From the archives of the Dodge County Independent
50 years ago
March 14, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
The shamrock — long a symbol of the spirit of St. Patrick’s will have real “flower power” this year. It will also symbolize a massive, nationwide effort to help those stricken by muscular dystrophy and related crippling neuromuscular diseases. “Shamrocks for Dystrophy” is an annual, coast-to-coast volunteer drive to raise funds for the research and patient service programs of Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America. It’ll be happening richt here in Kasson-Mantorville on March 17, and you can be a part of it. When you contribute your time or your money, you’ll be helping celebrate St. Patrick’s in the best way yet — by bringing hope to children shackled by tragic muscle diseases. Your contribution dollar will help speed the scientific conquest of dystrophy. It will also provide comfort now for tens of thousands who look to MDAA for the clinical services, the orthopedic equipment and the many other essentials that the afflicted require. So while wearing the green this year, keep an eye out for the lucky green shamrock tags worn by the volunteers who’ll be asking for some of your green. And give generously!
30 years ago
March 10, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Mantorville grocery landmark closes doors for good
One hundred years ago German Gustave Buro, opened a meat market and grocery on what was then known as central block in Mantorville. Last week another owner of German decent, Emily Tipton, closed the door’s of the former meat market known today as Emily’s Market. The store was one of the oldest continuous run grocery/meat markets in the state of Minnesota — at least up until last week. Gustave Buro was born in Germany in 1882 and moved to this country in 1888. In 1892 he came to Mantorville from Pennsylvania and opened the business. For almost 50 years he continued to own and operate the meat market (up to early 1940’s). Emily and her ex-husband Ron Tipton purchased the business from Martin Otto 16 years ago. Emily took over the business herself eight years later. Five years ago she had a “going out of business” sale. But while in the process of selling out, people talked her into sticking around. “There were some good people who really kept me going,” she said. Five years ago she made several improvements and did exterior remodeling. She faced that same alternative today and said it just wouldn’t be worth the effort. Add to the cost the long hours and Emily said she was getting out while she still had a good attitude about the past 16 years. She prefers to call her quitting business more of a “retirement”. “The business is just not there any more,” she said. This time the going out of business sale happened. The people waiting for the 75 percent off items were out of luck. Emily indicated she would keep the items with the long shelf life herself or donate it to Channel One before lowering prices that far. Most of last week she was boxing up the last of the grocery items. Emily owns the lower level of the building and will attempt to sell that. Not many people in the neighborhood expected the small-time grocery store to survive the last 16 years — let alone over 100 in the same location. “Look at the big grocery stores that have gone out of business. I think we did pretty good,” she said.
20 years ago
March 12, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Erdman’s decorators medal in competition
Erdman’s County Market bakers Deb Schnabel and Andrea Seifert medaled recently at the Minnesota Bakers Association Decorating competition in the Twin Cities. Deb won three silver medals and Andrea won a gold medal for cake decorating and will now be competing in Anaheim, California for three days in April. Deb Schnabel entered three production cakes in the competition and earned three silver medals. Andrea participated in an on site three-hour advanced cake decorating competition and won. In April she will represent the Minnesota Bakers Association in a final national competition. She also received gold medals for wedding cake entries at the competition. In Anaheim she will compete in seven categories for trophies and prize money.
10 years ago
March 13, 2013
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Safety main reason skate park could be moved
Three years ago this summer the skate board park opened adjacent to the Dodge County Ice Area which was taken over by the city. Permanent boards were added around the outside of the skate park so skate equipment could be removed during the winter months and the area could be used for an outdoor rink. Kasson Park & Recreation Director Ron Unger said he started to receive comments from youth using the park that the boards cut down on their ability to do stunts. They also said the boards were a safety issue when they came off a jump or were completing a stunt. Unger brought that concern to the park board and they started to look at alternative sites. A recommendation was made to the council to move the skate park to the West Park between the left field fence and where the former outdoor skating rink warming house is located. They would pour a 65’ and 100’ pad and install the equipment. Unger did say they would take the equipment out in the winter months and place the pieces in storage. They also intend to redo the lighting at the park so the skate park can be used at night. Unger said they intend to talk to the residents in the area and see how they feel. The Kasson City Council also plans to take a tour of all the parks, including West Park where the skate park is tentatively scheduled to go. Initially, when the skate park was installed next to the Dodge County Ice Arena, there was a noise concern. People who owned horses also had concerns regarding noise and skaters using the area when they were using the arena. Unger said noise has not been an issue since the skate park opened.