Pickleball may seem like a new sport, but it’s been around since 1965. It was invented on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Wash. Three dads — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the game. There are a few stories about how pickleball got its name. The most widely circulated credits the name to the … [Read more...]
Wilmington Township dairy farmers keep milking through bad times and good
Although milk prices aren’t the best right now, a Wilmington Township family keeps pressing on. “Something’s gotta change for the good,” said Mark Gerard, whose family has milked cows in the same place on Four Corners Rd. for half a decade. Gerard, who grew up on a hog and beef farm right down the road, met his wife, Dianne (Stoltz) at a scavenger hunt party when the two … [Read more...]
Rein Dairy Farm runs with robotics
With technology running the world in a variety of ways, one typically doesn’t think about technology and farming. Robotic systems are becoming the future to feasibly allow small dairy farms to exist. Ben Rein of rural Highland, together with father Steve, wife Amber and children Steven, Jaime, Nora, Kim, and Rachel have automated their family dairy by the use of Lely robots. … [Read more...]
Princess Kay, in a whole new way
As in each of the past 67 years, a group of young ladies is vying to become Minnesota’s dairy princess. The winner is crowned each summer as “Princess Kay of the Milky Way.” The winner then spends a year as the goodwill ambassador of Minnesota’s dairy industry. Because of the pandemic, this year’s Princess Kay finalists were selected via a process through “Zoom” technology … [Read more...]
Dairy Night on the Farm, 2020 style
The Fillmore County chapter of the American Dairy Association invites everyone to their annual Dairy Night on the Farm event. This year’s event will be held June 20, from 4-7 p.m. at Mulhern Dairy. Cory Mulhern, of Mulhern Dairy, located at 25901 County Road 7 (between Fountain and Wykoff), stated that because of the pandemic, “We’re going to do a drive-through Dairy Night on … [Read more...]
Houston County American Dairy Association announces the 2020 Cowbell Hunt
Betsy the cow is distraught! She has not just lost one, but four of her precious cowbells. She is asking for help to find them. The four bells were lost in four different locations in Houston County: one on the Houston County Fairgrounds in Caledonia, one in the Spring Grove Trollskogen Park, one in the Houston City Park and one in the La Crescent City Park. Betsy is offering a … [Read more...]
Like true love, a Packard lasts forever
Imagine your wedding day. Now imagine that after the ceremony, a friend takes you and your spouse for a ride around town in a classic car. Now imagine that 60 years later, the same friend takes you both on a ride again, in the same car. It seems like something that could only happen in a Hollywood film studio, but it recently happened in Chatfield. Florence and Sharon … [Read more...]
Mustangs make memories for Danielson family
Ryan Danielson grew up in a car-loving family. His father, Ron Danielson, owned a body shop for many years, and also ran a car dealership, so motor oil is in his blood, so to speak. Ryan explained that in 2015, he gave up drinking, adding, “I am a recovering alcoholic, and this (2007 Shelby GT 500 Mustang) was my one-year sobriety gift to myself.” Ryan said that for a … [Read more...]
Hands-free law solutions at Main Street Wireless
“It was assumed that it was coming,” Lee Novotny, owner of Main Street Wireless in Chatfield, said of the hands-free driving law that went into effect in Minnesota on August 1, 2019. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, Minnesota is the 20th state in the US to pass a hands-free law. Novotny was not surprised. “I think it was an obvious one that it was … [Read more...]
Harmony American Legion Auxiliary announces its Girls State selection
The Harmony American Legion Auxiliary is proud to announce that Hailey Lange has been chosen to represent Harmony at the 73rd annual Girls State program to be held June 9-15, 2019, at Bethel University in St. Paul. Lange is the daughter of Derek and Sandi Lange and Kim Kiehne, all of Harmony. She is currently a junior at Fillmore Central High and is also a junior member of … [Read more...]