“It’s going to be a learning curve,” Kiel Anderson said about his retirement. After 27 years, Anderson is retiring from his job as insurance agent for American Family Insurance and passing on the torch to Spring Grove native Jeff Ellingson. Anderson’s wife, Kristi recently retired from her job at Foremost Farms as well. “She’s liking it (retirement), so I’m sure I will too,” … [Read more...]
New name and location for Shear Class in Chatfield
It was two months of hard work, but it was worth it. Vanessa Bren, owner of Meraki Salon and Spa in Chatfield, formerly known as Shear Class, recently changed both the location and name of her salon. Bren and her husband Dustin, both Chatfield natives, have two children, four-year-old Alaina and two-year-old Beckett, and are expecting another daughter on March 1. The family … [Read more...]
Farmers Insurance; Nicole Johnson Agency opens in Harmony
After working for others for many years Nicole Johnson of Harmony, Minn., decided it was time to insure her own happiness and the happiness of her family. Fortunately for area residents, she has also decided to insure them as well. Johnson has recently become an Insurance Agent with Farmers Insurance and now has her office up and running at 25 First Street NW in … [Read more...]
Broadband grant awarded to Lanesboro area
On January 11, Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced Border to Border Broadband Development grants which will help fund the expansion of broadband in rural Minnesota. One of AcenTek’s two grant applications was awarded. A grant of about $1.78 million will help AcenTek build the infrastructure (last mile) to connect 431 unserved households, 42 unserved businesses, and one community … [Read more...]
Active PT takes over where Fillmore County Physical Therapy left off
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...]