“Lanesboro is a unique community,” stated Dean Johnson, special guest speaker at the 2019 Lanesboro Area Community Foundation (LACF) Annual Banquet, which was held on April 7, 2019, at the Lanesboro Community Center. The LACF Board of Directors were very honored to have Johnson as the guest speaker for the second annual event. The LACF began this event in 2018 as a way to … [Read more...]
Lucy is a common sight at the Commonweal Theatre
When stopping at the box office of the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, Minn., there is usually a furry friend named Lucy who will greet you. Lucy’s owners are husband and wife team Adrienne Sweeney, Associate Artistic Director/Director of External Relations, and Hal Cropp, Executive Director of the Commonweal Theatre. Lucy has become a member of the theatre group and loves … [Read more...]
Meet Emerson, the Greek desert tortoise
Slow down a spell and stop at the Rushford Public Library to visit their in-house pet, Emerson, the tortoise. No need to be in a hurry, as she is always there waiting for attention. Emerson is a female Greek desert tortoise who came to live at the library in October of 2014 when a local family whose son was going away for college and would not be able to care for her … [Read more...]
A stay like no other at Oakenwald Terrace
Imagine getting away from the ordinary and stepping into the exquisite. The grand scale of the Oakenwald Terrace in Chatfield, Minn., will whisk visitors away to days gone by, with dramatic flair. Owned by Marion Lund, the bed & breakfast innkeepers are her son Bob and daughter-in-law Ruth Ann Lund. Ruth Ann performs the day-to-day running of the business, spending many … [Read more...]
Schmidt Farm Guest House offers a unique experience
The sights and sounds of the rural countryside await you. Imagine a quaint old farmhouse on 60 acres of serene property as wildlife and colors of the season surround you. Although these things seem a world away, they are actually only a phone call away. Located near Forestville State Park outside of Preston, Minn., the Schmidt Farm Guest … [Read more...]
Niagara Cave harnesses solar energy
During a tour of Niagara Cave near Harmony, Minn., the knowledgeable tour guides take a moment to turn off the lights to have visitors experience the fact that it is so dark you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. While experiencing this strange sensation, the last thing you are wondering about is where the energy for the lights comes from — you just want the … [Read more...]
Branding Iron to open under new ownership
After much anticipation, the time is here for the Branding Iron in Preston, Minn., to reopen under new ownership. When previous owner Steve Bahl closed the doors of the Branding Iron on January 19, 2019, it was difficult for many area residents to accept, as the restaurant had been their favorite eating establishment for so many years. On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the Branding … [Read more...]
Seed First and Chuck’s Feed & Grain working together for best service
Seed First, LLC is a welcome sight to many local residents not only in Fountain, Minn., where the business is located, but to many people in the surrounding area as well. Father and son team Paul and Corey Hamann have constructed a new building on Fountain’s Main Street after demolishing the buildings on the lot that used to hold Fountain Feed & Grain and more recently, … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council meets new LACC Director
The new director of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Andrzej Zalasinski, attended the March 2019 Whalan City Council meeting to introduce himself to the council and to address any questions from the council as the towns of Lanesboro and Whalan work closely together on a number of issues. Present at the March 11 council meeting were Mayor Marlys Tuftin and Council … [Read more...]
Local woman testifies before State Transportation Committee
Bailey Ruen, a native of Lanesboro, Minn., and current student at the University of Minnesota, is a pinnacle example of a strong advocate for the agriculture industry. She not only brings her passion to the table, but also a great deal of experience and knowledge. On Tuesday, February 12, 2019, Ruen testified in front of the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee along … [Read more...]
Arabians that are “Bred to Move You”
“We have a clear vision of what our Arabian horses should be. Strong, sound athletes that are beautiful to behold and a pleasure to be around. Merely being pretty is not enough; the horses of Conway Arabians are doing horses, bred to have the conformation and temperament to perform in the show-ring or on the trail,” quotes Peter Conway in an informational brochure about the … [Read more...]
Sveen lives and loves horses
“My grandparents, Duane and Joan Sveen, gave me my first horse when I was six years old, and I was hooked ever since,” states Alesha Sveen who has taken her love of horses a step further by competing with her horses and then another step further by choosing her career around horses and their well-being. Sveen’s first horse, Stormy, will be 28 this year and “happily still … [Read more...]
Mitch Boyum recognized as 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year
“Many times going to work I think I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this,” states Mitch Boyum, who was recently selected as the 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year. Growing up in St. Charles, Minn., Boyum loved being outdoors, and participating in outdoor activities, especially trapping, hunting and fishing. “There’s something about getting a coyote to put its foot … [Read more...]
Whalan Council approves donation to post prom
During its regularly scheduled monthly council meeting at 5 p.m. on February 11, the Whalan City Council approved giving a donation of $100 to the Lanesboro Post Prom celebration. Present at the meeting was Mayor Marlys Tuftin, along with Councilmembers Kim Berekvam, Everett Johnson, and Johnny Halvorson, and City Clerk/Treasurer Lolly Melander. Absent from the council … [Read more...]
The Parkway Market & Coffeehouse has the right formula
“We are like a natural foods store that also has pop rocks and some of these weird things that no other natural foods store would have,” says Caleb Lauritsen-Norby of The Parkway Market & Coffeehouse of Lanesboro, Minn., “But that mix works,” he states. Caleb and his partner Blake Lauritsen-Norby purchased the business a couple years ago and opened The Parkway Market … [Read more...]