National FFA Officer Candidate Deep roots and strong wings: being equipped with these two things can take you anywhere. There’s one Fillmore County native who exemplifies this philosophy. Valerie Luhman (maiden name Earley) has used her roots in Fillmore County to soar to new heights as an agricultural entrepreneur. Valerien Luhman, daughter of James and Rachel Earley, has … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past 1936 “cream can” caper increases Eitzen bank heist total
Yikes! – yes, another one. I thought my August 3 column covered all of the bank thefts in Eitzen (1964, 1986, 1991). But alert readers with good memories have since pointed out that I was at least one heist short of a quartet. Lifetime Houston County resident Glenn Buxengard recalled the “cream can crime” – but was not sure of the exact year. Carol Ann Burtness, the … [Read more...]
I stole a car that wouldn’t start
You picked up the phone and you hoped for the best. That’s how it was before everything went to voicemail. I’d returned to the big city after a daring rescue mission to free food from my parents’ pantry. I’d opened my apartment door to a ringing telephone. It was a friend who was working out of town. We played basketball together. He said he thought he’d left the keys in his … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County There were eight children born to Joseph H. and Sadie (McNulty) Drury
Last week we discussed the early days and history of the iconic furniture store in Fountain, Minn., Drury’s. Drury’s website www.drurysfurniture.com is excellent and includes the early history of the store as well as 11 awesome photographs! When you visit the website you will notice a charming, small picture of five young children. Reuben Drury, the founder of Drury’s, was … [Read more...]
Real Bites
Pedal Pushers Cafe Do you ever have one of those days when you get so busy that you forget to eat? And then long after lunch time, your stomach reminds you that you’re running on empty. This past week, I had one of those busy days. And, I had some traveling to do. So, I called Pedal Pushers Cafe for a carryout order. They’re one of our family’s favorite stops. There … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
CONFESSION: I am a wimp when it comes to vegetable gardening. I fought the weather, rabbits, weeds and blight; they won. So imagine my delight when my good friend, Gwen Nelson, dropped off a basket of fresh produce on my back steps. It contained broccoli, green beans, eggplant, cabbage, and my favorite TOMATOES! I grudgingly shared the tomatoes with my husband. My family … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County: The history of Drury’s in Fountain, Minnesota, is an interesting one!
In last week’s column I invited you to take a short trip north on Highway 52 and encouraged you to visit the spectacular Fillmore County History Center in beautiful Fountain, Minn. Hopefully, many of you took the time to visit the awesome museum and enjoyed seeing the painting done by Aaron L. Sleyster – “The Dam Over The Root River,” which was located on the Root River in … [Read more...]
A neighbor votes for whoever he dislikes the least
Sanctimonious senators! It’s that time again. I’m taking a break from a life of unbridled ecstasy to make this important announcement. If you’re the kind who notices things, and I’ll bet you are, you know an election is coming. I lost my mood ring, so I don’t know how I feel about that. Everyone already at the top wants to go even higher. The election started about four years … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: County commitment, caring couple create home, family for unfortunate
Last of two-part series This farmhouse was a residence to which few aspired. However, many unfortunate citizens were indeed fortunate to find a “home and family for 45 years” with Cyrilla and Valentine Esch at the Houston County Poor Farm. In 1901, the county decided to replace a condemned “poor house” near Hokah with a spacious replacement near Caledonia — built in 1903 with … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
A beaver tale In the dusky moments at the end of the day when the hush of evening descends, the loon’s song echoes through the forested lake land of northern Wisconsin. Besides the call of the loon, the whippoorwill serenades the northland’s listening ears. Yet these birds are not the only creatures taking advantage of the transition of day to night. A beaver family … [Read more...]