From the archives of the Dodge County Independent

50 years ago
June 13, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Cain’s Horses Place at All Arabian Show
Sage Iven Imneyn owned by Gerald Cain Took Champion one-half Arabian Gelding at the North Dakota regional and class A A11 Arabian Show at Valley City, N.D. Amiraj owned by Randal Cain placed second in the halter division and fourth in Western pleasure. Syn Sharif, also owned by Randal Cain, placed second in the halter division. Amy Cain and Amiraj placed fourth in junior showmanship class.
30 years ago
June 9, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Class president petitions for Baccalaureate
Since the K-M High School class of 1993 will have no ecumenical worship in the graduation program for the fist time in the history of the school, senior class president Peter Hallstrom decided to do something about it. Hallstrom distributed a petition to seniors while on the senior class trip last week and collected 45 signatures from students who favored having a Baccalaureate service instead. The petition was presented to a leader of the K-M area pastorial association, Pastor Michael Smith. He in turn contacted area pastors to take part in a service. “This is not something we have initiated. It was all the idea of these senior kids,” said Pastor Smith. Pete Hallstrom added that what he has initiated has no ties to the school. It was his intent to start a Baccalaureate this year and have that continue as an annual tradition. There will be a Baccalaureate service at the United Methodist Church of Kasson. The ecumenical Baccalaureate service will be at 7 p.m. this evening (Wednesday). There will be no invocation or benediction this year as a part of graduation ceremonies. Hallstrom said it is because of this action that he took it upon himself to try and initiate something separate with ecumenical ties. There are school districts that continue the tradition of an invocation and benediction but they run the risk of facing a lawsuit. “Separation of church and state” is recognized and should one individual press the issue the K-M School District could face a lawsuit. Hallstrom said he does not blame the K-M School for setting the policy. Several area pastors who will be participating in the Baccalaureate said they too have the same feeling. The general public is invited to attend the service. The service will be non-denominational and each of the pastors from the areas churches will have a chance to participate. If the event is “accepted,” Hallstrom and his senior classmates who signed the petition are hopeful a new tradition will begin.
20 years ago
June 11, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Vera Schuck retires from dental office
In August of 1956, Vera Schuck started work at the dentist office in Kasson for Dr. L.B. Severance. Last week she retired from working fulltime 47 years later at the Kasson Dental Clinic. She will still be coming in on Friday to do bookwork. Vera had no intention of working in the same business after graduating from high school. Why did she start at the dental clinic? “I needed the money,” she grinned. As to why she never moved on to a different job opportunity, “I was lazy to change jobs,” said Vera, smiling once again. Vera became a registered dental assistant by taking the pilot program in Rochester. She was certified to clean teeth, do x-rays, etc. Most of her working years, though, she was office manager for Dr. Severance and then became the bookkeeper for current owners Dr’s Spiten and Winkle. Although some 75-plus employees have come and gone in the office the last 47 years, Vera has worked for only two different owners. In making a reference to being too lazy to switch jobs, Vera said the truth is she couldn’t think of a better environment where she could have been happier. “I have always liked the atmosphere here and the people I work with,” she said. Longevity in a single job is nothing new to Vera and her husband George. He retired last year from Culligan, working there 40 years. Two jobs and 87 total years of employment! “Dentistry has changed so much in the last 47 years,” said Vera, “the equipment and the way we treat patients. People are so much better educated for taking care of their teeth today. “I’m the oldest piece of equipment they have,” added Vera with a bit of sarcasm and another smile. Vera is still going to be around the office one day a week. As far as giving up the fulltime employment Vera merely says, “It was time.”
10 years ago
June 12, 2013
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Judge rules in favor of city, demolitiona go?
District Judge Joseph Wieners ruled in favor of the city of Kasson in the suit filed by Griselda Guomo, Linda Jervis and Marlyn Schroeder regarding the fate of the former Kasson school. The plaintiffs filed a restraining order in early May to block the city’s plan to demolition the former Kasson school. The city and plaintiffs met earlier this month to present arguments to Judge Wieners. According to court documents the case was dismissed “for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.” “The temporary injunction is hereby vacated,” stated court records. The judge also stated, “That petitioners posted bond is hereby released.” “That the attached memorandum is incorporated herein by reference and made part of this order.” Anthony Moosbrugger represented the plaintiffs and Shelly Ryan and George Hoff of Eden Prairie represented the city of Kasson. Since there is no injunction in place the city is able to move forward with demolition of the building. As of Friday the city still had PCA (Pollution Control Agency) permits to secure. The council is expected to discuss the fate of the former school at the Wednesday council meeting. Fitzgerald Excavating of Goodhue was awarded the low bid for demolition. The bid was $161,400, some $80,000 below the engineer’s estimate. The initial start date for demolition was to be June 3. As a result of the litigation the demolition was delayed.