The Spring Grove defense had a record-breaking night while the Lions scorched the visitors with a Bryce Berns-to-Jaxon Strinmoen passing blitz. While blanking Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, 35-0, Grove limited the Knights to only 47 yards of offense, the fewest allowed by the Lions in the in the 23 seasons, for which individual game stats survive! AC/GE came in averaging 307 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Sugar Never Showed Up, Treasurer Ran Away
Part two of a series In 1861, the Houston County treasurer disappeared, and “the air was heavy with rumors. The fact that there was a defaulting treasurer spread over the county on the wings of the wind… the deficiency in the accounts of the late treasurer was found to be $3,890.00.” There were about 30 bondsmen, so the loss, if evenly divided, was not devastating for any. … [Read more...]
Grove Girls Grill GM, Sweep Three Tourney Matches
Kendal VanMinsel recorded her 1,000th career set assist as Spring Grove rolled to three wins and a tournament pool-play championship at Waukon, IA. Due to lack of officials, there was no action beyond pool play nor any overall tourney champion. The Lions (4-1, 7-1) posted straight-set, 2-0 wins over Waukon, Riceville and Turkey Valley. SG had won the tournament last year (2022) … [Read more...]
Lions hold off Lanesboro,13-8
State-ranked No. 2 Spring Grove roared down the field on the game’s first possession for a 7-0 lead. However, that score held into the fourth quarter as the undefeated Lions (4-0, 3-0 district) held off winless, 0-3 Lanesboro, 13-8. The Burros also appeared potent on their first possession, surging to the one yard-line before a 15-yard penalty on the bench made it third down … [Read more...]
Streams, Bluffs, Snow and Parched Corn
There were 17 committees that worked in preparation for a three-day Houston County diamond anniversary (75 years) homecoming celebration in 1929. The Historical Booklet Committee produced a 48-page publication that included the information recounted here. Previously, there had been far more extensive county histories published in 1882 and 1919. The land that became Houston … [Read more...]
State-Ranked Spring Grove too Swift for Superlarks
Jaxon Strinmoen spurred Spring Grove with two punt returns and a 30-yard reception as the state-ranked No. 2 Lions (3-0, 2-0 dist.) came from behind to gash visiting Grand Meadow, 34-12. The Superlarks (0-2. 0-2 dist.) dominated the clock with 69 plays to only 27 for the Lions, outgained SG 256 yards to 201 and earned twice as many first downs. But SG prevailed with superior … [Read more...]
Lions Fall in SEC Volleyball Showdown with Cougars
It was quite a volleyball contrast for Spring Grove, which began the week with a home victory versus winless and hapless Schaeffer Academy (0-2, 0-1 SEC) and then went on the road to take on state-ranked No. 2 Mabel-Canton (9-0, 3-0 SEC). The Lions overwhelmed those Schaeffer Lions, 3-0 (25-9, 25-4, 25-8) and then won the first set at Mabel-Canton before being overtaken by the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Houston Welcomed a Hometown, National Hero
A half century ago, “The people of Houston figuratively rolled out the red carpet,” stated the Houston (Minn.) Signal newspaper on May 4, 1973. The occasion was a weekend celebration, welcoming home Robert Flynn. “At one time, the prospect of seeing Bob on the streets of Houston again seemed rather remote. Never underestimating the power of prayer, the people of Houston saw … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago Lived Peaceably Among White Settlers
Part two of a two-part series Around 1903, newlywed Grace Greener and her husband moved to Reno, Minn. Word spread that she owned a modern miracle – a sewing machine, and the Winnebago Indians living in the nearby river bottoms frequently brought clothing for her to mend. They often paid her with wild game and fish. During the last half of the 1800s, the European-heritage … [Read more...]
Spring Grove netters open with two straight-set SEC wins
Spring Grove opened the 2023 volleyball season with a pair of straight-set, 3-0 conference wins - a lackluster road win at Adams versus Southland, followed by a more satisfactory performance at home versus Houston. The Hurricanes (2-1, 2-1 SEC) slipped out of the league lead while the Lions share the SEC East lead at 2-0 (2-0 SEC). Neither team attacked efficiently at Adams, … [Read more...]