Part three of a series During the Great Depression decade of the 1930s, families were often large while money and employment were scarce. The United States government purchased relief food, clothing and supplies and gave it to the Red Cross for distribution to those in need. Flour was the primary food staple with other foodstuff added when possible. The distribution center … [Read more...]
Lion Girls Win Five, Drop One to Finish Regular Season at 21-6
Spring Grove closed the 2023 volleyball regular season with a 21-6 record after winning four matches and dropping one for a third-place finish at the Goodhue Tournament and then a 3-0 conference road romp at Austin versus Lyle/Pacelli (25-11, 25-10, 25-6). The lone tournament loss came against Class AA state-ranked No. 3 Chatfield. The Lions, at 12-2 in Southeast … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Girls Coast Past Wolverines, Burros
The Spring Grove volleyball girls celebrated 2023 Homecoming with a 3-0 whipping of Glenville-Emmons (25-17, 25-10, 25-13) before completing an SEC sweep at Lanesboro, 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-13). Both opponents struggled to return serve and initiate an offense. Overall, the Lions outscored the Wolverines, 75-40, and the Burros, 75-36. West Division G-E went home with a 6-18 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Congress Held Her Responsible in Houston County – Part two of a series
Part two of a series It was September 1932 when Mathilda (Mrs. Knute) Lee of Spring Grove traveled by bus to Rochester to meet with Minnesota congressman Paul Quale from Benson, the top regional official of the Red Cross, C. M. Roland, that organization’s Assistant National Director of Disaster Relief, Henry Baker, and other volunteers from other Minnesota counties. Her paid … [Read more...]
Lion girls meet little resistance in win against Kingsland
The Spring Grove girls rebounded from a disappointing home volleyball loss to Mabel-Canton with a 3-0 home win over Kingsland 25-8, 25-11, 25-17. With a fifth straight win in the series, the Lions improved to 14-5 (9-2 SEC). Jordis Neeley put away 11 kills and served 2 aces while Emerson Ingvalson scored with 9 kills and 2 aces. Kendal VanMinsel had 26 set assists and served a … [Read more...]
Grove girls coast past Houston, Schaeffer again
Spring Grove servers enjoyed a torrent of aces during 3-0 road volleyball routs at Houston and Schaeffer Academy as the Lions completed a pair of SEC season sweeps. With the inability to consistently receive serve, neither opponent mounted much threat at the net. With a 19th straight win versus Houston and a 12th consecutive victory against Schaeffer, Spring Grove improved to … [Read more...]
Lion Girls Take Two, Drop Three at Showcase
Spring Grove, with two wins and three losses, placed 10th among 16 team at the Class A Volleyball Showcase, which featured the top teams in the state on Sept. 22 and 23 at Burnsville. The Lions returned home with an 11-4 season record. K-W 2, SG 1 The Lions opened a 2-1 loss to Kenyon-Wanamingo (27-25, 18-25, 12-25). The Knights were not among the state top 10 at the … [Read more...]
Football: Cougars Upend State-Ranked Lions
Mabel-Canton ended 14 years and 18 games of frustration with a 2023 Homecoming football upset of state-ranked rival Spring Grove, 20-12. After an 0-3 start, it was the second straight win for the Cougars (2-3, 2-3), while the Lions (4-1, 5-1) suffered their first setback since last year’s state championship game. M-C leads the all-time series, 37 to 28. Spring Grove had … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Money Creek Bricks, Caledonia Chicks, Hokah Hogs and a Green Silk Veil
Part three of a series In preparation for Houston County’s diamond anniversary (75 years) homecoming celebration in 1929, one committee produced a 48-page history pamphlet that included the information recounted here, surely drawing from extensive county histories published in 1882 and 1919. One section was devoted to the early settlement of several townships and villages. … [Read more...]
Lion Girls Dominate Burros, Struggle Past Cardinals
Spring Grove improved to 9-1 (6-1 SEC East) with a pair of 3-0 wins versus visiting Lanesboro on Sept. 19 before a Sept. 21 road trip to LeRoy-Ostrander. The first decision kept the Lions in second place in the SEC East with the Burros (8-4, 4-3 SEC East) occupying third place. With the Lions creating significantly more attacks in each match, the decisions depended on Spring … [Read more...]