As soon as Missi Koebke fills the cooler with pickle-flavored beef sticks, they are gone. Customers at Ody’s Country Meats can’t get enough of the new creation. But the popular flavor is only one reason behind the fantastic sales. The other is the new and easy access customers have to the tasty treat. In September, owner Cody Koebke and his wife opened a second retail … [Read more...]
An Eagle Scout Project
Tetsuia Cox led a team of 10 to 15 boy scouts, their parents and two leaders over the summer who helped him complete his Eagle Scout project. The team constructed a new hiking trail at Bob Botcher Park just 2.5 miles outside of Sheldon, Minn., in Houston County. Cox has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 53 for five years. He lives and goes to school in La Crescent, Minn. Eagle … [Read more...]
Governor’s Deer Opener, Lanesboro 2023
Governor Tim Walz celebrated the state firearm deer opener this past weekend in the Lanesboro area. The governor’s deer opener has been held for 21 years at various locations around the state. This opener is a joint effort of the Department of Natural Resources, Explore Minnesota, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Bluffland Whitetails Association, Minnesota Conservation … [Read more...]
R-P Varsity Bowling – #1 in State!
It’s tournament time for fall varsity sports; R-P has a team ranked first in state going into their tournaments – varsity bowling! The R-P varsity team has a team average of 199.7833 with a high game of 266. They have won 12 matches and lost zero. Their game record stands at 52 wins and eight losses. In addition, Rylan Schneider is currently the number one varsity bowler in … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Has a Latte to Be Excited About
With the opening of the new Paddle On Coffee Shop & Maker Emporium on main street in Lanesboro, Minn., area residents have some unique choices of not only several types of beverages, but so much more. Owners Ryan and Allie Palmer, who also own Root River Inn & Suites in Lanesboro, approached the former owners of the building on May 15, closed on the purchase of the … [Read more...]
Updated Press Box, New SPED Equipment at R-P Schools
At the regular Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting October 16, the board explored their options for snow removal on the school grounds. Last year, the school rented a skid loader from Hammell Equipment and hired a person to operate the machine. This year, Superintendent Dr. Ben Bernard suggested asking for bids as well in order to compare the costs. Bernard called the bid … [Read more...]
Sprague Woods Designated as School Forest
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Caledonia Middle/High School 2023 graduate, Noah Stigeler, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officially recognized Sprague Woods in Caledonia, Minn., as an official school forest on Wednesday, May 31. As a senior last year, Stigeler enrolled in the Growth, Mindset, and Leadership course taught by high school social … [Read more...]
Sprague Woods Designated as School Forest
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Caledonia Middle/High School 2023 graduate, Noah Stigeler, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officially recognized Sprague Woods in Caledonia, Minn., as an official school forest on Wednesday, May 31. As a senior last year, Stigeler enrolled in the Growth, Mindset, and Leadership course taught by high school social studies … [Read more...]
Career and Technical Education Exploration Day
September 21 was a sunny day with a slight breeze — the perfect day for the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Exploration Day held by Bluff Country Collaborative. For this, the third year of the CTE Exploration Day, displays from area companies were set up both inside and outside the Caledonia High School. Bluff Country Collaborative was formed in 2017 with partnerships … [Read more...]
Upcoming Benefit for Tom and Kim Mosher, Who Lost Their Home to a Fire
What started out as a fun-filled Labor Day weekend ended in tragedy for Spring Valley couple Tom and Kim Mosher. As part of their family tradition, Kim, her sisters and their children spent much of the weekend at Forestville State Park. Tom spent the day enjoying a motorcycle ride and then he and his son-in-law Emery Swartzentruber joined the family around 4 p.m. Just over … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson School’s Great Start
At their regular September meeting September 18, the Rushford-Peterson School Board heard the usual reports from Superintendent Ben Bernard as well as middle school/high school Principal Jake Timm and elementary Principal Angela Shepard. At each meeting, the R-P administration shares activities and events in the school so the board knows what is happening at R-P. Shepard and … [Read more...]
Preston Welcomes New Chamber Director
Lindsey Reding loved the time she spent living and working in Thailand, but she knew it wasn’t going to be permanent. Her place, she felt, was in Southeast Minnesota. “I have always loved this area and knew I would eventually want to come back,” she explained. While living in Preston and working as an Interpretive Naturalist at Forestville State Park, she heard about the open … [Read more...]
Creamery Coffee Co. Arrives
On August 19, Creamery Coffee Co. opened quietly and joined the restaurants offering food and drink in Rushford, Minn. The new establishment offers quality coffees, teas, sandwiches, and muffins for now with more to come in the near future. Last November, Creamery/Nordic Lanes owners Dean and Kim Mireau and Tony and Jesica Heiden decided to increase their food offerings. They … [Read more...]
Stephanie Eggert Heads Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Eggert, the new executive director of Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce, followed the chamber’s motto years ago by “taking root” in the Rushford-Peterson area. She and her husband live near Hart; their boys attended Rushford-Peterson School. Eggert has had 10 years of experience working for non-profit organizations. She worked at MNVA for three and a … [Read more...]
Darlene of Troy
You probably remember Helen of Troy from Ancient Greek mythology, but maybe you haven’t yet heard of our modern day Darlene of Troy. Darlene has been gaining fame for the last 40 years in the little village of Troy, Minn. When Darlene turned 40 in 1980, Bob Wooldridge, a neighbor, had offered to paint Darlene and Harold McGuire’s barn roof. Wooldridge had a job sandblasting … [Read more...]