SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven southeastern Minnesota counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announces a call for proposals by Individual Artists. All proposed projects must … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past The Lady on the Hill still receives visitors
Part three of a three-part series “The Stone Lady” or the “Lady on the Hill,” a unique hand-stacked landmark on a hill in Black Hammer Township has surveyed the landscape ever since the late 1860s or 1870s. Black Hammer Hill was the most pronounced feature of the topography, overlooking to the east where the Winona-Fort Atkinson Indian Trail crossed an older trail between the … [Read more...]
Rushford bandstand proposal to honor former librarian
At a swift May 23 meeting, the Rushford Council approved two items of general business and heard about a project put forward by the Library Board. The capital projects proposal is the construction of a community bandstand just west of the public library on existing green space. The bandstand will honor longtime Rushford librarian Susan Hart, who served in the role for 25 … [Read more...]
Cool off Memorial Day weekend on the river
A memorable adventure awaits you on the scenic Root River in Southeast Minnesota, the Upper Iowa River in Northeast Iowa, or the Mighty Mississippi River this Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 29, and 30. It is the perfect activity to start off the summer. To ensure a safe and fun trip down the river, contact the following Visit Bluff Country outfitters to rent tubes, canoes, … [Read more...]
Eggerichs family proud to be a Century Farm
Each of the 78 Century Farms in Minnesota honored in 2022 by the State Fair and Farm Bureau Program has its own unique stories which have been passed down through the generations. The Eggerichs farm located in Bloomfield Township is one of these family farms which proudly claims the “2022 Century Farm” title. The Eggerichs Century Farm had its beginnings in 1910 by Hardin … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past How old is Black Hammer’s landmark lady?
Part two of a three-part series A local newspaper stated, “V. Valtinson returned to his home at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Monday after a five weeks visit here with relatives and friends. Mr. Valtinson is one of the real pioneers of Black Hammer Township and can tell thrilling stories of the early days with the Indians. While here, Mr. Valtinson added a few stones to the stone … [Read more...]
Bluff Country Gathering
Since 1999, the Bluff Country Gathering has been bringing traditional musicians from across the U.S. to teach workshops and perform in Lanesboro. The festival takes place May 19-22, with a concert of all the staff on Friday, May 20 and a barn dance on Saturday. Both of these are open to the public and take place at the Lanesboro Community Center at 8 p.m. The performers booked … [Read more...]
Fishing fun and more at Preston’s Trout Days
Introduce your kids to the lifelong joys of fishing at Preston Trout Days, Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22. Saturday morning at 9 a.m. is the Kid’s Fishing Contest at Camp Creek approximately two miles past Preston’s ballpark in Maust’s pasture on Hunter Road. The fun event is for kids ages 12 and under! Fishing licenses are not required but kids must be accompanied by … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past The Stone Lady of Black Hammer – Who? Why? How many?
Part one of a two-part series It has long been a double distinction – the name and the landmark – for the Houston County hamlet of Black Hammer. That early landmark, ”The Stone Lady,” still looks down from a hill named Black Hammer, 1.3 miles south of the village with the same name. Early 1850s settler Knud Olson Bergo lived near a bluff in Minnesota that reminded him of a … [Read more...]
Schumacher generations acknowledged as Century Farm
An official notice in March 2022 was delivered to Sherry Pfremmer of rural Spring Valley signed by Marie LeFebvre of Century Farms stating, “Let it be known that this farm, Schumacher Farm has been in continuous agricultural operation since nineteen hundred and twenty two, signifying more than 100 years of contributions to the community, state, nation and world.” The process … [Read more...]