Discover Litchfield

Litch

FIND YOUR FUN IN LITCHFIELD’S

PARKS IT’S HAPPENING

DOWNTOWN CITY HISTORY

RAILROAD PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE

LITCHFIELD

Independent Review

2021 - 2022

DISCOVER field

Litchfield, the county seat of Meeker County, is a medium size community of almost 7000 residents located at the intersections of highway 12 and 22 in central Minnesota that has much to offer people who work, live, or visit this city. Litchfield has many small, medium, and large businesses, manufacturing, and industries that offer a wide variety of employment to many of its residents in and around this community.

Litchfield also has many options for motels, Bed and Breakfast accommodations, and VRBO opportunities with great dining and shopping.

Our city has a wonderful school system, both public and parochial, along with their public education have an excellent community education program that provides recreation, art, theatre, music, and education possibilities for young and old.

Meeker Memorial Hospital and the two medical clinics nearby provide wonderful health care whether you are young or old. Our state-of-the art critical access hospital offers a full medical menu for inpatient and outpatient care. We have a large nursing home campus that is available to all levels of care for the elderly, disabled, and surgical recovering citizens in our area. We also boast many other health related businesses.

Recreation provides a wide variety of sporting opportunities and relaxation activities you may desire.

We have an abundance of lakes in our area along with our own Lake Ripley which is an esthetic attraction for our community. The city has many groomed parks with family shelters, tennis courts, softball fields, a huge children’s playground, splash park, and two beautiful campgrounds on or near our Lake Ripley that individuals and families can use for pleasure. Litchfield has a beautiful 18-hole golf course with an adjoining clubhouse/supper club for dining both casual and formal.

While spending time in our city, visit our historic buildings downtown, our historic Opera House, and the Grand Army of the Republic building. We love our Central Park, Memorial Park, and Anderson Gardens

by Lake Ripley. Come see our Lake Ripley Cemetery with a Civil War Monument and 50 American flags adorning the entrance to this beautiful sanctuary. We have many churches of various dominations if you are looking for a church to worship and attend.

The residents and business people of Litchfield are welcoming and living or working in this community offers many opportunities for the best quality of life. When you visit our community, we hope you enjoy your time and someday consider leasing, building, or owning a business. Another option would be to rent, build, or buy a home and become a part of us.

As Mayor of Litchfield, Litchfield is our home, and for those who live and work here, thanks for making this community a wonderful place on earth.

Keith Johnson Mayor, City of Litchfield, MN

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independentreview.net | 2021

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LITCHFIELD

Signs at the three main highway entrances to Litchfield welcome visitors to the enjoy the city on Lake Ripley.

ATTRACTIONS

History Attractions Parks Recreation Festivals Litchfield’s Historic Homes

HEALTH 6 10 11 13 14 16

FOOD

Food

20

GOVERNMENT

Government City of Litchfield Litchfield City Council Meetings Public Utilities Library Ordinances Meeker County Courthouse Offices Meeker County Board State and Federal Leaders U.S. Postal Service Transportation Public Health Services

22 23 23 23 23 24 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 29

Health Health and Wellness

33 34

LEISURE Leisure Athletic Organizations Clubs and Organizations

36 37 37

LIVING Living Senior Citizens Support Services Education

39 40 40 41

MARKETPLACE Downtown Revival Map Business Directory

45 46-47 49-53

2021-2022 Litchfield Discover Guide General Manager: Brent Schacherer Advertising Director: Kevin True / Photography: Litchfield Independent Review Special thanks to the city of Litchfield, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, Meeker County and Litchfield School District for their contributions. Every effort has been made to provide an accurate directory, but if errors have occurred please let us know about them.

Published by Litchfield Independent Review, 217 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355. Copyright 2021 MediaNews Group. Printed in the U.S.A. To submit additional information call 320-593-4802 or send an email to news@independentreview.net

COVER PHOTO The splash pad at Memorial Park on Lake Ripley has been a summer time hit since it opened in 2019.

WELCOME

STAFF PHOTO BY CAM BONELLI

The splash pad at Lake Ripley is the perfect way to cool off on a warm summer day.

W

elcome to Discover Litchfield 2021, a special annual publication of the Litchfield Independent Review.

This publication offers a directory of information and resources for use by Litchfield area residents and businesses, as well as visitors to our city.

Discover Litchfield is a compilation of important information — intended as a single source for lists of services, names, telephone numbers and email addresses. Keep it handy; use it often.

And please support the businesses whose advertisements you find inside this guide. Without their support, Discover Litchfield would not be possible. We appreciate them for supporting us, as well as for making Litchfield the wonderful community it is.

Our apologies for any omissions or for changes that occur after publication. Please notify us of information that needs to be updated so we can ensure accuracy of future editions of the guide.

If you would like additional copies of this publication, call the Independent Review office at 320-693-3266. Send information to news@independentreview.net.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A photo from the archives of the Meeker County Historical Society reveals Litchfield’s main street circa 1930, including the grandiose Lenhardt Hotel pictured on the corner at left.

Railroad altered Litchfield’s trajectory as a city

BY JULIANA THILL

L

itchfield has seen its share of changes during the past 150 years, from its founding fathers staking claims along new railroad tracks to a flourishing city that is home to more than 6,000 residents and prospering businesses.

The city, which early on was named Ripley and later was known as Ness, was eventually surveyed, platted and recorded as Litchfield in July 1869.

The city’s name and prosperity is tied in part to one monumental event that was influenced by three brothers from England.

These men – Electus Darwin Litchfield, Egbert E. Litchfield and Edwin Clark Litchfield – helped finance the construction of the

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PHOTO BY LYNN DIETZ

One of the first drive-in customers teller Marleen Bolman had at the New Northwestern National Bank was Dr. Harold Wilmot, who wheeled up in his 1925 vintage Model T Ford coupe. The photo ran in the Nov. 28, 1968 edition of the Litchfield Independent Review. railroad across Minnesota, through Meeker County and, of course, the town that now bears their name, Litchfield.

This new form of transportation changed the dynamics of Meeker County, which was still in its infancy at the time.

ESTABLISHING MEEKER COUNTY T h e s e v e n t h Te r r i t o r i a l Legislature of Minnesota ordered the organization of Meeker County on Feb. 23, 1856. In March 1856, John Huy and Thomas Skinner had Forest City surveyed and platted.

The area, while inhabited by the Dakota, was still new to white settlers, and it would be two more years before Minnesota would even become a state.

The county was named in honor of Judge Bradley Meeker of St. Anthony, who was one of the first associate justices of the Territory of Minnesota. He served on the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court, was a charter member of the Minnesota Historical Society, and was one of the first members of the board of regents of the University

of Minnesota.

Gov. Willis Gorman appointed Huy, Skinner, D.M. Hanson and Dr. Frederick Ripley as commissioners of Meeker County to complete its organization, with Forest City named as the county seat.

The first county commissioner meeting was set for May 5, 1856, at Skinner’s home in Forest City.

However, Ripley died before the first meeting. He froze to death in a blizzard in March 1856 near a lake that now bears his name on the south end of Litchfield, Lake Ripley.

For 13 years, Forest City was one of several thriving villages in Meeker County.

It was an exciting time in the county, as pioneers embraced the area as home, established businesses and made plans for their new homeland.

From 1856 to 1869, the trading centers of the county in order of importance were Forest City, Kingston, Greenleaf, Manannah, and Collinwood. They were home to flour and feed mills that not only served local settlers but a considerable area outside the county, as well, according to “Condensed History Meeker County, “ by Frank B. Lamson.

RIPLEY, NESS, THEN LITCHFIELD Meanwhile, south of Forest City, a group of men — Ole Halverson Ness, Henry Halverson, Ole Halverson Thoen, Amos Nelson Fosen, Nels Hanson, and Colberg and Gunder Olson — settled in Ripley Township in 1856.

Two or three years later, the township’s name was changed from Ripley to Ness, in honor of Ole H. Ness.

Ness Township was beginning to prosper, with John Blackwell teaching the first school in 1858.

Also that year, the first religious service was held at the Ole H. Ness home by the Rev. William Fre d e rick s o n , a n d H ein drick Halverson built the first house, a log cabin.

In 1861, the first school district wa s o r g a nize d , a n d a s c h o ol house was built. In addition, Ness Church was organized. By 1862, construction of the first school house began in the summer on the farm of Ole H. Ness. However, it was

FILE PHOTO

Interested in the American Civil War? Visit the Meeker County Museum at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfield. In this photo, members of Litchfield’s Frank Daggett Post and Drum Corps stood at attention in front of the G.A.R. Hall on Memorial Day, May 31, 1886, one year after it was built. not completed until after the U.S.Dakota Conflict ended. The small town of Ness was growing.

SUMMER OF ‘69 By the late 1860s, the St. Paul and Pacific Railway (Great Northern) established its right-of-way through Minnesota , including Meeker County. The railway decided to lay tracks south of Forest City and

through the town of Ness.

A railroad station was erected and named in honor Electus, Egbert and Edwin Litchfield. They were contractors and heavy stockholders in the railway company at the time.

The three men helped finance the construction of the railroad through Minnesota, with Electus Darwin being the main contributor.

G e o r ge B . Wall e r wa s th e

owner of what became the original townsite. He deeded a one-half interest of the selected tract to the railway company and joined the company in platting the portion as the first unit of the county’s present city.

The plat was filed July 16, 1869, establishing the town of Litchfield.

The coming of the railroad brought new opportunities for some and changed the course of history for many.

Thus, the paramount issue on the Nov. 2 election ballot in 1869 was which city should be the county seat. Forest City had served the role for 13 years. Yet, now people were debating whether to keep it in Forest City, or change the county seat to Litchfield or Darwin.

The three cities competed for the right, and left the decision to the voters. The total vote of the county was about 900, and Litchfield won by a majority of about 80 votes.

The change of Meeker’s county seat from Forest City to Litchfield caused a rapid influx of residents and businesses to Litchfield. Many Forest City residents put their businesses and homes on skids and had horses haul them to Litchfield.

