A duo of local faces we all know and love from the Commonweal Theatre Company are reveling a quarter of a century on their beloved home stage. Stela Burdt loves to tell the story that she has been acting since she was six months old, when she was baby Jesus at her home church. Stela grew up very musical; singing in church, taking piano, violin and voice lessons and … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Golf Course Celebrates 100 Years
The beautiful Lanesboro Golf Course, in Lanesboro, Minn., has been providing entertainment, comradery and memories for area residents for 100 years, which is a great reason to celebrate. The golf course was the vision of a group of area residents, became a reality in 1925, and was incorporated in 1929. The Lanesboro Golf Course has the distinction of being the first golf … [Read more...]
Whalan City Council Begins 2026 Budget Plans
The Whalan City Council got a jump on the 2026 budget, approving the 2026 Draft Budget Review and the Proposed Tax Levy for 2026. Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting on September 8, 2025, were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also … [Read more...]
Heroes Among Us in Fillmore County
As the Hareldson family settled in for the night on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, it seemed like any other night until it was time for bed. Caleb “Herb” and Samantha “Sam” Hareldson began putting their children Daxyn, 8, Charlie, 7, Cabe, 3, and Demi, just two weeks old at the time, to bed around 9 p.m. “We ate supper, I let the dogs out and then I laid Demi down and Herb … [Read more...]
Whalan Area Looks Forward to Upcoming Events
Social events were highlighted at the the city of Whalan’s August 11 council meeting. With the music in the Bluffs concert series winding down, the city is looking ahead to the October Fall Finale event. Present at the meeting were Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was … [Read more...]
Whalan Good Old Days Coming in August
Noted at the July 14 meeting, the city of Whalan is looking forward to hosting Whalan Good Old Days, which will be taking place in August. The day will include a picnic at noon and fellowship with friends old and new. Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting was Mayor David Hallum, along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson, Sheila Higbe and Kim … [Read more...]
Breakfast on the Farm a Huge Hit
As the kick-off to Rochesterfest, the annual Olmsted County Breakfast on the Farm gives visitors an opportunity to visit a working farm and learn about farming and farming operations. It also gives farmers and producers the chance to promote the Ag Industry. This year’s 37th annual Breakfast on the Farm was held on June 21, 2025, at North Creek Dairy near Chatfield, Minn. … [Read more...]
Whalan Water Samples Receive Clean Bill of Health
As discussed at the June 9 meeting, the city of Whalan was notified that water samples sent into the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have passed. Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting was Mayor David Hallum along with council members Owen Lewis, Thore E. Johnson and Kim Berekvam. City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell was also present. Councilor Sheila … [Read more...]
Stone Mill Hotel & Suites Under New Ownership
An exciting change has taken place in Lanesboro, Minn., as Stone Mill Hotel & Suites has new owners as of March 1, 2025. Annie Kang and her husband Adam McCabe have taken over ownership of the historic and genuinely unique business located at 102 Beacon St. E. in Lanesboro. Adam knows the Lanesboro area well, growing up near Lanesboro and graduating from Lanesboro … [Read more...]
Transfer of Municipal Electric System Complete in Whalan
Following months of planning and preparing, the city of Whalan has confirmed that the transfer of the city’s municipal electric system over to MiEnergy is complete, according to City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Grossell, who made the announcement at the May council meeting. Present at the regularly scheduled city council meeting on May 12, 2025, were Mayor David Hallum along with … [Read more...]