For years, the residents of Preston had to travel out of town for their physical therapy needs. Then, Physical Therapist Lisa Stensrud opened Fillmore County Physical Therapy in downtown Preston and began a thriving business serving the people of Preston and the surrounding towns. When Stensrud decided to move out of state, she knew she couldn’t just leave her patients high … [Read more...]
The B&B Olympic Bowl: one year later
It’s been a year since that fateful New Year’s Day fire that decimated the B&B Olympic Bowl in Preston. At first, owners Paul and Shelly Hanson weren’t sure they would rebuild, but then they decided to go for it. “The last year has been stressful, but has actually gone pretty good,” Paul said. “Trying to figure this out when we’ve never done it before - that’s been the … [Read more...]
A&W Drive-In in Spring Valley welcomes new owners
Tom Evanoff started off his career in retail at a young age. His parents owned Evans Department Store in Wisconsin, which was started as Evanoff Five & Dime by his grandparents in the 1940s. Evanoff’s dad’s rule was that, as soon as you could tie your shoes, you were old enough to work. Evanoff couldn’t wait to start working so he could earn his own money, at the grand … [Read more...]
CUPs for winery/event center
Dean and Lisa Erickson discussed their applications for two conditional use permits (CUP) at the December 15 meeting of the Fillmore County planning commission. During the public hearings, their detailed expansion and construction plans at the Windy Willow Vineyard located in Section 9, Preston Township were described. Both CUPs, for a Farm Winery and for an Ag Tourism … [Read more...]
Tri-County Electric to become MiEnergy Cooperative
Rushford, MN. — Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TEC), of Rushford, Minn., will officially merge with Hawkeye REC, of Cresco, Iowa, to become MiEnergy Cooperative on January 1, 2017. The new name and its spelling reference the joining of a Minnesota (M) cooperative and an Iowa (i) cooperative. The name, pronounced with a long I, also demonstrates the ownership by individual … [Read more...]
Bick n Berry Boutique opens to a crowd
A fresh and exciting addition has come to Chatfield, Minn., in the form of the new Bick n Berry Boutique, which is receiving rave reviews from customers. Angie Bicknese and Brayonna Berry have teamed their creativity and seemingly endless energy to create a shopping experience that is as unique and fun as they are. The idea for a boutique came about “kind of on a whim,” … [Read more...]
Elton expands abstract and title company
On August 1, 2016, Jana Elton’s (Masters) business doubled in size as she purchased Town & Country Abstracting in Preston, Minn., and combined it with the business she already owned to create Fillmore-Houston County Abstract and Title LLC. Elton grew up in Canton, Minn., and graduated from Mabel-Canton school and worked in Fillmore County for many years, so she is not only … [Read more...]
SMIF’s local community foundations raise $48,000 on Give to the Max Day
Owatonna, MN, November 18, 2016 - Now in its eighth year, Minnesota’s Give to the Max day had a record setting year, bringing in $20.1 million in donations. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and its affiliate funds raised $48,000, with some matching dollars still to be totaled. SMIF oversees 26 community foundations in its 20 county region. Once again, the … [Read more...]
Family-owned bank celebrates 160 years in business
“All we have to sell is service.” Charles Johnson Sr. made that statement the motto of the Root River State Bank in Chatfield and today, his son, Charles Johnson Jr. carries on his father’s legacy. It’s been 160 years since the Root River State Bank in Chatfield, Minn., opened its doors. In that time, it’s been owned by three different families, first by J.C. Easton who … [Read more...]
Mabel Lumber fills the need for local building supplies
By Julie Little Orel Tollefson has had the notion of opening a lumber store ever since Hagen Lumber in Mabel closed 15 years ago. He knew that with his busy construction business (Tollefson Construction) he would always have at least one steady customer. But he wanted a partner. His sons had helped him, learning the building trade with hands-on experience throughout their … [Read more...]