Monday, January 27, 2020
COMMUNITY PROGRESS EDITION 2019-2020
A SPECIAL SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY
THE FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
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
IN THIS SPECIAL SECTION ACENTEK BRINGS FACILITY UP TO DATE WITH ITS SERVICE PAGE 2
WHALAN RESORT OPENS RUSTIC HEARTH EVENT CENTER PAGE 3
FRAME IT UP: CUSTOM SHOP OPENS IN RUSHFORD
FILLMORE COUNTY
PAGE 5
JOURNAL
SPEND SOME TIME IN THE JUDGE’S CHAMBER PAGE 6
“Where Fillmore County News Comes First”
CANTON OPENS A WAVE OF NEW BUSINESSES PAGE 7
Go online to view this section!
PETERSON MUSEUM - PRESERVING THE PAST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS PAGE 9
R-4 MEATS IN CHATFIELD EXPANDS, OFFERS BOX LUNCHES & ICE CREAM PAGE 12
STEUART LABORATORIES PRODUCTS HELP HEAL NATURALLY PAGE 14
WYKOFF COFFEE COMPANY SERVES UP MEMORIES WITH COFFEE PAGE 17
WWW.FILLMORECOUNTYJOURNAL.COM
Page 2
Monday, January 27, 2020
AcenTek brings facility up to date with its service
consultative approach,” adds Roesler. “The new lobby has more of a welcoming and warmer atmosphere for our customers. Customers are able to sit and talk with our customer service representatives at eye-level.” Like with any remodeling project, there were challenges. The lobby was closed for a period of time, so AcenTek notified customers months in advance, as well as accommodating the ability to
contact the company or come in for consultation, if needed. Work began in April 2019 and the majority was completed by June. Finish work is to be completed this year. Additional remodeling projects for the administration and human resources area are planned for the future. “We are a technology company providing internet service,” says Roesler. “We needed to look the part, also.”
At MinnWest Bank, we’ve been serving our communities for over 115 years, and we’re ready to serve you! AcenTek staff consults with customers in its new, more welcoming lobby at its Houston headquarters. Photo submitted By Kirsten Zoellner In the 1950s, the cusp of new technology in Fillmore and Houston Counties was telephone service. While available, it was limited, until Fillmore County Telephone Cooperative began acquiring small companies in each city and building service through access lines stretching across the countryside. Fast forward 70 years and that company, now AcenTek, is once again tackling the challenge of rapidly changing technologies to serve area residents. “The nature of the business has changed dramatically in the last 10-15 years,” noted AcenTek CEO Todd Roesler. “We have grown from being a telephone company to being an internet service provider.” At its peak, AcenTek (Ace Telephone Company) serviced over 28,000 access lines. These days, service is still impressive with the company maintaining over
12,000 access line customers and approximately 20,000 broadband subscribers. According to Roesler, while new competing technologies may give similar speed and service, fiber remains the gold standard of service. “Broadband has been the catalyst and the ever-changing technologies that require the use of broadband,” he adds. “We have decided that our preferred delivery system in providing broadband is through fiber to the premise, and this is our competitive advantage. I don’t see it changing quickly, but what is changing is the amount of broadband needed to be supported by it.” The amount of required service, as business and in-home technology increase, is driving the company’s goal of having fiber optic service to all premises within the next seven years. To date, AcenTek provides it to half of its customer
Ristau Farm Service Preston 507.765.3873 ristaufarmservice@gmail.com ristaufarmservice.com
Thank you for letting us serve you! Scheevel and Sons, Inc. (507) 765-4756
Precision Laser Excavating Specialties: Ponds, Waterways, Terraces, Driveways, Building Sites and More.
Ron (507-273-9796), Aaron (507-272-3923), Eric, & Nate Scheevel 17057 Kind Rd. • Preston, MN
base. Over the last several years, businesses and economic organizations have met to find ways to meet the demands in the advent of changes. Wireless systems are unreliable, needing line of sight for service, and customers are demanding more and more capabilities. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide a premium broadband experience and we do that through a fiber connection,” explains Roesler. “We have invested well over a hundred million dollars in the past five or six years connecting the homes and businesses we serve to fiber.” What’s equally impressive is more than $20 million has been dedicated to Fillmore County alone, following through with AcenTek’s mission of service. “I do believe our portion of economic development is that fiber to the home,” adds Roelser. “We feel we’ve certainly done our part for FIllmore County.” In keeping with their reputation as a quality broadband provider, the company opted to give a recent facelift to its Houston headquarters. With more than 90 employees, 75 at the home office, the company wanted to maintain its modern efficiency in its facility, namely the customer service lobby. Heather Benson, Customer Service Manager was the point person for the remodel. She and a company team worked with Wieser Brothers, of La Crescent, and Interphase Interiors, of Grand Rapids, Mich., to design a space that would be both ergonomically functional and comfortable for employees, as well as bringing added comforts for customers. “Coming in the doors, it’s more pleasing to them; more welcoming,” explains Benson. The lobby was outdated, set up for the days when cell phones were sold by the company. Several areas weren’t being used properly highlighting another disadvantage, lack of presence in the front. In addition, the staff was at a different height from customers, giving a somewhat awkward encounter between the two. “With the higher height, it wasn’t pleasing to sit. Now, we can help and take some time. It’s comfortable and they’re staying a while so we can work with them.” “It was set up so it was a more
Doers Welcome.™
Commercial, agricultural and personal banking that gets things done.
www.minnwestbank.com Wykoff, MN • 507-352-2321 Spring Valley, MN • 507-346-9899 Lewiston, MN • 507-523-2161
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Randy Haakenson 326 Parkside Dr. SE Preston, MN 55965
Res 507-765-2297 Cell 507-251-5535
330 N Main Harmony, MN 55939 507-886-2255
Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 3
Whalan resort opens Rustic Hearth Event Center
The exterior of the new Rustic Hearth Event Center.
CELEBRATING 34 YEARS 33 YEARS in business! 507-545-3900 Fax: 507-545-3901
Photo submitted By Kirsten Zoellner Cedar Valley Resort is easily one of the most well-rounded, breathtaking resorts in the county. Situated in the valley beneath the Root River bluffs, the familyowned resort is nearing the end of its second decade of business.
Operated by Larry and Sheryl Johson and their daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and John Smith, it sits nestled into the original 40 acres owned by Larry’s grandfather in the 1920s. Once the also the site of Gene Johnson’s ranch, Cedar Valley Fur Farm, the property was converted to a resort in 1998, opening to the public in 2001. Initially, just three cabins dotted the sprawling property. Now, it boasts nine in total, including two three-bedroom, three four-bedroom, one sixbedroom, one deluxe, six-bedroom cottage, and two eightbedroom reunion or retreat cabins. Each offers every possible comfort of home, additional luxury items, including a fireplace. Rounding out the resort are the office, boutique, rentals, athletic courts, yearround outdoor activities, and on-site services. Last May, the resort broke ground on the event center, which opened this past November. “A big part of our clientele are large groups,” notes Brittany Smith. “We wanted to give them a space to gather together. We also wanted to be able to accommodate our business groups and host events throughout the year.” Partnering with Chris Nelson Construction, of Houston, the family set their sights on
a state-of-the-art event center capable of holding 100 guests and maintaining the comfortable old-fashioned style. “He was highly recommended for his attention to detail,” says Smith of their contractor. “The building exceeded our expectations. We are extremely happy with the result.” One of the prominent features is a 24-foot stone fireplace. “The hearth, along with our large picture windows facing the bluffs, gives you a serene, peaceful atmosphere that is ideal for gathering with friends and family, productive meetings, relaxing craft weekends and retreats,” adds Smith. The 2,000 square foot gathering hall gleams with abundant natural light, custom woodpaneled walls and vaulted ceiling, and spectacular views. Facing the stunning bluff scenery and award-winning Root River State Trail is a 50-foot covered porch, complete with lights and ceiling fans for comfort in all times and seasons. Also, the center features a fully stocked, modern kitchen, high-end projector and sound system, and two breakout rooms. While originally designed for resort guests, Cedar Valley Resort has already hosted several small events for the comSee RUSTIC HEARTH Page 4 ➤
Caring for families in the Rushford area since 1951.
4707 County Rd 7 SE • Eyota, MN Lumber- •Building Building Materials Lumber Materials Windows • Cabinets • Hardware Builders - Remodelers - Designers www.chatfieldlumber.com www.chatfieldlumber.com
Thank you for supporting us over the years!