Among the enterprising businesses that contributed to the early growth and development of the village during 1869, included a general merchandise store, hardware store, photo studio, livery, hotel, railway land office, physician, lawyers, flour mill, newspaper, and the U.S. Post Office.

Litchfield was eventually incorporated in 1872, and through the years, the population has grown from 353 residents in 1870 to more than 6,500 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Litchfield has changed a great deal from its early years. Yet, a common thread that was woven in the fabric of this city remains today — a strong sense of community.

The residents, businesses and government are appreciative of their past, are committed to the present day, and — like the city’s founding fathers — are looking ahead and making plans for the future.

Sources: “Meeker County Memories,” Independent Review May 1976 2021 | independentreview.net

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ADVERTISERS

Children navigate a Safety Town activity during a special community Easter celebration that was planned by Litchfield United Methodist Church, Litchfield Downtown Association and Greater Litchfield Opera House Association.

A maze’n Farmyard

15

Litchfield Public Schools Early Childhood

56

AEM Mechnical

31

Litchfield Visitors Bureau

29

AmericInn

40

McLeod County HHW

28

Anderson Insurance Agency

41

Mediacom

38

Builders FirstSource

52

Meeker Development Corp.

29

Center Insurance Agency

44

Midwest Garden Company

51

Muddy Cow

21 44

Center National Bank

3

Central Community Transit

32

NAPA

Darwin Monument

31

Natural Food Co-op

53

Dassel Historical Center

53

Nuvera

52

Dasssel Dental

30

Parts City

52

Dooley’s Petroleum, Inc.

34

Peter’s Ribs & Catering

44

Ergot Museum

53

Peter’s Signs

34

Farm Bureau-Kevin Christoffers

35

Quality Autowerx

34

Farm-Rite Equipment

32

Re/Max Today’s Properties

44

First Lutheran

48

SafeBasements

Heartthrob Exhaust Accessories

54

Schlauderaff Impletement Co.

Home State Bank

43

SJP Designs

Immanuel Lutheran Church

48

Stockmen’s Greenhouse

34

Independent Review

42

The Chamber

44

Insurance Solutions

31

Today’s Driving School

28

KMG & Co. Hair & Nail Salon

51

Towmaster

55

Litchfield Community Ed & Recreation

56

Valleyview Electric

41

Litchfield Dental

30

Vibrant Broadband

27

Litchfield Family Dental

52

Walmart

17

Litchfield Golf Club

44

Winsted Dental

30

Litchfield Liquor

31

Zion Lutheran Church

48

Litchfield Public Schools

30

28 535 52

SNAPSHOT POPULATION

HOUSING

2,803

2017

2018

2019

Households 2015-2019

66.4%

Home ownership rate, 2014-2018

6,650

6,643

$800-1.5k Property taxes 2014-2016

2.29

-0.003%

5 years and under = 600

increase from 2016

Increase from 2016

2015-2019

3.3%

Foreign born Between 2015 and 2019

WORK TRAVEL TIME

90.7%

Mean travel time to work

2015-2019

19.7%

Bachelor’s Degree or higher, 25+

2015-2019

Between 19 and 64 years 48.3%

22.9%

96.6%

White

EDUCATION

High School Graduate or higher, 25+

22.9%

2019

Median value of owneroccupied homes, 2015-2019

Median household income,

5.9%

POPULATION BREAKDOWN

$136,200 $56,941

18 years and under

65 years and older

Persons per household

4.0%

6,650

workers age 16+ 2015 - 2019

16.2 minutes

Hispanic or Latino

9.1%

Two or more races

.5%

Asian

0%

Black or African American 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native

0.1%

VETERANS

551

2015 - 2019

Source: http://quickfacts.census.gov/

2021 | independentreview.net

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ATTRACTIONS

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that includes elements of tennis and badminton. A local group of pickleball enthusiasts teamed up with the city to have Litchfield’s first dedicated pickleball courts built in South Park. The courts were finished at the end of last summer and ready for play this year.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN ABOUND Parks and other activity areas offer adventure close to home

I

n Litchfield, residents and visitors don’t have to look far to find an opportunity for fun. The city has 20 parks as well as facilities such as an archery range, basketball and tennis courts, hockey rinks and a golf course. And amenities are being added all the time, like pickleball courts added to South Park in 2020, and plans for new playground equipment at the same park coming in 2021.

Memorial Park and Lake Ripley in Litchfield are the site of many events during Watercade, the city’s summer celebration, including a fishing contest, beach party, sand-castle building contest, a 4-mile run around the lake and a fireworks display.

The south shore of Lake Ripley is also the site of a popular RV campground, which lures both residents and non-residents to enjoy life on the lake.

Through a partnership between the City of Litchfield and the Litchfield Rotary Club, Lake Ripley obtained a city-owned splash pad, the newest addition to the shores of Lake Ripley, which opened July 2018. The concrete pad, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer through the fall, features tropical-themed jets that spray water. The Rotary Club, in cooperation with the city, plans to add a shade canopy near the splash pad and community built playground in time to enjoy this summer at Memorial Park.

Litchfield is also home to many historic houses that reflect various architectural styles.

ATTRACTIONS PARKS Anderson Gardens North of Memorial Park on Lake Ripley, just off Highway 22 Anderson Gardens is a miniarboretum park located on the northeastern corner of Lake Ripley with a picturesque gazebo.

Archery Range and Pie Shape/Dog Park Across Lake Ripley D rive from Memorial Park Litchfield’s Archery Range and Pie Shape/Dog Park located across from Memorial Park on Lake Ripley — has eight acres for dogs to run free as well as picnic tables and garbage cans. Next to the dog park is an archery range, which features targets at 10-yard intervals up to 80 yards.

Becker Park One block south of East St. Paul Street, between Gilman and Chandler Avenues Located on South Chandler Avenue, Becker Park is an openplay area with a swing set and a small hill perfect for sliding and sledding in the winter.

Central Park Off Sibley Avenue, between Third and Fourth streets The heart of Litchfield, Central Park and its bandshell are home to activities throughout the year, including outdoor music, a farmers market and community meals. It is in downtown Litchfield along

Sibley Avenue.

Crescent Park O f f Nor th Crescent Lane , near Litchfield Sports Complex This playground is located in the Crescent Lane development and has a swing set and playground equipment.

Disc Golf The disc golf course at Litchfield High School has eight holes.

Jaycee’s Park Between Memorial Park and Lake Ripley Campground on Lake Ripley Situated between Memorial Park and the Lake Ripley Campground along Lake Ripley, this park is ideal for a day on the lake or packing a picnic: Jaycees Park has a picnic shelter, playground equipment, dock, boat launch and ice fishing access.

Lake Ripley Campground Off Lake Ripley Drive between Lake Ripley and East Lake Ripley The municipal trailer campground has 32 sites, 12 with sewer, water and electric, 20 with water and electric, as well as permanent restrooms and showers. All sites are available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Legion Memorial Park Near 551-593 Lake Ripley Drive Built in 1994 this park is dedicated in memory of all veterans of all wars.

Students and adults carry out brush and branches from the Prairie Park nature trail. The cleanup was part of an FCCLA project in fall 2020.

Lion’s Li ’ Park P k Off West Pleasure Drive west of Highway 22 Located on the north shore of Lake Ripley, Lions Park has a playground, fishing docks, walking/ bike path and large picnic shelter that may be reserved through Litchfield Community Education.

Litchfield Sports Complex Between the armory and the high school on Gilman Avenue Located near Litchfield High School on Gilman Avenue, the Litchfield Sports Complex features a variety of athletic facilities, including four softball fields, four tennis courts, a horseshoe court, two outdoor hockey rinks, basketball court, soccer area, skateboard park, two Little League fields and Optimist Park – home of the Litchfield Blues amateur baseball team. The complex is also home to Litchfield Public Schools’ athletic facilities.

Memorial Park East edge of Lake Ripley, just off South Sibley Avenue The location for many Litchfield Watercade activities, Memorial Park lies along the east edge of Lake Ripley. A community-built playground and a splash pad are

popular att this l attractions tt ti thi park, k which also includes 175 feet of b ea ch , s wimmin g d o ck s , lake ove r l o o k , b ike / w a lk in g p a t h , an A rmy tank an d f ield cross memorial, sand volleyball court, lake access, large picnic area and restrooms.

Ness Park On North Miller Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets A large park located off North Miller Avenue bet ween Six th and Seventh streets, Ness Park has a swing set, picnic tables and volleyball court.

North Casey Park Near Shell and Davis Motors off North Sibley Avenue This park is an open play area with a swing set located on N. Miller Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets, with Jewett Creek along the east edge. In the winter there is a small hill for sledding.

Optimist Baseball Park East 10th Street At the east end of 10th Street, this ballpark has a full-sized baseball field with seating and two smaller fields.

Parks to 12 2021 | independentreview.net

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ATTRACTIONS

PARKS

boat landing, lookout tower, picnic shelters with kitchen facilities and several recreational facilities. A walking/biking trail encircles the lake. To make shelter or camping reservations, call 320- 276-8843.

Lake Manuella Park 21239 County Highway 9, Darwin Known for its swimming beach, the park has picnic facilities, bathrooms and a changing house.

It is located on County Highway 9, five miles south of U.S. Highway 12 .

Shaw Memorial Park 31577 County Highway 1, Litchfield Located in Forest City along Crow River, the 10-acre park has picnic shelters, playground equipment, a softball field, basketball court and ice skating rink in the winter.

continued from 11

Pleasant View Park Off Willmar Avenue, near West 5th Street O f f Willmar Avenue in the northwest section of the city, Pleasant View has playground equipment and play area.

Prairie Park Between East Butler Street and East Quail Drive, northwest of the cemetery Along Butler Street, Prairie Park is a 4 0 -acre nature park, featuring 2. 5 miles of walking and cross-country skiing trails, playground equipment and a picnic shelter provided by the Rotary Club.

South Park West Ripley Street and South Swift Avenue This square-block park on the 300 block of Miller Avenue S. is home to two tennis courts and a volleyball court. Pickleball courts were added in late summer of 2020, and new playground equipment has been proposed for construction in summer of 2021.

