From Our Files

• April 14, 1949

Norman Bruegmann, of Hartley, enrolled in the annual competition of the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild. He was working on the design and construction of a model automobile in hopes of winning a cash award and a university scholarship.

The spring merchandise fair sponsored by the Hartley Chamber of Commerce drew capacity crowds both evenings. It was estimated that at least 3,000 people were in attendance. More than 40 exhibitors arranged displays that brought favorable comment from the many visitors.

Luvern Fear, of Everly, who had pitched for the Hartley Junior Legion team in 1942, was trying out for the Des Moines Bruins. Fear had pitched semipro ball for Everly, Rock Valley, Akron and Aurelia. He pitched a no-hitter during the Storm Lake tournament.

• April 11, 1974

Ten Hartley students participated in the Merten Haase Mathematics Contest at Vermillion, S.D. Superior ratings for their first and second place finishes were given to Rebecca Arends, John Krebs, Vernon Sandersfeld and Robert Tesch. Roger Bobolz, Doug Tanner and Paula Magnussen received excellent ratings.

Members of Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post No. 288 voted to discontinue the death benefit fund. It was started shortly after World War II and paid survivors of each American Legion Post member a nominal sum upon his death.

Earl Norton and Harry Brazle were recipients of plaque awards at a dinner hosted by the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association. The plaques were awarded for long and outstanding service on local fire departments. Norton had served on the Hartley department for 20 years and Brazle served 14 before retiring due to health reasons.

• April 15, 1999

Hartley was chosen as the location for the O’Brien County youth center, as a result of the support of the community and the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District. The former Leisure Lanes building was considered a “fabulous” potential location due to its proximity to the high school. Director Megan Coleman was beginning the process of obtaining grant funding for the countywide youth program.

Joe’s Ready Mix was awarded the contract for the Central Avenue curb and gutter reconstruction project in Hartley. The company’s low bid of $258,669 was 17.6 percent under the engineer’s estimate. The starting date for the project would be determined at a preconstruction meeting.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn continued the district’s outstanding performance at the Merten Haase Mathematics Contest, winning the small schools’ division team title for the fifth consecutive year. H-M-S’s score outdistanced the second-place team by more than 80 points.

From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.