Fall colors are beginning to bloom in Bluff Country. A wide palette of yellows, oranges, golds, browns, reds, and greens draw residents and visitors alike, to experience Bluff Country. Whether taking photos, visiting apple orchards, buying colorful mums, enjoying corn mazes with your children, picking out the perfect pumpkin to grace your home, visiting a local farmers … [Read more...]
Tapping of the Keg at Wykoff Fall Fest
Make plans to attend the annual Wykoff Fall Festival this weekend, September 21-24. Dave Schmidt will tap the keg at noon on Saturday at the fest grounds. This year’s grand marshals are Ken and Marie Baker. On Saturday at 11 a.m. you’ll see them in the popular Fall Fest parade. Make plans to attend the festival’s dinner theater, Fall Fest Foul Play: Murder at Wykoff Casino … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Houston Welcomed a Hometown, National Hero
A half century ago, “The people of Houston figuratively rolled out the red carpet,” stated the Houston (Minn.) Signal newspaper on May 4, 1973. The occasion was a weekend celebration, welcoming home Robert Flynn. “At one time, the prospect of seeing Bob on the streets of Houston again seemed rather remote. Never underestimating the power of prayer, the people of Houston saw … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Class of 1955 68th Reunion
The Spring Valley Class of 1955 celebrated their 68th class reunion on June 21, 2023, at the VFW club room in Spring Valley. Dinner was served at noon. They invited the classes of 1954 and 1956 to join for the dessert bar and beverages at 1:30 p.m. to reminisce. Several had replied they were unable to come. Darlene (Freimark) Jordahl and Anna Mae (Costello) Christenson … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago Lived Peaceably Among White Settlers
Part two of a two-part series Around 1903, newlywed Grace Greener and her husband moved to Reno, Minn. Word spread that she owned a modern miracle – a sewing machine, and the Winnebago Indians living in the nearby river bottoms frequently brought clothing for her to mend. They often paid her with wild game and fish. During the last half of the 1800s, the European-heritage … [Read more...]
What’s New at Applefest?
Organizers have added two new events to the 75th annual Applefest schedule, September 15-17 in picturesque La Crescent, Minn. The festivities light up the town on Thursday, September 14, with the first-ever Torchlight Parade. Entries will line up at Veterans Memorial parking lot and travel through downtown La Crescent, ending in the Crucifixion parking lot. The parade is … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago Relocated to, Relocated Away from Southeast Minnesota
Many southeast Minnesota settlers in the late 1800s had direct contact with or at least observed local Native Americans, most notably the Winnebago tribe. Marlene Meiners wrote her grandfather would barter with skunk hides for chickens. The Indians made baskets, which they sold for $1 or $2. The great “Indian scare” did not involve those mostly-peaceful Winnebago neighbors … [Read more...]
Farm Family – Kevin Tart and Julie Broadwater
The Tart family has been toiling in the same fields for five generations all in the Root River valley minutes from Spring Valley, Minn. And, all within a mile of the farm where Kevin Tart and Julie Broadwater along with their three children, Lakin, Macen and Nayli live. Kevin’s great-great-grandfather Alkin Tart and his wife Mary Tart were the first generation to farm the … [Read more...]
Darlene of Troy
You probably remember Helen of Troy from Ancient Greek mythology, but maybe you haven’t yet heard of our modern day Darlene of Troy. Darlene has been gaining fame for the last 40 years in the little village of Troy, Minn. When Darlene turned 40 in 1980, Bob Wooldridge, a neighbor, had offered to paint Darlene and Harold McGuire’s barn roof. Wooldridge had a job sandblasting … [Read more...]
Toot-Toot!
Toot-Toot, the familiar sound heard every September in Mabel welcomes residents and visitors to the annual Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days, September 7-10. The giant steam engines kick off both parades on Saturday and Sunday at noon. The Hesper-Mabel Calliope, a steam-whistle organ, takes its place among the steam engines as it whistles out familiar tunes. Do the iconic “wave” … [Read more...]