Looking back: Harms was named to ISD 192 school board this week in 1986

Talk about it

25 years ago

From the July 23, 1986

edition of the

Farmington Independent

Dr. Kim Harms is chosen for board

Dr. Kim Harms has been appointed to a one-year term as a District 192 school board member.

During a meeting of the board Monday night, Harms was selected from six other candidates to fill a vacancy created when Rita Aksamit resigned last spring....

The decision to appoint Harms was made by the four board members present at the meeting. Board Chairman Robert Shirley reported that Cliff Koski, who was absent, had asked him not to delay the vote because of his own absence.

The board has no written procedure on filling a vacancy. In order to decide, members, at the suggestion of Warren Sifferath, each initially wrote the names of two candidates he or she would favor for the opening....

Though the board did not delve into the qualifications of each candidate during the meeting, letters had been submitted stating candidates’ reasons and experience for the position.

50 years ago

From July 20, 1961

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

F.J. White buys burial assn. business

F.J. (Bud) White of Lakeville, purchased the former Minnesota Cooperative Burial Association funeral home, at 512 Oak St., Farmington.

The deal included the building and good will of the business and its equipment. It is a 45-day operation, contracted with Martin Stapf, trustee of the now dissolved Minnesota Cooperative Burial Association.

Mr. White, mortician and funeral director, also has a son, James, who is a mortician. Plans for the future include extensive remodeling of the building.

Postoffice dept. to seek bids for building

According to a letter received by James Gerster at Farmington from H. Orr, regional real estate officer, concerning the new post office building for Farmington, Mr. Orr states that he is now preparing to advertise for bids for the construction of a new building. He is also asking Mr. Gerster, owner of the present postoffice building here, for an indefinite extension of time on the Gerster building, whereby the postoffice may remain in its present location until the new building is ready.

A indefinite extension would be possible as Mr. Gerster, who owns and operates the Gerster Jewelry store here, has commitments to his landlord, the McHugh Bros., of Farmington and the jewelry store must be moved to the present postoffice building in a certain length of time....

The post office department’s lease with Mrs. Pearl Feely, former owner of the present postoffice building, expires September 1, 1961....

The lot on South Third street formerly the location of the Faith Ev.U.B. church, has been considered by the department as a suitable location for the new building.

“Ridiculous Days”

program is

unpredictable again

Local merchants again are throwing away the rule books for sane operation of their stores, Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30.

The crazy “Ridiculous Days,” will feature surprises galore. There will be ridiculously low prices and bargains in stores - plus unpredictable, and unrehearsed stunts.

Sidewalk sales were popular last year....

There’s a rumor that the Krazy Kommercial Klub is giving away free hot dogs on the main street. It might be from Lisle’s Café, or it might be on top of somebody’s building. You’ll have to come to find out what they’re going to pull off....

This year we hear, through another unconfirmed rumor, they’re going to hand out more gifts for such items as, lady with smallest foot, person with receipt for largest purchase on the two days. Youngest grandmother or grandfather; grandparent with most grandchildren; girl or boy with most freckles; family coming longest distance; largest family attending with the oldest car; oldest couple present; parent with youngest infant.

Anyone appearing in an original, goofed-up costume, will win a prize - you gotta come and see what the prize is - and you must be over 18 to win this one.

75 years ago

From the July 24, 1936

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

School election was largest ever

The largest vote in the history of the local school turned out at the annual election Tuesday night when Ernest Gerster was elected a new member of the school board and Mrs. C.A. Carlson was re-elected. C.B. Whittier, a board member and clerk for several years, was defeated....

The school board now composes the following: T.J. Feely, Chas. S. Lewis, D.C. Michel, H.C. Denzer, Mrs. C.A. Carlson and E.M. Gerster.

The treasurer’s report, a copy of which was handed to each voeter, showed the sum of $47,955.90 was received during the year and $34,749.66 was expended.

Inch of rain Monday ends drought, heat

Nearly an inch of rainfall early Monday morning and cooler weather since then is aiding to revive Dakota county’s crops and pastures.

The corn which was planted early tasseled prematurely and will yield little or no ears; however, corn planted late will fare better.

The long hot spell ruined much of the garden products....

Frank Ives says he took a trip around the south end of the county and estimates the early oats will be as good as last year but the late oats is poor and will be only a third of a crop....

Farmington and immediate vicinity had a fairly good rain Wednesday night but Jerome Akin ... says the rain there wasn’t worth measuring.

Beware of gasoline fumes when striking a match

How far gasoline fumes travel on a still, hot day was experienced here at 2:20 Friday afternoon when someone lighting a cigarette iginited gas fumes that for a time threatened to do serious damage at the Texaco station. Fortunately, no damage was done.

A bulk tank was unloading gasoline near the station and due to the heavy, muggy air, the fumes hung close to the ground instead of ascending.

When someone 20 feet away struck a match to light a cigarette, there was a puff of flames which enveloped the north side of the station and bulk tank.

Wm. Lehr, station owner, dashed to the rear end of the bulk tank and shut off the flowing gasoline. The driver drove the bulk tank across the street.

Although the fire department made a record run, the fire was out when the smoke eaters arrived.

100 years ago

From the July 21, 1911

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

School meeting

At the annual meeting for this district held at the school house last Friday evening, H.W. Hosmer was elected clerk. Mrs. A.K. Gray’s term having expired. After considerable discussion it was voted to raise the sum of $4,500 to carry on the school for the next year, and if it became necessary to hire another teacher to take advantage of the new law passed at the last legislature, by which a state high school which complies with the requirements of the state board in the establishment of a course in agriculture and manual training will receive an additional $1,000 of state aid. About forty-eight citizens attended the meeting.

The local news

About two weeks ago Alex Empey injured his knee quite badly by hitting it against the sharp point of the sickle guard on a binder. The point penetrated the flesh about an inch above the knee cap. Although it was very sore and stiff, Mr. Empey kept around attending to his harvest. The first of this week it began to get worse and blood poison was feared. He was taken to a hospital in the city Tuesday for treatment. Since going there he is improving and expects to be able to return soon.

The Gem theatre opens Saturday evening so do not fail to attend. 3,000 feet of the most beautiful pictures ever seen in the vicinity of Farmington.

Tags: community, farmington, history