South Street Playground North Davis and East South Street South Street Playground is an open lot at the corner of North Davis and East South Street with playground equipment.

Sunrise Terrace Park Off East Second Street, near North Gorman Avenue The park, located along Sunrise Drive in eastern Litchfield, has updated playground equipment and a small, man-made sliding hill.

Thompson Park South Chandler between East Ripley and East St. Paul streets An open play area and swing set mark Thompson Park, located on South Chandler between East Ripley and East St. Paul streets.

Meeker County Parks Clear Lake Park Off Clear Lake, south of Watkins on County Road 2 Located three miles south of Watkins on County Road 2, the

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Spring Lake Park 72599 240th St., Dassel Situated between Spring Lake and Long Lake one mile north of Dassel, the 13-acre park offers fishing opportunities with a boat landing and fishing dock, as well as picnic shelters, playground equipment and a popular Little League field. A new trail connects the park to Dassel.

34.4-acre park includes a picnic area and shelter, boat landing and a short hiking trail.

Darwin-Dassel Park Between Darwin and Dassel on Highway 12 Meeker county’s largest park features 160 acres of activities.

There are 6.5 miles of hiking, crosscountry skiing and horseback riding trails. Shelters and picnic tables are on the lookout hill – a popular sliding hill in the winter. The park extends south of U.S. Highway 12 with additional trails and picnic area.

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area 17980 640th Ave., Litchfield This new, 365-acre recreation area has water access to two lakes, a fishing pier, trails for hiking and cross-country skiing and special season archery hunting. Visitors

can see portions of Greenleaf and Sioux lakes, along with several wetlands. For more information call 320-796-2161 or visit www.mndnr. gov/greenleaf.

Thompson Park 13099 525th Ave., Cosmos L o c a te d o n 52 5t h Av e n u e one mile west of Cosmos, 22acre Thompson Park has picnic shelters, playground equipment, ball field, volleyball court and fishing dock.

Finnish Memorial Park Just west of Kingston on Highway 27 Ideal for canoeing down the North Fork Crow River, Finnish Memorial Park sits just west of Kingston on County Road 27. The 17-acre park has a canoe landing, tennis court, shelter and playground equipment.

West Ripley Park 25288 County Highway 1, Litchfield Located just south of Litchfield on County Highway 1, West Ripley Park has a boat landing, fishing pier, playground equipment, sand volleyball court, bike path and large picnic shelter. The 5.6-acre park lies is located on the western shore of Lake Ripley.

Koronis Regional Park 14076 Bluefield Road, Paynesville On the southwest shore of Lake Koronis, this 62-acre park, which is jointly owned by Meeker and Stearns counties, offers overnight c amping with elec tricit y an d water hookup, bathrooms and showers. It also has a swimming beach, playground equipment,

Woodland Park 27299 Minnesota Highway 15, Dassel Woodland Park boasts a total of 80 acres for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and bird watching. It is located between Kingston and Dassel on Minnesota Highway 22.

ATTRACTIONS

Averi Ellestad, 12, flashes a smile as she finishes her run down the hill and turns to head back up for another run.

Tyler Jansky strikes an approach shot during a Litchfield High School boys golf meet at Litchfield Golf Course.

RECREATION Grand Army of the Republic Hall & Meeker County Museum 304 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield Built in 1885, the Litchfield Grand Army of the Republic Hall is one of very few left in the nation and is the only authentic one remaining in Minnesota. Designed by one of the members to look like a military fort, the G.A.R. Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The brick is local from the Henry Ames brick yard which was just north of Litchfield. The G.A.R. Hall was almost immediately given to the city of Litchfield with the understanding that it would be kept in its original condition. This hall also served as the first public library in Meeker County and was one of the main gathering places for community events.

Civil War roundtables, featuring speakers who have expertise in war history, have been a regular feature, though these events were cancelled throughout much of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Meeker County Historical Museum is attached to the rear of the GAR Hall. Several photos and information about Civil War veterans can be found here.

This historical attraction is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3.

For additional information, call 320693-8911.

Litchfield Civic Arena 900 Gilman Ave. N., Litchfield The Litchfield Civic Arena hosts Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato boys and girls hockey games and also offers open skating every Sunday throughout the winter from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for $3. The arena also features skate sharpening, community room rental, meeting rooms, table and chair rental and dry floor activities — business expos, auctions, banquets, family reunions, physical-education and dance classes — through March until the end of September. For more info, call 320-693-2679.

Litchfield Golf Club 405 Pleasure Drive W., Litchfield The Litchfield Golf Course is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Ripley. With four sets of tee boxes, ranging from 6,400 yards to 5,000 yards, Litchfield Golf Club has 18 uniquely challenging holes. The Par 70, Championship layout will be sure to give the most accomplished golfers a true test of golf, yet allow for the novice to enjoy their round and have fun. For more info, call 320-693-6059.

Litchfield Bowling Center 1227 Sibley Ave. S., Litchfield The Litchfield Bowling Center offers numerous leagues for all ages and open bowling on Friday from 4 p.m. to close, Saturday from 1 p.m. to close and Sunday from 1-5:30 p.m.

Lanes at the bowling center are available to rent for events. The kitchen offers a variety of food, including fresh-made pizza, chicken dinners, appetizers and nachos, and a full bar is also available. For more information, call 320-693-9077.

Meeker County Off-Highway Vehicle Park South of Darwin, north of Hutchinson, at 18738 County Road 9 Meeker County’s only OHV Park opened to the public in 2015 and welcomes OHV riders of all ages. The 40-acre Meeker County OHV Park features fives miles of ATV trails, six miles of off-highway motorcycle trails, a picnic shelter and a youth ATV training area. The park is open seven days a week from dusk ‘til dawn, depending on weather conditions. For information about the condition of the park, visit www.mndr.gov and click “Current

Conditions.” Driving from Darwin the park can be found by going west on U.S. Highway 12, turning south on to Co. Rd. 9 and continuing for approximately six miles; the entrance is on the east side of the road. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail or call Alvin Bertram at 320-587-9505.

Darwin Rod and Gun Club 27902 668th Avenue, Darwin The Darwin Rod and Gun Club is a sportsmen’s club that offers year-round range shooting to members (membership is $20) and trap shooting on Wednesdays between late May and August. The club’s clubhouse — complete with full commercial kitchen and beer on tap — is also available for rental for weddings, birthday parties or other events. For more information, call Ken Porth at 320-693-8722.

2021 | independentreview.net

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ATTRACTIONS

Litchfield Marching Band performed its 1930 Chicago show during the inaugural Parade of Bands in 2019.

FESTIVALS Manannah Daze To be announced The small village of Manannah kicks of f their annual summer celebration with a variet y of activities, including volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, tractor pulls and a street dance. The parade Saturday is followed by a pageant, where Manannah men dress in drag to compete for the title of Miss Manannah.

Litchfield Parade of Bands June 15 Established in 2019 by the Litchfield Visitors Bureau, the Parade of Bands brings high school marching bands from around the state to Litchfield for a competitive band festival. Cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020, the event is back on for 2021, with two more bands — for a total of 13 bands. It will have a

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slightly different approach this year, with only two awards presented, for People’s Choice and Grand Champion.

Eden Valley’s Valley Daze June 25-27 Eden Valley celebrates every June with a parade, carnival, live music, food stands, a tug-a-war tournament and an annual youth fishing contest. This year’s event will feature new attractions, which will be announced via its website.

Litchfield Watercade July 8-11 Litchfield hosts a weekend of fun, food and festivities. Activities p la n n e d e a c h ye a r in clu d e a fireworks display, golf tournament, Grand Day parade, Art in the Park, medallion hunt, 4-mile run, fishing contest, kiddie parade and a Little

FILE PHOTO

Fireworks erupt over Lake Ripley, lighting up the night sky during the annual Watercade celebration.

Crow water ski show. Watercade’s finale is the annual queen coronation and includes the crowning of the new Miss Litchfield and princesses.

Cosmos Space Festival July 16-18 The annual get-together features

a Little Miss Universe and a Man in the Moon coronation, softball tournament, meals in the park, a Space Festival parade, fireworks, pancake break fast, pork chop dinner, church in the park, music entertainment, crafters, pedal tractor pull, volleyball and more.

ATTRACTIONS Step back in time for the annual Rendez vous . The Forest Cit y Stockade, a replica of a fort built

by Forest City residents during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, is home to a variety of old fashioned activities, demonstrations and food. No date had been established for the 2021 Rendezvous at press time. Check www.forestcitystockade.org for the most current information.

Meeker County Fair Aug. 5-8 It’s the annual “Fairest Days of Summer” for Meeker County residents. It features traditional county fair activities, such as exhibits and the showing of livestock, carnival rides, live music and demolition derbies.

Watkins’ Kraut ‘N’ Wurst Day First Saturday in August This event consists of a parade, Little Miss Watkins Pageant, Cow Drop Raffle and an evening street dance with beverage/food stands located in McCarthy Park.

Darwin Twine Ball Celebration Second Saturday of August It’s one of Minnesota’s unique landmarks — Darwin’s big ball of twine. Dubbed the World’s Largest Twine Ball Collected by One Person, the spherical collection is celebrated with a parade, mini-rod races, craft fair and pork chop dinner. The official date for 2021 had not been set at press time.

petting zoo

PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

The beach party at Lake Ripley is one of the highlights of Litchfield’s annual Watercade festival, which is scheduled for July 8-11, 2021.

Grove City Windmill Days Grove City celebrates summer with a tractor pull, mud volleyball, horseshoe, trap shooting and sof tball tournaments, a kiddie parade, talent show and parade.

No date had been established f o r t h e 2 0 21 c e l e b r a t i o n a t press time. Contact Grove City Windmill Days Committee at 320857-2322.

Forest City Thresher Days Aug. 21-22 Thresher Days include displays of antique tractors and other farm equipment, along with threshing and corn shredding demonstrations.

A tractor parade also is a favorite annual event.

