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Quarstad honored for 70-year legion membership By Barb Jeffers barb@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Harold Quarstad is a special man who received special recognition on Friday, March 18, 2016. Quarstad, 95, was recognized by fellow Lanesboro American Legion members for 70 consecutive years of membership in the organization. After joining the Army at age 21, he served his country during WWII from 1942-1945. He was stationed in places such as New Guinea and the Philippines. He was on a tube ship headed for Japan when the war came to an end. When asked about his experience during WWII, Quarstad stated he was “worried sometimes” during his time of service but did not elaborate. Shortly after returning home he joined the American Legion and has remained a member since. The ceremony took place at Park Lane Estates Assisted Liv-
Harold Quarstad was presented with a pin and a certificate marking 70 years of continuous membership in the American Legion on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Park Lane Estates in Preston, Minn. Photo by Barb Jeffers ing in Preston, Minn. where Quarstad now resides. Family members including his sister, Esther Nepstad, and his nephew Richard Nepstad and his wife
Jennifer were on hand to celebrate with him. Lanesboro American Legion members James Haugen, Dewey Hungerholt, Ron Utley and
Robert Thompson presented Quarstad with a pin and a certificate to mark his accomplishment. Each legion member thanked
Quarstad for his service and saluted him as Quarstad saluted in return. Family members, friends and staff of Park Lane Estates also congratulated him and thanked him for his service as well. After the presentation there was a large round of applause for Quarstad followed by coffee and treats in the dining room where he visited with his guests. Haugen states, “We have so few WWII veterans left that we need to make sure we honor these guys,” noting that “not many of us are going to reach 70 years”, as members of the American Legion. Utley notes that Quarstad has been a member for 70 continuous years, where many members may join, drop out for a few years, and then join again, which means they start their membership years over. Jennifer Nepstad stated that it was “pretty exciting” for the family and Richard Nepstad echoed the same sentiment saying it was See QUARSTAD Page 2
Kingsland football coaches not renewed R-P faces second lawsuit By R ich Wicks rich@fillmorecountyjournal.com
At the Kingsland School Board meeting on March 21, the board heard from Athletic Director Steve Hauser on a plan to “non-renew” the coaching positions of all Kingsland football coaches. Hauser said “In two years, we should have seen a little more progress,” and he
suggested the non-renewals as a way to “get the right people into the right positions on the bus”. Board members asked if all current coaches would be able to re-apply for coaching positions, and Hauser said they would. The board voted unanimously to non-renew the coaching positions as Hauser suggested, and postings will be opened as soon as able.
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There was also discussion about which football teams Kingsland should have. Hauser explained that currently, it looks as if there’d be enough players to field a varsity team, 7th and 8th grades, and a 9th grade team, although the 9th grade team would only play five or six games. Board members voiced concerns See KINGSLAND Page 11
By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The Monday, March 21 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, while concise, covered a wide range of topics and items ranging from support personnel contracts and further new school updates, to congratulations and some unfortunate news for the district.
Superintendent Ehler noted, in his monthly report, that a petition for Writ of Mandamus had been filed against the district March 2 by Rushford-Peterson Responsible Citizens, Inc. The legal petition seeks to address two issues; one, being whether or not the district is required to call a special election to vote on See LAWSUIT Page 8