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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Spring Valley approves contract Pages 10-13
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Monday, October 15, 2012
Gunderson encourages free enterprise page
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Volume 28 Issue 4
MN Legislative Candidate Ag Forum page
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15 years of lutefisk and meatballs page
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Canton l Chatfield l Fountain l Harmony l Lanesboro l Mabel l Ostrander l Peterson l Preston l Rushford l Rushford Village l Spring Valley l Whalan l Wykoff
Red Ribbon Week Fillmore Central Band coordinates scary fundraiser promoted in Chatfield A couple of years ago, Jay Masters of Harmony came up with a great idea for an event that would help the Fillmore Central Band raise money. He approached Lane Powell, the band director, with the idea of a haunted house. “I told him that if he could get it figured out, we could do it,” said Powell. This last spring Masters had it figured out, and the work began.
high school students have spent many hours assembling the haunted house. Powell explained they are building the walls so they are interchangeable. The plan is to switch it up so you don’t see the same house every year. “We want people to get the most bang for their buck,” said Powell. Keeping the Haunted House affordable was important, too. You can tour the haunted house for five dollars a person. An unlimited pass is $20, and a family of five or more only has
special event, but the fundraiser is getting a lot of free advertising as well. SMG Web Design donated a free website, and there will be radio spots on KFIL and two spots with KTTC. Powell believes the idea for a haunted house is a great way to bring people to Harmony. “It’s unique,” he said. “There aren’t many people that do this.” Proceeds from the event will go to the Fillmore Central High School Band and choir events for upcoming performance
In the tradition of the Big Band Bash, a dinner and music fundraiser that has grown each year, now comes the Monster Bash. If all goes well, Powell and Masters are hoping to make this an annual event as well. The haunted house will be at the Community Center in Harmony. The city of Harmony has donated the use of the gym for two and a half weeks. Powell said they began raising funds for the fundraiser. Local businesses donated $100, and their names will be put on a t-shirt. “There is over $7,000 that has been raised,” said Powell. “And that’s for the supplies to build it.” According to Powell, the response from the community has been overwhelming. Several volunteers, parents, and
to pay $20. T-shirts are available for $15. Building on the walls began in June. “Mark Scheevel donated the shed for us to use,” said Powell. “We got plywood 2x4s donated from Rochester, and Fountain Lumber donated wood.” Volunteers worked in shifts. The morning crew would build from 8-12, and the afternoon crew would paint from 12-4. Masters and Powell worked on the entrance to the house and the graveyard. The actual house, which will look like a real house on the outside, will be a big maze that will take 20 minutes to walk through. “There is a lot going into it,” shared Powell. He added there will be some frightening things going on outside as well. Not only have people donated time and money for this
trips, including the band’s trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida in the spring. Powell was overwhelmed by the willingness of the community to help out with the fundraiser, and the great help from Masters. “He’s very community driven,” said Powell. “He wants to see something good in town. Harmony has a lot of people like that. It’s very special.” The first night of the event is made to be less scary for younger kids, and will be October 19 from 4-7pm. The Monster Bash will also be October 20 from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 21-25 from 7-10 p.m., Oct. 26-27 from 7-11 p.m., and Oct. 28-31 from 7-10 p.m. More information can be found on the website: www.fcfundraising. com.
By Jade Sexton jsexton@fillmorecountyjournal.com
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Tuesday & Wednesday - Closed Monday & Thursday - 4-8pm Friday - Noon-9pm Saturday - 11am-9pm Sunday - 11am-8pm 109 S. Parkway, Lanesboro, MN 55949 www.riversideontheroot.com
By K aren R eisner
kreisner@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Chatfield students MaKayla and Mariah Pederson promoted this campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal drug use and the abuse of alcohol at the council’s October 8 meeting. Red Ribbon Week is to be October 23-31 in Chatfield. The national campaign is sponsored by National Family Partnership. The Chatfield SADD Chapter is encouraging the campaign, as research has shown that young people who avoid the influence of drugs and alcohol are not as likely to engage in behaviors that are self-destructive and that can be harmful to other people and their property. Pump Repairs Darryl Haner, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, explained that Quality Flow Systems has completed the annual inspection of all the pumps at the plant and at the remote lift stations. Two pumps need repair,
including a scum pump with a seal failure and a reed bed drain pump with a damaged cord. The cost to rebuild one pump and to repair the cord on the other will be about $3,700 plus tax. The council approved the repairs. Other Business In Brief •Police Chief Shane Fox stated that three vehicles are cleared for sale. Two were abandoned vehicles and one was an alcohol related forfeiture. The sale of the vehicles was authorized. •Mayor Don Hainlen listed items discussed in the Public Works Committee. There has been a request for handicapped parking in front of the VFW which will be discussed with people at the VFW before any action. There will be discussions with residents adjacent to Outlot B before action is taken. Thirty-five areas needing work See CHATFIELD Page 8
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Rushford delves into strategic planning By K irsten Zoellner kzoellner@fillmorecountyjournal.com
After the first of several scheduled strategic planning meetings, Rushford’s council and administrative staff is developing a clearer picture of the future of the city. Guided by nine strategies for success, three key topics, including the Public Works, the Police department, and city budget, were discussed at length. At
the Monday, October 9 council meeting, the discussion continued. In regards to the budget, Councilor Vern Bunke offered that perhaps the city ought to prep for budgetary talks far prior than when the preliminary budget is set each September. “We always seem to be working under the gun. If we can get it on the department heads’ calenSee RUSHFORD Page 9
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