I Read It In The Lowry News

Lydia Bjorklund was the Pope County Tribune's roving reporter for the Lowry area. Each week she captured the scoop on the happenings in Lowry. This trove was published in a "Lowry News" segment on p.8 of the Tribune. Any social interaction that occurred in Lowry was destined for a line or two. My aunt Ruth seethed, as every time her car arrived in Ole Hoplin's drive, it was reported in the PCT.  "Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Lundin and family and Ruth Hoplin of Minneapolis spent the weekend with their parents, the Ole Hoplins".

Some kind of radar involved it seemed. But, I believe Lydia's column was the most-read item in the paper - by Lowry-ites at least. No secrets in a small town. (see The Lowry News post).

But during my era in Lowry, there was also a tradition of printing a stand-alone "Year in Review" in a Christmas issue of the "Lowry News", a compendium of all the notable happenings in the village for that year. I think the Starbuck Times did the publishing. I have custody of a few copies of this publication, saved by a relative. The "news" included notable events in the life of a small town: births, deaths, swimming certificates earned  - all recorded for posterity. (e.g. d hoplin, intermediate swimmer certificate, 1959. Although to this day, swimming is still desperately trying to stay alive in the water).

And often a pithy saying: "A pleasant thought for the holidays - pushing yourself away from the table at the right time is a surer way of controlling weight than trying diet fads."

Here are some tidbits extracted from these classics.


Dec 1935 - 1944 briefly

1935
New elevator opens
1936
Highway 55 completed through Lowry
1937
Fire completely destroys the Lowry Roller Mill (see Lowry's Best post)
1939
Waterworks system installed. A WPA project. (see Depression Years post)
Hwy 114 constructed to Starbuck (see Lake Malmedal post)
Counterfeit bills were found in circulation
1940
Jo Moellers buys Lowry Cafe from James Robieson
Leland Thompson is the new barber (see The Barber Shop post)
Armistice Day storm leaves Lowry streets looking like canyons.
1941
Lowry bowling team had a good record
1942
Philemon Chan family have 5 sons in military service (see Lowry Area Honor Roll  and Othelia's Story  x8 posts)
1944
Hilmer Opheim bought the Lowry Meat Market and Locker.

Dec 1950

Children have a fine record in Water Safety Achievment: Jr Life Savers:  Martha Engebretson & Lorraine Heggestad

New Homes in 1950: Signer Rykhus, Phil Wagner, Oliver Bartos & Cal Smith moved into new homes in the past year.

Skating Rink: The skating rink just south of the clinic has been flooded and put into readiness by the Legion Post and the young folks are enjoying it every day. (see The Rink post)

Record Price: Oscar Smedstad, manager of the Starbuck Shipping Assn, stated that a record price was received for 2 bulls shipped to So.St. Paul. One bull, weighing 1725 lbs received 27¢ a pound for a total of $465.75.

Dec 1953

Dr. L.S. Wright of Minneapolis has opened his office for the practice of general dentistry in the clinic building in Lowry. Dr. Wright graduated from St. Olaf College in 1943 and from the Dental College of the University of Minnesota in 1947. He was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in October. (see Main Street West Side post)

Signer Rykhus home.  ...Just a little way west of town looms his home, conspicuous even with its white paint against a wide background of snow. The white rail fence around the two acres of land catches and holds the eye. Here the hatchery man lives with his wife and two sons and two daughters ranging in age from 12 years to a little baby - and three saddle horses. His stable in this age of gasoline fumes is a landmark of the countryside.

Hoplin & Nelson. With a highly attractive new 50-foot front on its Lowry store and new shelves and general beautification of the interior of the large building, the firm of Hoplin & Nelson has taken another step in its steady advance of many years and stands well out in the foreground to is wide area of customers in its varied and intricate field of benefit to humanity. (see Hoplin & Nelson and/or A Good Place to Trade posts)

Leroy Molander opened the doors of a new International Harvestor dealership.

Swenson's Superette opened. A big-little grocery store.

Dec 1959

Lowry Bank open house. "More than 600 persons attended open house in observance of the new ownership of the Lowry Bank on Saturday.  Clifford E. Mork, the bank's new president was pleased over the nice response from the people ..."

Charles Thompson, after 2 years in the army at For Devins, MA, started working at Lowry State Bank.

Pastor Fred Granstrom moved from Herndon, Kansas to Lowry to take over the Mission Covenant Church.

Chester H. Bennet was reelected Mayor of Lowry receiving 47 of 52 votes cast.

Merlin Heggestad is enjoying a 30 day leave from his Navy service.

The Dingwall twins, Bonnie & Betty are assisting at the Kalina Cafe after school hours.

Dec 1961

Pastor & Mrs. H.N. Schey were guests of honor at a farewell reception in St. Paul's Lutheran Church parlors. Pastor Schey has accepted a call to serve a two point parish in rural Madison, Minnesota. His parishioners regret his departure and their best wishes go with him

Dingwall Tire and Oil is a new business in the new building constructed on Highway 55 a short distances west of Lowry Village. It is owned and operated by Jim Dingwall.

Dec 1963

Three sons of Mr. & Mrs Harold Weisel were married in 1963. Harvey Weisel & Beverly Huntley. Roger Weisel and Marlys Westphal. Eugene Weisel & Marcia Gulbrandson.

The Vrooman Grocery and Post Office building has had its face lifted from floor to ceiling. These improvements give the buildings a distinctive look.

Dec 1964

St. Paul's Lutheran Church celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special service led by Rev. Odd Gornitzka. Pastor Allen Hagstrom, son of the congregation, preached the sermon.




Copyright © 2018 Dave Hoplin