From the archives of the Dodge County Independent

50 years ago

June 6, 1973

Folmer Carlsen, Publisher

Will Enter State Meet

Coach Dave Ginther congratulates Paul Jorgensen on being the first athlete in KM’s history to qualify for a state track meet. He will be competing in the 1973 State High School Track and Field Meet. Running in the high hurdles in Region I competition, Paul took first in his preliminary heat with a time of 15.3 seconds, a new school record. In a photo-finish final Paul placed second. The first two place winners in each event advance to the state meet. The state meet will be Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9 at St. Cloud Apollo High School, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Paul will run in the high hurdle preliminaries on Friday at 6:20 p.m. The high hurdle finals are on Saturday at 1:20 p.m.

30 years ago

June 2, 1993

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

50-Year Masonic Pin

Ralph W. Walker, former Kasson resident and owner of the Dodge County Independent, was presented his 50-year Masonic pin in a ceremony held last Wednesday at Huram A’Bi Masonic Lodge #83. Walker joined the Cannon Valley Lodge in Morristown on Oct. 27, 1943, while serving in the U.S. Navy. Walker transferred his membership to the local lodge in 1950 when he began teaching in the local school system. He later purchased the Dodge County Independent and sold that to the Carlsen family in 1963. He taught for many years at the college level in Fullerton, Cal. and after retiring moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he and his wife Lois now reside.

20 years ago

June 4, 2003

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

Road Closed! Opened! Now Closed Again!

To the surprise of many, the five-block area of Main Street scheduled for reconstruction this summer was blocked off and traffic detoured for a few hours last Friday morning. The roadblocks and street project were not set to begin until Monday, June 2. Apparently the sub-contractor doing the milling of the blacktop was responsible for blocking off the street. The general contractor, Swenke Company Inc. of Kasson, was not even aware of what was going on. Main Street business owners were surprised as was city of Kasson planner Dan King. “There was apparently some miscommunication,” said King who was not aware the roads were going to be blocked off and traffic detoured. The sub-contractor moved all of the barricades and detour signs mid-morning Friday. The barricades and detour signs did go back up at 3:30 a.m. Monday. The sub-contractor began milling the blacktop in the five-block area Monday. The blacktop is lifted off the road surface and then recycled. This is the only time the entire five-block area will be blocked off. Main Street reconstruction did get underway Monday.

10 years ago

June 5, 2013

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

As a Kasson student 1931 graduate Elrose Milverstedt climbed water tower!

Elrose (Schutz) Milverstedt was born May 24, 1913 and graduated from Kasson High School in 1931. Elrose grins and remarks, “I must be the oldest one left in my class.” Talk about a woman who does not look or act her age, Elrose Milverstedt is a shining example. She lives on her own, does not use a walker and as she said, “I have my own teeth too.” Elrose was celebrating her birthday Friday night (the day she turned 100) with her three children at her favorite restaurant, the Hubbell House. She also has seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Looking back at her high school days, Elrose was a bit of a daredevil. She recalled the time when she shimmied to the top of the flagpole in front of the school and even climbed the stairs to the top of the water tower. She remembers being a member of the Glee Club, but is quick to say she can’t carry a tune today. There was apparently a cannon situated in the front of the school, near the flagpole she climbed. Elrose asked if that was still there. “No” said grandson Kent Harfmann who is on the K-M School Board. “That probably would not go over well today.” Elrose enjoys watching professional sports, especially the Twins, and she loves Tiger Woods. When asked what the secret to a long healthy life is, Elrose shrugs her shoulders and doesn’t not have the answer. For all practical purposes she did not drink, never smoked, and does not cuss. She then hesitates after the last statement about cussing and says, “Unless the Twins are not doing well.” Elrose lives in Owatonna and walks the halls of the senior citizen complex she lives in four times a day. As far as turning 100 Elrose Milverstedt talks as if it’s no big deal.