From the archives of the dodge county independent

50 years ago
July 18, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Dodge County Centennial Fair Opens
Many extensive plans for the “Best Ever” county fair is on the drawing board for July 18-22. Many county people are going all out to bring this county a Centennial Production they can be proud of. A huge 8x16 ft. mural was designed by the Kasson-Mantorville High School Instructor Miss Frederickson and some of her art students. An authentic historic display being made for the log cabin building by the Co. Historical Society. A historic machinery display to be put together showing from horse drawn to modern day farm equipment. A tug-o-war between fire departments of each town. A milking contest between Gov. Wendell Anderson and our Co. Dairy Princess. Village bands from Kasson-Mantorville, West Concord, Hayfield and Pine Island will play. A pageant depicting many historic happenings over the years by 4-H clubs. These are just a few of many exciting things being planned for the Centennial Fair.
30 years ago
July 14, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Sorensen finally ‘catches’ checkered flag at Kasson
Mike Sorensen finally got his wish. After finishing second in about a dozen races in Kasson and other tracks, the Rochester driver finally saw a checkered flag. Sorensen moved to the lead on the second lap of the Wissota Modified feature Sunday in Kasson and opened up a good lead. Jay Ihrke of Dover got through traffic into second, but couldn’t put any pressure on Sorensen. Only 15 Wissota Modified cars showed up. Ron Mahder of Eau Claire, on of the top drivers on his home track in Wisconsin, made his first appearance in Kasson a good one with a feature win in the Super Stock division. Also new on the track was a car driven by Jon Lemke of St. Louis Park. He didn’t fare so well, despite a fourth-place finish. Lemke’s engine was claimed after the race by West Concord’s Charlie Giesler. Lemke turned down the claim, which means he forfeited his position and can’t race again at Kasson unless he pays a $1,000 fine and sits out four weeks, according to MSI promoter Clayt Dornack. In the Bomber Division, 41 cars were entered. Randy Geisler of St. Charles was the feature winner in a race that had numerous restarts. The Bomber feature is run at the end of the night and the track by then had become rubbler-slick and hard, causing more accidents than usual. Arlen Diercks of Red Wing was second. Division feature winners were: Bomber Division, 1. Geisler, 2. Diercks, 3. Meyer; Super Stock, 1. Mahder, 2. Schletty, 3. Pederson; Modified, 1. Sorensen, 2. Ihrke, 3. Myer.
20 years ago
July 16, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Main street report reveals little progress
City administrator Mike Rietz gave an update to the council on the summer projects, including Main Street reconstruction. The report on Main Street revealed little progress since the general contractor, Swenke Company Inc., was rained out four straight days last week. Rietz gave his report at the regular city council meeting Wednesday. In regard to the Main Street project, Rietz reported some services have been installed, including storm sewer and catch basins on the west side of First Avenue. He also noted that the one block area from the intersection of Main and Mantorville Avenue to First Avenue has been rocked and is now open for vehicle use. Rain daily over the July 4 holiday and since has made it impossible for crews to run any equipment at the site. In other construction areas, it was reported paving is done and only “saw and seal” remains in Blaine’s 11th Subdivision, Phase 1. For the 2003 street improvement projects, curb and gutter is completed and paving is now being done. For Blaine’s 12th and 8th subdivision, curb and gutter is complete. The base bituminous was placed June 24. At Prairie Willow the paving is complete and Bigelow-Voigt 6th subdivision, rock has been placed, paving is in progress and so is the bike trail. The curb and gutter is done. At Kasson Meadows III, the project is complete with the exception of the final lift of bituminous. At Kasson Meadows 4th, curb and gutter are complete. For the Blaine’s 12 Phase II inspection there is still considerable dirt work to be done and the underground progress is slow due to the fact there is a great deal of limestone rock and sandstone to go through. Construction projects came to a complete halt last week, Monday through Thursday, due to rain. The rain started July 4 and rained every evening through the holiday. The rain did not let up the following Monday either, making it impossible for any equipment to operate.
10 years ago
July 10, 2013
10th & Final Ride For A Reason
The 10th and final Ride For A Reason was held Saturday. It was unfortunate that rain prevented bikers from taking part in the poker run, but that did not seem to dampen the spirits of the participants. Two converted buses and two party buses were used to take the nearly 100 riders on the poker run to kick off the fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event is in memory of Dick and Jo Palmer who both lost their lives to cancer. Both Dick and Jo loved to ride motorcycles so their children, Jeff Palmer and Brooke (Palmer) Distad started the fundraiser in memory of their parents 10 years ago. In the last 10 years the ride has raised more than $200,000 for the American Cancer Society. Each of the last 10 years the money has been donated at the Dodge County Stroll/Relay For Life to be from 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 2 until 6:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3. In addition to the poker run there was live auction followed by live music.