Recently, longtime Lions Club member Anita Brand was honored with the Helen Keller Sight Award given by the Rushford Lions Club. There have been only five or six such awards given in the history of the club since the inception of the award in 1960. According to Lions member Larry Bartelson, this award was most unusual in that it was given to both Anita and her husband Melvin; … [Read more...]
Thompson always ready for a challenge
Maynard Thompson began his teaching career at Peterson High School in the fall of 1957 and stayed there his entire career in education. That’s definitely not to say that he had a boring career. Thompson was originally from Peterson; his mother was a teacher there. The summer after his second year of college, the local superintendent saw him downtown and asked him what he was … [Read more...]
Bertram Boyum’s fountain of youth
Bertram Boyum of Rushford will turn 104 years young in September. He lives in his own house, drives his own vehicle, and makes his own supper. Who else would you turn to for advice on aging well? When asked what he credits for his longevity, he replied, “I don’t have the answer – I just keep going!” He then continued with some answers. First he said he must just be blessed … [Read more...]
Fillmore County schools and law enforcement meet about school safety
When Sheriff John DeGeorge heard details of the school shooting in Uvalde, Tex., he anticipated questions from the public on local preparedness for such an event in Fillmore County. As he thought about it, he wondered if schools were getting questions as well. DeGeorge decided to invite Fillmore County school administrators and local police chiefs to attend a joint meeting with … [Read more...]
R-P plans additional PLC time
Rushford-Peterson’s new superintendent, Ben Bernard asked the board to add four early out days to the school calendar at the July 18 meeting of the R-P School Board. Bernard had met with a committee consisting of teachers Becky Lind, Shari Michel, and Brenda Bergan and principals Angela Shepard and Jake Timm to discuss the request of the PLC groups for more time to meet … [Read more...]
Houston Schools redefining ready scorecard
The Houston School Board reviewed the updated June 2022 college and career readiness scorecard for Houston High School at their July 7 board meeting. Administration at the school participated in this program and gathered the information reported. This scorecard provides information about the class of 2022 and will be used for comparisons at later dates to see how the school is … [Read more...]
Houston wastewater treatment plant nears completion
John Graupman of Bolton & Menk visited the Houston City Council meeting on July 11 to present pay applications #14 ($171,369.05) and #15 ($205,894.32) from Wapasha Construction. Graupman explained that there were two this month since last month’s pay application had failed to be submitted. Graupman also submitted a change order to add new sidewalks at the wastewater plant; … [Read more...]
Lanesboro School considers new bus garage
Superintendent Matt Schultz brought up the need for a new bus garage at the regular Lanesboro School Board meeting on July 13. The current bus garage is over 50 years old and has outlived its usefulness. Two buses must be stored outside the facility and a third extends beyond the doors because it is too long. The garage is too short and narrow for today’s buses. Care has been … [Read more...]
City of Lanesboro supports its local entrepreneurs
A common theme at the Lanesboro City Council meeting on July 5 was the support of local businesses. Joe Goetzke reported that the EDA has been working on a Short Term Business Interruption Loan; this loan would be available to business owners when natural disasters, pandemic or street construction interrupt their business operations. Intended to be a quick, simple loan to cover … [Read more...]
Fountain prepares for Relay for Life
Council member Colleen Fohrenbacher discussed last minute details of the upcoming Relay for Life at the regular City of Fountain Council meeting July 6. The Relay for Life will be held in Fountain August 19 from 4 p.m. to about midnight. Most activities will take place at the city park; a dinner will be held at the community center. Fohrenbacher asked if the silent auction … [Read more...]
Grand reopening of Peterson Station Museum
Norwegian music filled the air on a bright, sunny Sunday morning as guests sat on lawn chairs quietly chatting while they sipped on coffee and munched on cookies. The group had gathered to watch the ribbon cutting by curator John Erickson for the reopening of the Peterson Station Museum. Erickson was instrumental in purchasing the depot in 1971 and moving it to its current … [Read more...]
A perfect Dairy Night on the Farm
Eighty degrees with a light breeze made for a perfect night at the picturesque verdant Rumpus Ridge Farms of rural Preston June 18th. The Fillmore County Dairy Association expertly presented an event with activities for everyone. The younger attendees took full advantage of a plethora of kid-friendly activities. Inflatables — both a bounce house and a slide/obstacle course — … [Read more...]
R-P begins discussion on school safety
R-P Chairman Chris Grindland introduced a discussion on school safety at the Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting on June 22. Referring to the recent tragic school shootings, Grindland felt it was time to start a discussion of how to improve school safety. Grindland distributed copies of a state statute as he suggested the option of allowing teachers with a concealed carry … [Read more...]
Localdoorstep.com DELIVERS!
Local entrepreneurs Jenna and Lucas Kappers of rural Chatfield are ready to take your local food orders and deliver them to your doorstep. You can order a wide selection of dairy, produce, meats, beverages, bakery, pantry, and household items to be delivered to your location in the Twin Cities and throughout southeastern Minnesota. Lucas and Jenna launched their business as … [Read more...]
Houston Council establishes usage fees for community center
The Houston City Council approved ordinance 236 regarding the non-profit use of the community center and other city properties after a lengthy discussion at their meeting on June 13. The council wrestled with finding a balance between supporting non-profits and receiving rental fees for the facilities. Michelle Quinn pointed out that the taxpayers were already being levied to … [Read more...]