5 years ago

Frazee-Vergas Forum

November 6, 2018

Frazee High School’s robotics advisor, Andy Paulson, was surprised with a Coach of the Year accolade at a recent competition in Bemidji. Paulson brought Frazee’s team, KAOTIC (Keeping Ahead of Technology in Communities), to students seven years ago. Since then, the robotics program has been to World Competition three times, three they were the first Minnesota high school team to be ranked first in division play. They swept regionals last year, earning two championships and took the state title. Overall, they have a record of 72 wins and 13 losses.

The Frazee Fire Department is considering a notable increase to the city and townships it serves in 2019 and 2020. Aside from the city of Frazee, the department serves the townships of Burlington, Silver Leaf, Evergreen and Height of Land.

Being a voice for someone else can be a reward in and of itself. A Frazee area veteran is giving back to his community in multiple ways. U.S. Army National Guard veteran Darius Simon served in the U.S. Army National guard from May of 2003 until 2008. During his years of service Simon spent one year with the 256th Brigade station in the country of Iraq.

25 years ago

Frazee Forum

November 5, 1998

A grease cooking fire got out of control and destroyed Edie Dretsch’s home near Frazee last Thursday. The fire alarm went off at 5:18 p.m., and firemen rushed to the home, located across from the big turkey on 105th Street. The kitchen and second floor bedroom were extensively damaged by the flames, said Frazee Fire Chief Gerald “Mitch” Mitchell. Smoke damaged the remainder of the house. Edie Dretsch and her son Alan were at home at the time of the fire. Alan had been cooking in the kitchen, Mitchell said. Daughter Marie also lives in the home.

When the guns ceased at the end of the “war to end all wars,” it was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That moment took place 80 years ago. It became the basis for Armistice Day, which is now known as Veterans Day, and there aren’t many people around anymore who remember the event taking place. The origin of the Nov. 11 holiday has become a line in the history books, just as the war to end all wars became one in a string of conflicts in which Americans have served.

Chuck and Brenda Minge are expanding their commitment to Frazee with plans for a manufacturing plant, food processing, craft sales, a cappuccino bar and a Mexican restaurant. These plans became firmer Friday when the Minges purchased the Baer Building, located at the corner of Lake and Main, from Jerry and Lorna Arneson. The Baer Building will be renamed “Sky View City Centre” in honor of the historic Sky View Cafe which operated in the building from about 1948-1966.

50 years ago

Frazee Forum

November 8, 1973

Floyd Jacobs will be Frazee’s new mayor Jan. 1 as he received 147 write-in votes for the office at the Frazee Village election Tuesday. Jacobs will replace Bob Matthews, mayor since 1965, who did not seek re-election. Others receiving write-in votes were Kermit Otto 14, Bob Matthews 12, Emil Wick 12, Anthony Dretsch, Don Rasmussen, Ray Mason, Earle Eck, Marvin Riemann, and Kenneth Ketter, all one vote each.

Vergas will have a new councilman come January 1 as the result of that village’s edition held Tuesday. In a four-way race for two trustee posts, incumbent Don Zitzow was re-elected with 81 votes and Brian Glawe won a council position with 53 votes. Challenger Rollie Oehlerich received 45 votes and incumbent Vernon Stardig placed fourth in the balloting with 37. Gordon Dahlgre was re-named mayor, defeating challenger Jennings Ehlke 93 to 16. Arndt Baker received one write-in vote. A strong turnout of 111 voters cast ballots in the Vergas election.

Dassel-Cokato scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to edge Frazee’s Hornets 7-2 in a playoff of Minnesota State High School conference champions on Saturday afternoon in Dassel. The victory assured Dassel-Cokato, winners of the Wright County league, of a Class B playoff berth. The loss gave coach Frank Hesby’s Hornets, Heart O’Lakes conference title winners, a 7-3 season record.