25 Years Ago - 1985

Steve Hoffbeck was selected as Staples’ 1985 Teacher of the Year last week in balloting among the school district’s teachers. Hoffbeck is a social studies teacher.

Bob Sterriker of Staples has been hired as manager o f the Wood- land Cont ainer Plant in Staples. Sterriker is the owner of a cab inet and woodworking shop in Staples and previously managed a large cabinetry shop in the Rosemont-Apple Valley area of the Twin

Cities. Woodland Container

is known locally as the “Box Factory” and prior

to Woodland’s ownership, was known as the Berger Plant.

The Staples Cardinals last week qualified for their tenth trip in a row to the state wrestling tournament. Under Coach Don Dravis’ leadership, the Cards have been Region 6 champs in 14 of the past 16 years. In his 20 years of coaching, Dravis has 246 wins, 20 losses and one tie in team meets. The Staples Cardinal wrestlers are: Jeff Sterriker, Rob Rychner, Dan Bjerga, Paul Petrich, Kurt Burnham, Mitch Mickelson, Darrell Card, Trevor Lundgren, Rick Snook, Doug Peterson, Rick Anderson, Dean Jennissen, Jerel Nelsen, and Jack Schriver. Manager of the team is Bucky Ziesemer and assistant coaches are Kevin Olsen and Lowell Bayerkohler.

50 Years Ago - 1960

Twelve seniors of the 1960 graduating class at Staples High School were initiated into the National Honor Society at special ceremonies held last Friday. The twelve were: Rosemary Schlicting, Judith Fellman, Jeanette Kivisto, Sandra Klos, Judith Erskine, Linda Peyer, Ronald Sellnow, David Haugen, Dennis Harkcom, Terry Kurpius, Lyle Stevens and Bruce Carlson. Previous members were: Patricia Moriarity, Kathy Dent, Alene Stranik, Sharon Clabots, James Stolhanske and Lee Torgerson.

Members of the 1959-60 Cardinal basketball team are: James Stolhanske, John Nelson, Ronald Manning, Ronald Walker, Bruce Carlson, Terry Erskine, Jerry Nurnberger, James Hopkins, Eugene Grossman, Dennis Bothof, Lee Torgerson, Bob Billinger and student manager Dave Gorder.

REMINISCENCES Calls and e-mails from readers regarding Staples’ history as regards prohibition came with requests for anonymity. So be it. There was one from a resident who remembers a story about someone loaning out his car only to find out later it had been used to make a moon-shine “run.”

The fourth in my series has to do with gambling in Staples. In my youth there were card rooms in Staples. The one I know of was

a little shack type of operation

located behind the “Ace Bar.” What went on

in that place one can only guess, it was rather secretive so maybe it was common knowledge or maybe even illegal.

I have stumbled across some references to slot machines in Staples during the 20’s and 30’s as I went through some of the archival Staples World papers. This is not something I have investigated at any length so am asking if anyone knows if in fact there were slot machines in any of the establishments in Staples.

I did find this interesting

but confusing bit from

a Staples World in 1935. “Sheriff Adams was in the

city the first of the week bearing a letter asking that he proceed to collect all slot machines operating in the city. Since there was no name attached he was somewhat in the dark as to just what procedure to take. Up to Tuesday there had not been a ruling as to whether or not pin-ball machines were gambling devices.”

I’m going to try to find out what that was all about, but any of you who have personal knowledge can help. Call 218 894-3742 or email stevenmargo77@msn. com. Thanks in advance.