Next to Sunshine Foods
Spring Valley, MN 507-346-1979
507-259-4003 131 US 52 Fountain, Mn
Well-child checkups Care for injuries and illness Immunizations Physicals and a variety of health screenings Podiatry services with Dr. Nachtigal (not pictured) Women’s health services Chronic disease management
Laboratory services Physical therapy services Diagnostic radiology services for fractures Electronic medical records Referral to specialty services at Winona Health or other medical center
RUSHFORD CLINIC
Providing DuPont Pioneer
seed products and service for
21 years
Urgent Care is available every day in Winona! Holidays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Check current Urgent Care wait times online — winonahealth.org/uc.
Find us online:
winonahealth.org
Page 4
Continued from Page 3
munity in the center. Starting construction at the onset of the tourist season was a new challenge for the resort, having constructed all other projects away from full summer capacity. “Surprisingly, we had no complaints and many of our guests enjoyed watching
Monday, January 27, 2020 the construction,” notes Smith. “We are very excited about the opportunities this will open up for us and our guests.” Even with the event center addition, Cedar Valley Resort is continuing to plan future endeavors. Next up is a pickleball court. “Additional projects are always in our thought for the future,” adds Smith. “Meeting so many people
from all over the world and from all walks of life is a wonderful way for a family to make a living. We feel the relationships we have had with the local communities has been more like a partnership,” she continues. “We have benefited greatly from their willingness to support our vision at Cedar Valley Resort and in return, we hope they have benefited from us as well.”
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usi Celebra b n i ting 21 years The spacious interior of the event center provides high-quality offerings while allowing the natural settings to shine. Photo submitted
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An old-fashioned stone hearth is the heart of the center’s gathering hall.
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 5
Frame it up: custom shop opens in Rushford
and laid out. The frame stock is cut and carefully pieced together, the glass cut, and the entirety assembled. “If I have what they want on hand, I can whip out a finished product quickly. If I have to order, it generally comes out of Minneapolis and I can have it completed within two to three days,” he says. Thus far, most of the clientele has been local, but cus-
tomers from outlying areas are beginning to trickle in. While he’s considered partnering up for local businesses, there are no current plans in the works. Woxland has found himself busy enough, once again. Glenn’s Frame Shop is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or you can call for an appointment at (507) 8642008 or (507) 259-8363.
800 Home Street, Rushford, MN Phone: 507-964-7714 • Fax: 507-864-2842
www.goodshep-rushford.org Glenn Woxland, of Glenn’s Frame Shop, offers innovative custom art framing. He is pictured here with his wife Roxanne. Photo by Kirsten Zoellner By Kirsten Zoellner Hanging a piece of art or portrait of a loved involves the right colors, lines, location, and overall aesthetic. Why would you give any less consideration to what goes in to having it displayed? The popularity of custom framing is increasing as art lovers and do-it-yourself home decorators have learned that it’s not just enhancing the artwork, but really making it their own. What’s offered in retail stores is narrowly limited and typically comes in standard sizes only. Custom art display, whether original, print, or photo may be boundless in sizes, frame material, and both mat size and color. Even the glass can be selectively chosen. Preserving and protecting that art can be equally as important. Commonly found frames and mats can contain materials that age or discolor pieces and cheap glass can allow direct ultraviolet light, which may further wash out or alter art and photos. “It’s really satisfying to see it transformed,” says Glenn Woxland, proprietor of Glenn’s Frame Shop, located in Suite 108 in the Mill Street Mall in Rushford. “Every piece is a challenge, but I like that.” This isn’t Woxland’s first
foray into the work. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, when the framing of wildlife prints was at its peak, Woxland found his way into the hobby of framing. “I had the idea one day to do it myself. I bought some equipment and prints at a decent price and got started,” he says. “I had a love of art and enjoyed working with my hands.” Not too long after, word of his newfound talent and hobby got around the community and others were seeking him out for services. “It was a hobby that turned into a business,” he chuckles. “I made some money and bought better equipment.” At the time, he was working only out of his home. As demand increased, Woxland decided to partner with sisterin-law Lori Woxland to open his first shop, “The Framery.” The shop occupied a space in the G.S. Woxland building, on Mill Street, where Glenn and his family operated a successful plumbing and heating business. As typically does with trying to having multiple jobs, Woxland found himself too busy to juggle both effectively and ended up selling the early framing business in the mid-’90s. In the last few years though, the hobby found itself back into his daily life. In April
2018, Glenn received a full heart transplant, following a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and surgery 16 years prior and again recently in 2015-2016. It prompted him reevaluate things and he retired last year, giving him ample time to return to custom framing. He officially opened the shop this past April. While some of the work is still done at his home, the suite in the mall has provided a visible downtown location and good exposure. It was remodeled prior to use to suit Woxland’s needs, including custom work tables, cupboards for storage, and a wall for frame samples. That wall now showcases hundreds of mat and frame samples. According to Woxland there are thousands of possibilities and if he doesn’t have a sample to match what the customer wants, the materials can be ordered. The frames alone can be metal, wood, composite or other materials. “I let the customer tell me what they want and try to provide enough matte and frame samples, but I’ll make recommendations for them, too,” adds Woxland. Once selections are made, the materials for matting and framing are gathered, or ordered,
Grow with us in 2020 Industry
School
“People Matter at Every Age!”
Providing quality nursing care services since 1965
Senior Apts. Bremmer Suites. Child Care. Nursing Home
701 Industrial Dr. N • Preston 888.283.2893 www.poet.com
We appreciate being a part of the growth and prosperity of Fillmore County over the past 22 years
Doing Whatever it takes for our customers since
2010!
5 North MaiN St. Chatfield, MN Shop (507)867-2957 • www.witboyzinc.com
Housing
Since 1999
City of Rushford, Minnesota-City Government Rushford-Peterson Schools Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce
Page 6
Monday, January 27, 2020
Spend some time in the Judge’s Chamber
The seating in the High Court Loft is designed to promote relaxation. Photo by Barb Jeffers By Barb Jeffers The verdict is in, confirming that there is a very unique Airbnb in downtown Lanesboro, Minn., that will appeal to your sense of adventure. You may even petition your friends and family to stay longer, without judgment,
and with no objections. When Paul and Louanne Hamann purchased and remodeled the building in downtown Lanesboro they had immediate plans for the main floor and second floor, but needed to make a decision on what to do with the
141 Fillmore Street W Preston, MN 55965
We appreciate the opportunity to serve our customers for 27 years. Ronald Schreier ron@majortax.com
Timothy McLaughlin tim@majortax.com
Phone: 507-765-4432
Phone: 507-765-4444
Open BOwling
Call for availability
507-867-0089 • Chatfield • Open 7 days a week
Celebrating
10 years of serving
the best customers in the world!
Serving SE Minnesota
since 1947
Lanesboro Sales Commission, INC. Lanesboro, MN Joe Nelson: 507.450.6763
large space on the third floor. Having the only third floor in town, the building was known as “High Court” back in the late 1800s when Judge J.G. French presided over court cases on the third floor, and where the Judge’s Chamber was also located. The Hamanns wanted to create the feel of an Irish pub, so the name High Court Pub was chosen for the first and second floor which is used as the bar area. After deciding to create lodging space on the third floor, it seemed fitting to name the loft after the judge, and so, the High Court Loft – the Judge’s Chamber was the name that they chose. After restoration of the loft in 2016, the space is quite impressive with high ceilings and the tall original front windows that look down onto Lanesboro’s picturesque Main Street from the spacious main room. Entering the loft, guests first walk into the entryway and kitchen area which is a convenient place to set your belongings and supplies. The loft is a completely modern space, but pays homage to the building’s history as original doors and windows add to the charm. The loft has been described by many guests as “sparkling clean,” as every detail is attended to. Guests will have the loft to themselves, which includes the main living area, kitchen area and bathroom. A very comfortable Murphy bed is located in the main living area, as well as a seven-foot couch and a queen deluxe airbed which can be used as sleeping space if needed. Conveniences in the kitchen area are a one pot induction stovetop, convection toaster oven, coffeemaker, fridge, dishwasher and microwave. Other amenities include Wi-Fi and cable TV. Bicycle storage is available if needed as well. For those who travel with their furry friends, pets are allowed at the High Court Loft, which makes any trip more enjoyable for those who would otherwise be missing their pet back home. Your stay at the loft is sure to be very comfortable and laid back as the Hamanns are very easygoing and friendly. Guests check themselves in using a keypad and have complete privacy in the loft. The live music on weekends or other activities below in the High Court Pub may just draw you downstairs, as well as the tasty food they serve, and you may have an inclination to spend some time on either of two decks that the pub offers, one of which overlooks the Root River. There is no better way to enjoy Lanesboro and everything the town has to offer than to park your car and spend your time sightseeing, visiting downtown shops, restaurants, attending a theatrical performance, walking or bicycling on the Root River bike trail, canoeing, or a host of other ways to get away from the hustle and bustle. When you return from a day of fun and relaxation there will be a large and comfortable spot
waiting for you in the loft. The space works very well as a place for a small gathering of friends and family or as a central location when many family members are in town for events, due to its
convenient location. High Court Loft – the Judge’s Chamber is listed on Airbnb at airbnb.com. For further information call the High Court Pub at (507) 467-2782.
