Part two During territorial days and the early years of Minnesota statehood, minor legal disputes were most often settled in townships by a justice of the peace, an appointed or elected magistrate. Some handwritten records from the 1860s and 1870s survive from the court of Justice James Kelly in Yucatan Township, Houston County. There was one case of an indelicate nature, but … [Read more...]
Mainspring Founder receives Fellowship
The founder and volunteer director of Caledonia’s art collaborative, Mainspring, Melissa Wray received word in August that she was selected for a two-year Rural Regenerator Fellowship through Springboard for the Arts. The Minnesota non-profit organization has a branch in Saint Paul and one in Fergus Falls. Fergus Falls oversees the Fellowship. According to the organization’s … [Read more...]
Celebrate fall in Spring Grove and Lanesboro
The Bluff Country’s vibrant fall palette of warm colors will be at its peak the second week of October. Plan a trip to Spring Grove’s annual fall celebration, Uffda Fest, on October 7 and 8 in Minnesota’s first Norwegian settlement and celebrate fall. The Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is hosting a Norsk Talent Show, late Friday afternoon and heritage classes throughout … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Getting to court – by canoe, by wagon, on foot
In 1887, Judge Flandrau appeared before the Ramsey County, Minn., bar, where he delivered a lecture on the practice of law in the early days after statehood in 1858. “To give the younger members of the bar some idea on the difficulties attending the practice in early days, you must allow me to relate a few instances connected with my own experience. Mr. Brisbin called me down … [Read more...]
Fall into Lanesboro
The annual Fall into Lanesboro event takes place on Saturday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at various locations throughout picturesque Lanesboro. Some activities are free, and others cost. Event organizers describe the event as a “Family-friendly, fun-filled fall event to enjoy Lanesboro with a scavenger hunt, wagon ride, pumpkin & cookie decorating, and so much … [Read more...]
Hot air balloons on display at the Caledonia Veterans Park this fall
At their September 12 council meeting, the Caledonia City Council unanimously approved the request to inflate and display three hot air balloons at the Veterans Park on October 22, from 5-8 p.m. In the past, hot-air balloons have flown from the high school but this fall balloons will not fly in the skies over Caledonia. City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson did not know why … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Falling cows among fallen apples
A standard large cow herd had 16 cows, according to Anita Lee (Hartman) Palmquist while describing her childhood chores on the Hartman family farm in Pleasant Valley near Hokah during the late 1920s and early ‘30s. Cows were milked by hand, and milk was carried by hand in pails from the barn to the milk house to be separated. Someone kept the separator tank full of milk while … [Read more...]
Family fun at the Wykoff Fall Festival
Families, make plans to attend the Wykoff Fall Festival this weekend, September 23-25. Festival organizers announce, “We’ve added lots of events this year!” The weekend kicks off with a concert on Friday night featuring Matt and Brenda Stier, and the 4-H soft-serve ice cream social. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy a drive-in movie while devouring a bag of hot buttered popcorn … [Read more...]
Pop-up Plays Lanesboro: Roma, Norskies and Bumtown 1935
Pop-up Plays Lanesboro: Roma, Norskies and Bumtown 1935, produced by History Alive Lanesboro, takes you into the world of 1935 in small town southeast Minnesota. Experience a local Roma or gypsy camp (from an elder’s memories) and watch a lively revived local Norwegian play from 1935. Meet town “character” Cyclone Johnson as well as Cecil Ward – local journalist and movie … [Read more...]
An event fit for a king and queen
The rapid change in weather, colored leaves, and fragrances are not the only signs that autumn is on the horizon. Time-honored festivals are another sign that fall is just days away. The weekend of September 15, 16, 17, and 18 is La Crescent’s Applefest. Applefest is 74 years old. The festival started in 1949 to promote the town’s apple industry and to put La Crescent on the … [Read more...]