Living history: Squirrel makes home in overcoat pocket

15 years ago

Excerpts from the Aug. 10, 2000 Pioneer Journal

• Wadena HRA still seeking a director

When the Wadena Housing and Redevelopment Authority held a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 3, they discussed the issue of having a mutual director, one for both them and the Wadena Development Authority.

Their discussions were for naught, however, as Jarrod Olson, the man recently hired as the WDA director, turned down their offer.

"Each agency would be best served with its own director," Olson said.

Wadena City Attorney Mark Hansen submitted a written opinion on the subject to the board before they spoke with Olson. Hansen did not recommend hiring Olson to head the HRA without advertising the position first. He said offering the job to Olson would not be illegal, but it would appear "inappropriate and possibly subject both organizations and the city to claims of employment discrimination."

The board began going over applications received when they first advertised the HRA director position. They also decided to advertise the position for two weeks. They will then go over all the applications. They need someone with both housing and management experience.

35 years ago

Excerpts from the Aug. 13, 1980 Pioneer Journal

• Fire crews fight two blazes Friday

The Wadena Fire Department responded to two calls last Friday. The first call, at approximately noon Friday, involved a tractor owned by Timothy Bushey which caught fire in Leaf River Township.

Edinger said Bushey had filled the tractor with gasoline just prior to the fire. Minimal damage was reported.

The second fire occurred at 5 p.m. Friday at Hanson's Wood Shred, Highway 10 West. Edinger said the material in the hopper on top of the building caught fire and that fire crews worked for about two hours to wet down the material to stop the blaze.

The cause of that fire was not known.

55 years ago

Excerpts from the Aug. 11, 1960 Pioneer Journal

• Lights now operating at Wadena airport

The Wadena airport is now operational for night flying. This became a reality Tuesday night when the newly installed lights were turned on for the first time.

With the new installation complete the field can now be used by pilots who wish to land or take off in their planes after dark.

The village council had the work done this summer, having received the bids on the job late in April. The original date for completion of the work was july 10 and most of it was finished at that time, but failure of some parts to arrive until a few days ago made it necessary to hold up completion until early this week.

The new installation includes 39 elevated runway lights, two clearance lights and a lighted wind cone, plus the wire and other necessary accessories. Most of these are placed along the 4,000 foot north-south runway with some so placed they are available for use on the northeast-southwest and southeast-northwest runways if needed.

When the lights were turned on for the first time Tuesday night some local pilots were on hand and made flights in their planes in an unofficial "inauguration" of the new facility.

75 years ago

Excerpts from the Aug. 8, 1940 Pioneer Journal

• Squirrel makes home in overcoat pocket

A tame gray squirrel is a family pet at the Albert Bye farm home in Four Corners. He was brought from the woods last spring while quite small. He lives chiefly on nuts and peanuts brought him from the store and at night he sleeps in the pocket of an old overcoat upstairs.

When he has more peanuts than he can eat he stores them in some old shoes or pockets.

• Edinger opens meat market

Leo P. Edinger, long known in Wadena, this week formally opened a retail meat market in the building on Aldrich Avenue formerly occupied by Fink's store. The grand opening is scheduled for thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Interior of the building was remodeled. it now provides an office, large refrigerator and two workrooms. New fixtures were also installed to give Wadena another fine retail meat market. A stock of groceries will be carried. Delivery service is planned.

Edinger has been a resident of Wadena since 1912. Ed Erickson, also long known in Wadena, will be employed by Edinger.