The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on August 17, 1967.
 
Fairgrounds Barn Leveled In Spectacular Blaze
 
Costly Fire Hits One Week After The Fair
         Two boys, ages 9 and 10 admitted to the deputy state fire marshal and local police that they had been smoking in the livestock barn at the fairgrounds before it was destroyed by fire Sunday evening.
         Deputy Marshal Mel Hardy, Marshall, investigated the blaze, coming here Sunday night, and working all day Monday with Fire Chief Curt Maxwell and the Luverne police department. No charges were filed.
         The spectacular blaze, which was reported about 6:10 p.m. Sunday, destroyed the barn which had housed thousands of dollars worth of livestock during the Rock County Fair, just eight days earlier. Except for fair week, the barn, with an adjoining sales pavilion and a small office building to the north of it, was rented by Marcel Reisch, owner of the Luverne Livestock Association. Reisch came here in April, after purchasing the business from Gerrit Smith. He conducted livestock auctions there each Saturday.
Around $40,000
         Best estimate as to the amount of the loss to the Rock County Agriculture Society, which owns the fairgrounds and building, was between $30,000 and $40,000. This figure was based on one property appraiser’s estimate. However, it was generally agreed that a building like it could not be built today for that figure. The fair board had the barn and sales pavilion insured for $21,600. The small office building was insured for $300.
         Reisch estimated his loss of property and loss of business at about $5,000. He said he had some insurance, “but not nearly enough.”
         He lost a registered Dalmatian dog and a pig in the fire. Several horses and cows which he owned were outside the building at the time of the blaze, so there was no livestock destroyed. However, he did lose 13 tons of hay and a load of straw which had just been hauled into the barn after the fair was over. Also in the barn was a 10 cu. ft. food freezer, filled with food, some saddles, some trunks filled with clothing, and a few other personal items.
         The alarm was believed to have been turned in almost simultaneously by Russell Roos and Mrs. Ted Schneekloth, who lives on south Freeman just west of the fair grounds. Mr. and Mrs. Roos were walking to a neighbor’s home when they saw the fire break through the roof of the barn. Mr. Roos ran back home to place the fire call. About the same time, Mrs. Ted Schneekloth saw it from her home and turned in the alarm. Mrs. Roos went to the Tony Van Engelenhoven home, knowing that Mr. Van Engelenhoven was a fireman. She told Mr. Van Engelenhoven, who tried to call the fire number. The line was busy, indicating that it was already being reported.
         The blaze started in the south end of the building where the two boys told the officials they had been smoking in the middle alley, a short time earlier. They said they had put their cigarettes out, and there was no fire in the building when they left for home, according to the officials. There were no other boys with them, they said.
         The fire spread through the hay and straw to the tinder-dry framework of the building so rapidly that the firemen had no opportunity to bring it under control.  A south wind fanned the blaze after it broke through the roof in several places, and billows of black smoke and cinders rose high in the air. Several persons saw the smoke from a distance as far away as 25 miles, it was reported.
Wind Carries Burning Cinders
         Cinders sailed northward, one of the burning pieces falling on the apartment building on East main street, known as the Skoland house. Andy Vatland, who lives in the house, saw the fire on the west slope of the roof as he was driving down the street. He found a ladder which was long enough for him to reach a television antenna wire, and he climbed up the side of the building using the wire as a support until he got on the roof. After getting on the roof, someone threw a blanket up to him which he used to beat out the blaze. Meanwhile, a fire truck was called from the fairgrounds to help, but the blaze was out before they could get to it.
         About 15 or 20 minutes earlier, one of the trucks raced to the Chicago and Northwestern right of way, about a block north and a short distance east of the fairgrounds. There, some utility poles lying on the ground had been ignited by burning embers.
         The firemen pulled away from the fairgrounds a third time when there was a report of a fire in the east part of town. One truck went as far as the sewage disposal plant, found nothing and returned to the fairground.
Other Buildings Threatened
         Houses and out buildings near the fair grounds were momentarily threatened. Garden hoses and buckets of water were used extinguishing smoldering shingles and siding. There was no serious damage to these buildings, however.
         Damage was done to the electrical line leading south on Cedar street into the fair grounds. Near the barn, a transformer which was atop a burning utility pole was shorting out, causing a sharp crackling noise and an intense, white light.
Heat Is Intense
         As soon as Alex Aanenson heard about the fire, he drove to the fair grounds with the tractor part of his semi truck in the hope that he would be able to pull the trailer away from the burning building. By that time, however, the heat was so intense and the building was burning with such a fury that he couldn’t get close enough to the trailer. He then used a chain to hook up to the lunch wagon trailer to try to pull it away, but he couldn’t move it from the angle at which he had to pull it, so he gave up.
         Reisch was eating supper when he heard of the fire. He managed to get his records out of the office building before the fire reached it.
         “I’d like to stay here and stay in business,” he said Monday, “but there isn’t anything I can do unless they rebuild for me.”
         Replacing the building, according to Carl Husen, fair board secretary, is another matter. It will depend upon the insurance settlement, and also upon action of the fair board as to how extensively they decide to build.
         The board is not expected to meet until early next week as several members, including President Leonard Hagen, are out of town on vacation.
         The older portion of the barn was 52 years old, having been built in 1915. It had since been enlarged from its original 32 by 96 foot size. Dimensions of the stock barn at the time of the fire was 96 x 136 feet. The sale barn was 48 x 80 feet. The barn had been rewired and re-shingled during the past two years at a cost of about $5,000.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on Aug. 5, 1965.
 
