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News from the week of August 23, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

Motorists can soon reclaim construction-torn streets

Construction-torn streets are finally starting to shape up in Tracy.

Work was well underway Tuesday, filling in and packing streets affected by Tracy's $1.7 million sewer and water improvement project. Unless wet weather puts a damper on progress, all 14 blocks of construction-affected streets should be in driveable condition by the end of this week, according to Public Works Director Don Polzine.

“The end is in sight,” Polzine said.

Scott Olson Digging construction crews made good progress Monday and Tuesday, filling in excavated streets. The streets are receiving one foot of recycled aggregate material, and six inches of gravel, in preparation for 3 1/2 inches of bituminous surfacing. All underground work—storm sewers, water mains, catch basins and sewer lines—has been installed and passed tests.


Church of Christ faithful celebrating 75th anniversary

Special services planned Sunday

The Tracy Church of Christ celebrates its 75th anniversary on Sunday, August 27 with special services. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. with a Worship Communion Service set at 11 a.m. Tom Dobson, son of Pastor and Mrs. Homer Dobson, will speak. The church youth will sing.

Following the morning worship service, the congregation plans a banquet at the Mediterranean beginning at 12:30.

“This will enable all of the visitors to fellowship with and renew friendships with the people who still live in this area and are active in the church,” says Pastor Dobson.

Following the banquet an afternoon anniversary service will be held.


Lightning-struck tree leaves artistic mark in Shetek woods

Usually when lightning strikes something, bad things happen. That wasn't the case last Wednesday night, however, as a bolt of lightning created what some folks are calling a “work of art.”

At around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday night at Lake Shetek State Park, campers in the main campground heard two loud cracks and simultaneously saw a huge ball of fire for a split second. The commotion took place about 150 feet behind the camper of Shetek Camp Hosts Joel and Verna Stoesz. Verna was finishing up supper when she and her husband heard the sounds.

“We were just in our camper listening to the storm and then we heard two loud cracks or crashes. The bangs actually jolted us in our seats! I don't remember seeing any flash of light, but the neighbors across the way said the area exploded into a huge ball of fire for a little bit. It's kind of scary.”


Past royalty invited to Miss Tracy `Queen's Tea'

All past Miss Tracy royalty and candidates are invited to a special event on Box Car Days weekend.

The “Queen's Afternoon Tea” is set Sunday, Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m., in the Twin Circle Activity Room. All past candidates throughout the seven-decade history of Miss Tracy are invited to attend. Mothers of past Miss Tracy participants are also invited.

“It is our hope that this can become an annual event,” comments Colleen Schiller, who is helping organize the tea.

Mrs. Minnesota Susan Nelson is the keynote speaker. The Shetek area resident will speak about children's issues.


Working on railroad?

At first glance, it appeared that the Chicago & Northwestern was breaking in a new maintenance crew early Tuesday morning in Tracy. Actually, volunteers for the Tracy American Legion turned out to help pour cement for a new veterans' monument being erected at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum. The Legion hopes to complete the monument this fall and conduct dedication ceremonies on Veterans' Day.

The museum's 1915 steam switch engine looms in the background.


1862 Dakota Conflict remembered

On Saturday, August 19, a group of 30-40 history buffs gathered at Shetek State Park to observe the 138th anniversary of Dakota Conflict events which occurred near Lake Shetek on August 20, 1862.

"There were no winners," said local historian Bill Bolin in his talk about the 1862 events. "Everyone was a loser."

Bolin stated that the biggest losers were the 38 Native Americans executed in Mankato in late 1862, and the 14 white settlers who were killed near or at Shetek.

Eight white women and children who survived the fighting at Slaughter Slough east of Shetek were later taken captive by a Dakota Indian band led by Chief White Cloud. The captives were later rescued by a group of young Teton Lakota braves who earned the title of "Fool Soldiers."