As we take to the road on these beautiful sun-filled days, we see hot rods and motorcycles revving engines up and down the highways. The increased torque and horsepower of these beastly machines would lead one to believe we have entered a new muscle car era that rivals the 1960s. The 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat boasts 707 hp with 650 lb-ft of torque, claiming … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Rumors
Over the past month, I have heard a rumor repeated to me by several individuals in various communities throughout Fillmore County. It has come to my attention that there is a concern that the Fillmore County Journal will only be delivered to white boxes in each community instead of mailboxes via the United States Postal Service. Apparently, with our requests for … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… More good than bad
Routinely, every morning I turn on the news while running on the treadmill, and inevitably I hear bad news. There are drive-by shootings in Rochester, robberies, drug abuse, child abuse, sex trafficking, threats of war, violent protests -- constant negativity. It’s enough to make a person think there is more wrong in the world than there is right. But, that’s … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… A couple of good days
This past week was full of many memories that satisfied my eternal optimism. Teacher of the Year On Tuesday, the Fillmore County Journal presented the first-ever Teacher of the Year award to Mary Hoiland, a 46-year veteran teacher of the Rushford-Peterson School District. For quite a number of years, our staff at the Fillmore County Journal has been talking about how … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Collaborative marketing equals community branding
Within the past two weeks, a new publication has appeared in the Chatfield area. The Chatfield Tourism Center has been the host of many tourists year after year, and the volunteers have been handing out publications for other communities such as Harmony, Lanesboro, and Preston -- but never anything for Chatfield. There wasn’t any promotional piece to promote the community, … [Read more...]
Journal Creative Director recognized as E & P Top 25 Under 35
Every year, the nation’s leading newspaper industry magazine Editor & Publisher recognizes the “Top 25 Under 35.” For 2017, out of all of the nominees from daily and weekly newspapers throughout the United States, Fillmore County Journal Creative Director Jana Boyum made the list, and deservedly so. Jana is one of only 25 individuals under the age of 35 recognized by … [Read more...]
Who will you nominate as the Teacher of the Year for 2017?
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions,” someone once said. That’s profound, if you stop and think about it. Who was your favorite teacher and why? Even as an adult, nearly everyone can name off the list of teachers they had for each grade. Undoubtedly, today’s children are our future leaders. Teachers play an important role in the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Daycare dilemma
We have a really big challenge in this area, that impacts both families and businesses. There’s a daycare provider shortage. The demand is far greater than the supply. I hear about it on a weekly basis from friends all the time. We recently tried to hire a person for a newly added position at our company, and I told her the biggest challenge she would face … [Read more...]
Wetterlings speak at MNA Conference
On Thursday, January 26, 2017, Fillmore County Journal Assistant Editor attended the Minnesota Newspaper Association Conference in Bloomington, Minn. While at the conference, Ellen Whalen listened to presentations from Pulitzer Prize winners from the newspaper industry, along with a presentation relating to editorial content management and audience engagement. On Friday, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… I’m sorry
First, thank you to Jerry Grehl and Jack Bratrud for their thoughtful perspectives offered on the Commentary pages of the January 30, 2017 issue of the Fillmore County Journal. Both of these local readers put me in my place, and I consider this a good thing. Based on the response from my original opinion piece about unions, I came to several realizations. We have very … [Read more...]