From the archives of the dodge county independent

50 years ago
March 27, 1974
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Father-Daughter Banquet Held At Methodist Church
Seventy fathers and daughters attended the Father-Daughter banquet at the United Methodist Church on March 21st.
Gary Purvis was Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Forest Strnad, Pastor of the Stewartville United Methodist Church, was guest speaker. He gave a slide presentation and talk on birds native to Minnesota, of their identification, nesting habits, and banding practices. Rev, Strnad, former Pastor of the Kasson church, has been working with birds for 18 years, has banded 20,000 and has identified 172 species.
A prize for the oldest father-daughter was presented to Louis Fredrickson and Ronald Werner received a prize for the youngest father-daughter present. Rev. Norman Witt presented a trophy, on behalf of the Men’s Club, to Oliver Fiegel for selling the most tickets to the pancake supper held in February.
30 years ago
March 30, 1994
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Area students at Dorian Festival
Several students from this area participated in the 1994 Dorian Band Festival held recently at Luther College. Those participating from this area included from K-M High School: Aaron Honecker, Shawna Anderson, Heather Ludvigsen, Emily Smith; from Triton High School; Shannon Waldschmidt, Erick Barwald and Jennifer Midthun; and from Byron, Jean Niesbauer and Andreq Plumb.
More than 570 high school students from four states participated in this year’s Dorian Band Festival.
The Dorian program provides music education and performance opportunities for high school students; offering college level instruction and music facilitikes that are among the best in the region. Students participate in lessons, solo reviews, master classes and auditions with instructors from the college music faculty.
Now in its 45th year, the Festival was begun in 1950 by Weston Noble, Luther professor of music wo is currently director of the Internationally-known Nordic Choir. The 1994 Festival is partially supported by a gift from Kephart’s Music Center.
20 years ago
March 31, 2004
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Volunteer parent mentors needed
Volunteers Needed!! The Exchange Club Center for Family Unity is looking for volunteer Parent Mentors. The Center for Family Unity is a private not-for-profit child abuse prevention agency serving Dodge, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties. Parent Mentors are not required to have a college degree or experience as a counselor or therapist. However, experience in nurturing and the ability to offer genuine friendship is required. Bi-lingual volunteers are also needed. Volunteers are needed are needed for only one hour a week, to help parents provide safe and nurturing homes toe their children. Mentors can be matched with a family from their own community or one of the other communities in the four counties. If you have ever wondered how you can make a difference in the life 0f a family, please come to the Exchange Club Center for Family Unity on Tuesday, April 6 and Monday, April12, from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. Volunteers will learn to assist parents in problem solving, lowering stress, building confidence and self-worth, and teaching parenting and coping skills. All attendees will receive FREE CHOCOLATE!!! Also a light supper will be served. If you are planning on attending, or would like more information, please call the Center for Family Unity by Monday, April 5 at — 1-800-642-0089 or 455-1190
10 years ago
March 26, 2014
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Body of missing 15-year-old found
Thursday morning the body of 15-year-old Noah Graddy was found between Kasson and Byron of railroad property. Graddy had last been seen January 21 when leaving a house in Kasson.
The search was being conducted by the Kasson Police Department, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The body was found west of 260th Avenue between Kasson and Byron. A medical examiner from the Southern Minnesota regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. An autopsy revealed there was no trauma to the body, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. They are also confident the cause of death was not from homicidal violence. The case will remain under investigation pending receipt of the final autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office.
The Graddy family gave a written statement saying, “The Graddy family would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out and supported us during this very difficult time and also for the love and support we continue to receive. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in respecting our privacy during this very difficult time.”
The Canadian Pacific Railroad also issued a statement requesting people do not go on or near the railroad tracks for everyone’s safety. Railroad property is private property.