Employee Julie Phillips stands in the main room of the High Court Loft – the Judge’s Chamber, located on the top floor of the High Court Pub building in downtown Lanesboro, Minn. Photo by Barb Jeffers
SERVICES
MOREM ELECTRIC, INC. 715 Main Ave. N, Harmony 507-886-4541
1945-2020 75 Years and 4 generations serving the electrical needs of Harmony & the surrounding area
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
Torgerson Family 1947-2014 Brian Ostby, October 2014 - Present
Monday, January 27, 2020
Canton opens a wave of new businesses By Kirsten Zoellner In our small county towns, the opening of a new business is a boon for the whole community. Imagine the result for a town opening several in just one year. Canton, the community of roughly 350, has proved itself more than welcoming to
T hompson moTors of Wykoff
Diesel, Trucks & Service 507-352-2435 Serving the Community for 79 Years
Thanks to all our customers for your support!
economic development with more than seven new businesses opening in one year. On the west side of town, smack dab along the busy Highway 52 frontage, a oncevacant set of buildings now shines as the hub for four of these new businesses. “I’ve lived in Canton my whole life. I saw the property for sale for quite a while and it intrigued into making something out of an area that wasn’t really being used,” says Jim Davis, who purchased the buildings in September 2018. The main building was just storage.” Davis purchased the building but didn’t set to filling it immediately. Instead, he took the somewhat dilapidated spaces and completely remodeled the interiors last winter. “I wanted to make it fresh for anyone coming in,” he adds. Once that was done, Davis replaced the sheet metal exteriors on both buildings, also adding overhead 4 Spr .5 mile ing s Vall South ey o ff H of wy 6 3
Country Meats 507-346-2579 • 800-660-MEAT M-F 7-5:30 Sat. 8-3 • 17643 121st Ave.
Proudly Serving Our Clients For Combined Efforts Of 40 Years!!!
JuliaClaire Consignment & Variety
Established in 2012
Thank you for your continued support!
Visit us at 152 Main St, Preston 507-765-2399 Follow us on Instagram at Juliaclaire2016 or on www.facebook.com/affordableclothingprestonmn
DAVIS
CONSTRUCTION LLC Est. 1956 • Canton, Minnesota
Earthmoving - Building Sites Feedlot Projects Driveways & Roads Soil Conservation Waterways - Terraces - Ponds
Tom Davis - 507-421-3697
doors to accommodate bigger equipment. “It was an investment in the building to make it usable.” In total, he figures he put more than $45,000 into the prime real estate. “They’re very open to anything they can do. It seems like every week Jim and Tom Davis are doing something here,” says Randy Mayer, one of the tenants. That tenacity to make something out of not much sure seems to be paying off for the community. The buildings were filled by the start of 2020 with four entirely new businesses. They included JLD Enterprises, Davis’ personal business, in the southwest space. He specializes in lawn care service, snow removal, and not surprisingly, business leasing and storage. To the north office, Mayer Seed & Solutions, owned and operated by Randy Mayer, moved in. Mayer, who opened in October of last year, specializes in Pioneer seed sales of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, crop insurance, and crop consulting. To the east and larger unit, came Express Pressure Washers, owned and operated by Matt Erickson. The company is an Alkota pressure washer and accessories dealer also selling IPC Eagle floor sweepers and scrubbers, Val 6 radiant heaters, Zep soaps and detergents, and Power Parts washers, as well as servicing all makes and models of pressure washers. Behind the main building, Jake Johnson opened Johnson Farm Repair just in the last three weeks. He specializes in agricultural and automotive repair, including mobile service on-farm. The businesses seem to be growing both independently and as a cooperative business community for the city. “The residents of Canton were already up and at ‘em trying to draw more business. It all worked out with the timing and availability,” says Davis. “Every one of them are just good people. It’s been a bit chanllenging to get everything figured out, but they’re really good and I’ve known them for years.” “This was probably the biggest decision I’ve ever made. It was just the right time,” adds Mayer. “It’s right along Highway 52 and I’d heard he was renting it out. I was looking at other places, but this has great exposure. It was almost turnkey.” “Working with other businesses in the same location benefits everyone,” says Erickson. “We are pretty much all ‘One Man Shows,’ so it’s nice to have others around. Randy has helped my customers numerous times when I’ve been out of the office and they needed a part or to get a hold of me.” That sentiment was also shared by the others of their co-tenants. “It’s also nice to get people coming through the door even if their goal wasn’t to see me,” adds
Page 7 Erickson. “I’m not always there, but working out of other shops or farms,” notes Johnson. “It’s really working great.” Likewise, just a way down the road, Mensink Racing is also noticing the benefits of a strong business community. They opened a brick and mortar location this past September adjacent to yet another new business by the city’s gas station, across from Preston Dairy & Farm. “I like the small quiet community and being able to pool resources when necessary has been great,” says Jay Mensink, Jr. “For us, it was location and having a prior relationship to the owner of the building.” Still, there are challenges to small business ownership. “The last year has really opened my
eyes to how difficult it is to compete with the internet,” notes Erickson. “I believe the reason we are able to maintain a successful business is the fact that our customer service is second to none.” “We need more people to utilize the smaller towns,” agrees Davis, noting customer service provided by small businesses exceeds that of online offerings. “Small town USA depends on small businesses to bring people to town,” stresses Erickson. “A very important thing to take into consideration is the fact that Amazon will not sponsor your children or grandchildren’s school or sports activities, but many small business owners are more than happy to. Shopping local and supporting neighbors is the key to any small community.”
Celebrating
66 years!
Established in 1954
115 Main St. S., Chatfield, MN chosenvalleyvet.com
507-867-3610
Page 8
Monday, January 27, 2020
Cedar Valley Resort
BR
RUSTIC HEARTH EVENT CENTER
AN
DN
EW
Thank you
!
for letting us serve you! COMMITTED
to helping owners grow
100 GUEST CAPACITY
www.chsrochester.com 507-289-4086
Whalan, MN | 507-467-9000 | www.cedarvalleyresort.com
ESTABLISHED IN 1931
Monday, January 27, 2020
COMMUNITY 2019-2020 PROGRESS EDITION
These businesses are proud to serve the community
Denny’s Trailer Sales
Specializing in Horse & Livestock Trailers
507-352-5491 | Wykoff, MN
Family owned & operated since 1986!
Since 1866
Rushford Ace Hardware
507.864.2540 402 South Mill Street | Rushford, MN
City of Rushford RUSHFORD, MN
166 Years of Service
OF CANTON
400 WEST HWY 52 Matt Erickson | 507-459-2883
111 N Main St Canton • Minnesota 5922 Phone (507) 743-2204 Toll Free 877-457-5977 www.firstsoutheastbank.com
(800) 846-6914 115 East Cedar Street, P.O. Box 708 Houston, MN
75 years!
www.moundprairiemutual.com
127 years!
119 Years of Service
JLD ENTERPRISES LLC Lawn Care • Snow Removal • Storage Rentals
Providing service since 1945! 507-886-2525
400 W Hwy 52 Canton, MN SUPPORTING THE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS OF THE AREA SINCE 2002!
Doers Welcome.™
Commercial, agricultural and personal banking that gets things done. Servin com g our for ove munities r 115 ye ars
www.minnwestbank.com
Wykoff, MN • 507-352-2321 Spring Valley, MN • 507-346-9899 Lewiston, MN • 507-523-2161
!
IN BUSINESS! DAN & ADAM SVEEN Lanesboro, MN | 507-273-6015
First State Bank of Fountain
Fountain, MN
Web: www.harmonyagri.com
22 YEARS
MOREM ELECTRIC, INC. 715 Main Ave. N, • Harmony 507-886-4541
Celebrating 75 years!
Preston, MN | (507) 765-2117
Old Fashioned Love
SERVICES, INC.
