This Day in History

Compiled by Jean Lundquist

Roof! Roof! New animal shelter damaged

Jan. 1, 2010

After two years of fundraising, the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society was ready to show off its $1.2 million facility. It could accommodate 20 dogs and 60 cats.

The open house was set for one week hence, when Mother Nature stepped in. When a large chunk of snow slid off the roof, it sheared off a gutter and damaged the roof itself.

The Jan. 9 grand opening/open house was delayed while directors and board members decided how to proceed. The facility, just east of Highway 169 did open, and is still in use.

Board discusses homework’s role in student life

Jan. 10, 1984

For some people, mostly students, “homework” is a four-letter word. For others, mostly Mankato School District board members in this case, “homework” is a vital necessity for a child’s learning process. That led to some spirited discussion when the school board met to discuss the district’s written homework policy in 1984.

One member wanted the policy to state homework was a high priority in a young person’s life. Another wanted it noted as the “highest,” above employment and extracurricular activities.

Still other board members said the homework policy needed more homework before being finalized. Supt. R.J. Rehwaldt told the board he would take the comments under advisement and return with another policy at a later date.

Bell tolls for Del’s

Jan. 17, 2008

The building on Belgrade Avenue in lower North Mankato had housed a restaurant since the early 1900s. It was home to Del’s Café since 1970. But on Feb. 1, Del’s would cease to exist.

Owner Royce Behnke was calling it quits. The 58-year-old Behnke had been hired by three men who, like him, had worked with the college food service, to act as cook. In 1971, the three men sold the business to Behnke, who owned and operated the business 7 a.m.– 3 p.m. daily.

Hash browns, omelets and beef commercials were his specialties. The restaurant became known as “the” place to go on Sunday mornings after a night of partying.

Behnke recalled how on the weekend of the People’s Fair festival, “kids would come in and brush their teeth and clean up,” before heading back to Sibley Park.

Citing lagging business, Behnke leased the building to Mark Levitt and Carmen Christy, who planned to renovate the building and then open Christy’s Café in the location. Christy’s opened later than the hoped-for late February opening and closed just two years later in 2010.

North Mankato still trying for golf course deal

Jan. 4, 1995

The now-popular North Links Golf Course in North Mankato got off to a rocky start.

During the first full year of operation in 1994, the course failed to raise enough revenue to make the payment for the course and the equipment. City officials had to transfer $60,000 from the general fund to bail out the golf course.

City Administrator Bob Ringhofer said the city was in negotiations with Banc One to make payments affordable, or the city would turn the course over to the lender. The city estimated it had already lost $2 million in construction, labor, and operating costs on the course, which had opened in mid-1993.

The negotiations were successful, and today, the North Links Golf Course is apparently a thriving entity.