“I can’t believe I lived this long to begin with,” Mabel librarian Donna Johnson laughed. Johnson celebrated her 90th birthday on April 8 and has no plans to retire from her job as library director at the Mabel Public Library anytime soon. “Everybody asks when I think I’ll retire. I tell them when it isn’t fun anymore.” Johnson began working at the Mabel library 24 years … [Read more...]
Articles by Hannah Wingert
Reporter
hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Lanesboro school board sets date for second community meeting
At the July 19 meeting of Lanesboro School Board, it was shared that the facilities committee has narrowed down the scope of the upcoming project to update, add to, and renovate Lanesboro public school and are ready for a second community meeting to discuss the plans with the public. Community members will also get the chance to see how their feedback at the first meeting had … [Read more...]
Facility projects at Fillmore Central making progress for upcoming school year
At their July 24 meeting Superintendent Richard Keith updated the Fillmore Central School Board on the facilities projects currently taking place in preparation for the 2018/19 school year. The high school lockers are being re-painted in a gray color, as they were beginning to chip. The Harmony baseball field relocation and parking lot are in progress. A lot of trees have … [Read more...]
Big Girl Stickers moves into Chatfield storefront
“We ended up with something we never planned for, and it’s just blossomed,” Melissa Burnett said. “It started as just a side gig for some extra money.” Burnett and her husband, Rocky own and operate Big Girl Stickers, a vinyl lettering, screenprinting, and décor business. When they first started it together with another couple, they never imagined it would be so successful … [Read more...]
Harmony library to receive proceeds from their clothing donation bin
The clothing donation bin at the edge of the Harmony Community Center parking lot has already been filled and emptied once since being installed recently. The Harmony Public Library will be receiving $0.10 a pound for the donations from the company that owns and sets up the bins. Once full, each bin holds approximately 600 pounds of donations. “It’s not a lot, but every … [Read more...]
Fillmore County 4-H member chosen as Minnesota delegate
“I told myself not to get my hopes up,” 17-year-old Maddie Smith said about her April trip to the 4-H National Conference, “but I knew that I had a greater chance of making it if I applied than if I didn’t,” she laughed. The application process to be a delegate at the 4-H National Conference is rigorous and selective, but Maddie was up for the challenge. She has an aunt who … [Read more...]
Alternative Learning Program to be added to Lanesboro school district
On the agenda for the Lanesboro School Board meeting on June 21 were several items regarding the creation of an Alternative Learning Center at the Lanesboro school. The center would be operated by the Hiawatha Valley Education District, of which Lanesboro is already a member. Currently, the only other Alternative Learning Center in the Hiawatha Valley Education District, or … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central approves playground upgrades
A playground committee consisting of community members and school staff recently met with Midwest Playscapes to discuss upgrades to the elementary school playground areas. Their plans and proposals were presented at the June 26 Fillmore Central School Board meeting. The main K-6 playground is outdated and the surface along with some of the pieces do not meet current safety … [Read more...]
Harmony Historical Society unveils walking tour signs
While walking around Harmony recently, you may have noticed some new signs up around town. They’re part of the Harmony Historical Society’s new walking tour and were unveiled on June 16 at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Some of the members of the Historical Society had seen historical walking tour signs in other towns, including Decorah and thought it would be a great idea for … [Read more...]
Lanesboro school staff participate in ALICE training
The staff of the Lanesboro school district recently took part in an ALICE training. Despite the name, ALICE training has nothing to do with someone named Alice. The letters stand for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate, and the program trains people how to react appropriately in an active shooter situation. The training was mandatory for all Lanesboro district staff, … [Read more...]