3 Main Ave North Harmony • Minnesota 55939 Phone (507) 886-6922 Toll Free 877-886-6922 www.firstsoutheastbank.com
Modern Medicine
Serving since 1895
Jim Davis 507-272-0543
since 1856
CELEBRATING
Serving our customers since 1884
ARMONY AGRI
Celebrating 153 years!
Serving you
MOUND PRAIRIE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
H
219 S Mill St, Rushford, MN 55971 (507) 864-7755
Serving you and your pets since 1981!
Providing Care for 18 years. 507-886-6515 | 455 Main Ave. N | Harmony
Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 9
Peterson Museum - Preserving the past for future generations
John and Darlene Erickson look over one of several handcarved Norwegian kobbestol, a Vesterheim Museum Gold Medal winner. Photo submitted
Proudly serving our customers since 1992
K&R EquipmEnt, inc.
custom bagging & manuRE hauling
Randy Ristau
9’ & 10’ Agto Bag Much Gratitude our area Agricultural Community!
&
s
The Best in Animal Care for 48 Years
The Best in Animal Care for 52 Years Harmony: 507-886-6321 Cresco: 563-547-3121 Harmony: 507-886-6321
Drs. Aggen, Otto, Rein, Westby, Norman, Brown, & Petro Cresco: 563-547-3121
Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Drs. Aggen, Otto, Rein, Remold, Sadler, Nash & Collins
Large and Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Featuring: • Digital X-Ray Imaging • In-House Laboratory capabilities for all species • Full Dental Services utilizing state of the art dental equipment
Thank you for letting us serve you ! 608 HOUSTON ST NW PRESTON, MN 55965 (507) 765-3846
WWW.PRESTONSERVICEPLUS.COM
By Kirsten Zoellner Too often, we lament the loss of historic sites once ruin has set in. How sad it was that there was no one to save it because of cost, time, or other barriers. Small country communities, limited in more means than others, witness their share of historical losses. Sometimes though, it just takes motivated people and the right set of circumstances. Peterson resident John Erickson worried community history would be lost. A passionate history buff and eager curator, he began what he called “Save Peterson” 50 years ago. Erickson began asking senior citizens gathering at City Hall if they had any old photos he could borrow so he could copy them. It took a drive of more than 40 miles to Moen Photos, La Crosse, Wis,, to make copies. Shortly after, Erickson noticed a for sale sign on the boarded-up, 1877 Milwaukee Railroad depot that sat on Church Street in Peterson. “At first, I didn’t think about it much, but then I heard voices saying someone was interested in tearing down the depot for the lumber,” he says. “I started to think about a building that wouldn’t belong to this or that family in Peterson, but a building that could truly be a Peterson Museum.” In 1972, Erickson wrote a letter to the Milwaukee Railroad and asked for a meeting. Over the next few years, he attended several meetings to attempt to purchase the building on its original site. Unfortunately, there was no interest by the railroad company in leaving it on the site. A committee of four — Erickson, Roberta Tew, Hilda Quickstad, and Bruce Benson — banded together to find a way to relocate the depot, guaranteeing to raise the money or pay the cost themselves. Erickson contacted the company, suggesting a bid of $1 and removal of the depot in 90 days, and it was accepted. In need of a lot, the committee contacted the family of a privately-owned, vacant lot in hopes of a possible sale. They were surprised when the lot was donated by owner Jean Volkman instead. A bid to move the depot three blocks to its new location was made by Hans Haef, of La Crescent, for $3,900. The depot successfully moved in 1973 for a cost of just $1,900. In another welcome surprise, Haef donated the remaining $2,000. The interior was renovated that winter with assistance from locals and through the Green Thumb Program. Showcases from the Agrimson-Johnson Store and Boyum Service station provided centerpieces to items donated and purchased at auction, in addition to those copied photos. The museum officially opened during Gammel Dag Fest, the city’s annual
founder of Peterson in the 1850s, and the 220 genealogies of families that live or have lived in the Peterson area, the museum is also home to a collection of more than 8,000 items and more pouring in weekly. Memorabilia, advertising, patented inventions from Peterson, antique farming and fire equipment, hand-carved Norwegian kubbestol, military uniforms of every branch and era, and more line every inch of the museum. More than 1,200 people visited the museum, which also serves as the Visitor Center, in 2019. The museum is now planning a new 720-square-foot addition to the annex for additional items recently acquired from the former Peterson School District. Trophies, plaques, and graduate pictures will join extracurricular uniforms and other items from the school. “We need a space for those items that are important to Peterson,” notes Erickson. “We will be faced with deciding where to go with these items until we have the
celebration, June of 1974. By the ‘90s, the museum was already getting cramped. In 1997, efforts to raise funds for a 2,160-square-foot, $90,000 annex to the depot kicked off. It received a boost three years later during the all-school reunion when a 1936 graduate offered the first $1,000 donation. “We always felt that if we had a space for collecting items and written material about this community, the items would come to us,” adds Erickson. And they did. Now another 20 years down the road and the museum is once again looking to expand. “We thought that would be enough room for anything we could come up with, but now we are basically full; we need more space,” adds Erickson. “Over the years, we have collected many artifacts pertaining to the community that would have been lost without the museum.” Among cherished items, including letters written to Peter Peterson Haslerud, the See PETERSON MUSEUM Page 13 ➤
Committee member Gail Boyum next to the Peterson Museum’s antique fire wagon. Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
Committee members Milford Olson and Karen Pederson stand next to “Ole and Lena” at the Peterson Museum. Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
Monday, January 27, 2020
COMMUNITY PROGRESS EDITION 2019-2020
These businesses are proud to serve the community 115 Main St. S., Chatfield, MN
1221 Highway 63 South, Spring Valley, MN 55975 507-346-7227 • www.marzolfimp.com
507-867-3610 chosenvalleyvet.com
Celebrating 66 years!
d
perate
&O Owned
4 5 9 1 e c n i S
Family
Family Dining
RM HA H OU RESTAU
Main Ave. N. Harmony,
Serving the Harmony
Serving SE M
since
Lanesboro Sales C
Lanesbo
Joe Nelson: 5
Davis Construction
B&B Olymp
64 Years of Service
401 Kansas St NW, P 507-765-
DAVIS
Celebrating over 60
Canton, MN
CONSTRUCTION LLC. Est. 1956 • Canton, Minnesota
Preston, MN |507-765-9956
507.864.2878 www.myrushfordfoods.com
Harmony, MN & Cresco, IA
52 Years of Service
Celebrating 16 years of business!
Bill’s Gun Shop 19708 Kava Rd. Preston MN 55965
S&A Petroleum Lanesboro, MN
507-765-2762 Celebrating 41 years!
42 Years of Service 507-467-2121
Celebrating
over 15 years! Hwy. 43 & State 16, Rushford, MN
TODD HADOFF REALTOR
Todd Hadoff Realtor®
1
#
Results
CHATFIELD, MN 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
KELLY PRINTING & SIGNS 21142 US HWY 52 PRESTON, MN
26
YEARS OF SERVICE
Serving the area for 26 years! Preston, MN
Celebrating 21 years! rs Yea e 16 er vic of S
Providing
DuPont Pioneer
seed products and service for 21 years 507-259-4003 • 131 Hwy 52 | Fountain, Mn
Assisted Living of Preston
Scheevel & Sons, Inc. Preston, MN 29 27 Years ofofService Service 26Years Yearsof Service
Canton, MN | 507-273-0684 randy.mayer@plantpioneer.com
CERTIFIED CROP ADVISOR FOR 27 YEARS | LICENSED CROP INSURANCE PROVIDER FOR 16 YEARS
Ristau Farm Service Preston 507.765.3873 ristaufarmservice@gmail.com ristaufarmservice.com
20 Years of Service
Nordic L Serving for
OIL CHANGES • T 5 0 7 . 8 6 7 OWNERS BILL BURK
104 South Main Street • Chatfield, MN Fax: 507.867.4941
FULL SERVICE AUTO BODY RE
Prou are
I
doiNg Whate for our CuStoM
Randy Haakenson
Celebrating 11 Years!
5 North MaiN St Shop (507
Cele
Retail Outlet
Consignment & Variety
EST. 1982
Established in 2012
152 Main St, Preston • 507-765-2399
50 50
40 Years of Service
Preston, MN
11 Years of Service
JuliaClaire 7 Years
Spring Valley, MN
Traditions of Preston
Next to Sunshine Foods
Spring Valley, MN 507-346-1979
CELEBRATING
Ody’s Country Meats & Catering
Randy Mayer
McCabe Repairs 23012 Ivy Road Preston, MN 507-765-2404
44 Yearsof of Service! 47 Years Service
507.765 www.myprest
Thank you for 6 years of service!
