Historical Happenings

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1955

Santa Claus To Visit Area Children Thursday

The annual Christmas Party sponsored by Mazeppa business men will be held in the Mazeppa school gymnasium on THURSDAY, December 22 at 8:15 p.m. All children in the Mazeppa area are most cordially invited to attend this party. Late word tells us that Santa Claus will again stop by to distribute a generous bag of treats to each boy and girl. Santa will also take time to chat with every child who wishes to talk with him.

Featuring the evening’s program will be a Christmas operetta entitled “She Didn’t Believe,” by Catherine Allison Christie. All the children in grades 1-6 will take part in this holiday presentation. Mrs. Hoppe, Miss Bjorngaard, Miss Laura Reeve, Mrs. Peper and Miss Ruth Reeve will combine their efforts in direction the operetta. The story tells of a little girl who doesn’t believe in Christmas. When she came South with her family for the holidays, she felt she would be free from what she considered nonsense and would be truly modern. However, she finds that no one will play with her. Each group in turn is too busy and too happy at this time of year to have much to do with such a queer little girl. She is finally visited by the Merchant’s Association which asks her to leave town because she is rapidly spoiling their business. Her arrogance quickly leaves. She is tactful and repentant; and with the help of the elves she is soon restored to happiness.

Opening the program for the Christmas party will be the high school girls’ glee club and soloists singing familiar and appropriate Christmas songs under the direction of Mr. Harry Prouty.

Committees of Mazeppa Commercial Club members are in charge of the party arrangements.

Warren Grossbach Barn Lost in Fire Sunday (Picture)

Only basement, milk house and silo pictured above, remained after fire destroyed a 32 x 48 barn Sunday afternoon on the Warren Grossbach farm. Also lost were 2,000 bales of hay, stanchions, water cups, pressure system and milk machine. Livestock was saved by quick action on part of Mr. Grossbach and neighbors who turned all out before top story caved in. One calf, although turned loose, was lost. A crew of neighbors and friends cleared away debris Monday and a temporary roof on basement was built Tuesday and Wednesday. Until stanchions, etc. are replaced, livestock is being housed on neighboring farms.

Large Number Participates In Creamery Day Program

Pictured: Seated at the registration desk is Mrs. Gilbert Schmitt, office secretary, and Kenneth Tupper, secretary of creamery association. Standing is Mrs. Winfred Larson in foreground and Mr. Larson directly behind her. The latter are patrons of the creamery.

Pictured above from left to right are Ray Schmidt, director of Dairy and Food inspectors of this area, who was principal speaker at annual meeting of Mazeppa Farmers’ Cooperative Dairy Association, held Saturday, Eldred Kuehn, plant manager and Max Maas, president of the creamery.

Stores Will Be Open

Mazeppa stores will be open until 9 p.m. next Wednesday and Friday evenings to give shoppers more time to conclude their shopping before Christmas.

CHESTER FARM BUREAU UNIT HOLDS ANNUAL XMAS PARTY

The annual Christmas party of the Chester Farm Bureau unit was held Tuesday evening, December 6 at the Pete Klindworth home.

It was decided to give money instead of gifts, which is to be sent to the Kenny Institute.

Entertainment consisted of games and a delicious lunch was served by Mrs. Klindworth, Mrs. Leroy

Tomfohrde and Mrs. Gerald Tomfohrde.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1955

Obituaries

MRS. MARY H. BEFORT

Mrs. Mary H. Befort passed away at St. John’s hospital, Red Wing, Saturday morning, December 17 at 9:30 a.m., where she had been a patient for the past 10 days with a broken hip. She fell at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Peter Hofschulte on December 8 where she had been staying since she broke her arm in August.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Reding on June 8, 1870 at Belvidere, Minn., she was married to Wm. Befort on April 7, 1891 and lived on the farm about four miles north of Mazeppa for 64 years. Her husband preceded her in death July 5, 1924.

She leaves to mourn five children, four sons and one daughter: Steve of Rochester, Mrs. Peter (Isebel) Hofschulte, Mazeppa, Louis and Lawrence of Mazeppa and Nicholas of Bellechestr. Also surviving are two sisters, Miss Sarah Reding of Wabasha and Mrs. Joe Jensen of Verndale, Minn. nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers wee Donald Befort, Sylvester Befort, Philip Reding, Leo Lavan, Art Majerus and Wm. Befort. Honorary pallbearers wre Mrs. Tony Hoffman, Mrs. Elizabeth Wild, Mrs. Barbara Liffrig, Mrs. Susan Arendt, Miss Susan Liffrig and Mrs. Peter Majerus.

Letters To Santa Claus

The Journal is again happy to act as agent between the small fry and Santa Claus. Here are two offerings, and may they get all they ask for:

Dear Santa Claus: “Please bring me a truck, a candy bar, dresses and a toy for Toddie. “Bring Stub a pair of overalls and Mary a dress.” Janie Stull

Dear Santa, “Please bring me a truck and a coloring book, a thick one.” Butch Radke