Looking back: Dew Days was held in the park 10 years ago this week

Talk about it

10 years ago

From the June 29, 2000

edition of the

Farmington Independent

Greg Ohl is chosen to run district

The process has taken two separate interview processes and two months longer than originally planned, but in the end, the members of the District 192 Board of Education feel that finding the right candidate to replace retiring superintendent Robert Endersbe was worth the wait. Board members voted unanimously on Monday to offer the soon-to-be vacated position to Gregory Ohl, one of three finalists interviewed for the position last week....

In making their decision, board members cited Ohl’s leadership experience — he has 12 years experience as a superintendent ... his innovative approach to learning and his experience with the Minnesota legislature as factors that set him apart.

Farmington festival went ‘great,’ organizers say

Early last week, organizers of Farmington’s annual community celebration, this year named Dew Days, had cause for concern. Rain was in the forecast ....

“It was great,” said Kris Akin, one of the members of the event’s planning committee. “The weather held up and people showed up.”

Just how many people were present at any given time was difficult to tabulate. This year’s festival was held at Rambling River Park, the middle school and the Civic Arena, so events and the people were spread out....

The major change to the festival this year was its location. In previous years, it was held downtown, but the streetscape project prevented that from happening.

50 years ago

From the June 23, 1960

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Ambulance stays in Farmington

By a four to one vote, Farmington’s city council turned down the purchase of the Farmington ambulance from Russel Royce, at a special meeting Wednesday evening.

Royce proposed to sell the ambulance to the village for $2,500. However, the councilmen who turned down the proposition indicated the village does not have the drivers, nor the facilities, for handling the details of the ambulance….

Leonard Franke, local feed grinder the past 15 years, purchased the Farmington Ambulance Service from Russell Royce, following the turn-down of Royce’s offer by the Farmington village council.

Franke, who will continue his feed grinding business, purchased the ambulance more as a community service than a money-making venture. He said he hopes he can “break even” with the ambulance service….

Franke, who has a list of about 15 men who are willing to drive and act as attendants, expects to give the same fast, courteous service, as the former owner, Russel Royce. Incidentally Royce will continue as one of the drivers.

Jerome Akin files

for Comm.

Jerome Akin (incumbent) filed June 15, with the county auditor for commissioner of the 5th district.

Previously recorded were: I. W. Beaudoin and Roy C. Nelson for first district judge; Ray Driscoll for first commissioner district and Louis W. Wachter for 3rd Dist. The last day to file is July 25. The primary election is September 13, 1960.

Carnival still not certain for county fair

The Dakota County fair board is preparing the grounds for the Shrine Club Horse show, July 3 and 4, and the Dakota County Fair, August 10-14, according to E. W. Ahlberg, fair manager.

Buildings are being re-roofed, new steel safeway bleachers are being installed, and the grounds are being put into shape….

By next week the fair board hopes to have definite information on a carnival for next week. The carnivals in the state are having a dispute with the state board of electricity, and the carnival association previously announced cancellation of carnival appearances in Minnesota….

Whether the Rogers Brothers Carnival would appear here for the fair was not certain at this writing....

Henry Fox is the new president of the fair board, replacing the retiring William Carroll.

75 years ago

From the June 28, 1935

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Snow removal meet Saturday

Snow removal will be discussed by rural mail carriers, milk truck drivers, doctors, farmers and others, at a meeting to be held in the dining room of the Jefferson hotel, Saturday night of this week. Anyone else who is interested in snow removal is requested to attend this meeting.

At the meeting here Saturday night a committee will be appointed to go before the county board July 10 when the important subject will be discussed.

Rice county recently voted to buy four snow removal units, and it was voted to plow out all mail route roads, which includes all roads in the county.

President recommends E. J. Ryan’s Milk Bill

President Roosevelt, on Tuesday, June 19th, recommended to the Bureau of the Budget that $200,000.00 be appropriated to extend the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation of the distribution and sale of milk and dairy products. This action was in line with H.J.R. 250 introduced on April 18th by Congressman Elmer J. Ryan after he had conferred with the President on the dairy situation.

The President based his recommendation upon a report made to him after a conference, held here last Saturday, which was attended by the three members of the Federal Trade Commission.

Adult class to study ‘crime’

The Community club of Farmington is sponsoring a series of instructions given by university graduates, who are employed by the government. The class is open to every adult and the work is free, including all reading matter.

Different subjects will be discussed and on Thursday night the topic will be “Crime.” The meeting is open for discussion and some interesting sessions are promised.

Last Thursday evening about 15 were present and economic reconstruction was the lesson. Those present were very enthusiastically decided to go on with the work from week to week.

115 years ago

From the June 27, 1895

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

The Local News

Jim Brant has placed a fountain in the show window of his restaurant and has a number of fish in the basin.

Needham Bros. have been engaged in straightening up a barn in Lakeville which was blown over by the heavy winds last week.

Geo. Syckes was in the cities Tuesday purchasing lumber and building materials for a new house which he has in contemplation.

J. P. Marsh and wife, C. B. Whittier and wife, Mrs. N. Seeley, Mrs. W. A. Gray and Rev. Jas. Rodgers are in attendance at the county Sunday school convention at Randolph today and tomorrow.

This vicinity has been most fortunate thus far. While storms and hail are striking on all sides of us and ruining crops this community has a stand of grain seldom equaled and never eclipsed in the history of the state. A very large yield, barring accidents, is assured and the outlook for the return of prosperity was never better.

There was no unusual sound last Thursday evening; no boisterous shouting; nothing that would indicate the return of the baseball aggregation from Owatonna. They came, but like the thief in the night, silence prevailed. The reason for this was apparent when it was learned they had played second best — but second is better than no place. The score was Owatonna, 21; Farmington, 15.

Tags: community, farmington, history