Nikki van den Heever of Cresco, Iowa, stands next to her brand new kayak she won in a recent contest. On May 31, 2019, Visit Bluff Country Magazine conducted the first prize giveaway drawing of the summer, which was a brand new kayak. As the magazine celebrates 34 years as the premier tourism publication of Historic Bluff Country (a.k.a. The Driftless Area), they will be … [Read more...]
Hindt and Beck earned most votes
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, District #3 registered voters had the opportunity to vote in the primary election to narrow the field from three candidates to two for their next county commissioner. Larry Hindt led the three candidates with 93 votes. Kevin Beck was one vote behind Hindt with 92 votes. And, Jordan Fontenello pulled in 27 votes, winning Forestville Township and … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Getting the next generation involved
On May 8, our newspaper office was graced with a bright and talented group of writers. These were the Fillmore County Journal Student Writers, participating in the 20th annual Journal Writing Project. Every school year, starting in September, Assistant Editor Ellen Whalen contacts all seven school districts in our circulation area to let administrators and English … [Read more...]
Teacher of the Year nominations
On May 6, 2019, the Fillmore County Journal will publish the third annual Teacher Appreciation Section dedicated to all of the wonderful, hard-working teachers working in the school districts throughout our coverage area. Along with all of the names of local educators, this section will include a story about the Teacher of the Year. The 2017 Teacher of the Year was Mary … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… April Fools’ Day edition
On Monday, April 1, 2019, the Fillmore County Journal celebrated April Fools’ Day with a few little surprises for readers. Our front page lead story was about Nels Isaacson and his Jesse James Gang gold discovery at Mystery Cave. Reporter Rich Wicks deserves all the credit on this one. He’s an outstanding storyteller; both fiction and non-fiction. So, in case you were … [Read more...]
Glad to be here
“Glad to be here” seemed to resonate with the crowd at the 13th annual Preston Area Community Foundation dinner and auction on the evening of March 11, 2019. The event has historically been held at the Branding Iron Supper Club in Preston, Minn., but due to the restaurant being closed, the PACF board of directors opted to host the event at the community center in Fountain, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Broken records
On the eve of Sunday, February 24, 2019, after I indulged in another snow-shoveling experience, I walked down the street in front of our house with my prized shovel on my shoulder. I’m pretty sure that if Aunt Bee was peering out her picture window in Fountain, Minn., she would have mistaken my silhouette for that of a hobo (looking for shoveling relief). As I looked to my … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Raising the bar for ourselves
During the last full week in January of 2019, the Fillmore County Journal Creative Director Jana Boyum attended the 152nd annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention and Trade Show. As part of a three day event, Jana was able to partake in educational sessions with speakers and network with newspaper industry peers during round table discussions. Attending these types … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Not just for Valentine’s Day
I heard a great story this past week, and it not only coincides with Valentine’s Day but any special occasion. During my travels, I talk to a lot of people and hear a lot of stories. The one that sticks out in my mind from this past week was about a birthday celebration. I was chatting with a gentleman about the real life personal disconnect people have with each other … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Minnesotans could be Martians
There’s no doubt that Minnesotans are a different breed of humans. Ya sure, you betcha, we talk funny according to those who play “Duck, duck, goose.” But, there’s more to our being than long O’s and A’s in our pronunciations. This past week was a perfect example. It was a snot-freezing -60ºF, with the windchill, and we just figured it would pass. And, we know it … [Read more...]