As a student of local immigration history Jim Skree, who grew up in Bader Valley south of Houston, was asked to provide an article for a recent and very unusual publication titled Red River Girl - From Telemark to the Buffalo (River): The Art of Orabel Thortvedt. This fascinating book, published in 2020, is the result of a cooperative effort between the West-Telemark Museum in … [Read more...]
Horror is back at Nightmare in Fountain!
The time is nearly ripe for the re-emergence of Nightmare on First Street: Field of Screams & Haunted Barn in Fountain, called by many “The Best Haunted Event Ever!” After last year’s COVID hiatus, this scary and spooky non-profit fundraiser is back and set to chill and thrill patrons for its tenth year. Funds raised this year will benefit the Fillmore County History … [Read more...]
35th Annual NEIA Craft and Bake Sale is Oct. 30 & 31 at Decorah High School
The 35th Annual Northeast Iowa Holiday Craft and Bake Sale will be held Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31 at Decorah High School, 100 Claiborne Drive in Decorah. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission charge. This is the largest craft sale of its type in this part of the Tri-State area, featuring … [Read more...]
Flower shops will collect tons of food for charity.
SIOUX FALLS, SD - Florists across central United States will gather over 20 tons of food for those in need November 8-13, 2021. Dubbed “Caring Rose Week,” the stores are deeply discounting bouquets of one dozen roses and accepting canned goods as partial payment. Florists in each community designate a food-distribution charity in their area. The canned goods collected are … [Read more...]
POWs in our backyard (and fields)
“WWII Prisoner of War Camps in Minnesota” is the topic for the October 30 Fillmore County Historical Society Annual Meeting. Minnesota had 19 branch camps overseen by the base camp at Algona, Iowa. In 1944 and 1945, the Minnesota camps housed mostly German POWs but also a few Italians. The primary reason for POWs in Minnesota was the labor shortage; POWs worked in canneries, … [Read more...]
Monster Bash haunted house
The number one rated Haunted House in the State of Minnesota opened again on Thursday, October 14. Monster Bash is back after a year away and ready to scare like never before. Our last three haunts have been rated the Top Overall Halloween attraction by MinnesotaHaunted-houses.com, and this year is better than ever. We will transport our guests to an old west ghost town, … [Read more...]
Trick-or-treat up in the treetops Head to Eagle Bluff the Saturday before Halloween for a spooktacular night!
On Saturday, October 30, starting at 2:45 p.m., Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center invites you to Trick-or-treat 30 feet off the ground as you traverse your way through wooden and wire elements that end with a zip line. Participants will also be able to warm up by the fire with hot chocolate and s’mores. This one-day-a-year event is designed to provide a fun evening for … [Read more...]
History Grant appropriations in southeastern Minnesota announced
ST. PAUL – State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) said he was pleased to learn a pair of local projects have received funding through history grants from Minnesota Legacy appropriations from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. “It’s great to learn that local and state officials were able to collaborate and make this funding happen,” Davids said. “Congratulations to the … [Read more...]
History plays feature local World War 2 veterans’ tales
After months of oral interviews, Pop-up Plays: Lanesboro WW II and Beyond brings to the stage local accounts of soldiers in D-Day, German prison camp, the Norwegian Resistance, Japanese nurses in Rochester, and farmers growing food for Europe. Area veterans Orval Amdahl, Don Ward, Bob Earley, Dr. Westrup, Paul Abrahamson, Ruby Nelson, Signe Soma will come to life again on … [Read more...]
Taste of the Trail is back!
The Root River Trail Towns will once again be presenting the Taste of the Trail after last year’s pause for the COVID pandemic. Using the same format they’ve used since the event’s inception in 2012, Taste of the Trail will be held three successive weekends with different towns highlighted each weekend. Lanesboro, Whalan, and Peterson will be the stars on Saturday, September … [Read more...]