Looking back: Farmington’s Army reserves unit was deactivated here

Talk about it

25 years ago

From the Dec.23, 1987

edition of the

Farmington Independent

Voice of Democracy Contest

The Farmington V.F.W. Post 7662 participated in the 41st Annual Voice of Democracy contest for high school students. This year’s theme is “America’s Liberty -- Our Heritage.”

Students compete for prizes worth up to $43,000 in scholarships for advancing to the national finals held in Washington, D.C. These students write and record an original speech 3-5 minutes in length.

Local winners are: 1st, Carla Orndorff - $500; 2nd, Laura Schoolmeester - $250.00; 3rd, Natalie Randall $100.00. Carla’s speech will be entered in the State regional meet held at Mankato during the next week.

50 years ago

From the Dec.20, 1962

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Santa’s sleigh could have been an ambulance!

Santa’s sleigh could have seen ambulance duty here Saturday, but the Jolly One’s injury was not serious enough.

Between performances at the Farmington Lyric Theatre, he suffered a sprained hand, in another part of town, falling downstairs while visiting a special friend.

Santa decided “the show must go on.” After medical attention, he presented the second batch of gifts to show-going youngsters – with one hand bandaged.

It got somewhat painful toward the end, he said.

Model of new Central Dakota Hospital shown

The scale model of Farmington’s new Central Dakota Hospital, was unveiled by Architect S.C. Smiley, at a board meeting Wednesday evening.

In looking at the hospital, one would be facing southeast, Highway 3 would be to the right, and County Road 27 (old number) would be to the left.

The board indicated there may be a public meeting in January regarding the final plans.

According to a report from the publicity committee, the hospital is a U-shaped building with an open interior court providing daylight space to portions of the hospital rooms and administrative area....

The laboratory, x-ray, surgery, obstetrics, and nursery are located along the westerly portion of the “U.”...

The southern portion of the “U” will be occupied by the patients’ rooms, grouped around a central service core which would also contain the central sterile and supply room, medical, surgical, isolation, obstetrical and pediatric sections. Most rooms have a southern exposure with some a northern exposure on open court.

Reserve unit here will be deactivated

The 62 men and five officers of Farmington’s army reserve unit will be de-activated and absorbed in a unit at Fort Snelling in the near future.

Farmington’s “D” Company will still be a part of the 4th Medium Tank Battalion, 33rd Armored Division, but will hold their training sessions at Fort Snelling....

Instead of seven units which comprise the battle group, there will now be five units forming a battalion.

Reorganization of the Reserves is designed to increase the combat reserves of the Reserve forces, by reassigning men from low priority units to high priority units, by increasing the equipment available to these high priority units for training, and by increasing the number of instructors and trainers assigned to these units.

Sig Flaata to retire from FBI

Sig Flaata, of Farmington, announces his retirement as special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, effective Dec. 31, 1962.

Flaata, who has been a special agent with the FBI for 21 years has served in FBI offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and for the past 10 years has been assigned to the St. Paul area.

75 years ago

From the Dec. 24, 1937

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Santa leaves loads of cheer

Hundreds of children throughout the countryside came to town Saturday afternoon and received bags of goodies from dear old Santa Claus, the festivities being held on the first floor of city hall.

Favored by fairly warm weather, Santa, standing on the front bumper of a new Ford pickup, waved greetings to everyone as his procession moved down the street and paused in front of the city hall, where a large crowd of youngsters waited....

The smiling throng of youngsters – orderly too – filed through the fire engine room and each got a bag of candy, nuts and an orange, besides a chance to shake the hand of their friend from the far-off North Pole. R. G. Shirley’s committee aided Santa in passing out the bags....

About 400 kids attended the free movie as guests of Santa and the Farmington Commercial Club at Lyric Theatre Tuesday morning and afternoon.

2 named on water board

Mayor Wm. McHugh has appointed two new members of the village water board to take the place of H. W. Hosmer and C. E. Cadwell, who resigned.

The new board members are E. D. Akin and E. Leon Whittier. I. G. Empey is the third member of the board.

The retiring members have served faithfully and efficiently. Mr. Cadwell has been on the board since 1920 and was chairman several years. Mr. Hosmer has been a member for the past five years.

Masons and Stars elect officers

At recent meetings Corinthian Lodge A. F. and A. M., and Myrtle Chapter, O.E.S. elected officers.

The Masons elected the following:

George Empey, Worshipful master; Roman Kubista, Sr. Warden; Ardell Hanson, Jr. Warden; George R. Day, Secretary; P. C. Records, Treasurer.

The Eastern Star lodge elected:

Mrs. Ardell Hanson, Worthy Matron; Mrs. Leslie Hysell, Assoc. Matron; Mrs. James Stevens, Conductress; Mrs. Donald Whittier, Assoc. Conductress; Mrs. C. S. Lewis, Secretary; Mrs. L. A. Godby, Treasurer.

100 years ago

From the Dec. 20, 1912

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

That homecoming

We have talked with quite a number in and out of Farmington and we find the homecoming proposition as outlined by the Tribune in recent issues is meeting with approval and the project will not be wanting in the way of support, as these people are ready to put their shoulder to the wheel and give it any support needed.

It will be a glorious old meeting – the hundreds who have lived in Dakota County and are living in every part of the world coming here next summer to meet old friends and talk over the past and enjoy a week together in a way they often thought they would like to. They would all come if they knew it and every means will be brought forth to get their address and notify them.

Men and women scattered all over the United States and Canada and a number in foreign lands to come to Farmington next summer to meet their old friends! Say, it will be worth going a hundred miles to see “that meeting” of those who had long ago given up ever meeting that old friend this side of the Great Divide.

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