203 N Main St., Mabel MN | 877-210-9664
www.steuartlaboratories.com
o
wo
121 PARKWAY AVE N | LAN
CE
MO N Y Open Daily USE URANT
LEBRthATING 95
www.chsrochester.com
in Fountain in 2020!
507-289-4086
ESTABLISHED IN 1931
, MN ~ 507-886-4612
y Area for 25 years.
100 Main Street, Fountain, MN I 507-268-4363
Minnesota
Celebrating 73 years!
e 1947
Commission, INC.
oro, MN
507.450.6763
This is a chance to say, “Thank You” to our customers for your patronage and loyalty. Please join us!
0 years in business!
Feb. 3-4 Feb. 6-7 Feb. 10 Feb. 12
Preston Dairy & Farm Association
Come for a little fun, food and talk. We appreciate it.
PARTS SALE Serving your 10% Offall Feb. 3 - 12 electrical 20% Offsince Filters 1946! needs
56 Years of Service
Bill Funk Trucking
*Not all brands are available at all stores.
Hammell Equipment Inc.
933 Main St NW • Chatfield, MN 55923
We ve’ been Truckin’ since 1976
5.2465 507.886.2225 tonfoods.com www.myharmonyfoods.com
G 47 YEARS!
Serving you since 1976.
Celebrating over
Village Farm and Home
407 S. Mill Rushford, MN
CELEBRATING 34 YEARS IN BUSINESS!
35 Years of Service
www.goodshep-rushford.org
Providing quality nursing care services since 1965
Richard’s Pump Service, Inc. Fountain, MN
Celebrating 34 years of business!
BR WN
Tire, BaTTery & Transmission
4707 County Rd 7 SE • Eyota, MN
Serving the ag needs of the area since
Proudly serving our customers since 1992
1997!
Lanes r 29 years!
800 Home Street, Rushford, MN Phone: 507-964-7714 • Fax: 507-864-2842
44 42 Years Yearsof ofService! Service
Mabel, MN
507-864-7214
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SERVICES
Canton & Preston, MN
Check out our Arctic Cat ATV’s
Prompt, efficient,competitive and loyal service to farmers.
07-765-2284 | Preston, MN 07-377-8781 | Albert Lea, MN
Celebrating 79 Years
Celebrating 67 years!
PARTS DEPOSIT: worth $110 when you use it! Any Amount.
39 years
507-352-2435
ORL D OVER
pic BOwl
Preston, MN 55965 -2522
of Wykoff
A WORL D OF GR AIN VES MO
THE W
Chatfield Rushford Eitzen Harmony
T hompson moTors
Hwy. 16 & 43, RUSHFORD, MN • 507-864-2969 • 1-888-864-7049
MAJOR & COMPANY Accounting & Tax
K&R EQUIPMENT, INC.
Preston, MN
300 Cedar St. Box 176, Fountain, MN 55935 • Office 507-268-4425
27 Years of Service
Mabel Flower & Gifts
TIRES • BRAKES 7 . 3 0 6 3 K & KEITH BRADT
Email: billyburk56@gmail.com kbradt14@gmail.com
EPAIR • LIGHT MECHANICAL
udly serving this ea since 2001.
LARRABEE-ESSIG INSURANCE AGENCY 121 S. Main Street, Chatfield
- Celebrating 13 years of business -
BR
OVER OVER21 22YEARS! YEARS!
701 701Industrial IndustrialDr. Dr.NN• •Preston Preston 888.283.2893 | www.poet.com
AN
Cedar Valley Resort Celebrating 20 years!
Whalan, MN | 507-467-9000 www.cedarvalleyresort.com
DN
• WE HAVE THE INVENTORY• WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE • WE DELIVER!
105 South Main St. | 507-493-5400
EW
! Preston, MN 15 Years Years of 19 ofService Service
ebrating 15 years
of business in 2020 because of our onderful customers!
NESBORO | 507-467-1050
Celebrating
10 years
of serving the best customers in the world!
ESTABLISHED IN 2010 24 hour towing service
Isaac Hurst Office: 507-724-8778 Cell: 507-358-5718 512 West Tracy Road, Spring Valley, MN 55975
Celebrating
5 years!
305 Industrial Dr. | Rushford, MN | 507-864-2590
203 S. Main, Chatfield - 1-507-867-0111
Visit us on Facebook
Park Lane Estates
ever it takeS MerS SiNCe 2010!
t. Chatfield, MN 7)867-2957
Since 1999
Established in1999
Helping you since 1934!
Spring Valley, MN
507-867-0089 • Chatfield • Open 7 days a week
Larson's Trustworthy Hardware My grandfather, Jonas Larson, started the hardware business in 1910 in Mabel. His son, Joseph M. Larson, was in the business for over 60 years, and this year I am celebrating my 50 in business and the 105 year for Larson Hardware. Joseph P. Larson
Celebrating
110 years!
Mabel, MN | 507-493-5200
Spring Valley Chevrolet Buick
Celebrating 3 years in business!
507-346-7337 • 120 E. GRANT STREET SPRING VALLEY, MN 55975 WWW.SPRINGVALLEYCHEVYBUICK.COM
Page 12
Monday, January 27, 2020
R-4 Meats in Chatfield expands, now offers box lunches and ice cream
Margaret Reiner greets customers with a smile at R-4 Meats in Chatfield, Minn. Photo by Barb Jeffers
Proudly serving Southeast Minn. since 2009...
136 St. Anthony Street, Preston, MN 55965 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm Friday 8am-12pm Phone: 507-765-2151 E-mail: team@smgwebdesign.com www.smgwebdesign.com www.facebook.com/SMGDesign
Proudly serving this area since 2001. LARRABEE-ESSIG INSURANCE AGENCY 121 S. Main Street, Chatfield www.essigagency.com Office 507-867-3188
Assisted Living of Preston
Providing Care For 11 Years! • Apartment Rental & Utilities • 24-Hour Staff • 24-Hour on-call nurse • 3 Meals per Day
• Activities • Housekeeping • Laundry • Emergency alert system
E.O.E 1-507-765-3837 www.traditionspreston.com
By Barb Jeffers Customers have always known R-4 Meats in Chatfield, Minn. for their quality meats and processing service, but recently there have been some sweet and savory changes at the business. Since opening R-4 Meats on April 1, 1997, the Reiner family has been serving up tasty meats and cheeses, but after beginning a remodeling project about a year ago they have expanded not only the physical size of the retail space but also their product line. A room not previously used for retail space was remodeled and opened up, which provided a very large area for a new use. The meat cases and other equipment were moved into the newly renovated area where customers now enter the business and the original space is now a large prep and packaging area. Decorated in farm and country style the new retail space feels welcoming and comfortable as soon as customers walk through the door. R-4 Meats came up with a brilliant idea of using the meats and cheeses they already have in store to offer customers fresh and flavorful sandwiches and box lunches. Customers can choose to order a sandwich alone or if you are a bit more hungry you can order a boxed lunch with a wide variety of sandwich options made just the way you like it. The sandwiches and box lunches have been a big hit with local residents and businesses as a convenient to-go meal for a quick and easy lunch and also for holiday parties and other occasions. Customers can call ahead for sandwiches and box lunches or just walk in and order. If you choose to dine in, you can sit at a table and chairs and enjoy a relaxing lunch, but be sure to leave room for dessert as R-4 Meats has that covered as well. R-4 Meats is now serving WW Homestead Dairy ice cream
from Waukon, Iowa. With flavors such as Almond Joy, Purple Cow, Oreo Speedway, Cookie Dough, Butter Brickle and more, it may take several visits before deciding on what your favorite flavor is. R-4 Meats is proud to offer homemade, natural wood smoked, USDA Inspected and E. coli tested products. R-4 Meats Mission Statement is “to provide quality meats at a fair price” and there are many different types of meats and cuts available. With a full meat counter, R-4 Meats offers USDA choice, hand cut steaks including ribeye, porterhouse, t-bones, top sirloin, tenderloins, ball tips, pork chops, smoked pork chops, pork and beef roasts and pork and beef ribs. R-4 Meats also offers many products made on site such as lean ground beef, smoked dried beef, natural fine and coarse wieners, Award Winning Braunschweiger, summer sausage (beef, garlic and tangy), ring bologna, bacon and onion burgers, brats (fresh, smoked, smoked cheddar and wild rice), corned beef and much more. Many items can make your meal prep time faster by purchasing meatball mix, BBQ shredded pork and beef, stew meat, cubed ham and other time-saving products ready to take home and make. Breakfast is made delicious when customers pick up smoked bacon, smoked sausage and ham links at R-4 Meats. Convenient items for slow cooker meals including beef roasts, pork roasts, and hams
are fresh and ready to be picked up and prepared ahead to make meal time stress free. Even better, customers can fill their freezer with a variety of meats by buying the different meat bundles for sale at R-4 Meats. One of the most popular items sold at R-4 Meats are the beef jerky, either in strips or groundformed, and delicious snack sticks available in beef, teriyaki, pepperoni or hot flavors. R-4 Meats has catering services available to meet your party needs and also offers deli trays, veggie trays, fruit trays and a pickle tray which is dill pickles and cream cheese wrapped in smoked dried beef and sliced into delicious hors d’oeuvres ready to serve. “We pledge small town service with a smile,” states R-4 Meats Facebook page, facebook. com/R4Meats, and with so many great product choices customers are sure to be smiling as well. R-4 Meats is located at 24 2nd St SW in Chatfield. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. For more information phone (507) 867-4180. Undoubtedly, the most-read newspaper in Fillmore County.
