12 mph).
The Barron County Farm Bureau sponsored a coloring contest, “From Farm To Food To You”, for second graders to help recognize National Ag Day. Over 300 students participated with each receiving an Amazing Corn coloring book. Winners from each school district were selected and received an agricultural award and all pictures were displayed in their communities. Turtle Lake’s winner was Morgan Mrdutt from Mr. Hansen’s class. The entries were posted at Becker’s Super Valu for all to see.
20 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 2002
It may have been a little early to come out of hibernation but this little black bear sure attracted a crowd last week out behind the Rick Danca residence east of Turtle Lake. The bear emerged from its den and laid around in the sun, getting up once and awhile to walk around. Approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday a pickup, driven down the railroad bed, scared the bear away from the den and into the woods north of the Fuzzy Becker residence. It was reported the bear had begun emerging from its den as early as a week ago last Saturday.
Mother Nature loves a good joke, and what better day than April’s Fool Day to pull one. The area was hit by about three inches of snow falling Monday night, with more coming down on Tuesday. It’s a bit ironic as a year ago we were hit with a three-inch snowfall on April 2nd, only to see temperatures rise the rest of the week.
Breanna Thompson used three personal best scores at the Wisconsin USAG State Meet to qualify for the Regional meet. Breanna, competing in the Level 9 Sr. A, ages 14-15 bracket, scored an 8.425 on the vault, hit an 8.45 on the bars, placing eighth, placed second on the beam with a personal best 8.9, hit another personal best, a 9.05, on the floor, and finished up with a personal best seventh place finish in the all-around with a 34.825 score.
30 YEARS AGO
APRIL 2, 1992
“It is evident that an ongoing maintenance plan is being carried out in the Elementary School,” stated Premal Sheath, President of Professional Management Services, as he gave his company’s analysis of the condition of the elementary structure to the Turtle Lake School Board at their meeting on Monday, March 23. He proceeded to give his report in three sections, according to the year that portion of the structure was built.
Turtle Lake native Bob Laskowski has been named the Sportscaster of the Year for South Dakota in 1991. The award was announced by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association based in Salisbury, North Carolina. Bob was selected for the honor in voting by sportscasters and sportswriters in his state. Bob is Sports Director of KTOQ Radio in Rapid City, South Dakota. This is his fourth award, having previously won it in 1974, 1982, and 1988. He also won the award for Best Television Sportscast in South Dakota in 1985, given by the Associated Press.
The Turtle Lake 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams finished their ninth consecutive winning season under Coach Steve Eichman with both groups placing second in the Amery Booster Torunament. Members of the 7th grade team included Joshua Yeske, Matt Richter, Tony Williams, Shawn Schradle, Zachary Greene, Ryan Schradle, Andy Koenig, Adam Hansen, Brandon DeGolier and Pat Gehrman. Members of the 8th grade team were Brian Hansen, Matt Torgerson, Chad Anderson, Jeff Roff, Tom Schradle, Ryan Eichman, Jon Bussewitz, Justin Gamache and Billy Molls.
40 YEARS AGO
APRIL 1, 1982
The Committee of representatives from the Turtle Lake Village Board and the Turtle Lake Lions Club has been studying proposed alternative ballfield locations in the Village throughout the past few months. After careful research of the advantages and disadvantages of constructing the ballfield in the Village Park and other proposed locations, the recommend the ballfield be located in the Village Park. Their recommendation is based primarily on the lower construction costs in the park as opposed to the high construction costs at the alternative sites. The issue will be decided by residents of the Village when they go to the polls on Tuesday, April 6 and vote their preferences on the Village Referendum ballot.
Ten out of twelve Turtle Lake High School students who participated in the District Forensic Contest held March 27 in New Richmond received an “A” rating. Receiving and “A” rating at District qualified the students to participate in the State Contest to be held April 23 and 24 in Madison. Students qualifying for state are Debra Flettre, Diane Bussewitz, Eileen Tutewohl, Jacqie Bartels, Betty Kern, Wanda Thompson, Roberta Anton, Eric Solum, Cathy Carlson and Eric Bents.
The Turtle Lake High School FFA and FHA Chapters will be sponsoring a Sadie Hawkins Dance on Friday, April 16. The dance will begin at 8:00 p.m. and end at 12 midnight. Included in the night’s activities will be mock weddings and the selection of Lil’ Abner and Daisy Mae. The public is invited to attend. The cost will be 50¢ per person if dressed as Lil’ Abner or Daisy Mae and $1.00 per person if not in costume.
50 YEARS AGO
MARCH 30, 1972
The Cumberland-Prairie Farm District 4H Music Festival will be held on Tuesday, April 4, at 8 p.m., in the Turtle Lake High School Auditorium. Mrs. Lyle Grosskreutz and Mrs. Bobbie White are Co-Chairman.
Raymond A. Fredericks, of Turtle Lake, has been elected a 1972 voting delegate of Midwest Breeders Cooperative. Elected by area farmer-members, Fredericks will represent the membership at the cooperative’s annual meeting in Stewartville, MN on April 8.
It is with mixed emotions that we write this week’s column of Hilites. With this issue of The Times we will be relinquishing active control of the operation of this community newspaper. Having already passed the age of retirement we are naturally looking forward toward easing some of the effort and tension that seems to go hand-in-hand with the management of any type of small business. After more than a quarter century of association with this local print shop we can now look back upon some important dates that have more or less been stepping stones in our own lifetime. Personally, Mrs. Lange and myself (Harold) plan our retirement here at Turtle Lake, with occasional jaunts to places we have long intended to visit, but for business reasons we have not been able to do so. Perhaps our sole reason for maintaining our home in this community is “That we like it here.” James and Anne Slack will take over publication of The Times and operation of the job printing facilities as of April 1st.
