Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This is a special edition of the Fillmore County Journal as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of publishing this community newspaper. What makes this so special is that we have an opportunity to celebrate something that rarely happens with community newspapers – especially these days. While corporations have gobbled up community … [Read more...]
Step Back in Time with Prairie School
The children run happily to their teacher, apron strings catching in the breeze and bonnets hanging down their backs, excited to start a new school day in their one-room schoolhouse. At first glance, it looks like a scene from “Little House on the Prairie,” but then a semi roars by on the nearby highway and it’s obvious that you’re still in the 21st century. Retired teacher … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Dedicated Couple Preserved History for Decades
At the Houston County Fair, he educated visitors inside the 1880 pioneer log cabin. His wife demonstrated how pioneer women spun wool on an antique spinning wheel in that same log home in the Houston County Historical Society complex, adjacent to the fairgrounds at the Main Street entrance. Harold and Ragnhild (Peterson) St. Mary donated countless volunteer hours at the museum. … [Read more...]
Fountain Looks Ahead to Highway 52 Project
There were several guests in attendance at the August 6 Fountain City Council meeting, including Paul Zagar from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The city will see a major reconfiguration of the current 3rd Street and County Road 8 intersection with Highway 52 next spring. Currently, the three roads meet in a “Y” intersection. MnDOT is planning to end the … [Read more...]
A Lasting Footprint: Bob Meiners Honored for His Love of Baseball
Bob Meiners, a former Eitzen resident now living in Caledonia, was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame last September at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. He was joined by his wife Marlene and their six children and their families. Meiners said the honor came as “a complete surprise.” Hall of Fame inductees are recognized not just for … [Read more...]
Still Swinging: Paul Weichert Reflects on a Lifetime of Golf at Ma Cal Grove
Paul Weichert turned 80 this past April, but age hasn’t kept him off the green. A lifelong golfer, Paul still plays once a week at Ma Cal Grove Country Club, more often when his children are in town, like this past week. His golfing journey began at the age of 16 with his cousin, whose father (Paul’s uncle) owned a share in Ma Cal Grove Country Club and was a member. It’s the … [Read more...]
SMIF CEOs Visit Preston
The Preston community hosted newly retired SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation) CEO Tim Penny and SMIF’s new CEO Benya Kraus July 18 at F&M Community Bank. Penny and Kraus were on the third day of their six day road trip to visit the 20 counties served by SMIF. Penny, who recently retired as SMIF CEO, introduced his replacement, Benya Kraus. Penny shared that … [Read more...]
Houston’s New Police Officer Curtis Chapel
Curtis Chapel was officially sworn in as Houston’s new police officer at the July 14 Houston City Council meeting. Chapel had served as an intern in Houston and has already been working for Houston during his last year of training to become a police officer. The city paid his expenses in return for a commitment from Chapel to remain on the force the next three years. A very … [Read more...]
Rushford Depot Progress Examined
On June 30 a small group gathered at the Rushford Depot ready to check out the progress at the building. The Rushford Area Historical Society (RAHS) had received a Legacy Amendment large grant totalling $254,953 from the Minnesota Historical Society in January 2024. The money was requested to stabilize the foundation of the depot as well as improve the visitors’ center and the … [Read more...]
Breakfast on the Farm a Huge Hit
As the kick-off to Rochesterfest, the annual Olmsted County Breakfast on the Farm gives visitors an opportunity to visit a working farm and learn about farming and farming operations. It also gives farmers and producers the chance to promote the Ag Industry. This year’s 37th annual Breakfast on the Farm was held on June 21, 2025, at North Creek Dairy near Chatfield, Minn. … [Read more...]