Lizzie Hershberger, who grew up in the Amish community in southeast Minnesota, has spoken publicly about the sexual abuse she endured as a young teenager. Her story was first told in a book “Behind Blue Curtains,” which she authored, and is now the focus of a PBS Independent Lens documentary, “Keep Quiet and Forgive.” Her story will move you, and she hopes that it will … [Read more...]
Memories of Wes Stevens
In early February, Jeff Zondlo reached out to the Peterson American Legion Post 526 via Facebook Messenger, searching for any remaining family members of Wes Stevens. Jeff and Wes had been close buddies, serving in Vietnam; Jeff had identified Wes when he was killed in action; he wanted to reconnect with Wes’ family now and share memories of Wes. The president/secretary of … [Read more...]
What Does it Take to Run a Track Meet?
While many high school sports fans are focused on tournament play for the winter MSHSL sports season (Minnesota State High School League), spring sports season preparation is full-steam ahead at schools that run track meets. In Fillmore and Houston Counties, that includes Caledonia, Chatfield, GMLOKS (Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland) and R-P/H … [Read more...]
The Competitive World of RC Racing in Chatfield
Chris Musty, who grew up in Chatfield, Minn., has enjoyed racing since about 1992. He says it was short-lived, but he worked with different teams back in the day. His racing days took him to St. Charles and Kasson. The last time he pit crewed for a team was two years ago. Today, at age 53, Musty still enjoys racing, but on a whole different level. Over the past five … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School Board Recognized at February Meeting
The Spring Grove School Board members were honored at the February 17 board meeting. February is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month. Board members recognized include Ashley Olson, Rhan Flatin, Myriah Klug, Kelly Rohland, Lisa Myhre, and Chairman Stephanie Jaster. Superintendent Gina Morken offered her appreciation to the board, saying, “Thank you to all of you for … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Meeting
The Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) Annual Meeting is an event that many area residents and businesses look forward to each year. Not only to look back at the past year and point out highlights and recognize where there could be improvements, but also to look ahead to the coming year with renewed enthusiasm. The meeting was held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in … [Read more...]
A 70-Year Marriage Built on Love, Laughter and Compromise
Love, laughter, and compromise are the cornerstones of the marriage shared by Mabel residents Bud and Ellen (Nordheim) Aasum. The couple was married on August 28, 1955, at Decorah Methodist Church. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends last summer at the Mabel Steam Engine Park. After an anniversary announcement in the Fillmore County … [Read more...]
Kylie Stinson Plays in International Softball Tournament
Kylie Stinson just returned from playing in The Cup, an international fast pitch softball tournament held in the Netherlands January 16-18. At the tournament she played on the Minnesota Frost team against teams from countries such as Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Kylie, a freshman at Houston High School, was one of the youngest … [Read more...]
Liz Collin Keynote Speaker at GOP Event in Mabel
Roughly 300 people filled the Mabel Community Center on the evening of January 13 for an event organized by the Fillmore and Houston County GOP groups, coming from communities in Fillmore and Houston Counties along with Decorah, Rochester, Winona and communities in the Twin Cities area. After attendees participated in the Pledge of Allegiance and prayed during an invocation, … [Read more...]
DFL-Led Protesters Voice Their Concerns in Chatfield
On a typical blustery Minnesota winter January day with windchill bringing the temperature down to the normal zero degrees for this time of the year, a group of nearly 25 protestors gathered at the only stoplight in Fillmore County, Minn. Chatfield, Minn., known as the gateway to Bluff Country, presents a golden opportunity for protestors to take a stance from the park every … [Read more...]