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY-
Kanaranzi Bank Has Served Community Half A Century
Open house will be held Saturday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. at the First Farmers State Bank in Kanaranzi, commemor-ating the 50th anniversary of the bank’s founding.
Free coffee and doughnuts will be served during the afternoon to visitors, and a number of valuable door prizes will be given. Registration is open to adults and young people alike, according to Eddie Hansen, cashier, and the winners do not have to be present to win.
“This celebration is for everybody,” Hansen emphasized this week. “Naturally, we welcome our many customers, but we want all our friends to stop in. It will be an informal get together, and there will be plenty of opportunity to visit.”
Founded in 1915
The bank’s charter is dated Decemeber 1, 1915. Original incorporators were O. E. Holly, Larchwood, Iowa, who became the bank’s first president; J. M. Baker, Kanaranzi, who was elected as the fist cashier; J. J. Welsh, J. W. Williams and Goerge S. Snover, who became directors. Starting salary for the cashier was $900 a year.
The first directors’ meeting was held January 11, 1916. Both Paul Untiedt and Henry Hansen had purchased some share in the new bank in December, 1915, and they were elected to the board of directors then on January 11. Capital stock was originally set at $10,000.00.
Served By 3 Presidents
In 1927, Mr. Holly sold his bank shares and Paul Untiedt was elected the second president of the bank. He served until his death in 1941. In 1942, J. M. Baker sold his shares in the business, and Elmer H. Wellendorf was elected to become the third president. Eddie Hansen was elected cashier at the same time. Both still hold the positions to which they were then elected.
In 1951, the bank’s capital stock was increased from $10,000.00 to $25,000.00 by a stock dividend.
Today, deposits are well over the million dollar mark, and surplus and undivided profits are over $145,000.00
Two of the men who helped found the bank, J. M. Baker and Henry Hansen, are still living. Mr. Hansen has served as a director ever since he was first elected in 1916.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on July 8, 1965
 
First National Bank To Open In New Location On Monday
Moving day for the First National Bank of Luverne is this weekend.
First National will move to its new building at Main and McKenzie over the July 10 weekend and will be open for business as usual at the new location Monday morning.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for July 16 and 17. On Friday morning a colorful ribbon cutting ceremony is planned to officially open the bank.
Area residents will receive in the mail “mystery teller cards.” The cards can be read only by the mystery teller in a booth at the bank. The public can present their cards at the mystery teller window on either side of the open house days.
Prizes include a 16-piece set of stainless flatware, an electric hostess server, a set of stainless mixing bowls and a blanket.
A pleasing change from the architecture along Luverne’s Main Street, the new First National Bank is unique in its round design.
It has a diameter of 74 feet. The dome at the apex is 21 feet above the bank floor. A row of clear and red glass celestial windows add a flair of color and brightness to the interior immediately beneath the dome.
With  entrances on both Main and McKenzie streets, the parking area has room enough for 19 cars. The bank offers drive-up teller service with the entrance on Main and exit on McKenzie.
First National Bank of Luverne is an affiliate of First Bank Stock Corporation and was organized and chartered on April 21, 1931, as the Luverne National Bank. Capitalization at the time was $65,000.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on July 8, 1965.
 