MOUND PRAIRIE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Serving our customers since 1884 (800) 846-6914
115 East Cedar Street, P.O. Box 708 Houston, MN
www.moundprairiemutual.com
Quality Service With A Personal Touch
Canton, MN Serving you for 75 Years!
Harmony, MN
507-743-2204 Toll Free 1-877-457-5977
Serving you for 127 Years! 507-886-6922 Toll Free 1-877-886-6922
Lobby: M-Thurs 9-3, F 9-4:30
Lobby: M-Thurs 9-3, F 9-4:30
Drive-up: M-Th 8:30-4, F 8:30-4:30
Drive-up: M-F 8:30-5:30
Sat 9-12
Sat 9-12
www.firstsoutheastbank.com
Monday, January 27, 2020
Continued from Page 9
proper place to accommodate them.” $10,000-20,000 in donations is promised to the $60,000 project. “We know there will be some unforeseen additional costs as the project proceeds,” cautions Friends of Peterson member Gail Boyum. “We are hoping more people will offer to donate their time to help with this project to defray the costs.” Grants, while not yet acquired, are being sought. According to Boyum, Peterson graduate Larry Malmin, an architect out of Minnetonka, has volunteered to do the architectural drawings for the addition at no cost. Another local family, the Thompsons, is donating sand from their quarry to level the land for the
new building. The museum is also operated mainly by volunteer staff, including Milford Olson, John Solberg, Cheryl Eaton, Karen Pederson, Bertha Boyum, Chris Grindland, Boyum, and Erickson. “This is the beginning of how interested Peterson students are in saving their identity and that of the Peterson Schools,” enthuses Boyum. “It is a proven fact that if we have the space, additional items will come to the museum,” adds Erickson. For more information about the project and fundraising efforts, contact the museum at (507) 875-2415, John Erickson at johdar@acegroup.cc or (507) 895-2551, or Gail Boyum at (507) 429-2464. The museum is open seven days a week, from May 1 through October 31, and by appointment year-round.
A Peterson Museum case holds trophies from the former Peterson School. Pictured, clockwise from left, are Cheryl Eaton, John Solberg, Darlene Erickson, and John Erickson. Photo submitted
More than $4 million in large grants awarded to support state history across Minnesota The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 38 historical and cultural heritage large grants (over $10,000) in 24 counties, totaling $4,113,823 in FY2020. The grants, awarded once each fiscal year, are made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. “Every year we see so many exciting projects to preserve Minnesota history for future generations to experience, learn and enjoy, and this year is no exception,” said Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, grants manager for the Minnesota Historical Society. Grant applications were recommended for funding by the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC), a volunteer panel made up of citizens from around the state. The MNHS Executive Council approved the recommendations on December 12, 2019. Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants are made possible by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. The Legacy Amendment supports efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water and legacy, including Minnesota history and cultural heritage. Local grant recipients $66,320.Restoring Historic Heimbygda Lodge Exterior: To hire qualified professionals to repair the exterior of the 1910 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Hall, now operated by the Sons of Norway as Heimbygda Lodge, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Mitchell Saloon Renovation and Stabilization: To hire qualified professionals to repair the 1876 Mitchell Saloon, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. About Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants The Minnesota Historical Society received a legislative appropriation of $12.85 million for the 2020-2021 biennium for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (“Legacy”) Grants: $5,846,000 for FY2020 and $7,004,000 for FY2021. Grants are available for history and historic preservation projects in two funding tiers. Small grants of $10,000 or less are awarded quarterly. The next small grant
Be Green
Peterson City Clerk Chris Grindland stands next to his service uniform, which he donated to the museum. Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
Page 13
application deadlines are April 10 and July 10, 2020. Large grants of more than $10,000 are offered once a year. All grants are administered through a competitive process using professional standards and criteria.
For more information on the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program, visit www.mnhs.org/preservation/legacy-grants. Applications are accepted only through the MNHS grants portal.
Modern Medicine
Old Fashioned Love
Dr. LeAnne Froese
Thank you for your business over the years! 212 St. Anthony St. S, Preston, MN 55965 www.rootrivervetcenter.com | (507) 765-2117
Bill’s Gun Shop 19708 Kava Rd. Preston MN 55965 507-765-2762 Since September 1, 1979
Thank you
to all of our cutomers for letting us serve you for 41 years!
Spring Valley Chevrolet Buick SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • BODY SHOP • TOWING
507-346-7337 • 120 E. GRANT STREET SPRING VALLEY, MN 55975 WWW.SPRINGVALLEYCHEVYBUICK.COM
Celebrating 3 years in business! Have you been in an accident?
Collision Center CALL FOR AN ESTIMATE!
Park Lane Estates Assisted Living
111 Fillmore Place SE, Preston, MN 507-765-9986 • 507-259-3291
Established in 2001
Providing Quality Senior Living for 19 Years!
Page 14
Monday, January 27, 2020
Steuart Laboratories products help heal naturally, custom manufacturing helps other businesses
From left, employee Jean Ingvalson, Gary Steuart, owner of Steuart Laboratories, and employee Andrea Bjortomt stand in front of shelves stocked with Steuart’s naturally healing products at Steuart Labs retail shop in Mabel, Minn. Photo by Barb Jeffers
H
Serving since 1895 ARMONY AGRI
SERVICES, INC.
125 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHEAST MN Web: www.harmonyagri.com
Established in 1953
CELEBRATING 67 66 YEARS!
Thank you for letting us serve you!
By Barb Jeffers How fortunate we are in Fillmore County to have a business such as Steuart Laboratories located in Mabel, Minn. All natural, healing products for yourself and your animals which are sold all over the United States, Canada and overseas – and are manufactured and sold within a short driving distance for local residents! Steuart Laboratories was started in May of 1982 by Gary Steuart. “I had a friend who had a formula for an udder ointment for dairy cows,” states Steuart, and it worked so well that Steuart started manufacturing and selling the product, which is now called Teat Heal. People soon realized the products worked on their dry feet, cracked heals and other ailments. “If something works in the barn, it may end up in the house – and that’s what happened here,” says Steuart. After a few years Steuart Labs started manufacturing products for people as well. The veterinary products help with problems such as udder edema, frostbite injury, udder sores, udder rot, chapped and injured teats, hyperkeratosis, teat-end calluses, scouring calves and to stimulate postpar-
tum cleaning. Steuart’s natural health products for people have a wide array of uses. For those who have been dealing with pain from various conditions the products can make a real difference in your life. Their products offer relief for conditions such as arthritis, nerve and back pain, dry or chapped skin and superficial wounds. The first product Steuart Laboratories created for use on people was Steuart’s Foot Cream. Formulated with a blend of comfrey extract, which soothes inflamed tissue, and tea tree, a natural antiseptic, the foot cream is the answer to itchiness, dryness, athlete’s foot and severely cracked skin. The foot cream is drug-free, paraben free, steroid free, and contains no mineral oil. The second product developed was the skin care lotion which works great for painful, cracked skin on hands and scaly patches of skin. The skin cream does not leave your hands feeling
greasy and has a light pleasant scent. Ingredients in Steuart’s Skin Care relief include natural jojoba oil, comfrey extract and frankincense oil. Steuart Labs most popular product is Pain Formula Pain Relief Cream. The product was originally developed for race horses suffering from joint and muscle pain. “We found out right away it worked on people,” comments Steuart. Steuart’s Pain Formula uses “a totally unique blend of safe, natural pain fighters to help you reclaim your life and get back to the things you love,” states a Steuart Laboratories product brochure. Inflammation and pain are soothed with Arnica, and healing is stimulated with a “first of its kind” comfrey extract according to the brochure. The Pain Formula stops pain fast and promotes healing. Used for arthritis, sore joints and other painful conditions, the Pain Formula causes See STEUART LAB Page 16 ➤
Celebrating 34 years of business! Thank you to all of our customers!
