Welcome to Starbank

Location: Verndale is located in the west part of Aldrich Township in Wadena County. The community is split by US Hwy 10 and the BNSF railroad line. Wadena is 7 miles to the west and Staples is 11 miles to the east. Brainerd is 40 miles to the east.

Population 2000 Census: 575

Schools
Verndale has a K through 12 school system. It offers reasonable class sizes, a full curriculum and multiple opportunities in extracurricular areas of sports, music and academic endeavors.

Churches
St. Fredericks Catholic Church
Assemblies of God
Christian & Missionary Alliance
United Methodist

Employment Opportunities/Businesses
Verndale features a custom built home factory (Verndale Custom Homes). Horse related products and shows can be found at the local arena. Businesses include a hardware/variety store, two restaurants, a tool store, two beauty shops, barber shop, post office, newspaper office, law office, two insurance agents, two gas stations, two body shops, a Laundromat, a feed store, an auto repair shop with truck scale and several other small businesses.

Health & Safety
Both Wadena and Staples feature medical clinics and hospitals. Verndale has a very active local volunteer fire department featuring a first responder unit that answers emergency health and accident assistance.

Recreation
Snowmobile trails run in several directions through the edge of town. Located within easy driving distance are two 18 hole golf courses, canoeing on the Crow Wing River, Dower Lake recreation area, racquetball, indoor swimming pool, two movie theaters, and bowling. The Brainerd, Alexandria and Park Rapids tourist areas are all easy day trips.

Hunting
The area offers opportunities for sportsmen to hunt many types of small game and deer. There are trap, pistol, and bow leagues in the area.

Events
Verndale has a community center that can hold up to four-hundred people for weddings, reunions, special retail events, fundraising events and other community events. We have a senior citizens center that also doubles as a small meeting center.

Annual Celebration
Verndale hosts Straw Hat and Sun Bonnet Days on the first weekend of August. This celebration features a parade, street dance and two days of activities and fun for local and former residents.