On June 13, 2026, Katie Ruen’s celebration of life was held in an old barn that had been built in 1910 by local farmers near Lanesboro. Why was this barn chosen for such a purpose? What did that barn mean to Katie and her family? Katie and Ed Ruen had bought the family homestead over 40 years ago. It became a private retreat for family get-togethers. They treasured it and … [Read more...]
Stork Award for Rushford Ambulance Crew
The Rushford Ambulance crew had a surprise guest at their regular meeting June 15. Alex Catevenis, the executive director of Southeastern Minnesota Emergency Medical Services, came to their meeting for a special reason. Catevenis was there to acknowledge some of the crew for their participation in the delivery of a baby! Back on January 10, 2023, a call came in for a “woman in … [Read more...]
Rushford Depot Renovations Allow For Reopening
A Grand Reopening of the Rushford Depot occurred June 9. The reopening was a long time coming. After receiving a Legacy Amendment Grant totalling $254,953 to stabilize the foundation of the depot and improve the visitors’ center and the roof, work began on the depot in the fall of 2024. Soon it was discovered that the sill beams of the depot were rotting in place; they had … [Read more...]
Kleppe Forest Products Now Open in Preston
The former Root River Sawmill is once again up and running in Preston under the ownership of Jenny and Jason Kleppe. Originally Jason had gotten a call asking if he was interested in purchasing some equipment; he already owned other sawmills in the area. From there it snowballed until the Kleppes were purchasing the entire mill, set up and ready to go – totally turnkey. The … [Read more...]
James Loven, Veteran of the Oil-Misted Saudi Arabian Desert
If you live around the Preston area it’s likely you know or have heard of James Loven. His story spans from quiet farm fields in Peterson to the oil-misted deserts of Saudi Arabia. James was born in 1956 and was raised on his family farm outside of Peterson, Minn. He spent his years farming in the early 1980s – until the farm crisis led him to join the military for job … [Read more...]
Harmony Stateline Trail Officially Open
On June 6 at 10:20 a.m., six wagons full of 76 people started off from the splash pad in Harmony to Niagara Cave. The wagons took the new, recently completed Stateline Bike Trail from Harmony which also forks off to the Iowa border. Twenty workers helped with the ride as flaggers at road crossings, drivers, photographers, and lunch servers. For people who had traveled the Root … [Read more...]
Celebrating the G.O.A.T. Dairy Month with MDGA
MDGA (Minnesota Dairy Goat Association) brought Dairy Month in with a bang as they presented their state dairy goat show on May 29, 30 and 31. Most people think of cows during Dairy Month, but many people feel goats are the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) providers of a great milk supply. Goat milk is used for drinking, making cheese and butter, and making soap, to mention a … [Read more...]
D & D Dairy Milks 1,000 Cows
When people drive by the D & D Dairy on Hwy. 43 outside of Rushford, they are sure to notice the huge silage pile on the farm. The pile measures 80 yards wide by 100 yards long and rises to a height of about 20 feet. When the pile is under construction, you might see four or five tractors on top of the pile packing the silage down. Once that pile is completed, it takes a … [Read more...]
Madi Schwanbeck Takes On Lymphoma
Last fall 13-year-old Madi Schwanbeck, daughter of Matt and Jessica, was looking forward to a typical school year at Houston full of classes, sports and friends. That changed Saturday, February 28 when Madi found a lump in her groin that was growing quickly. … [Read more...]
Bluebirds – The Perfect Neighbors
“I read once that if bluebirds were your neighbors, they would have the neatest houses, their children would be the best behaved, and they would have the sweetest voices in the church choir,” shared Mary C. Bailey, county coordinator for Olmsted and Fillmore Counties with the Bluebird Program of Minnesota. “That said,” she added, “There is nothing negative about this species, … [Read more...]