There is a new gathering place in Mabel, Minn., that will have you feeling like royalty from the moment you walk in the door. Joe’s Pizza Palace and Pub is now open and serving happy customers. Owner Joe Houdek is pleased to have the new business up and running after a complete renovation was done. “We re-did the whole thing,” states Houdek. His Amish friends did most of … [Read more...]
Competitive and financial healthy adjectives used to describe Caledonia
At the July 24 meeting of the Caledonia City Council, Mark Goldberg, David Drown & Associates (DDA) explained the results of the Classification and Compensation study with the council. At the February 27, 2023, council meeting, the council awarded the Classification and Compensation study contract to DDA for a total of $17,500.00. The proposal is for a full classification … [Read more...]
Seed Savers Exchange receives Humanities Iowa Grant
Decorah, IA – Seed Savers Exchange was recently awarded a $9,500 grant from Humanities Iowa, a state-based independent humanities council, in support of the project “Humanities Presentations at the 2023 Virtual Conference.” The statewide grant program supports public humanities projects and educational programs that encourage contemplation, spark conversation, and invite … [Read more...]
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church to celebrate sesquicentennial
Among the gently rolling hills of Southern Fillmore County is Granger, Minn., This small unincorporated town has a historical milestone coming up. They are celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Matthew’s Lutheran church. In the late 1850s, the village of Granger was founded and from there, German settlers started holding church services in their homes. It wasn’t until … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback Meet the stars of Hamilton!
By Sara Sturgis Executive Director Fillmore County Historical Society Surprise, it’s not Lin Manuel Miranda of the acclaimed Broadway play but rather Doctors Alfred and Henry Plummer, the two stars of our own village of Hamilton (not to mention the international medical community), Around 1867, following his service in the Civil War, Dr. Albert Plummer and his wife … [Read more...]
One step toward hope
Fillmore County towns are eager for the opportunity to host Relay for Life. Earlier Relay for Life events in Fillmore and Houston Counties were a joint venture; one year in Fillmore County, the following year in Houston County. Houston County no longer holds a relay event. Host communities must commit to hosting the event two years in a row. This is Fountain’s second year … [Read more...]
Caledonia School Board holds meeting in Eitzen
Caledonia School Board members met Monday, July 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Eitzen Community Center in Eitzen, Minn. Board members present included Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Mike Peterson, Daniel Small, and Spencer Yohe. In addition, elementary Principal Sue Link, Business Manager/Finance Director Barb Meyer, and Superintendent Craig Ihrke attended. Board members Derek Adamson and … [Read more...]
R-P Board learns details on possible building purchase
Deb Marcotte, Executive Director of HVED, visited the Rushford-Peterson school board meeting July 17, to share a current update on the potential purchase of the Winona Mall by HVED. Marcotte informed the board that HVED has been actively searching for a centralized location for 10 years. Superintendents of the 12 member districts had decided one central site located in Winona … [Read more...]
Harmony Telephone Company receives $2.9 million and $1 million Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Grants
HARMONY, MN, July 12, 2023 — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Harmony Telephone Company as a recipient of two Border-to-Border Grants totaling $3.9 million. Harmony Telephone Company will use the $2.9 million grant and $4.5 million local match to serve 311 households, businesses, and farms north of Fountain in Fillmore County. The $1 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove’s 2023 seniors are career or college ready
Spring Grove School Principal Luke Kjelland shared the results from the school’s Redefining Ready scorecard that illustrates college and career readiness as defined by AASA (The School Superintendents Association) with the Spring Grove school board at its July 17 meeting. Vice-chair Stephanie Jaster called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Attendees were Stephanie Jaster, Kelly … [Read more...]
Vander Plas new executive director of LACC
The Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) has a new executive director with a very familiar face. Melissa Vander Plas has accepted the position following the resignation of her predecessor, Andrzej Zalasinski, who had served in the position since 2019. “I’m very happy to be here, and I think it’s going to be a good experience,” states Vander Plas. Vander Plas was … [Read more...]
Never forgotten
The traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was in Houston 19 years ago during the 2004 Hoedown Days and will be in town again this year in conjunction with the town’s well-known celebration. There will be plenty of time for Fillmore County Journal readers to visit the wall between July 27 and July 241 and pay their respects. Whether you have seen the … [Read more...]
M-C prepares for the new school year
Chairperson Cristal Adkins called the July 18 regularly scheduled meeting of the Mabel-Canton School to order at 6 p.m. and led the board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved the meeting agenda as amended and the June 20 meeting minutes as written. Board members present included Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Mark Weidemann, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci … [Read more...]
July is Wild Turkey month in Caledonia
The Caledonia City Council proclaimed July as Wild Turkey Month at its July 10 meeting. The mayoral proclamation recognizes the efforts of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources which led to the successful reintroduction of wild turkeys across Minnesota. The proclamation also states that the reintroduction of the wild turkey … [Read more...]
Peterson gnomes make Quirky Minnesota Places list
At the July 12 Peterson City Council meeting, Councilwoman Gail Boyum shared that she’d been approached by visitors to the city as she worked in the garden in back of the museum, asking where the gnomes were throughout the city and if there were gnomes for sale. It turns out that Peterson has gained notoriety on Facebook in the group Quirky Minnesota Places; now people are … [Read more...]