10 years ago (2011)
•Just over a year ago, retired optometrist George McDonald spent a week in Mexico helping more than 550 patients get eyeglasses.
In February 2010 he traveled south through the Volunteers in Optometry for Service to Humanity (VOSH) organization, along with his daughter Julie Deters and grandson Harrison, both of Fort Collins, Colo.
Although all three had to pay their way there and back, McDonald said that is was a “million-dollar experience.”
“With 40 years in Luverne, 12 to 15 patients was a big day,” McDonald said, comparing that schedule to the staggering number of individuals seeking glasses in Mexico.
McDonald was one of eight optometrists on the trip in 2010. Of the 50 states, 31 have VOSH organizations, including South Dakota and Minnesota. …
McDonald said that with more than 200,000 pairs of glasses donated through Lions clubs nationwide, there were enough glasses for patients to leave with three or four pairs.
25 years ago (1996)
•Making plans for the Minnesota Border to Border Triathlon is a monumental challenge.
The time involved organizing all the details to pull off the four-day event, which begins in Luverne and ends 500-plus miles later on Crane Lake, has turned into a huge task for the five people who have made the triathlon work for a better part of 15 years.
According to Steve Apt, who has played a role in staging the annual August ritual for 13 of the last 15 years, preparing for the event has become too much of a burden. That’s the main reason why the 1995 triathlon probably was the last one.
“We’re not going to do it (organize the triathlon) any more, and to be honest, I don’t see how anybody else could do it,” Apt said from his Chaska home Tuesday night. “The time involved organizing this thing is the No. 1 reason why we’re calling it quits. It takes 300 to 400 hours of preparation every year, and that’s not including the time we spend on it during that week of the race.”
In one capacity or another, Apt has helped make the triathlon a reality for 13 years. For the past eight years, he recruited the help of his wife, Joni, who served as the race director for the past few years.
50 years ago (1971)
•Four Luverne wrestlers competing in the snow-bedecked Region II mat tournament Monday made an impressive showing by placing eighth out of 14 competing qualifiers. Kevin Petersen will advance to the state tournament on Thursday by virtue of his second place in the Regional. Bob Kontz copped a third and Tony Miller placed fourth.
Coach Tom Serie was elated at the performance of the four matmen. “When you figure we were one point behind Sherburn, who won their district tournament and had nine men in regional competition, you’ve got to give our wrestlers credit,” he said.
At 120 pounds, Lowell Jauert was decisioned by Hoehn of Waldorf-Pemberton in the first round, 3-0. In the wrestle-backs, he was decisioned by Jackson’s baker, 2-0.
Kevin Petersen at 145 pounds took Blue Earth’s Stevens, 7-5, in the preliminary. In the semi-final, he pinned Hunt of Lakefield in 1:40. He lost to Sherburn’s Cain in the championship round, 11-3. …
Bob Kontz began his chores on Friday with a 13-0 decision over Blanchfield of St. James at 165 pounds. On Monday, he came back with a 6-4 overtime win over Porisch of Jackson. Kubu of Wells who went on to win the championship, pinned Kontz in 5:20, but Kontz grabbed third with decision over Blue Earth’s Malcolm, 12-6.
Luverne junior Tony Miller lost to the eventual champion from Waldorf-Pemberton, Schwichtenberg, 10-5, in the heavyweight preliminaries. Miller then pinned Winnebago’s Jordan and then in the consolation round was pinned by Spear of St. Clair in 2:50.
75 years ago (1946)
•Announcement that the new Dodge motor car would be on display Saturday, March 9, at the Service Auto Company in Luverne was made this week by Orville Orloske, proprietor.
“It’s the smoothest car afloat”, says Mr. Orloske, in acclaiming the 1946 model. “It has a new and greater all fluid drive; a new and greater powerflow engine, designed for finer performance and economy than even the popular postwar Dodge motors; there’s better maneuverability, making Dodge tops when it comes to easy handling in all kinds of traffic.
“Dodge has added a number of new safety features, and it has new and greater beauty, both on the inside and the outside. To this add new and greater economy of operation and new and greater comfort, and you have the great new Dodge, the smoothest car afloat.”
100 years ago (1921)
•A minstrel show will be given at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings next week, March 8th and 9th, under the auspices of Dell Hogan Post No. 123, American Legion.
The entertainment promises to be unusually snappy and attractive, with many novel features in singing, dancing and comedy. The costumes are said to be the most attractive in the minstrel business. Sixty people will take part in the performance, while six orchestras will furnish music. Five balladists will present some of the most beautiful ballad hits of the season. Six end men, two big sketches, one single act, with the big minstrel farce comedy afterpart with twenty-one people, mostly girls, will be among the other notable features.
Mr. Jack McLoughlin, of Mitchell, S.D., will act as interlocutor and director, and comes highly recommended as a leader with unusual snap and ability to keep things moving. This will be the 22nd minstrel that he has put on with amateurs.
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