Caledonia Mayor Tell us about yourself. My wife Karen and I have been married for 56 years. We have two daughters, four grandchildren, one great-grand child and ine on the way. I am a lifelong resident of Caledonia. I was a member of the Caledonia Fire Department for 25 years and chief for seven years. Why are you running for office? I am running for mayor because I have … [Read more...]
Soccer (9/14 – 9/18)
(B) Dover-Eyota 6, Cal/SG/Hou 1 (Again, the Warrior boys gave up an early goal to the visitors, two minutes, 49 seconds into the match. Late in the first half, undefeated D-E (5-0, 5-0 TRC) added a pair of goals within 38 seconds to take a 4-0 lead into intermission. Down 6-0, C/SG/H received a goal from sophomore Austin Meyer to close the scoring with 24 minutes remaining.) … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past; Horse races, marching bands, “Lolita in the tank” entertained at the Houston County Fair
The last of a two-part series “The fair was earthy in the old days. It smelled of manure and cigars,” recalled Perk Steffen at the age of 86, in 1982, when talking to writer Ken Pritchard about the Houston County Fair. It may have began as a statehood celebration. After the first two identified fairs in 1858 and 1869, the county fair became an annual autumn harvest … [Read more...]
Angeline “Angie” Wernet
Angeline “Angie” M. Wernet, age 92, of Caledonia, formerly of the Mabel area, died Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at the Caledonia Care and Rehab. Angie was born October 10, 1927, in Mount Carroll, Ill., to Howard and Beulah (Kness) Imel. She grew up in the Mount Carroll area, graduating from high school there in 1946. She moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she worked at … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past From hymns to math lessons to museum — three centuries, three sites
Early schools and churches often began meeting in the homes of pioneer settlers. Simple one-room schoolhouses would often host church worship services before formal church buildings were constructed. It was different for Daley School, east of Caledonia, where a church building became a schoolhouse. Education began in the home of Timothy Hackett in January of 1856 before a … [Read more...]
MiEnergy Cooperative awards $30,000 in scholarships
MiEnergy Cooperative awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 60 local high school students who exemplify commitment to their local community. MiEnergy’s scholarship program reflects the core cooperative principle of commitment to community by recognizing high school seniors who demonstrate cooperative spirit through service to others. The scholarships are funded through unclaimed … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Yankees, candlelight, one tragic snowy night at Portland Prairie
An appetite and maybe a covered dish are appropriate for a picnic on the grounds following the only summer worship service. The Christmas Eve service requires bulky attire, since there is no heat or electricity. Spots of once-dripping wax can be found on hymnal pages, since carols are sung by the light of hand-held candles. It is not possible to light the six surviving kerosene … [Read more...]
Gordon Wayne Eddy
Gordon Wayne Eddy, age 76, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Friday May 29, 2020, at Regional Health Services of Howard County. Gordon was born March 20, 1944, in Spring Grove, Minn., to parents Bernard (Bud) and Irene (Staven) Eddy. He was raised by his stepfather Gilman Treangen and mother on farms in the Black Hammer, Mabel, and Highland areas. He was baptized and confirmed … [Read more...]
Richard Wagner
Early in the morning of Monday, March 30, Richard Leo Wagner, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 66. Richard, better known as Rich or Wily, was born on November 25, 1953, in Waukon, Iowa, to Melvin Wagner and Margret Ann (Marsden) Wagner. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1972. He worked on the family farm and several other jobs … [Read more...]