From the archives of the dodge county independent
DCI History
September 15, 2022
10 years ago
September 19, 2012
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
September 11 was a memorable day for a group of Dodge County Army reservists long before September 11, 2001. For people like Richard ‘Dick’ Peterson of Kasson, September 11, 1950 was a significant day in his life along with 33 other Dodge County Army Reservists. As members of the 698th Engineer Maintenance Reserves of Dodge County, they were called into active duty 62 years ago, on 9/11. Peterson and Ralph Schrader of Owatonna who grew up in Wasioja, met at Daniel’s Restaurant last Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Each year they have met on the anniversary day of their call up. Ralph, who was serving in Korea at the time and later became a member of the 698th, said a few years ago they would have two full tables from their reserve unit who would gather on this date. The number has dwindled. At 80 and one of the youngest members of the 698th, Ralph said, “This is a good group of guys to be with.” The group has included widows of reservists as well. Dorothy Hilliard of Kasson represented her husband last Tuesday. He was not feeling well that day. Helen Jorgenson was also present. Her late husband George Massey was also a member of the 698th. Peterson recalled them getting called up on this day 62 years ago. They were sent to what was known as Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. They helped to train the troops who were being sent overseas. Dick said he served two years after getting called up. “We never did see any combat,” he said. Dick Peterson, who will be 95 next month, said this was probably the final year they will get together. “We send out invitations and don’t get the responses any more,” he said.
Bob Braaten Construction was to have had the tear down of the Kasson municipal swimming pool completed by now. However, the city is not blaming the Byron contractor. City administrator Randy Lenth said they are pointing the finger at the general contractor, USAquatics. “The pool should be gone by now, but we have had issues with USAquatics,” said Lenth. The main issue is communication – a lack of it. “We can’t get them to return calls. The mayor can’t get them to return calls or e-mails so we don’t know what is going on.” If issues are unable to be resolved Lenth said the city still has the option of using the second bidder. Braaten Construction needs the permit and notice to proceed from USAquatics before they can begin the tear down. “I drive by the pool every day to see if anything is happening,” said the city administrator. Before hiring USAquatics for the aquatic center project Lenth said they checked into the company and similar projects they have done. Everything checked out and projects were done on time, on schedule. USAquatics and city staff opened bids August 21 for aquatic center construction. They are seeking a re-bid for the site concrete work and the building. For several of the areas to be sub-contracted the city intends to use best value bidding. One bid that was awarded is the electrical to include night lighting, bathhouse LED’s and slide electrical at a price of $167,238 by A & A Electric. Funding for night lighting conversion to LED and bath house LED will be through the C.I.P (Comprehensive Improvement Plan) fund. The city rejected all climbing wall bids due to the cost. They intend to deal directly with the manufacturer for that purchase along with slides and the other play features. The city council also approved a preliminary 2012 tax levy, collectable in 2013. The general fund tax levy is 0%. The general fund levy was $1,642,031 for 2012 and will remain at that for 2013. Due to the 16th street project and the new aquatic center the debt service levy increases 127%. That general and other levy total to a 17% increase. The total levy for 2012 was $1,919,330 and for 2013 is going to be $2,245,804, an increase of $326,474 (17.1%). The pool levy represents 14% of the increase and the 16th street project 3%. Under the agenda item for personnel it was announced librarian Bonnie Adams will be retiring October 31, 2012. She has been the Kasson librarian for six years. The next council meeting is Wednesday, September 26 in the council chamber at 6 p.m.
