Glen Groth hosted some special visitors at his Houston area farm recently. Guests from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand visited Groth’s farm as they took part in the NSM (Northern Soy Marketing) Crop Tour on September 29 through October 3. NSM is a collaboration of Minnesota and South Dakota soybean checkoff organizations. Minnesota and South Dakota produce 16% of the soybeans … [Read more...]
Three Generations of Exceptional Service and Dedication in Caledonia
For 50 years, Wiebke Tire has kept Caledonia and the surrounding communities moving, on the road and in the fields. Now entering its third generation of ownership, the business continues to thrive under Chad Wiebke, who works alongside Jon Kruse and a dedicated crew of five: Greysen Prouix, Hunter Augestine, Jim Hauser, Garrett Waldenberger and Gerald Schroeder. Although … [Read more...]
Truck Pulling, Competition and Camaraderie
Kris and Roger Torgerson of Harmony have found a great hobby, one in which they get to enjoy the thrill of winning and a great group of friends: truck pulling! The Torgersons are not new to truck pulling. Roger drove his first pull when he was a mere 14; his father, Stan, was supposed to drive the truck that night, but got busy running the pull and had Roger drive in his … [Read more...]
“Old Blue,” 1961 Mercedes Benz
Pastor Mark Woodward still has the Mercedes Benz that his father, Mark T. Woodward, principal of Robbinsdale Junior High, bought new in 1961. Mark T. saved and saved to buy that brand new Mercedes Benz. He had grown up as a farm boy and respected good machinery. He felt the car was well designed mechanically, and liked the quality of the well-built, well-engineered car. Mark … [Read more...]
Shared Battle With Breast Cancer Brings Friends Even Closer
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...]
National Co-Op Month – AcenTek: Building a Better World Since 1950
October is National Co-op Month. A time to celebrate the many ways cooperatives strengthen their communities, something Ace Telephone Association, doing business as AcenTek, has exemplified since its founding. From the beginning, AcenTek has been guided by cooperative principles and a deep commitment to its members. From day one until today, AcenTek’s commitment has been to … [Read more...]
Jenny Kleppe, Trail Blazer
Can you imagine working in an industry where you know only one other woman doing the same work as you? That’s the reality for entrepreneur Jenny Kleppe, co-owner of Kleppe Forest Products LLC in Mabel, Minn. Jenny has met just one other woman, Bonnie Mulholland of Eyota, Minn., who drives the log skidder with her husband Jack. There simply aren’t many women in the … [Read more...]
Gabby Kinneberg – Honoring Veterans and Legacies
From working in the marketing department at an electronics company in Rochester to doing graphic design at the Fillmore County Journal to working in tourism, the Chamber of Commerce and the EDA in Preston, Gabby Kinneberg has gained skills and formed relationships at each job that have helped her with her career at the veterans home in Preston. “It’s crazy how much I learned in … [Read more...]
Holly Wieser, a Woman With Many Hats
Holly Wieser is an energetic, caring woman who wears many hats in her various occupations. At Wieser Septic, Holly runs the office, answers the phone, does the payroll and scheduling, pulls permits, helps with sewer design and is a licensed sewer installer. Wieser Septic was begun in 1963 by Leonard Wieser; in 2006, his son Jake (Holly’s husband) took over the business and … [Read more...]
New Music Teacher for Fillmore Central
Jessica Spencer is the new music teacher for Fillmore Central Elementary School, teaching kids from kindergarten through sixth grade. She grew up in Rochester, Minn., but left the state to get her degree in Music Education at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. For over 13 years, Spencer has sang in choirs and played the clarinet for numerous groups, both … [Read more...]