Fifty years ago, a new organization called the Jordan Veterans Honor Guard formed with the purpose of serving at military funerals and participating in Memorial Day exercises.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the May 8 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Seventy years ago, post office workers in Jordan used a postmark depicting the city's location within an outline of the United States. The postmark was used for one week -- National Air Mail Week.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the May 8 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

If a recreational lake can have a grand opening, that's what the Mill Pond will get on Wednesday.

Jordan Mayor Ron Jabs said the city plans to "make a splash" while the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources restocks the Lagoon Park pond with bluegill, crappie, and bass. "Let's party a little bit."

Seventy years ago, the Jordan High School senior class performed the play "Once There was a Princess."

The cast consists of Alice Gerold, Lambert Hennen, Ruthie Nielsen, Marie Herzog, Valeria Schneiderhan, Lorraine Ptacek, Mary Ryan, Irene Fehlandt, Mary Stoldt, Leo Deutsch, Loren Radke, Joe Berg, Ruth Mickus, Leona Eichers, and Helen Ryan.

Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

- A proposal for the final plat and an 8-foot-by-12-foot addition to the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague passed with city council approval, despite opposition from city staff. 

- The New Prague school district's proposed budget shows just shy of $30 million in expenditures.

Ironman bike riders took rest stops in Jordan last weekend.

After the heavy snow and strong winds of last Saturday, Sunday morning saw the sun rise of a calm but beautiful day. A very light westerly wind and a temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit were the greetings for about 1,000 riders on the 100-mile route that included Jordan.

Every year for the last 43, about 5,100 riders leave the Lakeville High School and enjoy a 30-, 62-, or 100-mile trek.This is the sixth year the route has gone through the
Jordan area. 

Thirty years ago, Mary Pauly finished first in the creative expression category at the state high school speech competition. Ken and Kevin Baldwin, Michelle Kes, and Ken Lehnen also contributed to the team's second-place finish.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the May 1 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.