Times Past compiled by Gary Larson
Posted 8/28/02

10 years ago
Aug. 26, 1992
ïMilaca resident Doug Ewert experienced Hurricane Andrew first hand last weekend while visiting East Naples, Fla. Ewert, who was in East Naples for his brotherís wedding, said winds gusted up to 100 mph but his parentsí home didnít suffer any major damage.
ïSuperior Feed Products, Inc., has purchased the Land Oí Lakes Plant in Milaca. The company is hoping to eventually employ 14-15 people.
ïThe Warren and Bonnie Sjoberg farm south of Bock has been designated a 1992 Century Farm by the Minnesota State Fair.

20 years ago
Sept. 1, 1982
ïIncumbent Russ Iverson, businessman Michael Ramstad and ranch hand Ronald Eli have filed for the office of Mille Lacs County Sheriff. A Sept. 14 primary will narrow the field to two candidates.
ïBeth Blomquist, daughter of Marvin and Genelle Blomquist of Milaca, was first runner-up at the Minnesota Miss T.E.E.N. Pageant last weekend in Minneapolis. Blomquist, whoís 18, placed first in the personal interview category.

30 years ago
Aug. 24, 1972
ïFeatured performers at the Minnesota State Fair this year include Sonny and Cher, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Bobby Goldsboro, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, comedian George Kirby, Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.
ïRoger Eisen and Roger Hansen have announced that a youth firearms safety class will begin Sept. 5.

40 years ago
Aug. 30, 1962
ïCelon Moen, 40, and his son Rodney Moen, 19, both of Slayton, were killed at the Great Northern railroad crossing one mile west of Milaca on Highway 23 around 5 a.m. Monday morning, Aug. 27. The area was covered by a dense fog and Rodney Moen, who was driving, apparently didnít see the train until it was too late. The car smashed into the side of a flat car that was carrying gravel.The crew of the train, which had just left Milaca, was not aware of the accident until the train reached Zimmerman.
ïThe Great Northern Depot at Foreston was moved Aug. 22 over Highway 23 to Milaca and then to a lot located on old highway 18 east of town where Gotfrey Olson will convert the building into a house. The building was smaller when first constructed at the community about 1888, which was then known as Bridgeman. An addition was later built when the townís name was changed to Foreston.
ïAnglers are reminded that Mille Lacs Lake is closed to the taking of northern pike through Nov. 30. Mille Lacs was closed to taking northerns on Dec. 1, 1961 in an effort to build up the northern population. The Minnesota Conservation Department felt this was needed to control the number of perch and rough fish in the popular walleye lake.
ïA lightning strike killed one cow and three heifers at the Warren Rydell farm southwest of Foreston Aug. 22.

60 years ago
Aug. 20-27, 1942
ïThe Mille Lacs County Fair will open Thursday, Aug. 27, at Princeton and continue through Sunday, Aug. 30. Included in this yearís entertainment are comedian and KSTP radio personality Randy Merriman, the Plehal Brothers, who introduced the Beer Barrel Polka, the Carl Strong Trio, Americaís leading trick rope act, and the Shoeshine Boys, a popular vocal group that feature Negro spirituals and songs of the deep south in colored style.
ïThe Mille Lacs County Times is beginning its 50th year of publication. A. DeLacey Wood, the famous newspaper starter of the northwest, aided by J.A.K. Stewart, published the first edition of the Times on Aug. 20, 1892. Two weeks later, Wood turned the paper over to his mother, Mrs. Julia A. Wood, publisher of the Sauk Rapids Sentinel. A few months later, the paper was turned over to former Milaca Superintendent of Schools, Chas. H. Warner. The present editor, Fay Cravens, came to Milaca in January of 1894 and took a job as printer, succeeding to the management of the paper in the fall of that year. He has been on the job ever since, a total of 48 years. Current business manager of the paper is Albert Cravens.
ïMilaca School Superintendent N.T. Tosseland has announced that school will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. The federal government has outlined a program of pre-flight aeronautics courses which will be offered to selected students in order to prepare for the great need of aviation in the current war situation. Any boy or girl interested in a flying career should contact the superintendent before school starts. Are you physically fit and mentally alert and ready to meet the challenges of your country?