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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Sports page
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Protecting firefighters page
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Monday, March 27, 2017
The world’s most powerful gesture page
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Volume 32 Issue 27
Beautiful garbage
page
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Kingsland budget mulled page
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Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Get Squirrelly with Surly at Lanesboro’s first pub crawl By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Amid the rise and popularity of distinctive craft beers, Lanesboro is riding the wave in effort to both promote those smaller-scale breweries, as well as its own drinking establishments. April 1 will see a flurry of activity in the city as it hosts its first pub crawl. “This event began as an experience that will continue to promote craft beer into corners of Minnesota where it hasn’t quite had the same effect as it has had in places like the Twin Cities, where it is ubiquitous,” says Ben Marlof, organizer for the event. “We want those who are crawling to see it as an education in the huge variety of tastes that craft beer can offer.” “The event will see multiple Lanesboro drinking establishments offering up specials or themes as part of a larger, singular event. Participants in the crawl travel from bar to bar, having fewer drinks per loca-
tion, but visiting more locations than in a normal night out,” explains Marlof. High Court Pub, Lanesboro Legion Post 40, and the Root River Saloon are co-hosting the evening’s activities and highlighting 10 select brews from Surly Brewing Company, of Minneapolis. Paul and Lou Hamann, the owners of the High Court Pub, are credited with bringing the idea to light. Gayle Robert of the Lanesboro Legion and Tony Semmen of the Root River Saloon came on board and the event was underway. “Working with Schott Distributing and directly with Surly to get a full range of beer flavors, we’ve put together an event that will be a phenomenal experience for both craft beer experts and learners alike,” adds Marlof, who has been behind the scenes promoting and marketing, scheduling, and working to streamline the event. They admit there have been learning moments in planning the event, but that good communi-
cation from the multiple establishments has been key. Slated for Saturday, April 1, the event begins at 1 p.m. and tasting lasts until 6 p.m. Some local eateries are also offering food discounts as part of the event and participants can snap up a delicious meal at a number of eateries before the evening’s events continue. A prize drawing will be held at 7 p.m. at the High Court Pub before live music by American Standard begins at 8 p.m. Organizers are planning for at least 100 participants, but that number could easily be exceeded. “We’ll take more,” jokes Marlof. “The more, the merrier!” Some local inns and B&B’s are also offering discounts when guests mention, “Squirrelly with Surly.” “We would love to see folks stay the night as part of the event.” While the event is free to participate in, the brews are not. “Just show up, get a punch card, and have fun,” says MarSee LANESBORO Page 2
A music concert event in Preston By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Doug Lind, Fillmore County Fair Board, discussed plans to hold a music concert at the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 12. Councilman David Collett was absent at this March 20 meeting. City Administrator Joe Hoffman reported that he met with Lind, Mayor Kurt Reicks, and
Police Chief Matt Schultz last week to discuss the planned concert and the city’s ordinance that regulates large exhibitions. One question under discussion was whether or not the Ag Society will need to get a license to put on the concert. They have also met with Sheriff Tom Kaase. Lind said they are in the process of acquiring a contract for the concert which they hope could attract several thousand
people from southeast Minnesota. The maximum capacity is 4,000. They plan to offer an opportunity to camp and expect 200-300 campers (750 maximum). According to the city’s ordinance, if there are more than 1,000 people for over an eight-hour period, a license is required. The Ag Society has applied for a license. They will also apply for a liquor license. They are working to identify possible additional areas for
Jim Cooper EMS Foundation presents check to Caledonia Volunteer Ambulance Service
Photo submitted At the March 17-18 Southeast EMS Conference, held at the Mayo Civic Center, John Cooper, son of Jim Cooper, presented a check to Mike Tornstrom of the Caledonia Ambulance Service, as a donation from the Jim Cooper EMS Foundation. Jim Cooper, long time ambulance director in Spring Valley, died in September 2016. His legacy of dedication to serving others lives on, as his family has created the foundation to help small town ambulance services in southeast Minnesota with funds to upgrade emergency equipment. Jim Cooper remains a “Hero Among Us.” parking. The great unknown is just how many people will attend. General admission will be $20. Arrangements will be made for security. The concert area will be fenced, there will be permanent and portable toilets, vendors (providing drinking water), and additional portable lighting. A requirement for a physician or nurse for every 5,000 people was discussed. Lind suggested EMTs and an ambulance could
be on hand. The ordinance requires one security guard for 100 people up to 1,000. The ordinance also asks for a $50,000 bond. Lind said the Ag Society does have a bond, but much less than $50,000. City Attorney Dwight Luhmann noted the Fair Board does large events during the fair and knows how to handle the See PRESTON Page 10 64 Oz.
IGA Cranberry Juice Prices Effective March 27th - April 2nd, 2017
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