When the Bent Wrench Bar & Grill in downtown Fountain closed in 2017, local business owners Mike Drury and Michelle Redalen, of Drury’s Furniture, opted to purchase the space in hopes of filling it with a thriving business again. “We bought it with the intention of seeing a business in there; to keep it from sitting dead,” said Drury. “We’ve been hoping and praying someone … [Read more...]
Kirsten Zoellner
Reporter
kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Kirsten has been a reporter for Fillmore County Journal since 2008. No awards to date, but her mother finds her articles riveting. She enjoys shining a light on the great people and events in the county and has aspirations to someday write a novel about them. A native of Rushford, she is a member of Root River Community Church, co-founder of Odyssey Homeschool Association, and was the founder for the Rushford-Peterson Valley Farmers' Market.
When not writing, Kirsten happily spends her time raising a family alongside Joel, her husband of 18 years. She homeschools their six children (Evin, Lauren, Logan, Ada, Kathleen, and Emelia) and does her best to ensure domestic bliss. Kirsten is an advocate for conservation and homesteading and operates Liten Dal Farm, where the family raises dairy goats, pastured poultry and hogs, alpacas, a few steers, and horses. Hobbies other than juggling include the outdoors, reading, vegetable gardening, cheesemaking, fermenting various things in Ball jars, and making everything from scratch despite the fact that it probably costs more.
Kirsten and her family proudly reside in rural Fountain on her great-great-grandfather's farm.
You can follow more about Kirsten on the family's Facebook page, Liten Dal Farm, or their blog: ourprairienest.wordpress.com.
Rushford Village approves Public Works plans
The Tuesday, March 6 Rushford Village Council meeting was mainly comprised of Public Works matters, having a brief agenda and 15-minute meeting. Not in attendance were Mayor Gordon Johnson and Councilor Mike Ebner. Acting Mayor Dennis Overland ran the meeting. According to Public Works Supervisor Travis Scheck, the city’s water tower should be scheduled for routine cleaning … [Read more...]
Rushford approves HBC request
It’s been a notably bumpy few years for Southeastern Minnesota Historic Bluff Country (HBC), but the tourism entity isn’t giving up yet. New Director Brian Krenz followed up on his January appearance before the council by attending the Monday, February 26 meeting. “I was given an assignment and hopefully, it meets your approval,” said Krenz. At the January meeting, several on … [Read more...]
R-P approves proposal to facilitate sale of building
At the Monday, February 26 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, Superintendent Chuck Ehler brought forth a proposal designed to facilitate the sale of the former elementary and high school buildings. Located in Rushford, the buildings were vacated by the district in August of last year as the district transitioned into a new early childhood through grade 12 facility. To … [Read more...]
Doubletree Leatherworks creating usable works of art
John and Heather Hill know a thing or two about hard work and the beauty of handcrafted art. The pair are owners of Doubletree Leatherworks and specialize in one-of-a-kind, custom leather creations. The company was started as Doubletree Carriage Company in 2008 as a horse drawn carriage service. While successful, when John and Heather welcomed baby Henry, they knew the … [Read more...]
Peterson waits for further review
For a small town, sometimes no news is good news. The brief Wednesday, February 14 Peterson Council meeting saw no items of official action. However, the city is waiting on a number of big items which should make March and April meetings interesting. Mayor Tim Hallum led the agenda review with Councilors Loren Rue and Lisa Price in attendance, as was City Clerk Christopher … [Read more...]
Rushford amends zoning map for development
At the February 12 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Rushford Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals that will make way for a residential Planned Unit Development. Referred to as “Himlie Manor,” the six-duplex development will be constructed in the southeast end of the Himlie Business Park should it meet all final … [Read more...]
Trailside Holsteins spotlights dairy farming at Super Bowl Experience
Billed as the National Football League’s “theme park,” the Super Bowl Experience is an impressive array of activities and sights highlighting the sport. Held Saturday, January 27 through Saturday, February 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the eight-day event was expected to draw more than 150,000 people. Fifteen football-related challenges gave attendees their chance to … [Read more...]
Fountain looks to policy changes ahead of utility increases
Following up on discussion from an informational community meeting held January 10, the Fountain City Council considered two utility related changes at its Wednesday, February 7 meeting. The city is planning utility rate increases and changes to usage minimums for sewer and water. City Clerk Ronda Flattum suggested consideration for the handling of past due notices and … [Read more...]
Eickhoff Fertilizer looks to technology efficiency
Headquartered just three miles south of Fountain, Eickhoff Fertilizer Incorporated (EFI) has a long tradition of leadership in the business of agriculture. Started in the 1950s by Donald Eickhoff, the family-operated venture was initially part of the International Flying Farmers organization. “He flew to Mexico City to a farming conference and heard that applying nitrogen to … [Read more...]