WN BR Tire, BaTTery & Transmission Hwy. 16 & 43, RUSHFORD, MN • 507-864-2969 • 1-888-864-7049
B&B Olympic Bowl
Proudly serving our community for over 60 years!
Shelly, Paul and family proudly serving
YOU YEARS! youFOR forTHE the LAST last 10 9 years! Established in 1964
We look forward to continued growth and prosperity in 2020 and beyond.
Preston Dairy & Farm Assoc. 27743 State Hwy 16 Preston • 507-765-2484
601 Hwy 52 W Canton • 507-743-2250
Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 15
Marketing strategies for small business owners Small businesses are the backbones of many local communities. Such businesses have helped to revitalize many communities and may benefit communities in ways that would surprise even the most ardent small businesses supporters.
University studied data on economic growth and residence status of business owners that was from more than 2,900 rural and urban communities. The researchers found that small, locally owned businesses tend to generate higher incomes for community residents than large,
Bill Funk Trucking 933 Main St NW • Chatfield, MN 55923 (507) 867-3286
We ’ve been Truckin’ since 1976
rs menteCaor.ea for 665 yea le p Im lf o Marz to serve th
is proud
Family Owned & Operated since 1954
PRODUCT LINES WE CARRY ARE:
AGCO Tractors, FARMHAND, SIMPLICITY LAWN MOWERS, GLEANER AGCO, HESSTON, MASSEY FERGUSON, NEW IDEA, SUNFLOWER, SUMMERS and WHITE Planters We also have used equipment, a lawn & garden department and have great parts and a service department to help serve you better.
MARZOLF IMPLEMENT CO. 1221 Highway 63 South, Spring Valley, MN 55975 507-346-7227 • www.marzolfimp.com
lebrating Ce 95th in Fountain in 2020!
Store Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-8pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday Noon-4pm
w w w. dr ur y s f u r n i t u r e . c o m
Celebrating over
39 years of producing the finest hardwoods! 507-765-2284 • Preston, MN 507-377-8781 • Albert Lea, MN www.rootriverhardwoods.com
non-local firms. Small businesses can be vital to the success of a community, and those businesses’ own success may depend on how well they can market themselves to potential customers. The Small Business Administration notes that only one-third of small businesses will survive 10 years. Those that reach that benchmark often find ways to market themselves and grow revenue. Whether a small business owner is just starting out or looking to continue growing, these marketing strategies can be effective ways to connect with customers. Google listing service. Google My Business is a free service that allows business owners to manage how their business appears across Google, including on its Search and Map services. A Google listing is essentially the new phonebook listing, as the “Local Consumer Review Survey 2018” from the marketing experts at BrightLocal found that 27% of consumers looked online daily for local businesses in 2018. That’s more than double the number of people who did so in 2017, suggesting that more and more consumers are finding local businesses via internet searches every day. reviews. Online reviews can be a mixed bag for business owners and consumers, but reviews still bear considerable weight among the latter. The BrightLocal survey found that 50% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 always read online reviews when shopping for goods or services. Consumers are most likely to read restaurant reviews, but small businesses, regardless of their industries, can benefit from positive online reviews. Local events such as Oktoberfest festivals and holiday shopping bazaars provide great opportunities to connect with new customers. Such events tend to attract residents of the community and even those from neighboring towns, providing ample opportunities for small businesses to connect with new customers. on social media. A 2017 survey from the social media specialists at Sprout Social found that 58% of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand they follow on social media than they are to buy from one they do not follow. Small business owners who learn to market their businesses can contribute much to their bottom lines and their local communities.
A Great Read!
PHONE • INTERNET • CABLE TV 507-886-2525
Providing service since 1945!
SUPPORTING THE TECHNOLOGY NEED S OF THE AREA SINCE 2002!
Celebrating 25 years of making your vehicle’s body look new again! OWNERS BILL BURK & KEITH BRADT Email: billyburk56@gmail.com 104 South Main Street, Chatfield, MN kbradt14@gmail.com Fax: 507-867-4941
FULL SERVICE AUTO BODY REPAIR • LIGHT MECHANICAL
Serving the area for 26 years! Preston, MN 55965 • (507)765-2700
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Continued from Page 14
no burning or irritation as it is free of menthol and capsaicin. The skin relief cream is paraben free and has zero side effects. Pain Formula is backed by a 100% pain relief guarantee, which means you can try Steuart’s Pain Formula and if it does not work for your condition new users can receive a full
refund – that is how confident Steuart’s Laboratories are in the effectiveness of their product. Steuart’s Propolis Tincture is also a highly effective product that customers love as it is a natural antiseptic for cold and canker sores, minor abrasions and wounds and insect bites. Propolis is a natural resin that bees use to coat their hives. Steuart Labs extracts the healing and antiseptic properties with
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100% ethyl alcohol. The shelf life of the Propolis Tincture is over five years and requires no special storage. “It’s really dramatic on cold sores and canker sores,” says Steuart. “The product stimulates healing; that’s why it works so well,” he adds. Steuart’s Wound Cream is certainly a product every household should have on hand as it promotes healing of minor wounds and open sores. It prevents infection and is a natural antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial product. The wound cream combines propolis and comfrey, two effective natural ingredients, and is free of mineral oil, antibiotics and steroids. And, in some very exciting news, Steuart Labs will be coming out with a brand new product in the next few months! Steuart did not hint as to what the product is, “but I know it works,” he said. While manufacturing their own products, Steuart Labs began manufacturing products for other companies, a process known as contract manufacturing. As the two aspects of the business, both manufacturing and sales, grew larger, Steuart split the business into two separate businesses; Steuart Laboratories and, in 2019 Steuart Custom Manufacturing. His son Ben now runs the custom manufacturing part of the business. Steuart Labs has a retail store located at 203 N. Main Street in Mabel where customers can stop in and purchase products. Items can also be purchased online at www.steuartlabs.com. Business hours at the retail store are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prices are very reasonable and there are sampler packs, gift sets and more options available for customers to choose from. Various local businesses also carry Steuart’s products including grocery stores in Harmony, Preston, Rushford and Spring Grove. Steuart notes that much of their business, approximately 50%, comes from online sales. Steuart Laboratories has 18 employees who proudly manufacture and distribute their natural health products. For more information phone (507) 4935585 or (877) 210-9664.
How to sustain a small business Opening a small business can be an exciting time in the life of an entrepreneur. Part of that excitement no doubt stems from the financial risks associated with opening a new business. Keeping that business growing and thriving takes effort, but the results can be rewarding. It is reasonable to feel nervous when starting a business. Information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that about 20% of small businesses fail within a year of opening. That number climbs to 50% after five years and 70% by year 10. While it’s essential for small business owners to focus on getting their businesses off the ground, it is equally important to consider the strategies necessary to keep that business afloat for the long haul. Find an industry with staying power Statistics indicate that health care and social assistance businesses have longevity. The BLS indicates businesses in the construction, transportation and warehousing industries do not enjoy the same staying power. After the fifth year in business, about 35-40% of these industries will survive. Opening a business in an industry where the stats are on your side can be a savvy move. Access capital Quite often businesses fail because of lack of access to cash to sustain their operations. Fundera, a small business lending marketplace, advises that a large percentage of small business owners who apply for bank loans from big banks get rejected. In addition to raising capital through daily operations,
businesses may have to turn to alternative lenders. Alternative lenders are typically companies, but not banks, that operate primarily online to quickly approve and distribute funds. Many are comprised of peer-to-peer lenders. According to a study by Harvard Business School, most major alternative lenders offer full loan applications online on desktop or mobile that take 30 minutes to complete. Keep in mind that interests rates typically are higher with these lenders than with traditional banks. Stay efficient Small businesses can grow by maximizing operational efficiency and eliminating unnecessary duties. Efficient business owners delegate tasks to employees so they can keep their own management and business-growing priorities in order. Build a strong brand and emphasize customer service Whether a large company or a mom-and-pop business, building a trustworthy and reputable brand can help sustain a business for years to come. It is key to keep a business fresh in the minds of consumers. This can be achieved by making small changes dictated by evolving markets and/or offering new products or services. Forbes says employee interactions are also key to building loyalty among customers. Keeping in touch with clients and using their opinions to make a product or service better can ensure repeat business. Small business success comes down to recognizing that it takes continued work to keep operations afloat. Knowing what supports a business is essential to its longevity.
