“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...]
Whalan council holds swearing-in ceremony
Newly elected and reelected Whalan City Council officials took part in a swearing-in ceremony at the Whalan City Council meeting held on January 7, 2019, at the Whalan City Hall. Sworn in were Mayor Marlys Tuftin and councilmembers Kim Berekvam and Johnny Halvorson, who each stood and solemnly swore to “support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the … [Read more...]
R-P Backpack Program fills nutrition gap
As many families in Fillmore County depend on school-age children receiving a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school each day, a question was raised of how to help those children in families who could use some extra help to provide meals on weekends as well. Kristy Tweeten, who is a dairy farmer, had experience with a backpack program in Winona County where food is sent … [Read more...]
Whalan’s Stand Still Parade to have additional events in 2019
Jane Lewis and Tanya Cook, with the Stand Still Parade Committee, attended the December 10, 2018, Whalan Council meeting in Whalan, Minn., to ask for council approval to add some very exciting new events to next year’s Stand Still Parade, which will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019. As 2019 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Stand Still Parade, the committee would like to … [Read more...]
Lanesboro council approves property tax levy
During the December 3 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the council paused the meeting at 6 p.m. to hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing. After the property tax levy and budget were discussed, the public was invited to speak and to ask questions of the council. There were no questions asked by any residents in attendance. What this means for residents is a property tax increase … [Read more...]
Whalan tournament receives special recognition by Hall of Fame
In 2017, the Whalan Lutheran Church Men’s Fastpitch Tournament was selected to be included in the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame, which was celebrated by not only those involved in the tournament, but also by residents of Fillmore County and those living far beyond southeast Minnesota. Everett Johnson, longtime director for the Whalan Lutheran Church Men’s Fastpitch … [Read more...]
Oakwood (Sherwood) Cemetery holds first recorded burial in 139 years
While Glenn Maynard “Mush” Ukkestad was working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the mid 1950s, he was on the original survey crew during the construction of Highway 16 between Houston and Rushford. As he came upon the old Oakwood Cemetery, which overlooks Hwy. 16 just before coming into Rushford, Ukkestad was inspired by the beautiful view. Although the … [Read more...]
Hanson inducted into Bowling Hall of Fame
A symbol of bowling in the Fillmore County area will now have her name permanently associated with the sport as her name is now listed in the Bowling Hall of Fame. Shelly Hanson, who owns B & B Olympic Bowl in Preston, Minn., with her husband Paul, says she was “shocked” when she found out on October 1, 2018, that she had been selected to be included in a very exclusive … [Read more...]
Root River Settlement Burying Ground restoration project
It is heartbreaking to see cemeteries that have come into such disrepair that they are hardly even recognizable as a cemetery anymore. And although we feel disheartened when we see these cemeteries falling further and further into remnants of what they once were, what can one person do? As shown by Don Lukkason of Lanesboro, Minn., one person can do a lot when they set their … [Read more...]
Whalan to acknowledge covenants of Hill Country subdivision
The Whalan City Council is proposing to add the covenants of the Hill Country subdivision as an addendum to the city ordinances. A public hearing will be held on the matter in the future where residents can voice any opinions they may have on the matter. All council members were present at the October 8, 2018, council meeting, including Mayor Marlys Tuftin, Kim Berekvam, … [Read more...]