Forest City Stockade Rendezvous Third weekend in August

Dassel Red Rooster Days Sept. 3-6 Labor Day weekend is time to celebrate, with an ambassadors coronation, parade, Minnesota’s Largest Chicken Barbecue, and other activities.

Forest City Pioneer Christmas First Saturday in December T h e Fo r e s t C i t y S to c k a d e switches gears after its Summer Rendezvous to a winter holiday theme during its annual Pioneer Christmas. Activities include horsedrawn sleigh rides, a visit with Santa, Christmas caroling and oldfashioned ornaments.

bird house

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ATTRACTIONS

Litchfield’s

Historic

Homes Take a walking or driving tour to see the many historic homes in Litchfield that reflect various architectural styles

W

alk down a Litchfield street and you’re likely to find countless monuments to the city’s early history.

From the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, to buildings in the city’s historic downtown, to the Litchfield Opera House, public buildings and areas tell of the city’s histor y. But some of the most interesting buildings — and stories they carry — are private homes.

Following is a list featuring some of the town’s historic homes. Most are located along four avenues: Armstrong, Holcombe, Marshall and Sibley. The first section includes homes on the city’s north side, and the second section highlights the south side.

Litchfield was founded in 1869.

It was established as the county seat of Meeker County due to the railroad built by E. Darwin Litchfield and his brothers in the 1860s. Prior to that time, Forest City, a town about five miles north, had been designated the county seat, but citizens decided a city next to the

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railroad would be more convenient and have a better economic base.

Most of the homes on this tour are from the 1869-1920 Victorian Era. This was a time of great change and growth out here on the Northern Plains.

NORTH SIDE 518 Armstrong Ave. N. This home was built in the late 1800s by Erhardt Lenhardt. This family built the Litchfield Brewery and owned Lenhardt Hotel and many of the first lots surveyed in Litchfield after the town was laid out.

506 Armstrong Ave. N. A two-story house with a large porch, this home was built in 1908. It is an excellent example of Victorian architecture featuring a dignified home with a wrap-around veranda porch, artistic windows and a large, quiet yard.

413 Armstrong Ave. N. This large red brick house was built by Peter Hanson as a wedding

518 Armstrong Ave. N. gift to his daughter, Nellie, when she married Mr. March in 1905. It has a ballroom on the third floor and the light oak woodwork throughout remains in impeccable condition.

There is a servants’ staircase, a fireplace in the master bedroom and a large beautiful dining room with 10-foot ceilings.

405 Armstrong Ave. N. Completed in 1904, local folks call this home “the Red Castle.”

Peter E. Hanson, the original owner,

had the home built while he served in the Minnesota Senate from 18951898 and as secretary of state from 1901-1907. It is interesting that the state Capitol in St. Paul was being built at the same time as this home. The original tile roof of this home (some of which you can see on the turret) was the same color and design as the tile used on the roof of the Capitol building. The house has five fireplaces, a grand stairway, an oak dining room, and cherry woodwork throughout. The

ATTRACTIONS

413 Armstrong Ave. N.

405 Armstrong Ave. N.

outside walls are quadruple-brick for insulation. It was the original owner of this home, Mr. Hanson, who built the home we just saw next door for his daughter, Nellie.

406 Armstrong Ave. N. This home was built about 1888 and is where John T. Mullen, a wellknown Litchfield merchant, lived.

326 Armstrong Ave. N. Built about 1910, the architecture

of this home is untouched since construction.

320 Armstrong Ave. N. This home was constructed between 1910-1915. Its turret is an example of the Victorian Era. The home was once owned by Fred Richter, a former Litchfield mayor.

307 Holcombe Ave. N. Built about 1895 by a prominent banker named O.H. Campbell,

this house was once known as the “Raven’s Nest.” From 1920 to the late 1940s, it was used as a nuns’ conservatory, and some residents still remember taking piano lessons there. It remains unchanged and a stark example of the fortress style of Victorian homes of the 1890s. It is built of yellow brick produced in Litchfield during that time.

503 Holcombe Ave. N. A distinctly Victorian home,

originally the Morrison House, this home is an excellent example of a style referred to as the “Painted Lady,” or Queen Anne.

421 Marshall Ave. N. Built about 1915, this modest house has strong connections to a remarkable person and the origins of a locally significant industry.

Creamery operator Alfred Anderson

Homes to 18

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406 Armstrong Ave. N.

307 Holcombe Ave. N.

HOMES continued from 17

used the basement to begin his business, Anderson Chemical. The firm produced a bacterial flavor enhancer to the dairy industry, and eventually moved into cleaning and sanitizing products. The Anderson Chemical Company grew into a major corporation with a national market and business in international locations. Alfred Anderson himself has an intriguing Swedish immigrant story and made important civic contributions to Litchfield, including a term as mayor.

326 Armstrong Ave. N.

320 Armstrong Ave. N.

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425 Marshall Ave. N. This house is a rare example of the Art Moderne style in Litchfield.

Art Moderne and other related modernistic styles, such as Art Deco, were commonly used for public and commercial buildings between 1920 and 1940. Art Moderne emerged as the most prevalent form in the 1930s. Never a commonly used residential style, scattered examples can be found throughout the country. Constructed after 1941, this house is a particularly late example of the style.

611 Marshall Ave. N. Mary Jo Smith has turned this early 1920s Tudor-style home into a beautiful bed and breakfast called The Marshall Estate. It features four bedrooms, hardwood floors, built-in china cabinets with leaded/beveled glass, a charming fireplace, and indoor and outdoor porches.

705 Miller Ave. N. The house is one of the few houses in Litchfield that displays the character-defining features of the Italianate style. The Italianate style was a popular domestic style in the United States from about 1840 to 1885, and it was particularly common in the towns of the Midwest experiencing large growth during this period. The house was also the home of Ole Ness, an early pioneer and a founding father of Litchfield.

SOUTH SIDE 215 Sibley Ave. S. “Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota” (1977) describes this home as an “Eastlake style frame clapboard house with extensive turned work on the Queen Anne porch.” It was built in 1890 by Mr. McClure, a Litchfield banker.

It remains close to its original condition with the original oil cloth wallpaper still on the dining room walls and tin ceilings in the kitchen and bath.

700 Sibley Ave. S. This lovely home was built in the late 1920s and is a perfect example of what is known as Craftsman Architecture. We have several homes in our town of this style from the early 1920s era.

304 Sibley Ave. S. This two-story red brick office building was once a lovely home built in the late 1880s. It was the home of Erhardt Lenhardt, a wellknown, successful brewer who

421 Marshall Ave. N. operated a brewery on the north shore of our Lake Ripley. Not to be outdone, his brother founded St . Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield.

310 Sibley Ave. S. This lovely Victorian home was built in 1899. This house cost $2,000 to build. There have been few changes to the original floor plan.

In the dining room of this home is one of the most beautiful fireplaces.

It is artistic from floor to ceiling with several different types of woodwork combined with copper inlay for a spectacular mantle. The house has five original ornate windows, and a maplewood mosaic on the entryway floor.

316 Sibley Ave. S. Built by B.P. Nelson in 1903 as a family residence, the residence had a tennis court on the south side of the home and a three-stall carriage house on the north. The third floor was a ballroom with dance parties still being held there in the 1930s and ’40s.

724 Sibley Ave. S. The Rosemary Home. This was the home of Dorothea Kopplin and her family. Mrs. Kopplin lived from 1898-1970. She was a mother, teacher, homemaker and author.

She was Minnesota Mother of the Year in 1949. In accordance with her will, her home became a home for nursing students, nurses and business women. This was done in memory of her daughter who died of leukemia at age 6. Her daughter’s

705 Miller Ave. N. bedroom is a small room at the front of the second floor and is still furnished as it was when the child lived there. Mrs. Kopplin’s daughter’s name was, of course, Rosemary. Mrs. Kopplin wrote “Something to Live By” in 1945 with all royalties being donated to the Minnesota Federation of Women’s Clubs for nursing scholarships. The home was built in the late 1890s and has a permanent caretaker living on the grounds.

805 Sibley Ave. S. This large English Tudor style home was built in 1910 and was once the home of Dr. Karl Danielson.

Dr. Danielson is remembered for swimming in Lake Ripley nearly every day of his life, even in winter.

He lived to be 90 years old.

806 Sibley Ave. S. This lovely home was built in 1906. The garage replaces what was once a livery barn which had room for two horses and one carriage.

910 Sibley Ave. S. This Victorian home was built in the late 1800s, and was the first house in Litchfield to have running water. It was built by Mr. Sweetman who had an oil business.

The property includes a windmill, which was used to pump water into a storage tank in the attic and provided running water to the house. The interesting garage behind this house was built in 1940 to replace the large, old barn which had to be torn down. This property once extended back five blocks to

215 Sibley Ave. S. Swift Avenue. The house retains its distinctive Victorian appearance.

403 Armstrong Ave. S. Built in 1889 by C.W. Wagner, th en ow n er of th e Litchf ield newspaper and the man for whom Wagner Elementar y School is named, his wife Emma Chandler Wagner, and their only daughter, Harriet. Following the deaths of her parents, Harriet lived in the house for part of each year, spending the rest of her time traveling abroad.

The house remains close to its original state. Some of the changes are the addition of a fireplace in the front parlor, partial enclosing of the front porch, and an upstairs enclosed back porch. The interior has been restored to much of its Victorian glory.

326 Donnelly Ave. S. This house has been the home of two famous Meeker County residents. It was built in 1893 and stood on the corners of Swift and

Ripley avenues. Many years later it was moved here to Donnelly Avenue. One well-known resident was Gale Sondergaard.

Sondergaard was an Academy Award winning actress and starred in many movies including: “Maid of Salem,” “The Letter,” “The Cat and The Canary,” “Anna and The King of Siam,” and “Anthony Adverse,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1936.

She also starred on Broadway. She lived in this home with her family during early childhood. Later, this was the home of Bernie Bierman, famous football coach of the University of Minnesota Gophers.

He played football for the Litchfield High School team and went on to play left end for Minnesota. He coached at Tulane University and in 1932 took his team to the Rose Bowl.

