It all started when Harmony native Becky Hoff started downsizing the contents of her closet by selling some of her clothes on online marketplace apps such as Poshmark and Mercari. Then, she started finding pieces while out browsing estate sales and thrift stores. “And I thought, I could sell that,” she said. The next thing she knew, she was in business. She stayed busy prepping … [Read more...]
Community rallies around Cords family following fire
The devastating fire experienced by the Cords family, of Rushford, has brought a community to its feet in support of the family. The house fire at 1086 Dump Hill Road, two miles east of Rushford, resulted in a complete loss of the home and significant injuries to the family of six, despite fire response arriving in just minutes. Miraculously, the family was able to get out of … [Read more...]
Harmony welcomes new Chamber director
“I felt that I was up to the challenge,” Melissa Vander Plas about her new job as the director of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce. Melissa grew up on a small farm just northeast of Harmony, graduated from Harmony High School, and has lived the last 20 years in Harmony. When Melissa saw the posting for the Chamber director job, it seemed too opportune to pass up. “I … [Read more...]
After barn collapse, North-Creek Dairy has hope for the future
“It was the first time in 116 years we weren’t milking a cow,” Corey Hoffman of North-Creek Dairy said. After the blizzard in late February 2019, Corey, a fourth generation farmer, and his family thought they were going to have to shut down their dairy farm near Chatfield for good. “I was heartbroken,” he said. It started at about 1 a.m. on February 24. An 80’x100’ section … [Read more...]
Filthy 50 bike race celebrates first year in Lanesboro
“Race it and set a record. Ride it and take in the beauty. Either way, get filthy,” Trenton Raygor quoted. He was referring to the Filthy 50 bike race that took place in Lanesboro on October 12. This was the bike ride’s seventh consecutive year, but the first in Lanesboro. The previous six were held in Stewartville where Raygor grew up and his parents still live. Trenton’s … [Read more...]
Chosen Valley Care Center breaks ground for new addition
After two years of market analysis and planning by the board of directors, administration, and managerial staff, they were finally able to break ground on the new addition and for the remodeling of the 42 year old Chosen Valley Care Center (CVCC). Before any shovels could be filled with dirt the care center had to make an application to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board tours STEM shop
At the October 2, 2019, Chatfield School Board meeting, all board members were present except Lanny Isensee and Scott Backer. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Community Education Director LuAnn Kleven, Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson, and student senate representatives Isaac Rain and Isaac Erding. Superintendent Harris gave an update on a few projects … [Read more...]
F-C Dairy Judging Team wins nationals
Fillmore Central School in Harmony has some national champions in their midst, as the FFA Dairy Judging team competed on September 17, and came away winners. The team consists of Klaudia and Kelsey Biel (daughters of Kevin and Kelly Biel), Krista Jorgenson (daughter of Archie and Cheri Jorgenson), and Morgan Wingert (daughter of James and Randi Wingert) along with their … [Read more...]
’58 Cardinals, winners still
Back in 1958, the Harmony High School Cardinals football team achieved something extraordinary. The team had a perfect 9-0 season. And it’s even more extraordinary when the circumstances are considered. Team member Richard Kiehne coordinated a reunion of the team and cheerleaders, and their spouses. The get-together was held at his home in rural Harmony just before they … [Read more...]
Chronic Wasting Disease in SE Minnesota
The Eagle Bluff Learning Center in rural Lanesboro hosted an educational talk September 8, on the topic of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The speaker, Peter A. Larsen, PhD, works at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, he leads a CWD diagnostic development team. Having grown up in South … [Read more...]