Remember When Aug. 3, 2023

10 years ago (2013)
•Luverne salon owner Diane Elbers is moving Hair Ltd. From 101 South McKenzie Street to 111 West Main (the tiny building with the “Vineyard Growth Associates” sign just west of the Manitou Hotel building).
Elbers said that one of the best parts of moving the business is “that sign will finally come down. It hasn’t been Vineyard for years and years.”
Elbers said the move from a larger space to a smaller one will help give her clients a more relaxing salon experience.
“I’ve wanted a smaller, more intimate setting so we decided, rather than go bigger with more chairs, we’d go bigger with more service.”
 
25 years ago (1998)
•The intersection of East Maple Street and South Cedar Avenue will take on a new appearance this summer. Gary Papik plans to demolish the old Schoon/Papik Motors building later this month.
The buildings have been vacant since 1996 when Papik Motors moved to a new facility on I-90.
Papik said the buildings have been for sale since they were vacated, but that with costly repairs or demolition needed, few buyers have shown interest.
“I’ve got some parts of the building with the roof caved in. I can’t do anything with the building. I’ll have more options with bare land. It seems that is what people are looking for when they come to town.”
Economic Development Director Tony Chladek inspected the building and consulted with commercial contractor Curt Valnes and Luverne Building Inspector Joe Kauth.
In a memo, Chladek wrote, “Both buildings are clearly substandard and economically unsalvageable.”
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Don Suprenant, owner of Myhre’s Studio, has been using cameras for many years.
And during those years, he’s sold a lot of them … different makes, different sizes, and for different purposes.
But, he says, he’s never been as excited about a new innovation in picture taking as he is in the new Polaroid SX-70, unless it was the original Polaroid, the first instant picture camera when it was introduced a number of years ago.
“I read about the SX-70, when it was first introduced,” Don said, “and I figured it must be something with advantages that you don’t get in other cameras. Now that I’ve seen it, I can only say it’s almost unbelievable what it can do.”
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Rock county’s 1948 free fair is going to have entertainment that is different, according to Secretary George Golla.
A thrill show, and two nights of midget auto racing are scheduled as entertainment for the grandstand spectators the three nights of the fair.
The nationally famous “Death Drivers” will present a thrill-packed performance on the night of August 31. They will “jump” cars over trucks, drive through flaming walls, and have a number of other chilling acts, featuring both cars and motorcycles.
Midget auto racing, featuring some of the Upper Midwest’s best cars and drivers, will headline the programs on the evenings of September 1 and 2. “We’ve booked a good racing program for these two nights,” Golla said, “and racing fans both young and old will have the time of their lives on these two nights.”
 
100 years ago (1923)
•A new athletic organization for Luverne, to be known as the Luverne Horseshoe Club, was organized at a meeting held Monday evening at I.O.O.F. hall. Ray Geerdes was elected president of the club; John Lamm, vice president; D.W. Campbell, secretary; James McKeon, treasurer.
Three courts have been installed in the back of the McGrath building on the south side of Main street, and this has been electrically lighted and otherwise fitted out in excellent condition for playing. At least two more courts, it is expected, will be put in during the summer.