Reminiscing: February 19, 2009

100 Years - Thursday, Feb. 25, 1909

St. Paul Letter

The White bill “to limit the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors” has, by decree of the Republican steering committee of both house and senate, been made a party measure.  As it is perhaps the only measure at all likely to be adopted by the legislature designed to carry out the pledge made by the Republican party in its platform to extend the operation of high license and local option laws and secure their just enforcement, it is important to enquire exactly what it does.

It professes to limit the granting of liquor licenses to one in each five hundred of the population in the municipality or county granting the license.

This it does not do.  If at the time of the passage of the act any town or village issues licenses in excess of one to each 500 population that state of affairs is permitted to continue until “the total number of licenses ..shall equal one for each 500 population.”

75 Years - Friday, Feb. 23, 1934

Declamation winners named in District 119

Donald Benedett in Division A and Irene Koenig in Division B were winners in the declamatory contest held in District 119 Feb. 19.  John Decker and Dorothy Koenig placed second in divisions.

The winners will compete with the winners of six other schools at Elba, and the winner of the Elba contest will broadcast his selection from La Crosse.

Judges for the contest in District 119 were Mrs. Leo McCarthy, Mrs. Stella Norton and Mrs. Arvil Mielke.  Miss Florence Stenback is teacher.

50 Years - Thursday, Feb. 19, 1959

A summary of city expenditures the past 9 months.

The later part of April 1958 the City of St. Charles had a cash balance of approximately $20,000 in the General Fund.

Here are some of the expenditures that have been made in this nine-month period ending Feb. 1, 1959 which represent improvements to our city in various ways and which need not be spent again for some time to come, if ever:

New Police car - $1,159

New Truck for Street department - $2,125

Remodeling of fire hall for the rural fire trucks - $1,000

Office equipment, including addressograph, billing machine and office desks - $2,000

Two way radio for police car - $700

Banister Engineering Co. for complete study of our electric, water, sewer and power rates - $1,700

New meters to modernize our power metering for new demand rates - $600

Audit of the city records and preliminary setting up of a complete new accounting system for our City - $4,100
Banister Engineering Co. for most of engineering costs of proposed sewer extension west of motel - $1,000

25 Years - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1984

Walt Gilseth receives top principals’ award from peers

St. Charles Elementary School Principal Walter Gilseth was a recipient of the 1984 Distinguished Service Award voted by his educational peers.

Gilseth received the award two weeks ago during the annual state convention.  The award was given by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA) for his contributions to the educational process.

The award is one of the nine given throughout the state.  Walt’s award is for the southeast division.

10 Years - Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999

Discussions advance beyond the elementary phase.

Determined to unearth the best possible elementary school design, the St. Charles Building Committee spent Tuesday, Feb. 16 discussing what architectural approach was best suited to meet the educational needs of the students, as well as the needs of the community.

Discussions grew more heated as committee members delved into the specific intricacies of the combined scenario.  Concerned members questioned whether or not the elementary school would be swallowed up by this design in essence, losing the distinct identity it enjoys now.

Compiled by Nathan Campbell