5 years ago

Frazee-Vergas Forum

April 23, 2019

Vergas is known for many things. Along with the small-town charm of the village nestled in amongst the lakes, fields and forests of central Minnesota, Vergas offers a few of its own hidden gems. There is a the lofty loon that overlooks the northern shores of Long Lake. There is the legendary Hairy-man lurking the woodlands of the Vergas trails. And then, there are the cats of Vergas Hardware. For the past three years Lightning and Stanley have been the official mascots for the local hardware store, the latest version of what has become a bit of a tradition.

On the evening of April 17 a question was posed on social media: “For those who have been coached by Clay Nagel, what was the most valuable lesson he taught you (either on the mat or about life)?” In less than a half hour there were more than 20 responses from former wrestlers and students. They shared details on how the retiring head wrestling coach at Frazee High School had shaped their character and helped them improve their lives. Nagel recently resigned as the head coach of the Hornet wrestling program. Ross Lefebrve has since been hired for the job. Nagel said the 29-year-old Lefbve was a wrestler he recruited while coaching at Concordia, and he looks forward to the Hornet program having continued success under the new coach’s leadership. While Nagel admits it may be tough to cope being away from the varsity mat, he devised a plan to still give him his fix of wrestling. “I might help with the little kids program,” he said. “I still want to be involved, but at a different level.”

25 years ago

Frazee Forum

April 22, 1999

Harvest Fellowship Church still plans to move to Frazee, but the exact location is now uncertain. “We’re going to move to Frazee,” said Pastor Joe Clauson. “That’s pretty sure.” However, the interdenominational charismatic church, now based in Detroit Lakes, may possibly move to some place other than the former Frazee elevator. Originally, a portion of the old elevator on West Main Avenue was scheduled to be razed to provide space for the building of a new church building. However, loan complications have developed and the church may not be in a position to build in the immediate future, said Clauson. “If we don’t get the loan, we’ll be renting, so we won’t be doing any capital improvements,” he said.

For the second year, Rita Schaefer of Frazee has been chosen as the Becker County Dairy Princess. She was crowned at the Becker County Dairy Princess Ball Friday. The other candidates were: Jennie Totland, Detroit Lakes, and Melinda Darling, Audubon. Schaefer, daughter of Roger and Anita Schaefer, will again be the ambassador for Becker County’s dairy industry. She, Darling and Totland will all be candidates in the Region 1 Dairy Princess Contest in Thief River Falls June 14. The state’s regional winners will compete for the state Princess Kay of the Milky Way title, given at the Minnesota State Fair grounds Aug. 25.

50 years ago

Frazee Forum

April 25, 1974

Dan Smith was named Frazee’s Outstanding Wrestler for 1973-74 at the second annual banquet sponsored by the Frazee Wrestling Booster’s Club at the Methodist Church basement on Friday night. Smith was awarded a trophy and his name added to a plaque which is displayed at the school. Over 100 wrestlers, parents, coaches and guests attended the banquet. Maynard Aho, Wrestling Booster’s Club president, was master of ceremonies.

Marlyce Extension has announced the sale of The Fashion beauty salon and Hide-A-Way Boutique to Richard and Sharon Sortland of Fargo. The new owners will take over the businesses May 1. Mr. and Mrs. Sortland have two children, Shelly, 6, and Sherry, 4. They plan to move to Frazee in the very near future. Richard Sortland is a graduate of the Vera Duane Academy of Hair Design in Minneapolis and took his instructor’s training at Josef’s in Fargo. Sharon is a beautician and a graduate of Josef’s in Fargo. She was formerly employed in Oakes, N.D., and is presently an instructor at Josef’s. The present staff at The Fashion will be maintained, Sortland’s stated. Marlyce Extension started The Fashion 4 1/2 years ago in the bank building. Last year she moved the business to its present location and started the Hide-A-Way Boutique gift shop.