5 years ago

Monday, March 31, 2020

Citizen’s Advocate

Rural Henning twins Blake and Blaine Wallevand celebrated their 18th birthday at a distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday night. As friends, family and community members lined the streets, the Wallevand twins were treated to a surprise birthday party featuring a variety of signs and even a trumpet solo that played Happy Birthday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the people on the street were asked to stay six feet apart during the drive through Henning’s along Douglas Avenue. The twins are the sons of Pete and Beth Wallevand and are seniors at Henning High School. 

Do you see that stuffed animal in the window? It’s part of a game that is meant to entertain children during the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures. There are bears that are dressed as a bunny, while others were suspended atop the Farmers Elevator. In fact, in just over one week there have been more than 40 teddy bear sightings in windows across the Henning area.

25 years ago

Thursday, April 6, 2000

The Henning Advocate

The Henning City Council members were busy last week, making decisions on various city improvements, housing opportunities and land issues during its monthly meeting. Bids for repairing the roof on the Seip Drug building, which the city owns, were discussed at length. The roof has been in disrepair, with moisture leaking into the building after each snowfall. The city council agreed to pay for half of the lower bid which was $13,400. Nate Seip wished to accept the higher bid of $16,495 and was willing to pay the difference. The council agreed to pay $6,700 of the cost of the roof. Any charges for time and materials over and above the bid of $16,495 will be divided equally between the city and Seip Drug.

Just taking the time to help… Area volunteers were being honored throughout the community for their efforts. At the Henning Health Care Center, volunteer Eleanor Hilsdreath has been assisting residents with their hair for over three decades. Harriet Anderson takes a moment to visit with a resident. Anderson comes to the center to read to the residents and visit every week. Other volunteers at local schools, hospitals, and other organizations were being celebrated this week as part of National Volunteer Recognition Week. Look for the words of figures throughout history about the benefits of volunteerism scattered throughout this issue of the Advocate and thank a volunteer this week for offering their assistance.

A lot of heartache for those who have been enjoying the rites of Spring. After a sunny weekend of heavy use, playgrounds stood empty as the snow fell all day long on Monday. A few vehicles went into the ditch, and spring sports such as track, golf and baseball were cancelled for students. Sprinter, that horrible flip-flop of Winter and Spring, has officially arrived.

75 years ago

Thursday, April 6, 1950

The Henning Advocate

Jim Hansen has taken on a partner in his business at Leaf Lakes, having entered into an agreement with John Neels, who has retired from his farming operations. The new firm will be known as Hansen & Neels Bait and Ice company. The partners plan to expand their wholesale and retail business.

Henning authorities suddenly decided to strictly enforce traffic regulations in the village and as a result, the following were taken “by surprise.” Ralph Webester, stop sign, $2.00 fine; Rollie Thiel, stop sign, $2.00; Otto Christenson, stop sign, $2.00; Ben Miller, stop sign, $2.00; John Poulson, parked by hydrant, $1.00. Norman Hanson, parked on crosswalk, $1.00; Virgil Oman, doubled parked 1 hour on Main Street, $1.00; Wesley Borgen, cut left to park, $1.00; Aloys Bjorklund, cut left to park, $1.00; Truman Erickson parked in front of stop sign, $1.00; Melvin Grefe, cut left to park, $2.00.

100 years ago

April 9, 1925

The Henning Advocate

The contract for the construction of the new creamery building has been let to J. P. Johnson of Fergus Falls by the building committee. The contract price is said to be $6,500, this being for the building proper. John Peters, who has been chosen “boss” of the job, says he will have the work going soon.

Very many American People are losing patience with the quibbling tactics of France in discussing some settlement of the French debt to America. French newspapers are cartooning Uncle Sam as the morder Shylock, demanding his pound of flesh. Many French politicians are denouncing America for even expecting France to repay the money we loaned her when she came begging, and crying that “France is bled white!” In every political speech in France today, French politics are telling of “how France saved the Americans colonies and made their independence possible.”

What are the cold, bold facts in this respects? The American colonies were oppressed by England. They had declared that they were “of a right and ought to be free.” England and France had been at each other’s throats as long as they had been nations of importance in the world. One war was scarce ended until another broke out. The history of France and England was noted with long details of wars and bloodshed. King Louis of France thought that even tentative aid to the American colonies would help weaken her ancient enemy, England. A little show of friendship, though Louis, and a little financial would help established the western hemisphere where France herself had colonies and ambitions, another enemy of England, which to the reasoning of King Louis meant a friend of France. A little money was advanced, a handful of soldiers were sent. America did appreciate the act of friendliness.

The World War was one. America unselfish, without thought of benefit for herself, did send millions of soldiers. Did send billions of dollars to help save France. The four billion she loaned were taken from the pockets of the American people, and loan in good faith to a friendly nation, as an act of friendliness. American spent like twenty five billion more to save France. This she does not ask, nor expect to be repaid,

More than fifty thousand soldiers lie in French soil. Statisticians have figured out that every American family pays $8.50 every year in interest on the France debt to us. They borrow our money and let the American family pay the interest. Is there any wonder why we are impatient?