16 years ago

HASTINGS

STARGAZETTE

May 18, 2006 Reported by staff writer Hank Long, Hastings retiree John Strom was getting involved in Hurricane Katrina relief.

“I’m 65, I’m retired and I mostly sit alone by myself,” Strom was quoted as saying. With Katrina the previous September, though, Strom got involved. “I said what a lot of people probably said. ‘There’s got to be something I can do,” he said. “So I gave the Red Cross a call.” Then making two trips to New Orleans, Strom wasn’t sitting on the couch anymore.

Also coming in from 15 years ago, was the news that Hastings High grad Zha Blong Xiong had been tenured by the University of Minnesota, being in the Department of Education and Human Development. “It was more of a relief than anything else,” Xiong said, “because the process of receiving tenure is difficult. There are many steps along the way.” Xiong graduated from Hastings High in 1987, having emigrated from Laos as a teenager in 1982.

31 years ago

HASTINGS

STARGAZETTE

May 16, 1991

Leading the news controversy from the second week of May 1991, was a plan for Haven Homes, reported by staff writer Steve Eide. With a zoning amendment calling for R1 zoning and eligible to have multiunit dwelling, the 10 to 24unit expansion plan had drawn opposition from the residents themselves, with reports that “lowincome seniors” could move in if the zoning amendment not directly related to Haven Homes but yet reportedly “inseparable” from it per one council member. The need for an addition to Haven Homes was contested as well, with units being added elsewhere and downtown. “Would you build a $250,000 house in lowincome housing,” one resident opposed to the plan asked.

Reported by staff writer Jane Lightbourn as coming in for review from 31 years ago, was the news that construction would begin that summer on a shelter by the Friends of Animal Adoption. Purchasing 1.3 acres of land in the Industrial Park for its shelter, the 400strong group was close to setting a date for when shelter construction would begin. The proposed shelter was to be “threefourths shelter, onefourth boarding facility.”

“Our goal is to provide homeless animals shelter,” Marlene Foote said in speaking for the group. “We don’t euthanize them unless they are terminally ill or suffering.”

46 years ago HASTINGS GAZETTE May 20, 1976 Starting work in September 1945 with the gas utilities as an apprentice serviceman, Al Rotty had decided to retire, the Gazette reported. With Central Natural Gas at 211 East Second Street purchased by Minnegassco in November of 1974, Rotty had worked for four different employers while engaged in the gas utilities.

In the meantime, “a special unveiling of the Spiral Bridge monument” was planned for Memorial Day Services on May 32, while the Hastings area chapter of La Leche League was due to be held Tuesday May 27 at 8 p.m. in the Recreation Building at the Valley Manor Apartments.

The purpose of the league, it was made known, was “to educate and help those women who wish to nurse their babies,” with those interested instructed to call JoAnne Schauer at 437****. The informal meetings open to questions and answers, were meant in part to reveal breastfeeding facts and also discredit “the old wives’ tales.” 61 years ago HASTINGS GAZETTE May 18, 1961 With Children’s May Day Saturday at Hastings, the Gazette reported contests for all and a big parade.

Then in its 104th year of publication per the volume number, the Gazette noted that “more than two dozen local organizations are staging contest after contest, event after event, mainly for the pleasure of the area’s youngsters.

In the meantime, the Hastings Woman’s Club had held a Safety Poster contest and announced the winners.

First prize for $5 in the contest (now $48.35 after inflation) went to Margie Weber, a seventh grader at Guardian Angels School.

Second prize for $3 or $29.01 after intervening inflation went to Dick Huebner, a seventh grader at St. Boniface, while third prize for $4 or $38.68 after inflation went to Deborah Eckhart, a fourth grader at Hiawatha.

The first place runner up in the safety poster contest was not listed, while second place runner up Patricia Miller received $1.50 and thirdplace runner up was David Bromm a fourth grader at Cooper.

Honorable mention was made to the following: Tom Reuter, Tilden; Susan Thompson, Tilden; Mary Ellen Polga, St. Boniface; Ruth Lyon, Hiawatha; Jarri Hoffman, Hiawatha; and Suellen Jaeger, also of Hiawatha.

Finally for the week of May 18, Mrs. Marshall Hughes of West Hughes Street, “accustomed to sidestepping candy wrappers on her way to work,” finds a roll of paper money totaling $40 (now $386.77) and places an ad in the Gazette, whereupon it was claimed by a woman whose daughter read the paper.

“I never thought I’d see the money again,” the grateful owner said after calling to describe her loss as evidence it was her money. “Not very many people would have been as honest as Mrs. Hughes was.” 76 years ago HASTINGS GAZETTE May 17, 1946 Making his home with the Hansen family for 10 years, it is reported that Carl V. Nelson, youngest son of Julius and Johanna Nelson of Hudson, has passed. Burial at Pine Glenn Cemetery in Prescott, with Find A Grave Memorial ID 137207644.