Junior Jordian Leahy was voted Most Valuable Player by her 2021 Spring Grove basketball teammates. Junior Ava Olerud was honored with the Lion Attitude Award, while eighth grade guard Emerson Ingvalson was the choice for Most Improved. Freshman Katelyn Kraus was voted the Hustle Award. Leahy (MVP), a 5-foot-6 junior guard who received Honorable Mention on the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past String phones possible before electric telephone service
First of a series The first telephones in Caledonia were probably the legal “string phones,” but could they have been prohibited versions of the patented “electric speaking telephone?” In the spring of 1883, an article in a Caledonia newspaper sought subscribers for a telephone exchange with an investment of $25 plus $10 dollars for an instrument (telephone) and the necessary … [Read more...]
Everett Silas Sollien
Everett Silas Sollien, 89, of Decorah, Iowa, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family on the night of April 3, 2021. Everett was born in Spring Grove, Minn., to Syver and Florence (Rauk) Sollien on September 16, 1931. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1949. Everett grew up farming with his family. Outside of his enlistment in the U.S. Army from 1954 to … [Read more...]
Young baseball Lions step into varsity spotlight, open at Houston
It ranks as one of the most inexperienced and youngest Spring Grove High School baseball teams. After COVID-19 canceled baseball for every Minnesota high school last spring and American Legion last summer, every coach seeks to restore skills last polished in 2019. Coach Chris Strinmoen starts with 16 varsity candidates. All but one has played baseball since childhood (except … [Read more...]
Peterson voted Spring Grove volleyball top honor
Senior VaNessa Peterson was voted the Impact/Most Valuable Player by her 2020 Spring Grove volleyball teammates and also shared the Heart Award in a COVID-19-delayed awards presentation. Maggie Lile was the choice for the Hustle Award and for the second season voted the Heart Award, sharing that honor this year with Peterson, Addyson McHugh and Kelsey Bratland. Kenadee Gerard … [Read more...]
Grinde repeats MVP; Spring Grove gridders honor five teammates
Spring Grove senior Caden Grinde was voted both Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year - both for the second straight season by his 2020 Lion football teammates. Senior Tristan Hammel was the choice for Lineman of the Year while senior Isaac Griffin was voted Outstanding Leader. Sophomore Tysen Grinde was selected Rookie of the Year, and sophomore Caleb … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past McPhail founded two county seats, fought two wars, dueled on foot
Second of a two-part series The founder of Caledonia, Capt. Samuel McPhail, credited with naming both that village and Houston County during the early 1850s, was a most prominent early settler in both Southeast and southwest Minnesota. Arriving in Brownsville with his wife in 1850, he founded Caledonia in 1853 and was greatly responsible for it becoming the county seat. If not … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton cheerleaders earn national, state honors
The Mabel-Canton cheer squad won awards at a national, virtual competition that was organized in Everett, Wash., to offer a unique opportunity for so many cheerleaders who were so often sidelined during a pandemic winter. In individual competition, Katelyn Kleiboer earned individual honors in that national virtual event as well as a scholarship in a statewide competition … [Read more...]
Lyle/Pacelli, Southland lead All-SEC Team; Spring Grove’s Grinde is Player of the Year
West Division champion Lyle/Pacelli placed four players on the 2021 All-Southeast Conference Boys Basketball Team while division and section runner-up Southland had three honorees. East Division champion Spring Grove had two selections, including SEC Player of the Year Caden Grinde. Seven of the 17 are repeat honorees; four of the First and Second Team selections had … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys capture another crown with defense, free throws, few fouls
The Spring Grove boys set program records for the fewest fouls committed and the fewest free throws allowed, contributing to the best scoring defense in the last 71 years. But the 2021 basketball season will be most remembered for few fans and no band in the stands to watch players wearing masks. Due to the pandemic, there were only 17 games - the fewest in 44 years - since the … [Read more...]