President/CEO, Penny Solberg of Spring Valley Living, grew up on a farm near Harmony, Minn., and married a farmer. Even though she is well known throughout the state as a leader in the healthcare field and is an avid traveler - inside and outside of work - she still considers herself a just farm girl from Fillmore County. Perhaps her connection with those who work the land … [Read more...]
The flavor of Italy comes to Rushford Peterson Valley
The charm and warmth of Italian essence resonates with us through its mouthwatering cuisine. Brimming with taste, color, life, and freshness, it’s a favorite among Americans. Finding authentic, Italian cuisine can be a challenge, with limited access in greater Minnesota regions like Fillmore County. This month, that changes as Rushford welcomes a new restaurant, Il … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton and Spring Grove rally around one of their own
When Paula Snell was diagnosed with breast cancer, several communities rallied around her and her family in support. Snell was formerly a teacher at Mabel-Canton and currently teaches at Spring Grove. Her daughter, Hannah Snell, attends Mabel-Canton and plays varsity volleyball there. Her teammates wanted to help so they and their parents put their heads together and came … [Read more...]
Fillmore Central trials ergonomic standing desks
When Fillmore Central High School English teacher Gerri Nielson decided that it was time for a change in her classroom, she started researching flexible seating options for her students. She began her search online, but wasn’t impressed with what she saw. “They all looked like they would break easily,” Nielson said. So she decided to take her search local. Her first step … [Read more...]
Bluff Country Harvest addresses world hunger
Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. That statement defines the Food Resource Bank, an organization with which locals, Gary Broadwater and Jim Keune, recently began working. If you’ve driven down Highway 16 between Spring Valley and Preston lately, you’ve probably noticed the Food Resource Bank/Bluff Country … [Read more...]
New owners for Harmony Gardens and Floral
Andrew and Lisa Kingsley have always had a love of gardening, and now they’ve turned that love into a career. The Kingsleys had been considering the possibility of buying the Harmony Greenhouse from Paula MacKenberg for some time now, but when she announced that she had found a home in Montana and would be moving there, they knew it was time to move forward with the … [Read more...]
Chatfield Public Schools welcomes new dean of students
Carlisle Corson’s teaching career has taken him to Hawaii and Texas, but he considers the Chatfield School District to be his home. Corson has a license in elementary and special education and has been teaching for 25 years. For the past 14 years, he has been teaching special education at the Chatfield Public School district. This year, however, he accepted the position of dean … [Read more...]
Chatfield barber nears half century mark
Roy Lange of Roy’s Barber Shop in Chatfield, Minn., is just a shave away from celebrating 50 years as a barber. January 2, 2017 will mark 50 years since Roy and his twin brother, Ray graduated from barber school. “It was brother Ray’s idea,” states Roy, explaining that while both were working in Lake City, Minn., machining engine pistons for Gould, Ray said, “You and I … [Read more...]
Thrifty Threads offers more than just shopping
If you haven’t been to Thrifty Threads in Preston lately, you should stop by and check it out. It offers a variety of gently used, quality items along with handwoven rag rugs. “Bag week,” a special deal where you pay $7 for whatever you can fit into a brown paper bag, runs the last full week of each month. “We’d like to spread the word about Thrifty Threads to let people know … [Read more...]
Spring Valley’s new “coffee time” place
Anytime can be “coffee time” in Spring Valley since Wayne and Joanie Musel have opened the doors of Comforts of the Past August 15, 2016. The idea of sharing her gifts came to Joanie in 2013 when employment conditions changed and Wayne began thinking about retiring from his roofing position at Schwickert’s in Rochester. “I wanted to give back to the community in a way I know … [Read more...]