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Sarah and Ben Steuart. Ben is now running Steuart Custom Manufacturing in Mabel. Photo submitted
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 17
Wykoff Coffee Company serves up memories with coffee
Rich and Barb Bottorff enjoy serving up coffee and treats at the Wykoff Coffee Company. Photo by Hannah Wingert
Thank You
readers and advertisers for your support, participation, and sense of ownership of this publication.
Our staff at the Fillmore County Journal would like to take a moment to thank our readers and our advertisers for their support, participation, and sense of ownership of this publication. Without the support of our advertisers, we could not provide meaningful coverage of city council, county board, and school board meetings. We also could not provide free obituaries, along with free birth, engagement, wedding, and military service announcements. Without the support of our advertisers, there would be no sports section, and no recognition of the accomplishments of our youth. And, we wouldn't be able to provide all of the great human interest stories that capture the interests and hearts of our readers. And, we thank our readers for not only supporting this publication by reading the newspaper cover to cover each week, but for also supporting the businesses that advertise in this publication.
By Hannah Wingert It all started with a cup of coffee. One night after a concert in La Crosse, where they were living at the time, Rich and Barb Bottorff decided to stop by a coffee shop. To their surprise, the place was packed. “I looked at Barb and I said, ‘You know what? This is a good business to be in,’” Rich explained. When the former Bank Haus building in Rich’s hometown of Wykoff came up for sale, he and Barb decided to buy it and open it back up as a coffee shop similar to what they saw in La Crosse. Barb had recently been laid off from her job as a medical transcriptionist due to downsizing and was happy for a change in career. “So now I make coffee,” she laughed. The Wykoff Coffee Company officially opened on July 3rd, 2019. The Bottorffs didn’t have to do a lot of renovations before opening other than to update the kitchen area to bring it up to code and change the ceiling. The main floor has tables where customers can sit while they enjoy their coffee and baked goods and at some point, Rich and Barb would like to finish renovating the basement area to use for seating and special events as well. While the coffee shop is Barb’s full-time job now, Rich still works in Rochester as a road supervisor for a bus company. The hours he works there still allow him to help Barb at the coffee shop in the mornings. He is especially interested in Wykoff history, and it shows in the memorabilia and pictures displayed throughout the shop. After purchasing the building, he spent time researching its background. “Rich really dug into the history and found out more about it,” Barb said. The brick building was constructed as a bank in 1894, but just one year later, it nearly burned down when a fire destroyed all of the other buildings on that street. Burn marks can still be seen where a cut-out in the wall panel displays the interior brick wall of the coffee shop. Another cut-out on a different wall shows marred brick from when robbers blew up the bank safe in 1924. The bank survived the robbery and continued to operate until the stock market crash of 1929
finally forced it to close. Interestingly enough, it was reopened as a tavern in 1932 during Prohibition. Rich has a picture of several customers sitting at the counter of the tavern at that time, one of whom was a law enforcement officer. The tavern later converted to a cafe which closed in the 1970s. Rich grew up across the street from the cafe and can remember visiting it as a child. He and Barb now live in the building next door to his childhood home which makes the commute to work at the coffee shop pretty easy. Since opening, the Wykoff Coffee Company has attracted a number of “regulars” who make it a point to frequently stop in for a cup of coffee. Customers come from all over the Fillmore County area including Fountain, Preston, Chatfield, etc. People commuting to Rochester will often order coffee over the phone and then stop by on their way to work to pick it up. “We stay pretty busy!” Barb commented. In addition to the coffee, which was selected specifically for the Wykoff Coffee Company by coffee connoisseur Rich, Barb serves pie, baked goods, and homemade fudge. Each day, she features a different flavored coffee and type of pie and also has a fudge flavor of the month. Coffee beans can be purchased whole or ground along with a variety of giftable products, which include new and antique items that change on a seasonal basis. Barb hosts a number of events and clubs at the Wykoff Coffee Company such as the 500 Club on Sundays, a crochet club on Wednesdays, class reunions, Bible studies, etc. She is also in the process of planning monthly events with Mary Sackett, owner of Margaret’s Tea Room. The Wykoff Coffee Company is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. You can contact them at (507) 352-3000.
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Our team at the Fillmore County Journal loves what we do, and we thank you for letting us be a part of your lives every single week! Mary Allen, Chatfield Jana Boyum, Rushford Taylor Case, Preston Tammy Danielson, Fountain Pailey Gordon, Harmony Wenda Grabau, Spring Valley Sherry Hines, Harmony Jessi Jablonski, Canton Barb Jeffers, Lanesboro
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Page 18
Monday, January 27, 2020
Harmony Telephone Company receives award totaling $5.4 million for rural high-speed broadband Loan-grant combination to connect 577 households in Harmony’s rural exchange HARMONY, MN, January 17, 2020 — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky announced Harmony Telephone Company as a recipient of a $5.4 million Reconnect Program award. “When Americans are connected to high-speed internet, productivity and prosperity skyrocket,” Censky said. “This task of providing rural Americans with broadband is of the highest importance for President Trump and his Administration. We cannot leave millions of Americans out of the successes of this booming economy simply because they do not have access to the internet.” Harmony Telephone Company will use a $2.7 million ReConnect Program loan and a $2.7 million ReConnect
Program grant to construct a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to connect 577 households, a health care center and a critical community facility spread over 143 square miles in several counties bordering southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. “The award will help us build out our fiber infrastructure to rural areas, which will create endless life-changing opportunities for our subscribers,” said Harmony Telephone Company COO Jill Huffman. Being able to build out fiber infrastructure to rural areas creates opportunities that had been only available to city subscribers. Huffman gave a few examples of capabilities broadband brings for farmers, small business owners and rural residents
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in general. “It can provide added security with real-time video monitoring of property and evaluate equipment performance offsite for farmers,” Huffman explained. With more at-home businesses, Huffman spoke of broadband being able to level the playing field with their competitors by improving the ways they can connect with business partners, customers and suppliers. It allows telecommuting opportunities for rural residents and children to connect at similar internet speeds as their city classmates. “Providing broadband service to rural areas is challenging and that is what makes being a recipient of the ReConnect Program award so exciting to our team at Harmony Telephone,” Huffman said. Huffman explained that with all the technology advances broadband brings, what their customers really need is a trusted technology partner and that providing fiber to the premises, is just the beginning. “Whether our subscribers are using our service for their farm operation, small business or home, they can count on our seasoned and dedicated team at Harmony Telephone to serve them with better broadband and assist them with any broadband-related technology needs,” Huffman said. Background on ReConnect Program In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On December 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called ReConnect, including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100% loan, 100% grant, and loangrant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks. These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
1 Mbps upload. In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open January 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020. A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the December 12, 2019, Federal Register. To learn more about eligibility,
technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www. usda.gov/reconnect. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic.
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Page 19
Easy ways to volunteer and give back to your community Millions of people across the globe volunteer every day. Without the selfless efforts of volunteers, many charities would be forced to cease operations. In fact, a 2017 study from the charitable community membership organization Independent Sector estimated
that the labor provided by volunteers is worth roughly $193 billion per year in the United States alone. But volunteering can be as beneficial for volunteers as it can for the organizations they help. For example, the Mayo Clinic Health System notes
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that research has indicated volunteering leads to lower rates of depression while providing individuals with a sense of purpose. Volunteering can be especially beneficial for adults over age 60, with the MCHS noting that older volunteers experience greater increases in life satisfaction and greater positive changes in their perceived health as a result of volunteering. With so much to gain from volunteering, it’s no wonder that so many people across the globe volunteer. According to the United Nations Volunteers program, global estimates place the number of worldwide volunteers at 970 million. That’s nearly three times the population of the United States and more than 26 times the population of Canada in 2018. It’s never been easier to volunteer and begin helping your community. Adults and children who want to join the nearly one billion strong global volunteering community need not look far to get involved. The Corporation for National Community Service notes that the following are some easy ways to volunteer in your community. ter or community kitchen. or mentor with a local afterschool program. professional opportunities by hosting a résumé writing/ review workshop and conducting practice interview sessions. local food pantry to organize a food donation drive. ronment by working with local,
state, or national park services to beautify parks and/or a local community garden. gency response organization to produce and distribute disaster-preparedness kits. members save money by col-
lecting and sharing information about free tax-preparation services. contact a local community or senior center. shelter. When it comes to volunteering, the opportunities are as endless as the benefits of giving back to your community.
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