Thursday, April 11, 2013

Volume 97; Number 41

www.bladepublishing.net staff@bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

75

Todd Board welcomes three staff to county

By Rin Porter At the April 2 board meeting, Todd County Commissioners welcomed new staff members Zach Aaberg, GIS Specialist; Brenda Miller, 75% time at University Extension; and Christina Sobiech, full-time Jailer/Dispatcher. Each of the new employees was hired to fill an existing vacant position. Also at the meeting, commissioners heard County Engineer Loren Fellbaum present four items of business. First, Fellbaum asked for approval to sign the 2013-2014 road salt purchase contract through the state bidding system. The board voted to grant approval to purchase 2,100 tons of road salt for $190,000 (estimated). Second, the board voted to deny Fellbaums request to support a resolution prepared by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) asking the Minnesota Legislature to provide sufficient funding for the states transportation needs. Commissioner Dave Kirchers opposition to the resolution was based on his desire to have transportation infrastructure improved without raising taxes. Commissioners Randy Neumann and Gary Kneisl also voted against the resolution, which failed 3 to 2. The third item Fellbaum presented was a request to award a Continued on page 16.

The Mystery of the Red Cross Quilt: Does anyone know the story?
By Rin Porter The Todd County Historical Museum has many unique and treasured items that help explain Minnesotas past. But a number of the museums possessions have a history that is unknown because no one wrote it down at the time the item was donated. One of these mystery items is what Museum Director Shirley Lunceford calls The Red Cross Quilt. It is a double-bed-size white cotton quilt, with 438 names and crosses embroidered in red. Several of the names are accompanied by blue five-pointed stars. The blue stars are said by several websites to represent a son in service in World War I. Each name has either a town or a military unit embroidered along with it. The quilt maker left no signature or identifying mark. Most of the names are accompanied by towns in Todd County, but there are two names with S.D. accompanying them, which we think means South Dakota. There is one name from Bemidji. Most names are accompanied by Long Prairie. There are names from Clarissa and Eagle Bend, but no names with Browerville. According to several articles published online by historical societies in Montana, Tennessee, and Virginia, the red cross quilt was part of a fund-raising movement during World War I. They were generally designed and made by women who belonged to either a church ladies aid group or a civic group. People paid to have their names put on the quilt, and then the quilt was auctioned off to raise additional money. The money was then donated to the Red Cross. The book, Border to Border: Historical Quilts and Quiltmakers of Montana by Annie Hanshew, describes the process followed by one set of quiltmakers in Montana: During World War I, the American Red Cross encouraged Continued on page 16.

One of these mystery items is what Museum Director Shirley Lunceford calls The Red Cross Quilt. It is a doublebed-size white cotton quilt, with 438 names and crosses embroidered in red. Several of the names are accompanied by blue five-pointed stars. The blue stars are said by several websites to represent a son in service in World War I.

2013 Browerville National Honor Society Induction

A formal induction ceremony of this years new members of the Browerville Chapter of National Honor Society took place on the evening of April 2, 2013 at the Browerville High School. Guests included new members and their parents, BHS administrators and school board members. The banquet was hosted by the Browerville NHS faculty council: Mr. Jeff Marxer, Ms. Donna Steffl, Mrs. Sandy Schorn, Ms. Cheryl Wyatt, and Mrs. Mary Irsfeld: along with the NHS advisor, Mrs. Jody Hagenson. The program started with a banquet meal. Justin Brown, a senior student at BHS, played piano at the start of the program. After the meal the student NHS members gave speeches explaining the history and meaning of NHS and its emblem and colors. Other speeches discussed the importance of character, scholarship, leadership, and service; the basic tenants of NHS. Mrs. Hagenson gave an address about what NHS means to her. Mr. Patrick Sutlief, principal, and Mrs. Hagenson introduced new members and presented them with their NHS membership certificates. New members include seniors: Jay Brichacek, son of Jason and Angela Brichacek, Brooke Kolstad, daughter of Colette Kolstad, and Anna Salber, daughter of Mike and Keri Salber. Junior members inducted include: Benton Johnson, son of Paul and Kelly Johnson, Trent Johnson, son of Chris and Kristine Johnson, Jackson Polak, son of Gary and Julie Polak. Members inducted last year include seniors Kyle Petermeier, son of Wayne and Kris Petermeier, Mason Moore, son of Annette Moore and John Moore, Tarissa Host, daughter of Dale and Tristin Host, and Travis Wehrenberg, son of Ralph and Stephanie Wehrenberg.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. Apr. 9 Snow 35/27 Wed. Apr. 10 50% Snow 35/22 Thur. Apr. 11 Partly Cloudy 37/21 Fri. Apr. 12
Partly Cloudy

Sat. Apr. 13
30% Rain

Sun. Apr. 14 Rain 47/32

40/25

43/32