At the August 3 meeting, Fountain’s city council received an update from Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher regarding a plan to make the city’s claim to fame as the ‘sinkhole capital of the U.S.’ a tangible tourism aspect.
The US Geological Survey has mapped roughly 60 percent of sinkholes in Fillmore County and so it’s estimated that there may be more than 10,000 sinkholes, according to the geographical atlas of the county. A majority of them are in the Fountain area, due to the karst topography. Underground water erodes soluble bedrock leaving cracks, holes, and even entire cave systems. Enough soil erosion and the soil above sinks.
Working with Sara Sturgis, Executive Director at the Fillmore County Historical Society, which operates the Fillmore County Museum, Fohrenbacher noted visitors to the center are frequently asking about the sinkholes. While there is a Department of Natural Resources observation area next to one large sinkhole along the Root River State Trail, there may be additional opportunities to promote the unique landscape.
Expansion of this ‘“sinkhole tourism,” would be eligible for various grant funding for things like signage, safety, and addressing mobility issues. “It could be a really awesome area,” enthused Fohrenbacher.
The city is also gearing up for the Fillmore County Relay Life, an American Cancer Society fundraiser. The annual, county-wide event is slated for August 19.
Events begin at 3 p.m. with a survivor’s tea. At 4 p.m. activities open. The opening ceremony will kick off at 6 p.m. followed by the walk, which concludes at 11:30 p.m. The looped, luminary-lit route runs from the city park north on Cedar Street, west on First Street, and east on County Road 8. Signage around the city will direct attendees to events and activities.
“I feel really good about that being a walking loop,” said Fohrenbacher, who is serving as an organizer. “It’s really coming together.”
Additional events will take place at the community center. City hall will host the silent auction where over 400 donated items will be available for bid. All proceeds from the walk to honor survivors, caregivers, and those lost to cancer go to the American Cancer Society for research, prevention, detection, education, patient support, and support services for the organization.
The city will be setting up blockades on the loop portions of Cedar, First, and Main Streets. Cars need to be off the road before 6 p.m. Organizers seek volunteers to help with safety crossing on County Road 8 during the walk. They also need volunteers for the silent auction and activities during the event and set up prior. Set up is Thursday night, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and during the day Friday, from 8 a.m. until early afternoon. Beaver Bottoms Saloon, Village Square, and Branding Iron will donate meals for setup volunteers.
“Everything is coming along,” added organizer/volunteer and top fundraiser Marilyn Schreier. “Overall it’s coming together. It’s only two weeks away!”
“She’s a go-getter, like you,” nodded Councilor Ron Reisner to Schreier and then Fohrenbacher.
“She’s 10 times more than me,” responded Fohrenbacher. “She’s a rock star.”
Resident Barb Yetter was present to discuss a problem she had at her 201 Main Street property. According to Yetter, a recent drive-through pork-a-cue fundraiser by the Fillmore County Pork Producers kept the area around her home busy and blocked her driveway with traffic. “I couldn’t get backed out of the driveway. People go bumper to bumper and really aren’t courteous,” she noted. “It’s a safety thing.”
Mayor Jim Schott suggested Yetter park her vehicle on Main Street for the duration of the event to avoid needing to use the driveway. Yetter argued she shouldn’t have to and that she’d discussed the issue with the Pork Producers organization. “I told them I’d take it to the council and then the sheriff’s department if I needed to,” she added.
It was the second year the successful event has been a drive through. “They’re doing a good job of it, but I understand your concern,” said Schott. “For that one afternoon if you just park it along the curb and leave it there until they get done. It’s part of the nature of an event.”
“I know it’s a good event and it brings people into town. I just had a terrible time,” responded Yetter.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, September 7, at 7 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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