Vicki Musel and Heather Barth paths first crossed when Heather signed her daughter Sydney up for a Just for Kix dance class that Vicki was teaching. Then, both Sydney and Vicki’s daughter Leena ended up in the Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project, and Vicki and Heather found themselves spending a lot of time together. Last year, Heather and Vicki’s friendship deepened in an … [Read more...]
Adventure Racing Challenging Both Body and Mind
Last summer, Carin Hyter and Joshua Jacobson went to see the movie “Arthur the King,” a movie based on the true life story of a man who rescued a dog while competing in a world championship adventure race. Until then, neither Carin or Josh had heard of adventure racing. Intrigued, the couple researched the sport more and decided to try it. They found that adventure racing … [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...]
Houston County’s ALICE Model Saves Lives
On Thursday, April 3, Houston County Investigator Chris Frick and Sergeant Zach Swedberg led two active shooter training seminars. Approximately 50 Houston County employees attended the informative sessions. The Houston County Sheriff’s office uses the ALICE model – an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate - for training purposes. The ALICE model, one of … [Read more...]
From the Sidelines to Center Court: Gavin Hubka’s Return After Open-Heart Surgery
Gavin Hubka was in the middle of a typical Minnesota summer when everything started to change. His family had been spending a lot of time outdoors – camping, hiking, just enjoying the season. That’s when his mom Sally noticed something strange about Gavin’s chest. It stuck out in a way that didn’t seem normal. They might not have caught it otherwise, but out in the open air … [Read more...]
Life Can Change in an Instant, Reminding Us to Cherish Each Moment
“It’s never you. Until it is you,” whispered Andrew Serio of Preston, encapsulating the shocking reality that many of us often overlook. On the crisp morning of February 25, 2025, just as the sun began to cast its golden light over the landscape, Andrew’s phone rang, breaking the peaceful silence of his routine. It was a call no husband ever pictures receiving, the kind that … [Read more...]
Cutting Edge Fitness
What do St. Charles, Rushford and Chatfield have in common? Well, one thing they have in common is that they all are home to a fitness gym called Cutting Edge Fitness established by Jarred Burt. Growing up in St. Charles, Jarred Burt liked sports, especially football. He played football at St. Charles and RCTC as well as some semi-pro. After coaching football at St. Charles … [Read more...]
Studio 52, Premier Cycling Studio
Tiffany Danielson opened the doors of her Studio 52 Premier Cycling Studio on November 6, 2023; the studio, located in the basement of her home near Prosper (10631 US Hwy. 52, Mabel, Minn.) had 10 bikes available. Tiffany had started going to fitness cycling classes at a Decorah studio in 2018. The studio closed during COVID and reopened in the summer of 2020. When the … [Read more...]
Houston County Public Health and Community Services Building to Undergo Renovation
At the February 4 Houston County Commission meeting, the bid for the Public Health and Community Services interior improvement project was accepted. The scope of the project includes remodeling the front office area of the building. “It’s going to make space better for all services that we operate,” said Public Health Supervisor Jordan Knoke. “We’re also increasing security … [Read more...]
A Lifeline for Seniors in Fillmore and Houston Counties
Rolling Hills Transit (RHT), a program of the non-profit organization Semcac, is an important public bus service supporting the independence and well-being of seniors in Fillmore and Houston counties and the surrounding counties of Dodge, Olmsted and Winona counties. By providing reliable and consistent transportation, RHT helps older adults remain connected to their … [Read more...]