EARLY FEMINIST

In 1934, Mrs. Chester B. Nelson was elected Clerk of the District 6 School Board. Records indicated she served in that position until 1941. This was fairly uncommon for a woman to serve in elected office during that time frame. end

SCHOOL DAYS

While millions of students all over the country are going back to school and fussing and fuming about "what to wear" and hoping to be sure to portray that "cool" image; it is well to remember that many of their grandparents went to school under very different conditions.

For example, students at District 4 in Lake Prairie Township a few years ago were content to have two changes of clothes to wear to school. "We wore the same set of clothes all week," said Fred Hanson Jr. Then the Mom's would launder that set and the following week the students wore the second set of clothes. Alternating like that got them through the whole school year with little "to do" about "what to wear".

There was probably some changes from short sleeve to long sleeve shirts or the addition of a sweater when the winter weather came along. The District 4 alumni have some interesting stories that will be published in our Norseland History book. Keep the information coming. Send your stores to norseland150@gmail.com end

Commemorative Medallion

A limited edition Commemorative Medallion is now available for the Norseland Sesquicentennial. This limited edition pewter finish ornament depicts the Norseland General Store, the steeple of Norseland Lutheran Church, and the bell tower of Scandian Grove Lutheran Church. These are wonderful commemoratives and will make good gifts for family and friends. They also will made great Christmas tree ornaments. Medallions are $10 and are available at Norseland Lutheran Church, Scandian Grove Lutheran Church, or Traverse De Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter. The medallions have the same image which is printed on the community T-shirts.

GUARD DOG AND A TRACTOR TOO?

During World War II it was hard to get farm machinery. There were also price controls placed on machinery to allow for some fairness in the marketplace. Davis Renneke, who farmed in New Sweden Township told about farm auctions and unscrupulous auctioneers. I interviewed the late Davis Renneke in 1992. This is what he told me. "Items like tractors were hard to come by and would bring big prices, if it weren't for the price controls. To get around that ruling, they would not sell the tractor. They would tie a dog to the tractor and sell the dog--and everything with it." Remember History Matters! end

THE T SHIRTS ARE HERE!

The Norseland 150 Community Celebration T Shirts with our official logo are available at Traverse des Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter. They are located on the north end of town just off Highway 169. Their telephone number is 931-6683.

Independence Day Celebrations

We all have our traditions and celebrating the 4th of July is one of them. Over the years, families, friends, community members form groups that follow traditions of picnics, parades, fun and games. One July 4th many years ago was pretty special.

On July 4, 1926, a great celebration was held in the grove at the home of John and Gulina and Gust and Olga Annexstad. Minnesota Governor Theodore Christianson was the invited speaker and enthralled a crowd of 2,000 people. The St. Peter Herald reported, “Favored indeed was the Norseland Community by the presence of the state’s executive who brought a message on ‘Obligations of Citizenship’ to his friends and hearers that will not soon be forgotten. Out of the hundreds of communities who sought his presence that day, Norseland was the favored one.”

Read more about it in our history book. end

AN ACT OF GOD?

Generally, the Norseland Community has been “dry”. However, at one time (perhaps during the 1930’s) a tavern was opened and operated for a time. At least one current resident was able to make an underage purchase of a case of beer at said tavern. According to Jerry Johnson, the pastor at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church was not thrilled that there was a tavern in the community. Jerry Johnson said, “our preacher preached about closing (it) and how happy he as that it melted into the dust.” The tavern burned to the ground when the sawdust used to keep the ice ignited from spontaneous combustion. Could it have been an Act of God? Find out who was able to buy the case of beer and other good stuff when our book is published. Remember History Matters!