Thelma O. Ellingson died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, Iowa. Thelma Othilda Stoen was born March 23, 1921, the Wednesday of Holy Week, in Spring Grove, Minn., the daughter of Henry J. and Martina (Sollien) Stoen. She was baptized April 17, 1921, and confirmed June 3, 1935, both at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, Iowa. Her … [Read more...]
Patricia Ann Carlin
Patricia Ann Carlin, age 86, died peacefully on March 10, 2019, in Albert Lea. She was born October 3, 1932, to Thomas Martin and Mary Elizabeth Carlin in Preston, Minn. Patty spent a lot of time in her younger years at the Gillette Hospital in St. Paul for surgeries on her legs to help her walk. She attended Preston High School until she could not make it up the stairs for … [Read more...]
Karen Sue Erath
Karen Sue Erath, 58, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Dexter, Minn., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Karen was born on October 5, 1960, to Keith and Norma (Johnson) Koch in Maquoketa, Iowa. She graduated from Wykoff High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Jeffrey Erath on June 30, 1999. Karen settled in rural Sargeant for 28 years, … [Read more...]
Snow days and eLearning in Fillmore County schools
This is the kind of winter we’ll brag about surviving – a winter where a kid’s wish for an unexpected day of freedom from the school routine becomes reality… again and again. But snow days don’t necessarily mean a day off like they used to. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently authorized the use of up to five eLearning days that count as official student contact … [Read more...]
Thoughts about immigration
A woman who sought refuge in a church sanctuary stated simply “I deserve to be free.” She has lived illegally in this country for ten years and has two children who were born here. Her story has stayed with me. I love my freedom. I can say what I want, go where I want and do whatever I wish to do. I have given up nothing. I haven’t in any way “earned” my freedom. I was born in … [Read more...]
Government this week
Monday, March 11 • Whalan City Council, City Hall, 5 p.m. • Houston City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. • Spring Valley City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. • City of Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 p.m. • Chatfield City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. • Wykoff City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 • Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m. • Harmony City … [Read more...]
A plea for factual knowledge… To the Editor,
Stan Gudmundson’s recent commentary stumbled around the term “socialism,” and included a general vilification of government and cooperatives. His arguments were often nonsensical and outright falsehoods. I’ve dealt with cooperatives as farmer and rural citizen. I think most rural folks around here are pleased with their cooperative experiences. I believe Mr. Gudmundson owes … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Winter weather tips
By Anna Erickson Surviving rugged, harsh winters is something Minnesotans are known for. This year has brought some of the most frigid temperatures seen in decades. Resilient to the cold, many people who call the Midwest home trudge through the snow and risk dangerous conditions every day to reach their destinations. When driving in treacherous winter weather it is always best … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
Being housebound is Boring! I cleaned the junk drawer. I cleaned my closet! I dusted the bedroom. My husband fears for my sanity. Mother Nature is having a hissy-fit or a nervous breakdown. She is in a rut — brutal cold, blizzards, brutal cold, blizzards. You get the idea. I started listening to a Jimmy Buffet CD hoping to cheer myself up. It worked until we got to a … [Read more...]
Solar energy farms, public hearing scheduled
At the February 28 meeting of the Planning Commission, proposed language for an ordinance regulating accessory solar energy systems and solar energy farms was introduced. This was the first time the planning commission met in 2019. Gary Ruskell was reelected as chairman and Steve Duxbury as vice-chairman. The commission has been considering a broader ordinance for renewal … [Read more...]