He returned to Minnesota to coach the Gophers and brought on what was to be known as the “Golden Era” of Minnesota football. This home is an example of the Victorian design.

2021 | independentreview.net

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FOOD

Above — In November 2020, with the pandemic shutting down businesses and travel being restricted, Swan’s Cafe in Litchfield prepared Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds.

Owner Jeff Swanson, in the kitchen above, said the free-will offering dinner was the restaurant’s way of giving back to the community.

Inset — Pies of all sorts line tables for Music in the Park events Thursday evenings in Litchfield’s Central Park.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER? From restaurants to special events, Litchfield has something for every taste bud

L

itchfield has a variety of local cuisine, everything from Chinese and Mexican to classic American comfort food with a couple of new eateries planning openings this year. Area residents also enjoy eating at special events in Central Park throughout the summer months, whether it is brat feeds, pancake breakfasts or ice cream socials.

Downtown features Parkview Grille, which boasts a bar, breakfast, soups and salad and paninis, sandwiches and burgers, as well as special dinner fare. New to downtown in summer of 2021 will be Sweet Escape, an ice cream and treats shop. Owners of the Sweet Escape shop in Annandale announced in April this year they would be expanding, adding an ice cream shop in downtown Litchfield, in the former Tavern on Main location. Sweet Escape features ice cream, chocolate, special gifts, and bath and body items.

The Muddy Cow combines a sports bar and family environment, with a wide and sometimes eclectic variety of burgers, ribs and salads. Meanwhile, Sonora’s and Herradura

both offer family dining with a Mexican flare.

Another new restaurant also will have a planned opening in 2021, with Shady’s No. 7 coming to the Litchfield Golf Course.

Shady’s No. 7 is the seventh bar and restaurant of partners who own establishments throughout the region including Shady’s Long Shot in Cold Spring, Shady’s Hometown Tavern and Event Center in Albany, Shady’s Railside in Rice, Shady’s Golden Eagle in Burtrum, Shady’s Silver Spur in St. Martin, and Shady’s Bar & Grill in New Munich.

And then, of course, there are the food-related events.

A Litchfield favorite, Pie In The Park, features many types of delicious homemade pies — and all proceeds go toward supporting local nonprofit organizations. Another popular attraction is the ice cream social during the Watercade festival.

Farmers markets are also popular from May through October. Litchfield has two markets featuring local produce and baked goods. One market operates at Central Park, and another one sets up at the VFW Post 2818 on East U.S. Highway 12, near Econofoods.

And don’t forget about the Meeker County Fair at the fairgrounds on North Armstrong Avenue in Litchfield in early August. There are all sorts of treats, such as cotton candy, and deep-fried foods to enjoy, along with beer at the fair’s beer garden.

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(320) 373-5505 915 Hwy. 12, Litchfield

ut O e Tak ble a Avail

GOVERNMENT

STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

City Administrator David Cziok stands at a podium before Mayor Keith Johnson in the mostly empty Litchfield City Council chambers in March last year at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when meetings went virtual. The council returned to in-person meetings later in the year.

A FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY Litchfield has state-of-the-art facilities to serve residents

L

itchfield serves as the hub for Meeker County government. Home to both the Meeker County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center, Litchfield is the place to go for many licensing and motor vehicle needs, building permits and birth, death and marriage certificates.

Litchfield’s approximately 6,700 residents can bring cityrelated questions to City Hall at 126 N. Marshall Ave. City government includes elected positions for mayor and city council, which are responsible for adopting and enforcing ordinances, establishing public and administrative policies, appointing staff positions, boards and commissions.

The city provides numerous services to residents, such as providing a secure, clean water supply. The city has invested in state-of-the-art facilities, including a fire and rescue station, upgraded electric generation plant and upgraded sewage

Litchfield’s downtown is considered historic and was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1996. treatment plant.

Litchfield’s historic downtown was designated as a Commercial Historic District by the National Park Service and placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1996. The district encompasses 48 properties, including 36 “contributing” buildings. The Historic Preservation Commission assists in overseeing development within the district to ensure exterior construction meets historical guidelines.

The downtown area went through major reconstruction during the spring and summer of 2020, as city infrastructure such as water and sewer lines were replaced as part of reconstruction of U.S. Highway 12.

GOVERNMENT

CITY OF

LITCHFIELD CITY HALL 126 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield, Minnesota 55355 www.ci.litchfield.mn.us

LITCHFIELD 320-693-5200 LITCHFIELD CITY COUNCIL

The city of Litchfield is governed by six council members and a mayor. City Administrator David Cziok is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city The mayor and city council members serve four-year terms. Staggered elections take place every two years.

KEITH JOHNSON Mayor Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

RON DINGMANN At-large Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

ERIC MATHWIG Ward 1 Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

DARLENE KOTELNICKI Ward 2 Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS

Police and fire emergency Police (non-emergency) Crime TIPS line Fire (non-emergency) Library Litchfield Chamber of Commerce

911 320-693-5425 320-693-5430 320-693-3111 320-693-2483 320-693-8184

BETTY ALLEN Ward 3 Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

PUBLIC UTILITIES ELECTRICITY City of Litchfield 320-693-7201 Report an outage after hours 866-639-6108 Energy Star rebates www.saveenergyinlitchfield.com

MEETINGS Litchfield City Council and other municipal commissions meet in Council Chambers at City Hall, 126 N. Marshall Ave. For information, call 320-693-7201.

FIRST AND THIRD MONDAYS Litchfield City Council, 5:30 p.m.

Council meetings are open to the public unless it is in a closed session. Meetings are televised Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. on Cable Channels 8 or 13.

SECOND MONDAY Litchfield Planning Commission, 5:30 p.m.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH QUARTER Airport Commission, 6:30 p.m.

FOURTH MONDAY Heritage Preservation Commission, 6:30 p.m.

LAST TUESDAY OF EACH QUARTER Library Board, 5:30 p.m.

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power 320-693-3231 NATURAL GAS CenterPoint Energy 800-245-2377 Report a leak 800-296-9815 WATER AND SEWER City of Litchfield 320-693-7201 TELELPHONE, CABLE, INTERNET Nuvera 320-593-2323 or 800-303-7039 Mediacom 800-332-0245

JOHN CARLSON Ward 4 Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

SARA MILLER Ward 5 Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

CenturyLink 800-244-1111 BEFORE YOU DIG Gopher State One Call 800-252-1166 www.gopherstateonecall.org WASTE DISPOSAL Waste Management-Twin Cities West provides residential garbage pick-up in Litchfield. Garbage is collected once a week. Recyclables are collected every other week, and Waste Management uses a single-sort recycling container. All recyclable items can be mixed in the container. Payment drop box for garbage bills is at 5 E. Second St. For more information, call 800450-9378. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mailing address is 490 Industrial Blvd., Winsted, MN 55395.

West Central Sanitation of Willmar provides commercial garbage and recyclable pick-up in Litchfield and the surrounding area.

For information, call 800-246-7630.

2021 | independentreview.net

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GOVERNMENT

Litchfield Public Library responded to pandemic challenges in 2020 by offering curbside pickup. Later, the library began to allow library visits by appointment, which allowed staff to limit the number of patrons and ensure social distancing.

LIBRARY Litchfield Public Library 216 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2483 www.litchfield.lib.mn.us Litchfield Public Library is home to approximately 45,000 books, 1,200 audios and 2,300 videos, plus 30 magazine and 7 newspaper subscriptions. Eleven staff members serve more than 5,600 registered borrowers. In an average year, library users checked out almost 52 , 0 0 0 i t e m s , n o t i n c l u d i n g downloadable e-books or audios.

Litchfield Library is a member of Pioneerland Library System. It is one of the largest of the 32 libraries in the regional library system. Any borrower can order books and other items from any library in the system and even from libraries throughout the state. Deliveries of requested materials arrive three times per week. The library catalog is available at iii.pioneerland.lib.mn.us.

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Litchfield Public Library program goes far beyond books. The computer offers computer use, internet access and children’s story times. In past years, the library also has offered a Lego night and even an adult coloring opportunity. For more information about programs, call the library at 320-693-2483.

Pioneerland offers downloadable e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines for loan through its Overdrive service at pioneerland. lib.overdrive.com and through

the Libby and Overdrive apps.

The library has a collection of almost 10,000 e-books, over 2,000 downloadable audiobooks, and over 1,200 e-magazine issues available

to Pioneerland cardholders, with new books added all the time. The library system also offers Brainfuse, an online homework help service for all ages, free to everyone with a Pioneerland library card.

The Litchfield Library offers access to public desktop computers a s w e ll a s a c o m p u te r- b a s e d microf ilm rea der to use with historical newspaper microfilm.

The library has wi-fi available 24/7 that’s accessible from inside and outside the building, a copier/ printer, a wireless printer, and a scanner available for public use.

Mobile hotspots are available to check out, providing a source of free wi-fi at home. The library has a large public meeting room and two study rooms.

A summer reading program for children and teens and a winter reading program for adults are offered every year. The library offers a variety of other programs for all ages; check the library’s website for current information.

GOVERNMENT ORDINANCES Detailed information about City of Litchfield ordinances is available by visiting the city’s website at w w w.ci.litchfield.mn.us. Some common issues affecting residents are addressed in this list. Direct any questions about ordinances or permits to City Hall at 320-6937201.

General Residential Setbacks All residential structures and accessor y structures, which include sheds, outbuildings, play structures and gazebos, are subject to specific setbacks from a lot line based on the zoning district. All structure setbacks are taken from the property line. The setback from a front, rear or side yard may vary based on the zoning district. To find out what a property is zoned for and what the required setbacks are, call City Hall.

Building Permits Building permits are required for many t ypes of projects. A permit application is available on the city’s website under the Code Enforcement department page. City Hall staff can assist and complete permits for small utility sheds, fences, reroofing, siding, central air/furnace installation or replacement and other such maintenance permits.

