By Mary L. Allen At the July 14, 2021, Chatfield School Board meeting, board members present were: Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon (virtually), Jill Harstad, Tom Keefe, and Lanny Isensee, as well as Principals Shane McBroom, and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board member Katie Priebe was absent. Under the consent agenda the June … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past “Where this place Minnesota was… I had no idea”
Norwegian emigration, part 6 Many of the Norwegian immigrants, which would settle in Houston and Fillmore Counties as early as 1851, had their ocean voyage end at the port cities of Quebec or New York. Then after another voyage across the Great Lakes and/or a train ride or two, they reached Chicago or Milwaukee. Some, like the families of Thore Elemoen in 1853 and Knud … [Read more...]
Big changes for Old Barn Resort thanks to pandemic
It’s been an interesting and rough year for many businesses and that definitely rings true for the Old Barn Resort outside of Preston. Last summer, its opening was delayed by several months until June, and the day-to-day operations had to change and adapt to the pandemic. Overall though, owners and brothers-in-law Travis Dundore and Eric Brenna feel that most of the changes … [Read more...]
Mabel changes process for zoning permits
Mabel’s City Council met on July 14. Attending were Mayor James Westby, Terry Torkelson, Adam Wilder, and Cory Wilson. Kirsten Wyffels was absent. Also participating were City Clerk Karen Larson and Jeff Rein. The council approved five zoning permit requests. Immediately following that action, Adam Wilder asked, “Is there any better way we can do that?” There was … [Read more...]
Caledonia Aquatic Center open
On July 12, 2021, the Caledonia City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting from 6 p.m. to 6:32 p.m. in the Caledonia City Hall Council Chambers. Council members present, Mayor DeWayne “Tank” Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, Robert “Bob” Klug, David Fitzpatrick, and Brad Rykhus. Mayor Schroeder led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The council … [Read more...]
Fins and Films – drive in to the good ole days
The fascination of automobiles coupled with a desire to positively influence Spring Valley’s downtown image inspired Greg Melartin to create an event in 2017 called Fins and Films. “I moved back to Spring Valley in 2015 and noticed that the downtown area was in a slump. “I am a car guy through and through, absolutely loving the automobile and the culture. I thought … [Read more...]
Driftless Trading Post – outdoor convenience store
Peterson, Minn., has a new “outdoor convenience store” as co-owner/operator Zach Lind refers to his new business. At Driftless Trading Post, you can order a flatbread or panini, pick up some beer or wine, rent a canoe, kayak or tube, and grab a souvenir! Lind’s family was really into the concept of “local food” before COVID hit; the family owned and operated Grandpa Don’s … [Read more...]
Second kayak winner of the summer
Garret Ashton, of Rochester, Minn., stood next to the brand new kayak he won in a recent contest. On June 30, 2021, Visit Bluff Country Magazine conducted the second prize giveaway drawing of the summer, which was a brand new kayak. As the magazine celebrates 36 years as the premier tourism publication of Historic Bluff Country (a.k.a. The Driftless Area), they will be … [Read more...]
Preston hires full-time EMT
Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton reported at the Preston City Council’s June 6 meeting that two applicants had been interviewed for the full- time EMT position. The council had approved the creation of a full-time EMT position at their June 7 meeting. Throckmorton at that time made it clear that the EMS structure currently in place is not sustainable. Staffing with … [Read more...]
Birch Bark Grooming holds Ribbon Cutting
The Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a marathon ribbon cutting event, “Running With Scissors,” on Friday, July 2, at nine local businesses that opened their doors in the last year and a half, expanded, have new owners or moved locations. The first stop in the event was Birch Bark Grooming, a full-service pet-grooming business, which opened on June 29. Joining the owners … [Read more...]