The Spring Grove boys (6-1, 6-1 SEC) prepared for the conference showdown with Randolph by completing SEC sweeps of both Schaeffer Academy and Houston. A hard-fought 59-43 win over defending East Division champion Schaeffer came on the road at Rochester on Monday (Feb. 2) before a 64-15 home hammering of Houston on Saturday (Feb. 6.) in a game delayed two days by … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Several states enlisted Houston County volunteers
Part one Even before the Civil War began, some in Houston County were organizing for combat. In February of 1861, while many were still pursuing a peaceful solution, Caledonia’s Col. Sam McPhail, a Mexican War veteran, sought to form a regiment. Having lived in the South, he “appreciated the temper of the fire-eaters and knew that if resisted, they would fight.” Fifteen … [Read more...]
Cal/SG gymnasts open vs. PI/ZM
The Caledonia/Spring Grove gymnastics team opened at home with a score of 109.825 while Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa won with 135.35. Freshman Braelyn Lange placed second in all-around at 29.5, and junior Brianna Johnson was third at 26.95. Six different Warriors competed in varsity events, four qualifying for all-around (competing at all four stations). Both … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys blast Houston, lose large lead in first loss at Randolph
The outcome was decided during the first few minutes of the Spring Grove boys’ early-week 86-35 walloping of winless Houston (Jan. 25), but the gut-wrenching, late-week 52-47 loss at Randolph went down to the final half-minute (Jan. 28). The Lion lads lost a 16-point lead while suffering their first setback of the season, while the Rockets remained very much alive in the SEC … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – One room, one dipper, one wash dish, one clean towel each week
“We had one tin wash dish and one clean towel each week,” recalled 87-year-old Bridgette M. (O’Brien) Hennessy while reflecting on more than four decades of teaching (about 1908 to 1956) at Vinegar Hill School between Money Creek and Rushford before retiring at age 70. “The water was carried from a neighbor’s house, and we all drank from the same dipper. There was never an … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The engineer and the fireman jumped out in time to save their lives
A century, a decade, a year and almost a month ago, the big news in Houston County was a train wreck between Spring Grove and Caledonia. One newspaper noted how Spring Grove station agent Mr. Beerman was “somewhat surprised” to see only the engine of No. 425 arrive on Tuesday evening, January 11, 1910. Conductor Merwin explained that he had left both cars and the passengers in … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls first drop, then win close contests
The Spring Grove girls (1-3, 1-2 SEC), with better ball-handling and shooting, were competitive until the end of both games last week. They faded in the final couple of minutes of a 34-31 loss at Mabel-Canton (Jan. 18), but they rallied late for a 47-39 win at Schaeffer Academy (Jan. 21). Coming into this 107th meeting between Spring Grove and Mabel-Canton, each team had won … [Read more...]
Lion boys alone in league lead after two runaway wins
The Spring Grove boys remained the lone undefeated team in the SEC East after a late-week 68-29 annihilation of previously unbeaten Schaeffer Academy. That came after a 57-31 throttling of Mabel-Canton. That 22nd consecutive victory over the Cougars came three nights before the Spring Grove Lions ended a two-game losing skein against the Schaeffer Lions, last year’s East … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys overtake, fend off Grand Meadow, 45-41
The visiting Spring Grove boys rallied late with a 13-to-3 run to regain the lead and hold off Grand Meadow, 45-41, in the 2021 season and conference basketball opener for both teams on Jan. 15. It was appropriate that both teams scored in the 40s during the Lions' 44th straight win against the Superlarks, dating back to 1999. The Lions had led throughout the first half by … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys rely on youth, improved shooting
The Spring Grove basketball boys return five of last year’s 12 letter winners, but the Lions bring back less than half of the scoring and only a fourth of the rebounding. For the second straight season, Caden Grinde is the lone full-time returning starter, who was also the most celebrated as the Spring Grove MVP and two-time all-conference selection. Illness provided … [Read more...]