Weather Slows Work On County Highway Projects
 
Maintenance Work Behind Schedule, Too
         The county highway department’s 1965 road building program is being delayed by wet weather, County Engineer Julius Brown said yesterday.
         In fact, he said, the wet weather is also slowing up the county’s normal maintenance work, and is leaving some of the roads in a condition which the department frowns upon, but can do nothing about until the soil conditions are dryer.
         Klausler Construction Co., Inc., which has the contract for grading and graveling the 10 1/2 mile stretch of CSAH No. 9, from the state line north to U. S. 16, terminating about a mile east of Luverne, is operating behind schedule.
         “I think we’d have been done by now, if we’d had a normal spring,” said Brown. The grading work has been “roughed in” up to within about a mile and a half of U.S. 16 this week. Finish grading and graveling still remains to be done.
Blacktopping Delayed
         The blacktopping contractor hasn’t been able to start, Brown said because of the wet condition of the roads, “He wanted to start hauling base material this week, but it’s too wet.”
         Blacktopping schedule to be done includes a stretch on old TH 23 in Springwater township, extending south four miles from the blacktop which extends west of Hardwick, and a two and one-half mile stretch between this road and new TH 23.
         Brown said that county maintenance crews are working every minute they can on road repairs in various parts of the county. This includes restoring shoulders washed away by floods, breakup on blacktop roads, and similar work. “But just about the time the ground can be worked, it rains again, and we can’t do a thing,” said Brown. “In fact, this is the wettest season I’ve ever experienced.”    
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on July 1, 1965.
 
TALK ABOUT A WET SPRING-
She Pumps Water Every Morning At 3 A. M. To Keep Well From Getting Too Full
         “It’s the absolute truth,” says Mrs. Elsie Herschberger, Kenneth.
         “It’s been so wet this spring that I have to get up every morning at 3 o’clock to pump out my well, or it gets too full.”
         It’s no joke for Mrs. Herschberger. She’s hoping for some dry weather, and so are a lot of other people in Kenneth and Hardwick who have water in their basements.
         Mrs. Herschberger said she first experienced trouble when she tried to run water one morning and the electric motor on her pump wouldn’t start.
         She checked and found the water in the well had risen to the point where it covered the electric motor, which is about 10 feet in the well. A fire department pump was put into service to lower the water level so she could get the motor out and dry it.
         To prevent recurrence of the situation, she now pumps the water level down just before she goes to bed at night. Then she gets up about 3 a.m. and starts the pump again. She estimated that the water level rises six to seven feet during the five-hour period. She lets it pump for about an hour, and that lowers the water level sufficiently so that it doesn’t reach the motor. Again during the day, she has to run water so that the level does not come up to the danger point.
         It’s kind of hard to convince people that it’s been so wet in Kenneth that the wells are almost at the point of running over, says Mrs. Herschberger, but it’s the truth. “And my house is on some of the highest ground in town,” she added.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on July 1, 1965.
 
Record Crowd Attends Hills 75th Jubilee
         Biggest crowd to gather in Hills during its 75-year history was on hand for the Diamond Jubilee cele-bration Tuesday night.
         Parking space for late comers could be found only at the village’s extreme limits. Weather cooperated, and now it was a day of fun and interest for all in attendance.
         The big evening parade proved to be one of the best seen in this area in a long time, with nearly 100 units taking part. Lively music by the Hills, Luverne, Brandon-Valley, Jasper and Magnolia marching bands added to the enjoyment of the big crowd of parade watchers.
Prizes Awarded
         Prizes were awarded for the best nine floats. Steen Reformed church placed first; Trinity Luther League, Hills, placed second, and Bethlehem Lutheran church, third in the religious category. Most original float was made by the West side group of Hills. A 4-H group placed second in this category, and the Recreation Development  group of Hills placed third. In the humorous category, the North Side group of Hills placed first; Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Goehle and girls placed second, and the “Has been Band,” led by Henry Nowka, former Rock countian, now of Sioux Falls, placed third.
         In the whisker contest, Bud Griffin, Hills, won the prize for having the heaviest beard. Henry Ueke, Hills, won the award for the “best effort” beard. Other beard winners were Jake Haan, Hills; Ray Delfs, Steen; C. B. Sjolseth  and Ervin Johnson, both of Hills.
Costume Contest
         In the costume contest, the Delmar Larson family won first place in the family group category. Mrs. Pete De Jongh, her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Preston DeJongh and her children placed second, and Mrs. Arie Fikse and daughter, placed third. In the children’s division, Connie Leenderts placed first and Lori Leenderts, second. In the replica costume, Ada Uhley was first and Mrs. Sam Sundem, second. Prize for the oldest dress went to Carol Bowman, Mrs. Don Boysen placed second.
         One of the impressive features of the parade, both for participants and spectators, were the residents of the Tuff Memorial Home, who rode in cars in the parade. All of them were senior citizens, many of whom could remember Hills as it was in the early days.
         The celebration concluded yesterday with a kiddie parade, a tractor pulling contest, go-cart races and a dance in the evening.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on June 17, 1965.
 
