“We boys pretty much ignored the girls, unless they were needed for a ball game,” wrote now octogenarian David Beckman about attending country grade schools in Houston County, Minn., in the 1940s and 1950s. “Even so, I did realize that girls were much more aware of subtle things that were going on around us than we boys ever were. We either didn’t notice or didn’t much … [Read more...]
Lanesboro makes a statement with new mural
As a town known for its arts and culture, Lanesboro has now made a large statement in the form of a colorful Theatre District Mural. The mural, located at the corner of O’Koren Law Office, 204 Parkway Ave. N., was a collaborative effort between Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre, who partnered with Joe O’Koren who owns the building. Lanesboro Arts and Commonweal Theatre … [Read more...]
It’s farmers market season
Fresh, nutritious, and delicious tasting veggies are now in season! Shoppers will now find a large selection of veggies. In addition to veggies, shoppers will find a selection of jams, pickles, mushrooms, jerky, fish, beef, wine, flowers, homemade pie and bread, handmade dog treats, baby ducks and chicks, handcrafted items like potholders and scrubbers and dish towels, … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Piggy banks, hitchhiking, whatever got them to the rink
Part two of a two-part series An 1884 newspaper credited S. D. Torrey of Lansing, Iowa, for introducing the roller-skating rage to Caledonia. “We had the pleasure of witnessing the first experiment of some of our denizens on rollers at the courthouse Monday evening, and we enjoyed it hugely. We did not venture to try on a pair of skates, however, fearing that a certain part of … [Read more...]
Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause raises $13,250
The weekend of Father’s Day was quite amazing for many reasons. The Caledonia Founder’s Day Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show drew a large crowd on Saturday, June 17. It was a hot, sunny day, which has become the norm lately. There were food vendors, bean bag tournaments, arts and crafts, boutique clothing and accessories for sale. It was a busy place with more than 80 vehicles … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Rules of the rink: no profanity, no spitting on the floor
About three decades after settlers of European heritage first made their way west to southeastern Minnesota, townsfolk were able to put wheels on their feet. Evidently, some instruction on proper decorum was called for. “Gentlemen will not, and others must not spit on the floor,” was one published rule by the Rushford Roller Rink in the 1880s. “Skaters are prohibited from … [Read more...]
Welcome to Amish Country!
Remember to include a visit to the Amish community on your next trip to southeast Minnesota. One hundred fifty Amish families, about 1,000 Amish, live in the rich agricultural area surrounding the communities of Harmony and Canton. Visitors can either tour the area on their own, listen to an audio tour while touring, or take a guided tour. Amish Experience of Lanesboro sells … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Suspicious antidote was seized, but not wasted
In 1856, during Minnesota’s earliest years of settlement, an enterprising young newlywed moonshiner in the Fillmore County village of Choice found the area so full of rattlesnakes that he schemed to profit without having to encounter any wild creatures. He manufactured and sold what became a well-known antidote to snakebite. As time passed, he began to market medicine to … [Read more...]
Norway touched heartstrings and artstrings
Breathtaking, amazing and awesome are just a few of the words I used repeatedly during a recent visit to Norway. Seeing such majestic scenes leaves a person awestruck and the words to describe what you are looking at do not seem to do them justice. I longed to go to Norway not only to discover more about my own ancestry, but also to learn about the country, where so many … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback Donald Ward’s transatlantic ties
By Jane Skinner Peck Staff at Lanesboro Museum Our small city museum, packed with historic treasures, has captured the attention of the famed Suffolk County Archives in Ipswich, England. Suffolk County is located in the southeast corner of England. Suffolk Archives has branches in three towns in their county and the museums are responsible for 900 years of history. Lanesboro … [Read more...]