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...]
Mill Street Fitness, a great small town fit
With a motto of “Stay active, be healthy, live longer!” Mill Street Fitness conveniently located in the Mill Street Mall near Rushford Foods is a perfect fit for the Rushford area. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day so anyone can find a time to work out that fits his or her schedule. Customers access the center using a card which tracks their use; they also sign in when … [Read more...]
Had COVID? Donate plasma!
Did you know that if you have had COVID and have been symptom free for at least fourteen days, you can donate plasma to help others with COVID? Rushford native Larry Bartelson shared his personal experience with COVID and convalescent plasma donation. Larry first felt the symptoms of COVID-19 October 30, 2020, and went to be tested for it. After isolating for several days, … [Read more...]
Rustic wood
Rich Sather has always enjoyed getting out in the woods and cutting wood. Since farming practices changed on his farm, the side hills in back of his house have been overgrown with thousands of trees that are considered “weed” trees, including box elder, buckthorn, and aromatic cedar. Originally, his plan was to merely cut down and burn all those trees; however, after seeing and … [Read more...]
Smoked meats and horseradish — yum!
Dale Brand of Rushford has an unusual “man cave.” While he has a big screen TV, a popcorn machine, and a fridge for his beer, he also has a stainless steel sausage filler, a stainless steel processing table, a dehydrator, several food/meat grinders, and some woodworking machines! In the adjoining garage, he has a pellet grill smoker and another smoker where he can adjust air … [Read more...]
Dealing with trespassers
Rushford landowner Richard Anderson is frustrated with consistent, repetitive, chronic, and increasingly more flagrant trespassing by hunters on his private property and is working to make a change in trespassing laws. After conversations with his neighbor Bob Wick who has similar concerns, and reading a letter to the editor and interview in the Outdoor News with Mark Strehlow … [Read more...]
Houston School Board organized and ready to work
The Houston School Board quickly chose its officers, calendar, committees and other official elements as they met for the first time in the new year on January 7, 2021. Officers are: Tom Stilin, chair; Mimi Carlson, vice chair; Josh Norlien, clerk; and Gene Lundak, treasurer. Meetings will remain on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bremer Bank was again chosen as … [Read more...]