Rental Property Registration All rental proper ties are to be registered with the City of Litchfield by June 30, 2016, to avoid registration fees. The city intends to use the information collected to quantify the amount of rental housing available in the city, and to track the needs and availability of rental housing. This information is also intended to be used to enforce city ordinances that relate to th e safet y an d condition of the rental units.

Lawn Maintenance All grounds in a residential zoning district not covered by a building, patio or driveway must be covered in grass or ornamental landscaping including rock material. Ground cover may grow

Litchfield City Hall is the place to go for information abtout city ordinances, to apply for a permit, or even to pay your utility bill. City Hall is located at 126 Marshall Ave. N. to a height of 6 inches. Once grow th exceeds 6 inches, cit y code requires cutting. Should you identify a property in which grass is over 6 inches in height, contact the city’s code enforcement officer at 693-7201, ext. 1012.

Snow Removal There are no hourly restrictions on the operation of snow removal e q uip m e nt . P ro p e r t y o w n e r s are required to keep all snow and ice on their property. City code prohibits placing snow or ice in any right-of-way, roadway, street, sidewalk, walkway, bike or trail way, easement, park or other public property. The city of Litchfield is responsible for the removal of snow and/or ice from sidewalks or trails abutting some streets, but the majority of owners or occupant s of one- or t wofamily dwellings that are abutting a sidewalk or trail are responsible for removing the snow and ice. This removal must be accomplished within the first 24 hours after the cessation of the precipitation.

Yard Waste All yard waste must be disposed of within one week unless it is being composted in an approved composting area/container. Yard waste is solid waste generated from landscaping and lawn care activities, such as mowing, trimming, gardening or raking. Yard waste materials consist of grass clippings, twigs, tree and brush clippings, straw, pine needles, tree branches, sof t vegetative garden waste and leaves. City residents may take yard waste to the city’s compost site on 615th Avenue. Hours of operation during the spring, summer and fall are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. — 4 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and holidays. The site closes Dec. 1. Acceptable materials include leaves, grass clippings, brush, trees, dirt (small amounts only, must be clean with no sod).

Household Garbage Waste Management, a c o m m e r c ia l h a u l e r, p r o v i d e s g a rba ge pick- up s e r v ice s fo r

Litchfield residents. Garbage must be stored in durable containers with with close-fitting, fly-tight covers. Garbage cannot be stored on public or private proper t y for more than 2 weeks without written approval from the city of Litchfield. Waste that is suitable and sorted for recycling may be stored for up to 30 days, so long as recyclables are stored in an appropriate manner.

Parking At Residences No more than four vehicles per dwelling unit may be parked or stored anywhere outside on r e si d e n t ia l p r o p e r t y, e xc e p t otherwise permitted or required by the city because of nonresidential characteristics of the property.

The maximum number does not include vehicles of occasional guests who do not reside at the property. It is illegal to keep any vehicle not in operating condition or partly dismantled, except if that vehicle is enclosed in a building and/or kept from view and does not foster complaints from neighbors.

2021 | independentreview.net

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GOVERNMENT

MEEKER COUNTY

MEEKER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

325 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield, Minnesota 55355 www.co.meeker.mn.us

320-693-5200 MEEKER COUNTY BOARD Meeker County’s governing body consists of five commissioners, each representing a district within the county.

Elections for these seats occur every two years in November. The Meeker County Administrator is responsible for day-today operations of the county. The County Board meets at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Meeker County Courthouse, 325 N. Sibley Ave. For information, call 320-693-5200.

BETH OBERG 1st District Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

JULIE BREDESON 2nd District Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

DANNY SCHIEFELBEIN 3rd District Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

OTHER ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS

BRANDI SCHIEFELBEIN Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

BRIAN CRUZ Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

STEVE SCHMITT 5th District Term ends Dec. 31, 2022

PAUL JOHNSON 4th District Term ends Dec. 31, 2024

COURTHOUSE OFFICES Administrator 320-693-5200

Elections 320-693-5212

Auditor 320-693-5212

Planning and Zoning 320-693-5290

Attorney 320-693-5220

Probation 320-693-5260

Assessor 320-693-5205

Recorder 320-693-5440

Detention Center 320-693-5415

Treasurer (property tax payments) 320-693-5345

STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS The city of Litchfield and Litchfield Township are within Minnesota Senate District 18 and House District 18A. Sen. Scott Newman (District 18), 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Capitol Building, Room 301, St. Paul, MN 55155-1606; phone: 651-296-4131; email: sen. scott.newman@senate.mn Rep. Dean Urdahl (District 18A), 571 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155; phone: 651-296-4344 or toll-free 800920-5861; email: rep.dean.urdahl@house.mn Meeker County is part of the 7th Congressional District, which is served by U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach (District 7), 1237 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; phone: 202-225-2165; Regional office: 221 1st St. S., Willmar, MN 56201; phone: 320-403-6100.

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independentreview.net | 2021

SCOTT NEWMAN

DEAN URDAHL

MICHELLE FISCHBACH

GOVERNMENT U.S. POSTAL SERVICE LITCHFIELD POST OFFICE The Litchfield office is at 35 E. Second St. T h e w i n d o w is o p e n f r o m 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a .m . to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Residents can access their postal boxes from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 5:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

The post of fice also of fers passport services; call to make an appointment. The phone number is 320-693-6252.

TRANSPORTATION CENTRAL COMMUNITY TRANSIT Central Communit y Transit offers affordable transportation to the citizens of Meeker County.

The bus transports people of

Transportation to 29

Litchfield Post Offie is located at 35 E. Second St.

Your Home Improvement Starts With Your Connection Get Rip Snort’n FAST TM Internet to your home for the ultimate online experience with VIBRANT Broadband.

Call 320-693-3231 today or visit vibrantbroadband.com to learn more.

Depending on your location, you may be connected to our fiber or our fiber-fed fixed wireless service.

Both provide a reliable, fiber-fast connection. Ask a VIBRANT Broadband Account Specialist for details.

Meeker Cooperative • 1725 US HWY 12, STE 100 • Litchfield 2021 | independentreview.net

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WATERPROOFING, FOUNDATION REPAIR AND CRAWL SPACE SERVICES • Trusted Experts • Locally Made Products • Lifetime Warranty

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BEHIND THE WHEEL & DRIVER’S EDUCATION CLASSES Driver’s Education for Teens Classroom and Behind the Wheel Instruction Pick-up & Drop-off for Behind the Wheel Instruction Register Online or Call Todaysdrivingschool.com

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MORE HHW DISPOSAL OPTIONS FOR MEEKER Meeker County residents have two options for disposing of Household Hazardous Waste: McLeod County HHW Dropoff & Reuse Center in Hutchinson, AND Kandiyohi County HHW Facility in Willmar. This is a FREE service to Meeker County residents. Contact the facility nearest you for complete list of services, or call the Meeker County Administrator Office at 320-693-5200 with any questions.

McLeod County HHW Dropoff & Reuse Center: 1-800-335-0575 or www.co.mcleod.mn.us

Kandiyohi County HHW/Recycling Facility: 1-320-231-3587 or http://www.recyclekandiyohi.com

1404 22nd St SW Willmar

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GOVERNMENT

TRANSPORTATION continued from 27

all ages and abilities — from young children going to preschool, to senior citizens going to doctor and hair appointments.

A U.S. Highway 12 route carries passengers between Litchfield and Willmar. Riders can purchase oneway or round-trip tickets or a bus pass. Buses are handicap accessible and equipped with a wheelchair lift.

They are air-conditioned and have seat belts for passengers.

The bus will pick up riders up to 15 minutes before the pick-up time and up to 15 minutes after the designated pick-up time.

The bus is available from 6:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 6:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Saturdays; and from 8 a.m. to noon Sundays.

To make an appointment for a ride call 320-693-7794 or 800513-7433.

ROADS AND BRIDGES Meeker County Highway Department and MN Department of Transportation Facility 320-693-5360

AIRPORT Open to the public, the Litchfield Municipal Airport is located 2 miles south of Litchfield on Minnesota Highway 22.

The runway is 4,002 feet long and 100 feet wide asphalt construction.

The elevation of the airport is 1,140 feet.

Fuel is available 24 hours a day by self service.

A courtesy car is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Airport lounge has internet access, food vending and bathroom facilities.

Call 320-693-6832 for more information.

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES Information and assistance regarding the list of programs below can be obtained by calling Meeker County Public Health at 320-693-5370. Public Health is located at Family Services Building, 114 North Holcombe Ave., Suite 250, Litchfield.

Adult/Disabled/Senior Health Adult Health nurses assist individuals over 65 to live safely and independently within the community. Adult Health works with other departments and providers to help meet goal of independence, safety and overall well-being.

Assessments completed for waiver programs to help individuals pay for ser vice s so th ey c an continue to live independently in their community.

Breastfeeding / Lactation Consultation Any mom encountering

problems at any time while she is breastfeeding can get help from an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Family Planning Family Planning Services are for anyone who wishes to plan, postpone or prevent pregnancy. Services include counseling, referral to resources, physical exam, provision of contraceptive methods, testing and treatment for curative sexually transmitted diseases. Eligibility for services is income based.

Pregnancy Testing Meeker County Public Health of fers free pregnanc y testing services on a walk-in basis during office hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Child and Teen Checkups Child and Teen Checkups is the name for Minnesota’s Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program. The program

Services to 29

LITCHFIELD

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LITCHFIELD

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Learn, Lead, Succeed

Litchfield Public Schools serve 1575 students on grades E -12. We have four buildings including: Wagner- Early Childhood programs, Community Education and our District Offices.

Lake Ripley Elementary School - serves Kindergarten through grade 4 students.

Litchfield Middle School - serves students in grades 5 - 8.

Litchfield High School - serves students on grades 9 - 12 as well as our ALP (Area Learning Program).

Litchfield Public Schools is a 1:1 district providing students in grades K - 4 iPads and students in grades 6 - 12 macbook airs.

We are an A.L.I.C.E. certified district. ALICE is a researched based approach to reacting to an active intruder situation.

LPS has over 27 different athletic and activities for our students including Robotics, FFA, FCCLA, Band, Choir and a host of athletic opportunities.

