For Rose Weichert, piano lessons have always been more than learning to play the piano. As she reflected on her 61-year teaching career, it became clear that every lesson has also been about developing confidence, discipline, responsibility and poise, life skills that extend far beyond the keyboard. At the end of the interview, Rose summed it up simply. “I’m not a performer,” … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton Board Approves Maintenance Bonds, Prepares for School Year
The Mabel-Canton School Board unanimously approved moving forward with issuing $280,000 in facilities maintenance bonds with a two-year payback during its July 21 meeting. Superintendent Mike Harvey explained that the board first needed to approve Resolution #26-06, adopting the district’s long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) 10-year plan, before considering Resolution … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Discusses PSEO Attendance, Softball Field Updates
Spring Grove High School Principal Matt Rosaaen updated the school board on the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) proposed attendance guidelines during the July 20 board meeting. Rosaaen said he will be sending information to parents of students in grades 10, 11 and 12 explaining the guidelines, PSEO students will be required to attend school in person instead of flexing … [Read more...]
Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Highlights Crisis Response Services
At the July 21 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) Mobile Crisis Response Program Lead Dina Robinson and Crisis Response Practitioner Tiffany Vance presented information about the organization’s mental health response services. Robinson first reminded the commissioners of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, which … [Read more...]
Jim and Ellen Gardner: The Next Generation of Farmers
For Jim and Ellen Gardner, farming isn’t just a career, it’s a shared passion that began in college. The couple, who grew up on opposite sides of Minnesota, met while studying plants in college. Jim, who also earned a minor in soil science, and Ellen discovered they shared a love for the land and a vision for farming that works with nature rather than against it. They married … [Read more...]
Small Town Event. Big Time Entertainment.
If you are looking for a small town to visit, look no further than Houston and Whalan, Minnesota. Both communities are hosting signature events this coming weekend: Music in the Bluffs and Houston Hoedown Days. Small Town Vibes in Whalan Whalan, population 67, hosts three outdoor concerts throughout the summer, one each month. The community’s next Music in the Bluffs concert … [Read more...]
Caledonia Approves Liquor Liability Insurance Ordinance, Utility Rate Study
Mayor Jeremy Leis called the regular Caledonia City Council meeting to order at 6 p.m. Monday, July 13, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members Bob Klug, David Fitzpatrick and John Rauk were present, along with Mayor Jeremy Leis. Council member Amanda Ninneman was absent. Rauk moved to approve the minutes from the June 22 regular council meeting. Fitzpatrick … [Read more...]
Houston County Highway Department Estimates $500,000 in Storm Damages
The Houston County Board of Commissioners unanimously declared a state of emergency for damages resulting from the July 2 storms during its meeting on July 7. Houston County Emergency Management Director Mark Olson informed the board that the declaration is the first step toward qualifying for state disaster assistance. According to Olson, the county must sustain at least … [Read more...]
Emerald Lane: 19 Shops in One Stop
Meet Caledonia’s go-to girl if you want to get something done. That’s how residents described Kristina Hauser, the driving force behind Emerald Lane, a vendor market co-op located at 211 S. Kingston St. The idea for the mall came to Hauser while she was driving home from La Crosse. “God literally dropped this idea in my brain,” Hauser said. “Everything just kept flooding in. … [Read more...]
Mabel City Council Holds Public Hearing on Rezoning Request
The Mabel City Council held a public hearing during its regularly scheduled July 8 meeting to allow residents an opportunity to comment on a rezoning request from Chad and Christine Loppnow. The Loppnows requested that their property at 416 N. Maple St. be rezoned from commercial to residential. City Clerk Karen Larson stated that she had not received any comments, either … [Read more...]