The vegetable farm of the future has arrived in Wykoff, a small farming community in Southeast Minnesota just 40 minutes from the hi-tech city of Rochester. Spouses Tony and Kelly Rahe are the owners of Rahe of Sunshine Farms. The farm is located behind the old bank in Wykoff and instead of vegetables growing in a garden of rich black dirt, the farm is a vertical hydroponic … [Read more...]
Open doors, open to ideas
On a blustery, snowy November evening, buildings in downtown Rushford had their doors open for visitors in the Open Doors, a Tour of Business Opportunities, event. From 5:30-8 p.m., November 17, interested parties could tour the entire buildings including the “behind the scenes” areas of 10 available businesses and buildings. Open Doors was the brainchild of Jen Hengel of the … [Read more...]
B & B’s Fremont Store lives on
Once again the Fremont Store has reopened after a recent remodel and update. Minnesota’s oldest continuously-run grocery store was built by Luther Rice in 1856, two years before Minnesota became a state. It was originally located at a nearby settlement called Neoca, but a few years later the entire building was moved to its current location. Rice named the store in honor of … [Read more...]
Groundbreaking for new Penz Automotive Building
Saturday, November 5, was indeed a groundbreaking day in Spring Valley for Penz Automotive Group. Penz has owned the Spring Valley Chevrolet Buick in Spring Valley for about a year and is currently leasing the building they are using. Groundbreaking was held at a new location at 1100 N. Broadway Street on the northside of Spring Valley just off of Highway 63, for the brand new … [Read more...]
Harmony welcomes new Chamber director
“There’s a lot of great reasons to live here and visit,” Allison Whalen said about Harmony. Whalen is the new director of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce and is excited about her new job, which she began on October 3. Before accepting her position as Chamber director in Harmony, Whalen worked at F&M Community Bank in Preston for 14 years. “I loved working at the … [Read more...]
M-C Cougars host open house for renovation viewing
The sky may have been cloudy, but the mood at Mabel-Canton school Sunday afternoon, October 16, was upbeat as alumni, former staff, and community members stopped by to tour the recently renovated school. Superintendent Gary Kuphal said, “When they walk in the door, they will feel a sense of pride.” Kuphal explained that the Mabel-Canton school building for K-12 is one … [Read more...]
Ernie’s Station part of documentary
Ernie’s Station in Whalan, Minn., has drawn attention from local residents and tourists for some time. Recently, it was noticed by the Executive Producer of Heritage Films, Matt Dacy who happened to be driving by with his wife when he came upon the vintage gas station and knew he wanted to film something there. On October 11 they did just that. Ernie Johnson purchased the … [Read more...]
Chatfield Center for the Arts remodel: the result of persistence
Saturday, September 24, was a big day for Chatfield; the long-awaited reopening of the Chatfield Center for the Arts finally occurred. From a committee sitting around a table with a vision in 2009, to construction beginning in 2015-2016, to fruition in 2022, a lot of people worked persistently to make the reopening happen. At the ribbon cutting Saturday morning, Mayor Russ … [Read more...]
Granny’s Liquor robbed in broad daylight
Thursday, September 15, was a beautiful sunny day in the charming little town of Lanesboro, Minn., like many days in the small community nestled between the bluffs. Lori Bakke, owner of Granny’s Liquor, was getting ready to open her store for the day. She had gone out in front of her store on Parkway Avenue, and watered her plants and swept the entryway. It was a busy … [Read more...]
Lanesboro residents speak out about grain bin
A public hearing was held at the September 7 Lanesboro City Council meeting to discuss the proposed sidewalk improvements. Lanesboro resident Anna Loney addressed the council to ask how those particular sidewalks were chosen for improvements. “I would like to distinguish whether our objective is to have a walkable community,” she said. “I’m not sure if a blanket policy is where … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office receives policy management award
At the September 6 Fillmore County Board meeting, Sheriff John DeGeorge explained every county in the state of Minnesota likely uses the services of Lexipol Connect. Fillmore County started using the service in 2012. Lexipol started a recognition program last year which is intended to help their users receive excellence in policy and online training. “Lexipol provides public … [Read more...]
Chatfield welcomes Carly Mae’s Bakery and Cafe
After being bakery-less since 2005, Chatfield residents are thrilled to welcome their new bakery, Carly Mae’s! Local residents and sisters Jerralyn Dieter and Jalyssa Houdek used their middle names to create the name of their new business. Tantalizing items in the display case on a recent Thursday included ham and Swiss scones as well as cinnamon ginger scones, sourdough and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County raises funds for cancer research
The 2022 Relay for Life of Fillmore County held in Fountain on August 19 exceeded its self-imposed goal of $50,000. “I’m so very proud of everyone who contributed to this year’s Fillmore County Relay for Life. Despite the multiple rounds of storms, we still had a great turnout and exceeded our fundraising goal. Fillmore County puts on one of the best Relays around all because … [Read more...]
The sky’s the limit for Kolling
Most teenagers are eager to be on the move, traveling fast, with the sound of an engine filling their ears. That’s true of Mason Kolling, too. But his mode of transportation is different than that of most people his age. Mason likes to take to the open skies in his own airplane. In many ways, Mason is a typical high school student. At 17, he’s about to begin his senior … [Read more...]
Wykoff addresses speed concerns
A regular meeting of the Wykoff City Council was held on August 8, with all council members in attendance (Lyle Morey, Mary Sackett, Barb Fate, Mayor Ryan Breckenridge, and Kaleb Himli). City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luann Hare also attended. The meeting was held at the council’s new location, 106 N. Gold Street. One of the main topics was traffic speed in and … [Read more...]