Dean Brunsvold has faced several challenges in 2020, but the Harmony Fire Department was quick to respond, showing him that his fellow firefighters had his back. On Saturday, August 8, members of the department held a firetruck parade to Gundersen Harmony Health Care, where Brunsvold is currently a resident. His 83rd birthday had been Wednesday, August 5. Brunsvold’s … [Read more...]
Golden Happenings, Harmony’s active senior group
Harmony’s senior program, Golden Happenings, might not have been able to offer its spring and summer programs as scheduled, but COVID-19 has not stopped Harmony’s senior residents from keeping active during the pandemic. With support, financial and in-kind, from local businesses and individuals, program fees, and funding from grants, Golden Happenings has been able to offer … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Living increasing care capacity
Spring Valley has been actively working with seniors in the area since 1957 to enhance quality of life through innovation, ongoing education and encouragement. Over the years the staff members have developed strong and lasting relationships with both the community and its healthcare services. Presently there are three options at Spring Valley Living: • The Evergreens is … [Read more...]
Being “in a pickle” can be fun
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...]