At their regular February 18 meeting, the Houston School Board discussed the work done so far on the superintendent job description. Mimi Carlson and Board chair Tom Stilin met with Superintendent Krin Abraham to pare down the superintendent duties. Abraham had taken on additional duties over the years which could and should be assigned to others. Acting Board chair Mimi … [Read more...]
Horse lover for life
Kari Johnson fell in love with horses when she was about five years old, and still loves them. According to her, it was her dad’s fault; Dad had a buddy whose daughter had a horse, and he insisted that Kari needed one too! When her dad brought home her first pony, Kari fell head over heels for it. Kari was the youngest of five kids; none of the other kids was into horses at … [Read more...]
Houston school to consider purchase of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the Houston School Board at their meeting on February 11 that the school had been approached about the possibility of purchasing the St. Mary’s Catholic Church building. Abraham told the board that the church will be available after June 30; the church’s roof has been recently done and the kitchen and bathrooms are handicapped accessible and … [Read more...]
Rushford VFW Diamond Jubliee
The Rushford VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) organization is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year — organized in 1946, shortly after the end of WWII, the VFW has been around for 75 years. On Saturday, February 13, the members of the VFW celebrated the 75 years at their meeting held at Stumpy’s Restaurant. VFW District I Commander Dave Thul from Owatonna joined the meeting … [Read more...]
Forty years of quality hardwoods
Root River Hardwoods came from humble beginnings in 1980 when Andy Bahl’s dad Richard Bahl and his partners, Mike Merritt and Jeff Wand, purchased a sawmill in Preston, Minn. In 1988, Andy started working with millwork, supplying kiln-dried lumber to furniture and cabinet makers. His next step included purchasing a Weinig molder, the Cadillac of molders; he hired additional … [Read more...]
Houston to conduct a noise study for OHV trail
At the regular Houston City Council meeting February 8, the council revisited the proposed OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) trail. In order to be able to proceed with the trail, the council accepted the RTP (Recreational Trails Program) grant, authorized the submission of NHIS (National Heritage Information System) data request form, and accepted and authorized the signature on EAS … [Read more...]
Hobby: Tina’s treats
A preconceived idea that some people have is that gluten free food is bland, gritty, and/or just plain unappetizing. Tina Darr can definitely prove that conception wrong! Tina shared gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, lemon bars, rolled out sugar cookies, cheese cake, and coconut custard pie with me and all of them were absolutely fabulous! Tina … [Read more...]
Organization and goal setting for the SWCD
The Fillmore SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) met via a hybrid of in-person and Zoom on January 21, 2021. Board members, including new members Eunice Biel and Dwayne Ostrem, were sworn in and officers were elected: Travis Willford, chair; Tim Gossman, vice chair; Kathy Tesmer, secretary; and Dwayne Ostrem, treasurer. Members then were appointed to committees as … [Read more...]
Sno Pac – organic before organic was cool
Fourth generation owner, Pete Gengler has been saying this now familiar motto for over 15 years about his family’s organic business, Sno Pac, located in Caledonia, Minn. Believing that organic farming with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers was better for the health of the consumers and was better stewardship of the land, Pete’s great-grandfather, J.P. (John Peter) Gengler … [Read more...]
Supt. Abraham announces retirement
At the very end of the January 21, 2021, Houston School Board meeting, Superintendent Krin Abraham informed the board that she will be retiring in June. Abraham declared, “I love this place; I love this district, but I need to be done. I want you to be able to start looking now.” Board member Arlin Peterson, who has had a relationship with Abraham both as a fellow teacher … [Read more...]