Since December 30, 2019, the Journal office has received a flurry of entries submitted for the 2019 Cabin Fever Word Search Puzzle Book contest. For our last issue of the decade and of 2019, we published our first-ever word search puzzle book. For this contest, all participants who submitted a completed and accurate puzzle (that appeared on the back page of the puzzle book) … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Ripple effects of tragedy
This past year has been full of tragedy for the Mabel-Canton School District, Mabel and Canton residents, the Amish community, and all associated emergency responders. There have been a number of vehicular accidents that have claimed lives. To say it has been emotionally taxing would be an understatement. In smaller communities where people are more connected — … [Read more...]
Minnesota Report Card: Small schools score higher
Apparently, quality trumps quantity when comparing metrics from public education systems between small schools in Fillmore County and Rochester Public Schools. According to data available via the Minnesota Department of Education, with schools reporting results on behalf of 792,174 students statewide, most smaller school districts in Southeast Minnesota are performing better … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The small school advantage
In the September 16, 2019, issue of the Fillmore County Journal, I wrote a commentary titled “One Moment, Please... A population crisis.” In that commentary, I said, “We need to work more diligently to sell our communities as the best place to live and raise a family.” I talked about how we need to promote what we have to offer in order to grow our population. We have … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Getting a little wordy
Every year, our award-winning newspaper team seeks to create more interactive experiences for our readers. We want to provide more value for our readers and participating businesses. We have members of our team attending newspaper conferences and coming back with ideas. Our challenge is always committing the time and energy to implement something new into our already busy … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Young people are buying homes
This past Sunday, I learned from a friend at church that her 20-year-old son just bought a house down the street from our home in Fountain, Minn. She was asking me who we used for Internet service in town, so she could mention it to him. I couldn’t believe that this young man was already old enough to purchase a home, because I remember when I was his Sunday school teacher … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The new drive-thru in Chatfield
The talk of the town. The big joke. That’s the best way to describe the new Dollar General parking lot in Chatfield, Minn. “The engineers must be from Arizona, where they don’t have to deal with ice and snow,” said one person. For those who haven’t driven by the site of the new store opening in Chatfield, here’s the best way to describe it. Imagine placing a … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… A movement is taking place
This past couple weeks have been interesting as I’ve watched the morning news on TV. I’ve noticed a trend that has reinforced what I’ve come to realize over several years. There is a huge disconnect between the producers and anchors of shows like NY-based Good Morning America and TODAY Show, and small town America. As I watched these news shows leading up to the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… You hold the key
This coming week can be a game changer for some area businesses, but also for our communities. And, our local residents hold the key. You’ve probably heard that when locals spend money with a locally-owned business, they keep the majority of those dollars local and that money circulates throughout the community multiple times. I’ve heard numbers such as 67 cents of every … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… A lot of things cookin’
This time of year seems to be super busy for all of us. At the Fillmore County Journal, we’re in the same boat. On Saturday, October 26, 2019, we hosted another Tasty Temptations cooking contest at the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce Fall Expo at Fillmore Central Schools in Preston, Minn. Thanks again to our taste testing judges. The Fountain Study Club provided some … [Read more...]