DCI History November 10, 2022

20 years ago
November 13, 2002
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Five, six years ago Matt Erredge, a native of Austin, MN., did not have much interest in girls’ hockey. The past few years there have been more opportunities for girls and youth programs have contributed to interest. The opportunities have also provided Erredge with a chance to coach his first high school varsity program, the Dodge County Wildcats. Erredge is a first year first grade teacher at the K-M Elementary. He grew up playing hockey in Austin and attended college at St. John’s University. When you talk about athletics at St. John’s most people automatically think football. Erredge enjoyed the football atmosphere but his sport was hockey and St. John’s had a pretty good hockey program too. They played in the national tournament and one year won a conference title while Matt played. That sounds a little like St. John’s football too! Erredge, a forward, then played hockey in the Central League, which he compared to AA baseball at the farm league level. He moved up to the East Coast league for two years, which is comparable to a high AA league in baseball. Matt had aspirations of becoming an NHL hockey player some day. The problem is, even playing at this level, there were so many guys like him. “While playing I was looking for a place to get a teaching position,” said Erredge. The position at K-M opened up and, ironically, there was a girls coaching position available too. As he said, “If there was no girls hockey, I wouldn’t have a coaching job.” The first year K-M coach has an air about him that generates enthusiasm in the girls. Erredge admits he is a competitor too. “When I play my wife in ping pong, I play to win,” he smiled. When playing outdoor games with kids at school he likes to win too, although he doesn’t outwardly show it. The team has 13 girls and only one senior in Lindsey Phillips. Five players are beginners and only two played youth hockey. There are girls back with varsity experience. Erredge is most concerned with the future rather than past experience and what the team did last year. “I don’t care how they did last year. I am going to put some time and effort into the program, work with the youth and go from there,” said Erredge. The first order of business is working on skating skills, shooting and then stick handling. From there the girls can learn a little more about the system. For example, where to be in each zone, depending on where the puck is. The Dodge County Youth Hockey girls are not going to be a 23-0 team. A lofty goal for this young team would be playing.500 hockey, according to their new coach. If the girls make a commitment and work hard at the basics, lofty goals are possible, especially when you throw in the enthusiasm of a new and energetic coach. Coach Erredge lives in Byron and is married to Jessie, who is a social worker in Rochester. This is Matt’s first teaching and coaching job. The Dodge County girls opened the season Friday night at home against Northfield. They were to play Red Wing at home Tuesday but the game was cancelled due to the Red Wing teachers strike. They travel to Fairmont Thursday.
30 years ago
November 11, 1992
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Several businesses on Main Street have improved their store fronts and facilities to better serve the needs of the community. Daniels Restaurant, owned by Dan & Marg Ann Gadient, has recently completed extensive interior remodeling with new wall coverings, carpet, upholstery and service stations. Pete’s Cheers (formerly JR’s) also completed remodeled their interior including fixtures, furnishings, wall coverings and carpet. Kasson Keepsakes & Floral/Sinnwell Auction/Coldwell Banker Real Estate has updated the exterior of the building at 101 West Main, adding an attractive brick front, new windows and awnings. This project was completed by Dick Swenke, building owner and Charlie and Ruth Sinnwell, business owners. Leutholds, owned by Larry & Sonja Turner, featuring clothes and shoes for men and women of all ages, remodeled their interior with a new floor plan, carpeting and better merchandise display. This business has been in Kasson 127 years. Claremont Farmers Mutual Insurance & Dibble Funeral Home have added attractive new signage and awnings to their business store fronts. The Kasson Chamber of Commerce salutes these busineses and all their members for the efforts to keep Kasson a growing, attractive community. People are urged to stop by and see the positive changes in the vital progressive downtown. We appreciate you, the customers and also the merchants. To borrow a line from another fine downtown merchant, Millie Miller, Kasson businesses say “Welcome anytime.”
50 years ago
November 15, 1972
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Approximately 3,600 deer are killed in Minnesota each year in collisions with automobiles, nearly 500 of them in the Twin Cities metro area. Many motorists do not know what procedure to follow if they should have the misfortune of colliding with a deer, said Don Fultz, chief enforcement officer. He said motorists should observe the following steps: 1) Notify a conservation officer, sheriff, highway patrol or local police official as soon as possible. 2) Do not remove the animal from the scene of the accident. 3) Do not kill a crippled deer; wait for the enforcement officer. 4) Do not attempt to dress out the animal let it be. Fultz said deer-auto collisions tend to increase in the fall and winter months. Highway 61 along the Lake Superior North Shore generally has the highest number of deer killed per mile of road in Minnesota, mainly due to the concentration of deer which occurs there each year during the winter months. Fultz said another extremely hazardous area, and one not generally recognized by the public, is the seven county metro area. Reason for the relatively high number of accidents here, he said, is heavy traffic and the surprisingly large number of deer in the Twin City area.