​Messenger- July- 2019

THE MAZEPPA JOURNAL , Editor and Publisher: Barbara and Reider Tommeraas

FEBRUARY 4, 1949

Pros, cons argued on Liquor Store
At the regular meeting held Tuesday evening by the local council, pros and cons of a municipal liquor store were discussed.
First speaker was Harold Dressler, a Waterville attorney, who represented the local liquor dealers. Mr. Dressler spoke on the advantages of private ownership in the liquor business and cited several state cases where municipal operation wasn’t too successful. He also stated there was danger of opening the doors to communism through government-owned and operated enterprises. In closing, a plea for open-mindedness on the issue and a retainment of private enterprise was asked.
J.N. Searles, local councilman and chairman of a six-man investigating committee appointed by Mayor John Gruhlke to study the problem, then gave a series of reports on municipal stores throughout the state. Varying degrees of successful operation were disclosed with comparisons hard to make due to different locations, population, size of districts and whether wet or dry territories.
The neighboring towns of Pine Island and Zumbrota were mentioned and figures given indicating successful operation at these places. Pine Island showed for 1948 a net profit of $36,873.61 and Zumbrota’s report a net profit of $32,740.13.
The council decided to call a special meeting Feb. 10, at which time some action will be taken.
Members of the mayor’s committee were R.J. Tommeraas, Albert Oelkers, Ernest Hoefs, J.B. Gregoire, Leslie Graves and J.N. Searles.

​​Mazeppa Senior Class Presents Excellent Play
Two evenings of fine entertainment were enjoyed by many last Wednesday and Thursday, when the Mazeppa Senior class presented a farce comedy, “The Funny Brats.”
Miss Lucylee Conger is to be congratulated on her direction the play, which demonstrated the many hours of practice needed before a play is ready for the public. The cast was very well chosen and all were exceptional in their roles.
The two “brats,” (Melva Oelkers and Maurice Hoffman) in the roles of Harriet and Dick Gresham kept the household of Mrs. Sylvia Gresham (Jeanette Kuehn), their pretty widowed mother, in an uproar during the entire play. Big brother, Tom, (Frank Miller), already engaged Lauralee Lynde (Ellen Smith), soon found himself in the midst of love quarrel involving the renter, Gwynette Gadwood (Gloria Grossbach) and the servant, Aurora Borealis (Joanne Bright.) The “brats” really intended no harm, “they just wanted to get even with that bossy Tom.”
And then one day, the brats had another job, to get rid of Whaley McWhorter (Chris Palzer), who was seeking their mother’s hand. This they managed to do, with aid of Loren Gresham (Duane Rietman), an uncle who, despite his love for old manuscripts decided to take on another love, the Widow Gresham.
Hettie Higginbotham (Emily Lawrence) a very sweet old lady, failed to make her match. Gerald Kruger, in the humorous role of Boogerface Boggs, finally won the hand of Aurora, despite a mixup cause by the brats.
Glen Goodman acted as stage manager.

​EVENTUALLY THE MAIL ARRIVES
Minneapolis----A Minneapolis service man wrote to relatives from Tokyo April 23, 1946. He was discharged August 18, 1946, and came home. Late in 1948 the Tokyo letter arrived by airmail from Washington. A notation indicated that the original stamp had fallen off; finally some generous soul put on enough postage to get the letter to its destination. The addressee felt badly because the writer asked if there was anything special she’d like to have him bring from Japan.

Shortest Poem of the Week
Feb. 2 the groundhogs came out of their huts,
But as weather reporters, I think they’re nuts.

WANT ADS
FOR SALE----Holstein bull, 1 yr. old, or will trade for ear corn. Oswald Tri, Mazeppa
We specialize in installation of water systems. Also Aer-Motor windmill service, parts pump service and deep wells. J.N. Searles, Mazeppa, Minn.
For Sale---Third crop Alfalfa hay. Will trade for livestock. Glen Grossbach, Mazeppa

KILROY WAS THERE BUT ISN’T ANY MORE
Big Lake. ---The Gallaghers are might grateful that Kilroy was there: and sorrowfully regretful that, because he was there he isn’t there anymore. Kilroy was a smart kitten. About three o’clock one morning he leaped onto the Gallagher bed meowing furiously. They awoke in a room full of black smoke, shut off the oil burner, aired out and survived. Kilroy died evidently a victim of the fumes.