When this beautiful picture was taken 128 years ago, in 1893... It was just a mere six years before the letters from Dr. William J. Mayo and Aaron H. H. Dayton, from my last column were sent! Great poetry was being written and spectacular photographs were also being created by our good friend Aaron L. Sleyster and all the while the Brothers Mayo were getting the groundwork in … [Read more...]
Commonweal Theatre to produce special winter cabaret production
LANESBORO, MN — Following a season of change and overcoming challenges in the face of COVID-19 precautions in 2020, the Commonweal Theatre in historic Lanesboro is pleased to announce a very special virtual production for the winter of 2021 entitled “Stela’s Clear Blue Morning.” After a year of turbulence and fatigue, the lights are back on at the Commonweal beginning January … [Read more...]
Legacy Amendment provides $361,000+ in small grants to support history projects
The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 42 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($10,000 and less), totaling $361,234 in 29 counties. Small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units and federally recognized tribes to preserve and share Minnesota history. This cycle of … [Read more...]
Draft horses are a hobby for the Apenhorst family
Immersed on a farm south of Spring Valley, the Apenhorst family can be found working with their hobby of Belgian Draft Horses. Lynn Apenhorst takes pride in grooming and driving their Blond Belgians as well as working at the Rochester International Airport and farming, while his wife Lisa (Paulsen) Apenhorst is employed at the Kingsland High School as a paraprofessional. These … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County: Historical, Fillmore County Christmas gift, like no other!
By Dianne Ruud Last week our friend Flip Huggenvik shared one electrifying story about how Aaron Dayton’s hired man was needing emergency medical attention, and that the Mayo brothers in Rochester, Minn., were contacted by the patient’s wife, Mrs. E. M. Rolfe. The Mayos had only recently begun their practice, and the year was 1896! She asked that they please come to … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Trains bypass county seats; earn dollar and a half a day working on the railroad
The first railroad in southeast Minnesota went up the Root River Valley, bypassing two county seats – Caledonia and Preston. That omission would soon be solved by entrepreneurs in Caledonia. Railroads began to cross Houston County in the 1860s, shortly after the Civil War. The railroad era in southeast Minnesota lasted more than a century before ending in 1976. In 1880, the … [Read more...]
You, too, can be a machinist in your own home
Are you looking for a hobby to take your mind off COVID-19? Relieve stress? Create an additional source of income? Hobbies not only relieve stress, but they can also promote good stress, known as eustress. “Eustress is a positive type of stress that makes you excited about what you’re doing. The excitement you feel translates to your life in general.” Check out … [Read more...]
Noticing more
Kristi Danielson-Vreeman notices more and sees more than she used to — not because of glasses or surgery — but because she’s a photographer! Small details that might have previously gone unnoticed now become subjects of her photographs; close-ups of spiderwebs become crystal creations. Kristi’s dad bought her a 110 flash camera when she was 12 years old, thus nurturing a … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Arts presents Annual Juried High School Art Show January 16 – February 7
Lanesboro Arts is proud to present the Annual Juried High School Art Show, showcasing artworks by 9-12th grade students from Chatfield, Fillmore Central, Lanesboro, and Rushford-Peterson High Schools. The show opens on January 16 and runs through February 7. Always free and open to the public, gallery hours are Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The show features a variety … [Read more...]
Dan Chouinard and local Lanesboro talent bring beloved annual Holiday Sing Along to Facebook live on Friday, December 18
Lanesboro, Mn - Twin Cities-based accompanist, writer and vocalist Dan Chouinard is leading the 14th annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Sing Along on Friday, December 18, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. in the COVID-19 friendly format of Facebook Live. Chouinard will host the virtual evening on the Lanesboro Arts Facebook page in a new format but with the same charm as the annual Lanesboro … [Read more...]