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...]
Pay It Forward Scholarship Awarded to Izzy Torgerson
As Izzy Torgerson listened to a description of the next awardee at the Mabel-Canton scholarship awards, she thought it might be one of her classmates or maybe even her. The person worked at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center and was described as a friendly person who truly cared about the residents. When her name was announced as the recipient of a Pay It Forward scholarship, it … [Read more...]
Even a Flag Could Kill You in Vietnam
Staff Sergeant Keven Zane Goodno was serving his second tour of duty in Vietnam in the fall of 1972. Goodno had enlisted in the Army, entering the service via Regular Military; he began his second tour May 19, 1972. As an E5 Grade, Goodno held a crucial leadership role and focused on training, mentoring and directing small teams. His specialty was Reconnaissance Specialist. … [Read more...]
Fountain’s Robert Earley, Tank Commander in Cologne Tank Duel
Robert Earley, a farmer from Fountain, played an important role in a tank duel in Cologne in the closing chapters of World War II. Earley was the tank commander of a Pershing tank with the call sign Eagle 7; the tank and its elite crew were part of Operation LumberJack. At the age of 29, Earley was the “hardened old man among a unit of the boyish tankers.” Eagle 7 had … [Read more...]
Trout Route a Reality in Preston
Preston is known for its trout fishing and is often referred to as “Minnesota’s Trout Capital,” so it’s no surprise that it is now also home to the “Trout Route.” The Trout Route began when the city of Preston received grants from the Taylor Family Foundation and Preston Area community Foundation in 2025. Former Preston Economic Development (EDA) director, Allison Whalen … [Read more...]
Beef Prices At All-Time High
According to Joe Nelson, beef prices in all classes at the Lanesboro Sales Commission have seen an increase to levels not seen before. This past week, one of the cattle weighing 1,600 pounds brought $2.585 per pound for a total sale price of $4,136 – an all time high! Nelson commented that not long ago $2 a pound was considered a good deal! Market cows also had an all-time … [Read more...]
Area Veterans Fly to D.C. on Honor Flight
It was a whirlwind of a day, but one that Donald Ruen, Cliff Sackett, Ron Vorwerk, and David Whalen will never forget. They, along with 82 other military veterans flew to Washington, D.C. on a North Star Honor Flight on April 27. North Star Honor Flight is one of over 128 hubs of the Honor Flight Network and is based out of Adams, Minn. It serves 10 counties in southern … [Read more...]
Chatfield Brass Band & Lending Library Inducted into Minnesota Music Hall of Fame
It’s time to “toot the horn” for the Chatfield Brass Band & Lending Library! On April 11, it was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. The Brass Band joins an elite group of 223 previous inductees which includes Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Bobby Vee, Mollie Busta-Lange and the Minnesota Orchestra as well as many others. The induction took place at Turner Hall in … [Read more...]