We have a full time SRO (School Resource Officer) who teaches DARE and serves as a proactive resource for students, staff and parents.

LHS has 10 college in the schools classes that provide students the opportunity to earn 34 college credits while attending High School.

We provide 31 C.T.E. (career and technology education) classes for our High Schools students to prepare them for careers in manufacturing and technical fields.

Our Middle School has a comprehensive STEM lab for students.

Lake Ripley Elementary School offers a LEO Program (Litchfield Enhanced Opportunities).

Lake Ripley Elementary School offers Title 1 service to students in the area of Reading, has a Minnesota Reading Corp instructor and offers a Cribbage Club and Chess Club after school during the school year

“Improving our District, Improving our Community” Alternative Learning Program District Offices 340 E. 10th St., Litchfield • 320-693-2424 307 E. 6th St., Litchfield • 320-693-2444 www.litchfield.k12.mn.us

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430 2nd Street / P.O. Box 128 Dassel, MN 55325 (320) 275-2954 • (800) 585-9244 www.dasseldental.com

GOVERNMENT

SERVICES continued from 27

assists children and teens from newborn through the age 20 who are enrolled in Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care.

Family Home Visiting A nurse will visit to help support the family by providing information on topic s such as grow th and development, discipline, nutrition, safety and community resources.

Maternal Child Health Visits from a nurse to help a mom reach her goal of having a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery and a happy baby.

Follow Along Program A free program to determine if a baby or child is playing, talking, growing, moving and acting like other children the same age.

Project Harmony This program serves pregnant

women and women parenting a child under 8 years of age who have been struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Using a case management model, women and their families are assisted to find a path of recovery to be able to live a life free of chemicals to become self-sufficient and to reach their highest potential.

Water Quality Meeker County Public H ealth of fers water tes t kit s and instructions for well water testing. Free well water tests are available to pregnant women and families with children one year of age or younger. Contact Public Health at 320-693-5370 for more information.

Lead Program Meeker County Public Health co lla b o rate s w ith M in n e s ot a Department of Health for followup of elevated blood lead levels in c h il dre n . Fa milie s re cei ve information about sources of lead, assessment of homes to find lead source problems and education on how to remove lead sources

Vaccinations/Immunizations Immunizations/vaccinations for individuals that need to start or complete their vaccine schedule to provide protec tion against diseases. Contact Public Health at 320-693-5370 with any questions.

Radon Meeker County Public Health offers information on radon testing, along with radon test kits for a small fee. Access radon information online at www.radon.com or www. radon.org.

Who is eligible for immunizations?

Infants, children and students if they have no insurance or their health insurance does not cover the vaccine Infants, children and students under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by parent or guardian or have proper written consent.

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WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Supplemental nutrition program to provide families with nutrition education and food vouchers.

Eligible individuals include pregnant, postpartum or breast feeding moms, and children from newborns to age 5. Call 320 693-5370 to apply. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays of the first and third week of the month.

Litchfield Area Rural Partners in Prevention Group focuses on preventing alcohol use among youth through community partnerships. The group meets the third Tuesday monthly from noon until 1:15 pm.

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2021 | independentreview.net

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GOVERNMENT FAMILY SERVICES CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY New Beginnings at Litchfield 320-693-2461 EMERGENCY SERVICES Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf 320-693-7661 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Meeker County Social Services Department 320-693-5300 FOOD SAFETY U of M Extension AnswerLine 800-854-1678 JOBS SERVICE AND TRAINING Litchfield Workforce Center 320-593-1056 SOCIAL SERVICES Child care assistance 320-693-5300 Child support 320-693-5334

Motor vehicle licensing became a private service in 2016, with the Litchfield License Center opening at 702 N. Sibley Ave. The center can be reached by phone at 320-5935932.

Food assistance 320-693-5300 Medical assistance 320-693-5370 VETERANS Meeker County Veterans Services 320-693-5445

Meeker County Family Services building, located at 114 Holcombe Ave. N., is home to many county agencies, including Meeker County Public Health.

Public Bus Transportation Willmar Office (320) 214-7433 1-888-750-7433

Litchfield Office (320) 693-7794 1-800-513-7433

Olivia Office (320) 523-3589 1-800-450-7964

Volunteer Driver Programs (320) 235-8413 ~ (320) 693-2718 ~ (320) 523-3589

www.cctbus.org Safe + Reliable + Cost Effective

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HEALTH

PHOTOS COURTESY JILL TRAUT

Above — The Traut family — parents Aaron and Jill, and big brother Hayes, 3 — pose for a photo with Meeker Memorial Hospital’s first baby of the new year, Nash Aaron Traut.

Inset — Nash Aaron Traut was born at 12:08 a.m. Jan. 2 at Meeker Memorial Hospital. He shares a birthday with his mother, Jill, and his middle name with his father, Aaron.

A VIBRANT COMMUNITY Wellness a goal throughout community, residents

L

itchfield offers many initiatives focusing on healthy living, including the annual One Vegetable, One Community campaign that seeks to improve overall community health by healthier eating. The initiative, sponsored by Meeker County Public Health, features a new vegetable each year — which previous years have included tomatoes, squash and kale — as part of its healthy-eating promotional campaign. Each spring, community members can pick up free plants and attend events with local master gardeners, dietitians and other wellness experts throughout the year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which affected the ability to hold public events, One Vegetable, One Community organizers opted not to select a featured vegetable. Instead, a “best of” effort on its Facebook page shared featured vegetables from past years while continuing to encourage residents to “grow together, cook together, eat together and learn together.” It’s hoped the One Vegetable, One Community effort will continue in 2021 as pandemic restrictions are loosened.

Litchfield has been ranked in recent years as one of the 10 best places to retire in Minnesota by SmartAsset, due in part to its strong health-care, especially to older adults. The SmartAsset survey found the city’s senior-based health care services and recreation and the total seniors in the population to be a strong indicator of good retirement living.

The community is served by a hospital and clinics, as well as a number of chiropractic, dental, eye care, hearing care and mental health care providers.

HEALTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS HOSPITAL Meeker Memorial Hospital 612 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-4500 Website: www.meekermemorial.org MEDICAL CLINICS Meeker Memorial Hospitals & Clinics East Clinic 611 South Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-3233 West Clinic 520 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-3233 Meeker Memorial Clinic 740 Parker Ave., Dassel 320-275-4330 Website: www.meekermemorial.org/ meeker-clinics/ ADULT DAY SERVICES Ecumen of Litchfield 200 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.ecumenoflitchfield.org

ASSISTED LIVING/SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES Ecumen of Litchfield 200 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.ecumenoflitchfield.org Bethany Assisted Living 203 N. Armstrong Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.ecumenoflitchfield.org Bethany Memory Care 203 N. Armstrong Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.ecumenoflitchfield.org Meeker Manor Long Term Care / Rehabilitation 600 S. Davis Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2472 Website: https://monarchmn.com/ meeker-manor-rehabilitation-center CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS Kinsella Chiropractic Clinic 407 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield

A Meeker Memorial Hospital technologist positions a silicon test block on the 3D mammography machine. The test block has deposits that mimic tumors or irregular tissue so patients can see how the 3D technology works.

320-593-4494 Website: kinsellachiropractic.com Litchfield Chiropractic Center 126 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-3655 Website: www. litchfieldchiropracticcenter.com

Patten Chiropractic Center 1455 E. U.S. Highway 12, Litchfield 320-693-3612 Website: pattenchiropracticcenter. com DENTISTS Litchfield Dental 329 U.S. Highway 12 E.

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HEALTH 517 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-593-2020 www.fischerlaser.com Litchfield Eye Center 135 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-593-3100 Website: www.litchfieldeyecenter.com Primary Eye Care 520 E. Highway 12, Suite 106 320-693-9333 Website: primaryeyecare2020.com

Meeker Memorial Hospital is a centerpiece of Litchfield’s health care system.

Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8939 Website: https://www. litchfielddentalmn.com/ Litchfield Family Dental 715 N. Sibley Ave. No. 101, Litchfield 320-693-2228 Website: litchfieldfamilydental.com

Lorenz Richard G. DDS 329 E. U.S. Highway 12, Litchfield 320-693-8939 Sibley Dental Suite 623 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-8131 Website: www.sibleydentalmn.com EYE CARE Fischer Laser Eye Center

HEARING CARE Litchfield Hearing Aid Center 517 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-593-0333 www.hutchhearing.com HOME CARE AND HOSPICE Divine Home Care 201 S. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2580 Website: www.divinehomecare.com Ecumen of Litchfield Hospice 218 N. Holmcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-7367

Website: EcumenHospice.org Ecumen of Litchfield Home Care 218 N. Holmcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-7367 Website: EcumenHomeCare.org MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Litchfield Family & Psychological Services 236 N. Sibley Ave. Litchfield 320-693-7708 Woodland Centers 114 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-7221 Website: www.woodlandcenters.com PHARMACIES Family Fare Pharmacy 951 E. Frontage Rd., Litchfield 320-693-3261 Website: w w w.econofoods.com/ departments/pharmacy Walmart Pharmacy 2301 E. Frontage Rd., Litchfield 320-693-2004 www.walmart.com

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LEISURE

Above — Kellen and Jake Johnson bundled up against the cold during the annual Wintercade fishing tournament on Lake Ripley.

Inset — Building sand castles on the beach at Memorial Park is just one of many recreational opportunities that center around Lake Ripley.

ALL ABOARD Recreational opportunities on land and lake

L

itchfield — the city “On Lake Ripley” as the water tower proclaims — lures residents and visitors to area lakes for fishing, swimming and boating. Whether it’s paddleboarding or simply soaking up the sun, the beach is just one of several places available to residents to enjoy recreation activities. Newest to Lake Ripley is the addition of a splash pad for summer fun, open from 9 a.m.

to 9 p.m. during summer until fall.

In addition to active recreational opportunities, Litchfield has a bustling library, a revamped opera house that hosts plays and open mic nights, and the only authentic Grand Army of the Republic Hall still standing in Minnesota. The G.A.R. Hall, built in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and has been preserved as near as possible to its original condition and now houses the Meeker County Historical Society.

