5 years ago

Frazee-Vergas Forum

May 11, 2017

Those driving by the Frazee Fire Hall on West Main Avenue may have noticed a new eye-catching display. A few weeks ago the city was gifted an engraved sign that makes it apparent where the fire hall is located, and shows the present fire danger. A new flag pole was also added. The two projects came about because Frazee resident Ryan Tollefson needed a project to earn this Eagle Scout rank. The Vergas Boy Scout member recalled the idea came to him while driving through Detroit Lakes, where he passed the fire hall and noticed it had a fire risk warning sign.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Project manager Tom Pace reviewed the Highway 87 project slated for 2021 and 2022, noting a major change to the rural section. During the monthly Frazee City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 9, Pace explained the rural portion of the highway (from the city limits of Frazee to Evergreen) is being widened due to increasing Amish buggy traffic and several accidents in the past few years. The rural work is slated for 2021.

The North Country Scenic Trail is in the planning stages of winding its way from Frazee to Vergas and on to Maplewood State Park. Matt Davis, a regional trail coordinator, spoke alongside Willis Mattson, a member of the Laurentian Lakes trail chapter, during a public meeting Thursday, May 4. The two explained the plan is to target as many historical and scenic areas in the towns and townships the trail could pass through.

25 years ago

Frazee Forum

May 8, 1997

Back after 51 years—brothers Rodney and Roger Hanson of Vergas were the first patrons of the Rocky Bar 51 years ago and garnered the same honors at the Hilltop Lounge this past week, when co-owner Chuck Minge served them up a beverage. The Rocky Bar was the start of the present-day Spanky’s Stone Hearth and now the new addition—Hilltop Lounge. Local logs were used to make the huge addition, which adds a whole new dimension to Spanky’s.

This year’s flood, says Paul Jacobs, has been the “largest single disaster Minnesota has encountered.” Jacobs, Frazee, is the Emergency Services’ regional program coordinator for Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. It was 10 p.m. on Friday, April 4 when the Norman County director called to inform him about the impending disaster with the river. Jacobs worked nearly around the clock from his home office that weekend, and left for Ada Monday morning. By that point, the National Guard had been activated and were also arriving in Ada. Flood recovery will be pretty steady for another couple of months, he said.

50 years ago

Frazee Forum

May 11, 1972

A Vergas woman, Mrs. Lavern (Helen) Sonnenberg, was elected president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Ninth District Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Spring convention held from April 29-30 in Moorhead. She served with the Women’s Army Corps in 1945-46 as an operating room technician at Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas, She is presently employed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. Mrs. Sonnenberg (the former Helen Bostrom), has been a member of the VFW Post 7702 Auxiliary for 15 years, and has held several chairmanships and offices, including president.

The Frazee Junior High School Band, Junior High Chorus, Junior High Girls Chorus, Freshman Band and Freshman Chorus will present their annual Spring Concert, “Traveling in the 70’s,” on Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m. in the Frazee High School auditorium. Included on the program will be several award winning brass and woodwind ensembles who won star rating for superior performances at the New York Mills Invitational Junior High Band Contest in April.

Candidates for the Frazee-Vergas School Board were interviewed by district voters on Monday evening at the high school gym. Nearly 150 people, attended the panel discussions, sponsored by the Frazee Mrs. Jaycees, and many questions were asked of the candidates to get their views on education in the local schools.