By Steve Harris When the popular American humorist Dave Barry turned 50 he listed 25 things he learned in his first five decades. Number 10? “There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.” Well, I don’t agree with Dave Barry. Most people don’t. Especially the good people of Lanesboro, Minn., who … [Read more...]
Tony L. Gunderson
Tony L. Gunderson, age 70, of Florence, Ariz., formerly of Mabel, died Monday, July 1, 2019, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Tony was born August 28, 1948, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Jerome and Maxine (Wright) Gunderson. He graduated from Mabel High School in 1966. From 1966 to 1972 he served in the Army National Guard, trained in heavy equipment mechanics. On … [Read more...]
Roy Bollinger
Roy M. Bollinger, 95, of Rushford, Minn., died on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Roy was born on July 5, 1923, in Ephrata, Pa., to Christ and Florence (Minnich) Bollinger. He was raised in Pennsylvania. Roy married Margaret Finkbiner. Margaret died in 1987. On July 30, 1988, he married Mildred Stoltzfus. Roy farmed all of his life. … [Read more...]
Come toast Harmony Spirits’ Grand Opening and Classic Car Show July 4
Perhaps you have been one of the many to press your nose against the big glass windows at Harmony Spirits, gazing at the elephant-size still inside, admiring its mirrored copper gleam. And maybe that gaze got you wondering, impatiently, when this new micro-distiller would officially open its doors. Well, wait and wonder no more! Harmony Spirits is ready. Though Jim Simpson, … [Read more...]
Letting go!
My husband Glenn died Sunday June 16, 2019, Father’s Day. He was 82. We all experience loss whether it’s a spouse, daughter, son or a friend. We have to confront death in order to value life. Glenn and I, in our declining years, had time to reminisce and converse about our lives. We are grateful for our many years in this world and for our 53 years together. We have been … [Read more...]
Responding to the needs of entrepreneurs
By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), one of the three program areas that we focus on is Economic Development. Since our founding in 1986, we have worked to catalyze entrepreneurial activity in our 20-county region by providing early-stage investments, traditional loans, micro loans, … [Read more...]
Camp Invention leads to innovation
By Katrina Bergey At Chatfield Elementary School, an exciting camp has just wrapped up. Camp Invention was a week-long program running from Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21. Children came each day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The week ended with an “Inventor Showcase” on Friday where the attendees showed off all the projects they had been tirelessly working on throughout … [Read more...]
Eagles win First Place!
“Special Olympics Minnesota believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally and socially; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and … [Read more...]
Birth Announcement
Jacob Lynn Johnson Jacob Lynn Johnson born May 1, 2019, weighing 7 lb 13 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Parents are Michael and Margaret Johnson of Fountain, Minn., and siblings are Sawyer, Levi and Claira. Jacob’s grandparents are Arlyn and Joann Groth, Ridgeway, Minn., Jon and Sharon Johnson, Fountain, Minn., and Shirley and Dave Shanahan, Preston, Minn. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Police Report
Chatfield Police Department Katrina Rose Koch, 31, Rochester, Minn.; 2/23/2019, Speeding (39/30), Fine $40, Total Fees $130. Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Bailey Joseph Bushman, 19, Mabel, Minn.; 4/3/2019, Speeding (66/55), Fine $50, Total Fees $140. Menachem Mendel Goldstein, 18, Ann Arbor, Minn.; 6/2/2019, Speeding (64/55), Fine $40, Total Fees $130. Louis … [Read more...]