25 years ago

november 20, 1996

Casey’s General Store at the intersection of Main and Freeborn is now enclosed with workers concentrating on the parking lot and interior. Two old houses were removed to make room for the state-of-the-art filling station and convenience store.

The sole remaining Chingawasa Springs short-time rail car is now in the hands of a local volunteer, who is working to raise money to move it to an enclosed location.

Pete Petersen has purchased, for $1, the rail car, which has been used for storage by an area resident. It will cost an estimated $1,800 for professional movers to haul the car from its current location to a storage facility in Marion.

The car is in poor condition, but plans are to restore it, and donate it to the city for eventual display.

The Marion Kiwanis Club’s annual Pancake Day is usually in December, but this year the event is set for Nov. 30.

Members believe families just completing the Thanksgiving holiday will want to take a break from the kitchen, and enjoy all the pancakes they can eat, with no dishes to clean up.

Serving will be from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the municipal building basement.

The 1996 Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by Marion Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1. Homes to be featured are those of Dave and Jackie Crofoot, Marion County Lake; Mike and Karen Regnier, 430 S. Freeborn; Bruce and Belinda Skiles, 705 S. Freeborn; and the rural home of Vernon and Madelyn Vogel. The tour will conclude at the Hartke Music Museum, 314 E. Main, where refreshments will be served.