When the North Star and Freedom Honor Flight delegations returned from their one day trips to Washington, D.C., crowds of people lined the airports of Rochester and La Crosse to welcome them back home. “That’s not the way it was when we returned from Vietnam,” remarked Mike Lane of Chatfield, “it took 50 years before I heard ‘Welcome Home’ after my time serving in Vietnam.” … [Read more...]
Golden Twin Toy Drive
Twin sisters Rachel and Faith Knopps of Spring Valley project a generosity inspiring others. By gathering, then delivering toys, they have created a nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy into the lives of children who are hospitalized. Growing up in southwestern Minnesota with a brother who frequently was a patient at Gillette Children’s Hospital in Saint Paul has influenced … [Read more...]
Peonies Flourish for Melissa McGowan
Breathtakingly beautiful flowers have been appreciated for over 28 years at the Rochester Farmers Market because of the diligent work of peony agriculturist Melissa (King) McGowan of rural Spring Valley, Minn. Melissa’s passion for these massive and fragrant blossoms goes beyond her personal joy of being surrounded by their beauty. Excitement is evident each spring as people … [Read more...]
Historic Forestville Ending Interpretive Tours
An irony existed when the banks of the Root River could not contain recent rainfall amounts temporarily closing Historic Forestville just days before the Minnesota Historic Society announced that on September 1, 2025, this site dedicated to preserving rural history in Minnesota would be closing. Will this closure be similar to a time over a hundred years ago when Thomas … [Read more...]
Howards Host The Antique Stove Association 40th Anniversary Convention
Antique stove enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada gathered in rural Spring Valley, Minn., for their 40th annual convention. Hosting this event were Gwen and Dennis Howard who agreed, “It has been such fun!” Their first Howard stove was sited in November 2016 at Ghost Town Museum in Manitou Springs, Colo., they have been collecting Howard antique stoves … [Read more...]
Glenn Dale Magnifies Wood’s Beauty with Intarsia
Upon entering the Dale home in rural Preston, an overwhelming experience of stepping into an art gallery where creative people lived and worked and played together is realized. An array of quilted marvels grace each room. Wood carvings and intarsia creations are artistically displayed throughout the home. Focusing on the craft of Intarsia woodworking, which “uses varied … [Read more...]
They Keep Answering the Call to Serve
Acknowledging membership in the American Legion, Commander of Post 68, Nathan Pike and District Commander Mark Maloney presented pins and certificates recognizing 16 veterans. “What personally does membership in the American Legion mean?” was the question asked to each veteran. Among these awards were 70-year pins for two members, Roy Christopherson and Harlan Marchant. … [Read more...]
Sounds from The Audio Bakery
Being drawn by the flourishing audiobook market, Tom and Ben Kelley bring their exciting vision of The Audio Bakery to Spring Valley. The transformation of the old Spring Valley Bakery is underway with the introduction of this new audio-bakery business. “Our audiobook production facility offers a real ‘baker’s dozen’ on Broadway Avenue with a lovely glass store-front and all … [Read more...]
Field of Flags acknowledges emergency responders’ PTSD battle
Researchers studying Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are constantly evaluating the powerful way a tragic memory is defined in time and how physical triggers can instantly draw a person into that memory. The event - usually a terrifying one – which is experienced or witnessed can bring symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks and severe anxiety. Jenny Czapiewski and … [Read more...]
Schumacher generations acknowledged as Century Farm
An official notice in March 2022 was delivered to Sherry Pfremmer of rural Spring Valley signed by Marie LeFebvre of Century Farms stating, “Let it be known that this farm, Schumacher Farm has been in continuous agricultural operation since nineteen hundred and twenty two, signifying more than 100 years of contributions to the community, state, nation and world.” The process … [Read more...]