5 years ago

Citizen’s Advocate

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019

There is a large flicker of light glowing on the north side of Highway 108 near Ottertail. As motorists fly by an otherwise dark stretch of road, the Dave and Louise Trana home lights up the sky with Christmas lights as far as the eye can see. Over the course of several days, depending upon weather of course, the Tranas transform their front yard into a lit up Christmas wonderland of reindeer, Santa Claus and lights that shine for motorists passing by on Highway 108. In fact, Louise Trana said she isn’t even sure how many decorations she has accumulated over the years. 

The city of Ottertail is getting a new fitness center.  On Thursday the Otter Fitness Garage will open its doors for the first time to new members.  Owners, Joe and Kristi Hammers of Ottertail, said they have heard from people for quite some time about the need for a gym and fitness center in the Ottertail area.  Their idea to start a gym in the old Wiebe Garage on West Main Street is now in the final stages as it gets set to open on Thursday.

Sadie Witt may have taken a hiatus from the hair salon she helped to create, but her heart always remained at the Shimmer Shack in Henning. Twelve years after starting the 2nd Street salon, and leaving to work at the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Witt has returned to the Shimmer Shack to fill a need at the business.  After completing her training last February, Witt returned to the Shimmer Shack early last year to work on lashes.

25 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Jan. 13, 1999

Judy Hinzmann is now on duty to answer questions and take orders for Henning Municipal Gas. About 300 customers need to sign up for the service in order for the city to proceed with construction of the system, which would then be owned and operated by the City of Henning. As of late last week, about 70 customers had signed up.

Young fisher persons such as Taylor Perla and Bailey Frazee were among the fortunate in the Henning Rod & Gun Club’s annual Ice Fishing Derby, held last Saturday on Middle Leaf Lake. Perla sports an 18-1/4-pound northern while Frazee’s fish on the same stripe weighed in at 15 pounds. The derby is conducted on a catch and release basis.

The second week in February is to feature the Henning Chamber’s annual assault on winter, the Winter Crazy Days & Medallion Hunt. This year’s hunt is to feature a $500 Lucky Bucks prize to be funded once again with as many donations as possible, but with the understanding that any shortfall will be made up out of chamber funds.

50 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Jan. 10, 1974

Supt. Jens Ree told the Henning Board of Education at its regular meeting that his efforts to conserve on the schools heating fuel supply earlier in the winter may result in the school running short before the end of the term if allocations are cut as suggested. The school received its allotment of 7,000 gallons in December and expects to receive 14,000 gallons during January, Ree said, but officials have informed him that future allocations may have to be cut 20 percent, which may result in the school running short before the end of the year, he said.

75 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Jan. 13, 1949

A crop of 99.87 bushels per acre won the corn growing championship in this country it was learned today. Mr. Lester Young of Henning is the corn grower who has made this outstanding yield in this locality in competition in which over 5,000 farmers in 22 states and Canada participated according to officials of this biggest corn competition.

100 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Jan. 10, 1924

Travelers report that the price of a room in a first class hotel in Vienna is anywhere from 5,000 to 40,000 crowns a day. Forty percent of this goes to the municipality. A similar tax is imposed on the charge for heating rooms and there is a tax of 10 percent on the cost of meals.

Several valuable train loads of oriental silk have passed through Otter Tail County in the past on the main line of the Northern Pacific, but the most valuable cargo of this kind went through on the Great Northern last Monday and Tuesday. The consignment valued at $12,000,000 came from Seattle in four special trains consisting of five baggage cars each and were under heavy guard.

125 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Jan. 12, 1899

An exchange explains why a locomotive is like a woman and is called “she.” They wear a jacket, an apron, have shoes, hose and drag a train behind them; have a lap, need guides, ride wheels, will turn out for pedestrians and sometimes foam and refuse to work, they attract the meant, sometimes act very contrary and it always takes a man to manage them.