​Messenger- November- 2022

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1955

POSTOFFICE MOVED
The Mazeppa post office was moved Saturday from the Maas Block, to the former Kingsley building, now owned by S. H. Prigge. The new quarters are most attractive. A new heating system was installed and some interior remodeling done.

CHECK YOUR CLOSETS! LOOK AT THE GAP IN THE NEWSPAPERS!

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1955

Mazeppa Climaxes 100 Years of History With Two-Day Celebration
Mazeppa’s centennial celebration is over--- and visitors from far and wide agreed this small town of 500 population did itself up proud.

Monday started off with a kiddie parade at 3 p.m., under the direction of Mrs. J.B. Gregoire, Bobby Reiland led the parade on his horse carrying the American flag and following him was Ronnie Roland playing the accordion. Also, featured was Joan Fredrickson of Wanamingo leading a Shetland pony, which her brother David rode, with a baby Shetland following along. The groups of about 60 children were gaily attired in every kind of costume, and most of them rode trikes or pushed doll buggies.

Klein’s carnival --- an excellent one---got underway at suppertime and immediately drew hundreds of kids as customers. At 8 p.m. the Sunset Valley Barn Dance gang from KSTP drew a huge crowd on the outdoors stage in front of the creamery. They had stiff competition from the tilt-a-whirl’s noise, but those who had good spot in front of the stage thoroughly enjoyed it.

The giant centennial parade staged at 1 p.m. Tuesday was thoroughly enjoyed by the throng that attended, and the most comment herd was, “Why, this is much better than the larger towns can do.”

Containing 80 marching units and again blessed by perfect weather, the parade was led by Herb Vik on his horse, carrying the American flag. Following were the American Legion color guard and Mazeppa school band and descendants of the Seeley family. They included Frank Seeley of Red Wing, Mrs. Nellie Marshall of Minneapolis and Mrs. Alvis Hofrschulte and Norbert Krinke of Mazeppa. Other descendants honored in the parade were Mrs. John Searles, Mrs. Kenneth Blood and Becky Blood, great-granddaughter and great-great granddaughter, respectively of Joseph Ford. Ford brought the first groups of settlers to Mazeppa in 1855 and Ira Seeley was the first to settle in the township, in 1854.
Outstanding homemade floats were those of the Methodist choir, featuring a cross of roses and carrying gowned members, and of Oelkers’ Froz-n Foods. But attracting special attention were the Gahler orchestra riding on the Schmitt float; an old airplane towed on truck by Victor Holtorf; the Corvette entered by L.M. Hart, and the Thunderbird entered by Valley Motor & Implement Co., contrasted with old models; an old electric auto entered by Gregwire Electric, which operated on batteries; the 4-H floats; the old-time wagon driven by Mrs. Clarence Robinson for the Woman’s Improvement club, with members dressed to match; the oxen and covered wagon entered by People’s State bank and the Mazeppa auxillary marching unit.

Cy Helgerson and George Sand, who have worked together for 35 years, sported beards and plug hats as they rode together in an old car.
Four saddle clubs from Bellechester, Pine Island, West Concord and Lake City, took part in the parade and then participated in the big horse show at the Nick Reiland farm.
A very important part of the celebration was the display of antiques in the business windows, by the Woman’s Improvement club. It was one of biggest crowd attracters.
The celebration also was successful financially. The chairman, Clyde Thomas, announced this week that a big enough profit was made to purchase the Fourth of July fireworks.

MORE TO COME IN THE NEXT HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS ON THIS EVENT!
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Obituaries
Word was received here Monday evening of the accidental death of Sharon Goranson, 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Goranson of Frontenac.
She had been visiting at Forest City and was fatally injured from falling off a horse while horseback riding. Her foot apparently caught in the open stirrup and she was dragged by the frightened horse. Funeral services will be held this Thursday at the Methodist church in Lake City.