20 years ago
September 11, 2001
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Warren Throndson of Rochester received the first Dodge County Historical Society Pioneer Certificate, honoring Warren’s grandfather, Baard Ellendson Throndson. Baard was born in Sogndal, Sognafjorden, Norway, came to this country in 1846, and settled in Vernon Township, where he married Oline Evarsdaughter Sylvarnes in 1860. Oline also came from Norway. Warren’s father Arden, grandfather Isaac, and great-grandfather Baard all lived on the same property in Vernon Township. Along with receiving the Pioneer Certificate, Warren will be helping to preserve the history of his ancestral pioneers. What an excellent way to honor these early families, many of which seldom receive proper recognition. Warren received a numbered parchment certificate, suitable for framing, with the name of the ancestor, Baard Ellendson Throndson, and descent, Warren Throndsen. To honor the first families of Dodge County, the Dodge County Historical Society is offering descendants of settlers who were county residents by 1875 the opportunity to obtain a Pioneer Certificate. The application, with the completed lineage and documentation, will be kept on file in the library. All Pioneers will be posted on the Society’s web site at http://www.dodgecohistorical.addr.com. Anyone may apply, and applicants don’t need to ever have lived in Dodge County. After proof of direct descent has been submitted and eligibility has been determined, a certificate will be mailed. Documented evidence such as census records, birth, death, and marriage records; obituaries; estate or land records; tombstone inscriptions and county histories connecting each generation must accompany the application.
The family and friends of Don J. Marvin of Byron, whose son Steven is a Kasson resident, have given an extremely generous memorial gift to the Friends of the Kasson Public Library, Inc. for a memorial gift for the new library building project. The Friends have a special savings account at the Kasson State Bank expressly for the purpose of holding donations and memorials for the new library. The family has requested that either a reading chair (near the Mystery section) or a set of table and chairs, with a memorial plaque, be purchased for the new Kasson Public Library building. Marcia Savela, Kasson Library Director, would like to express sincere appreciation for this special gift to the new library, on behalf of everyone at the library. This special gift will be a lasting remembrance of someone who enjoyed the delights of reading a good mystery.
30 years ago
September 16, 1992
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
The citizens of Dodge County have been working hard most of this year to raise over $10,000 in match money to purchase a new bus, with a communications system, for Dodge County residents. The fruits of their labor were rewarded when the new bus was delivered to the Semcac contact center in Dodge Center on Wednesday, September 9. Semcac had applied and received a grant for $33,500 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation contingent on match money being raised by Dodge County residents, business and organizations. The new Eldorado Hawk bus can transport 17 passengers, and comes equipped with a wheelchair lift and space for two wheelchairs. It replaces a 1986 Ford bus. In addition to its regular schedule, commencing October 1, 1992, the new Dodge County bus will be transporting Dodge County residents within the county on every second and fourth Friday. In addition to this the bus is scheduled to go to Rochester on every first Friday of each month with county residents, and will go to Owatonna the third Thursday of each month. Detailed schedules are being posted at all family and senior apartment complexes, and post offices throughout the county, as well as Semcac’s contact center in Dodge Center (374-6401). A fee of $3.00 is being charged for all round trip rides within the county, and $4.00 for all round trips out of the county. Semcac is strongly urging all county residents to utilize this bus which is for all Dodge County citizens.
Phil Scholer of rural Kasson was selected as the winner for the Minnesota “Duck Stamp” competition. Scholer also won the contest in 1981. After winning his first state competition, Scholer won the 1983-84 Federal “Duck Stamp” on November 4, 1982 in Washington, D.C. Scholer was not the only local wildlife artist to receive state recognition either. Jim Schablitsky of rural Kasson was a finalist in the state competition this year. Scholer is presently working on a print for the federal competition. Next week the D.C.I. intends to run a picture of the winning state entry submitted by Scholer.
50 years ago
September 20, 1972
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
The Kasson-Mantorville Education Association Public Relations and Communications Committee will be publishing a series of articles this school year to present a “behind the scenes” concept of your school. These articles will attempt to bring the public into a closer understanding of the method and materials used in presenting a lesson. Next week Mrs. Ruth Stenstad, the Elementary Art Instructor, will give a review on an art lesson taught in third grade, the subject of which is on “Potato People.” We are hoping our readers will find this year’s articles both interesting and informative.