Odd Jobs Club Now Open From 9-11 On Week Days
         A plan to operate the Odd Jobs Club from the Luverne Community Center was announced this week by Rev. Wayne Hoffman, chairman of the Center.
         A telephone and desk, to be manned by volunteer help, has been installed for coordinating work with employers and members of the Odd Jobs Club. The telephone number is 283-4088. Anyone desiring help from Odd Jobs Club members may call beginning today from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The phone for the Odd Jobs Club will be manned Monday through Friday at these hours.
         A total of 55 boys and girls registered at the school and are available for employment now.
Ages 12-18 Eligible
         Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 may register at the Community Center to be available for employment.
         Employers should call the number listed above to obtain help. Pay should be predetermined by the employer. Additional infor-mation may be obtained while the Odd Jobs club phone is being manned at their number. 
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on June 10, 1965.
 
Three Stores Hold Grand Openings
New Fronts Give Main St. New Look
         Grand opening days will be held this week at three Luverne businesses with more than a thousand dollars in free merchandise prizes to be given away Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Along with this issue of the Star-Herald is a special commemorative section for the event.
         Creeger’s, Smith Furniture and Merrill’s Shoe Store are celebrating redecorating and remodel-ing projects that have given their buildings a modern and decorative exterior, plus new interiors and lighting.
         A free carnation will be given away to the first 100 women visiting any of the three stores each day, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
         Creeger’s invites their customers to stop in and register for $1,000 in free door prizes to be given during this big Grand Opening event. Now in newly expanded quarters, nearly double the old store area, Creeger’s is Luverne’s newest and most complete clothing center. Free coffee and cookies will be served from 2 to 4:30 p.m. each afternoon downstairs in the new lounge in the store.
         And, during this great event, many items for men, women and children will be on sale at Creeger’s.
         After 46 years, Merrill’s Shoe Store is in a new, larger location, offering footwear in popular brands for all members of the family, in sizes for everyone.
         Smith’s Furniture of Luverne invites everyone to attend their gala Grand Opening. With a newly remodeled exterior display and store front, they offer a big bonus deal to all customers Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In addition to the price of each of the furniture selections they offer, they include special values in other merchandise. And some lucky person will win a free trip to Minneapolis to watch the Minnesota Twins play.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on May 27, 1965.
 
OLD GN RESERVOIR IS:
Hills’ Recreational Area
         Give the people of Hills a worthy project for the community and you need not search far for helping hands. Such is the unanimous opinion of Bud Bush, Dennis Ronning or Fred Nuffer, who comprise the members of the Hills Village Council.
         The three members of the Village Council absolutely refuse more than a little credit for offering moral support in the project which is generally referred to as the Hills Recreational Area.
         Ed Demuth is generally credited with having the original vision of a park and recreational area, which the community badly needed.
Old GN Reservoir
         The whole idea of a local recreational area developed when the old Great Northern reservoir became available to the community. For many years this reservoir served as a source of water for Great Northern Railway steam engines.
         Mr. Demuth was named general chairman of the project and he has been assisted by Delmar Larson and Charles Nelson in the general planning and organizing.
         The committee envisioned all manner of recreational opportunities. The reservoir, which is several acres in size, offered opportunities for swimming, fishing, water skiing, boating, skating and canoeing. The surrounding area provides opportunity for picnics, camping, games, hiking, nature study and relaxation.
Response From Everywhere
         The general plan of procedure was announced to the residents of Hills and surrounding area. Response came from everywhere. People came from the town and country. There was a great big clean up job to be done. Trees, branches and debris that had accumulated through the years had to be removed. Roads and pathways had to be built.
         Rock and stone had to be placed to rip rap the pond and protect against wave action. Drainage systems needed to be planned. The Soil Conservation Service offered some help in this area. Farmers came out with trucks and tractors. City folks came with saws and shovels. Money was needed and it came from memberships, at $5.00 each, in the Recreational Development Committee. Nearly 100 memberships were sold. The Village Council voted a little money. Nearly $800.00 was raised. Help came from other sources also. Clem Hatting donated 40 loads of gravel. Fish were requested from the Fish and Game Division of the Minnesota Conservation Department.
         Some work remains to be done. Some work will no doubt remain to be done for a long time, but much of the project is finished. The swimming pool will be ready this summer, so will the areas for picnicking. More buildings will be constructed, but these will come from year to year.
         For now, the people of the Hills community, whose leaders want no credit for what they did, are very proud of the Recreational Area they built themselves.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.