Residents can also take part in numerous organizations, including many civic groups, lake associations and athletic organizations.

LEISURE ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 104 Baseball 222 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-9074 www.litchfieldblues.com Darwin Drifters Snowmobile Club Katie Riehle 320-224-1720 katieriehle@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/darwindrifters Litchfield Baseball Association Inc. 320-593-8654 www.litchfieldblues.com Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Youth Hockey Association www.ldchockey.org Manannah Sno-Blazers Snowmobile Club Donald Kelm Jr. 920-248-8342 Email: kelm2003us@yahoo.com Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Litchfield www.minnesotahorseshoes.com VFW Post 2818 Baseball 915 E. U.S. Highway 12, Litchfield 320-593-9064 www.litchfieldblues.com

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS American Legion 222 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-9074 Boy Scouts www.trailblazer.nsbsa.org Eastern Star 18 E. Third St., Litchfield 320-693-8213 Eagles Club 3424 389 S. County Highway 34, Litchfield 320-693-9008 www.facebook.com/eagles3424

Boats fill Lake Ripley during the Watercade Fishing Contest.

Friends of the Litchfield Public Library 216 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield 320-693-7201 Girl Scouts www.girlscoutslp.org Golden Fleece No. 89 Masonic Lodge 18 E. Third St., Litchfield www.mastermason.com/ goldenfleece89 GFWC Women’s Study Club of Litchfield www.gfwcofmn.org Greater Litchfield Opera House Association Inc. N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield 320-535-0829 Email: litchopera@yahoo.com Website: www.litchfieldoperahouse. com Kiwanis 420 N. Gorman Ave., Litchfield Facebook: Kiwanis Club of Litchfield Knights of Columbus PJ Casey Council 2029 Website: www.thechurchofstphilip. org/kc Litchfield Area Community Foundation P.O. Box 123, Litchfield Litchfield Area Mentorship Program 1000 S. Sibley Ave., P.O. Box 82,

Litchfield 320-699-1616 www.lampkinship.org Litchfield Community Theatre 320-693-2354 www.litchfieldcommunitytheatre.org Litchfield Christian Women’s Club Barb Werner 320-693-2504 Litchfield Lions Club 426 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-8735 Litchfield Public School Foundation P.O. Box 71, Litchfield www.litchfieldschoolfoundation.org Litchfield Watercade Board PO Box 217, Litchfield watercadewebsite@hotmail.com www.watercade.com Litchfield Women’s CommUnity Club Teresa Hankins 320-593-8284 Meeker County Chapter of MN Citizens Concerned for Life Teri Buschette 320-593-2982 Meeker County Dairy Association 33266 700th Ave., Kimball 320-398-6091 Website: www.meekercountyada.

yolasite.com Meeker County Fair Board P.O. Box 214, Litchfield meekerfairinfo@gmail.com www.meekerfair.com Meeker County 4-H 114 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-5275 Meeker County Historical Society G.A.R. Hall 308 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield 320-693-8911 mchsgar@hutchtel.net www.garminnesota.org Meeker County Master Gardeners 114 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-5275 Ness Church Preservation Foundation 60079 230th St., Litchfield Peanut Butter and Milk Festival P.O. Box 277, Litchfield 320-693-8184 Relay for Life of Meeker County American Cancer Society www.relayforlife.org Rotary Club P.O. Box 341, Litchfield www.litchfieldrotary.com VFW Post 2818 915 E. U.S. Highway 12, Litchfield 320-593-9064

2021 | independentreview.net

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LIVING

Above — Ariel, played by Greta Hulterstrum, tries to get used to her human legs as Scuttle, played by Callie Ficker, Sebastian (Caleb Schweim) and another gull (Molly Fischer) try to keep her from falling during a rehearsal for the Litchfield High School fall 2020 musical.

Inset — Megan Thoma portrays Elsa in Litchfield Community Youth Theatre’s production of “Frozen Jr.” LCYT returned to the stage in 2021 after a pandemic-forced hiatus in 2020.

QUALITY OF LIFE A focus on lifelong learning

L

itchfield offers many educational opportunities that promote lifelong learning. In fact, part of Litchfield School Board’s motto is “to promote a passion for lifelong learning in an open and safe environment.”

Litchfield School District, along with School of St. Philip, Early Childhood Family Education and Litchfield Community Education and Recreation, provide students of all ages with a strong academic environment and a variety of opportunities for growth.

The Litchfield community shows strong support for school programs and events, such as band and choir concerts, local plays and musicals and athletic events. A source of local pride is the Litchfield High School marching band, which performs a sneak peek of its summer show each spring and a Pie in the Park event every June in Litchfield Central Park.

Litchfield also has strong support systems for senior citizens and community members, including senior dining services and other support groups.

LIVING SENIOR CITIZENS Throughout this guide there are many programs and activities open to all area residents, including senior citizens. This list, however, is a reminder of some specific programs senior citizens may need or use.

AARP 1-800-OUR-AARP (667-2277) Website: www.aarp.org ACC Midwest Transportation — service in Midwestern Minnesota 409 California St. N.W., Hutchinson 320-455-9200 Website: www.accmidwest.com Ecumen of Litchfield 200-218 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.EcumenOfLitchfield.org Emmaus Place Senior Community 200 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.EcumenOfLitchfield. org

Gloria Dei Senior Community 218 N. Holcome Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2430 Website: www.EcumenOfLitchfield. org

Care Cab — 2600 7th St., St. Cloud, 56303 320-253-7729 Website: www.caretransportation. com

Central Community Transit 812 East Ripley, Litchfield 320-693-7794 Website: http://www.cctbus.org/

Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213

Lincoln Apartments for seniors 122 W. Fourth St., Litchfield 320-693-2104 Lutheran Social Services Mid-Minnesota Senior Dining 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday Litchfield Civic Arena, 900 N. Gilman Ave., Litchfield 320-693-6318 Website: www.lssmn.org Meeker County Council on Aging 218 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2718 Senior LinkAge Line 1-800-333-2433

SUPPORT SERVICES AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Meets 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Mondays Zion Lutheran Church 504 N. Gilman Ave., Litchfield Contact: Deb D 320-894-5599

Minnesota WorkForce Center — Litchfield 114 N. Holcombe Ave., Litchfield 320-593-1056 Narcotics Anonymous Meets at 7:30 Wednesdays at First Lutheran Church, Litchfield; Meets 7:30 p.m. Fridays at Litchfield Christian Church, Litchfield; Meets 7 p.m. Sundays at First Presbyterian Church, Litchfield United Community Action Partnership 120 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield 320-693-7911 Litchfield Area Rural Partners in Prevention 114 N. Holcome Ave., Suite 250, Litchfield 320-693-5380

ARC Arlene Groskreutz 320-693-6967 Gamblers Anonymous Meets 7 p.m. Sundays Meeker Memorial Hospital 612 Sibley Ave., Litchfield

Lutheran Social Services 930 Capwood Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2677

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LIVING Meeker County Community Homes 504 S. Marshall Ave., Litchfield 320-693-8836 Meeker County Public Health

114 N. Holcombe Ave., Suite 250, Litchfield 320-693-5370 Meeker County Social Services 114 N. Holcombe Ave., Suite 180,

320-693-7661

Litchfield 320-693-5300

New Beginnings 114 N. Holcome Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2461

Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf 118 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield

EDUCATION SCHOOL OF ST. PHILIP School of St. Philip, a parochial school for students in preschool through fifth-grade, serves the Litchfield area. St. Philip’s School emphasizes a strong academic curriculum in a faith-filled environment and is open to families from all faith traditions.

Principal Percy Lingen can be contacted by phone at 320693-6283 or email at plingen@ schoolofstphilip.org.

For more information visit www. schoolofstphilip.org.

LITCHFIELD ISD 465 Litchfield residents are served

by Independent School District 465. Litchfield School District is comprised of three schools and a community education program that includes early childhoo d programs.

Litchfield also offers an alternative

learning program for students who struggle in the typical high school environment.

The district serves about 1,680 students at Lake Ripley Elementary (grades K-4), Litchfield Middle School (grades 5-8), and Litchfield High School (grades 9-12).

After serving as interim superintendent as well as principal for Litchfield Middle School, Beckie Simenson was named permanent

superintendent halfway through the 2017-18 school year.

For more information, visit www. litchfield.k12.mn.us.

DISTRICT OFFICE 307 E. Sixth St., Litchfield 320-693-2444 Superintendent Beckie Simenson bsimenson@isd465.org

LITCHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

DARRIN ANDERSON Chair 320-221-3479 danderson@isd465.org

JULIE PENNERTZ Vice Chair 320-693-3437

MARCIA PROVENCHER Treasurer 320-693-3949

GREG MATHEWS Clerk 320-693-8642

jpennertz@isd465.org

mprovencher@isd465.org

gregjudy50@gmail.com

Litchfield High School Principal Jason Michels 901 N. Gilman Ave., Litchfield 320-693-2424 Litchfield Alternative Learning Program 26 West 3rd St.

320-693-0633 Early Childhood Family Education 307 East 6th Street, Litchfield 320-693-2354 COMMUNITY EDUCATION Litchfield Community Education

and Recreation 307 E. Sixth St., Litchfield 320-693-2354 FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS Adult Basic Education Instructor Jen Carl

ALEX CARLSON Director

MICHELLE FALLING Director

aclarlson@isd465.org

320-535-0395 Dragons Kids Club 320-699-0041 Special Education Coordinator Jean Wirz 320-693-2441, ext. 3229

Anderson Insurance Agency

For All Your Insurance Needs Auto • Home • Health • Life • Business 409 E. Hwy 12, Litchfield • 320-693-2834

CHAD KUECHLE, OWNER Family Owned and Operated Since 2003 14755 County Road 9, Eden Valley, MN 55329 | p: 320.980.3278 e: valleyviewchad@gmail.com | w: valleyviewelectricmn.com

2021 | independentreview.net

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OPEN TO SUBSCRIBE: (320) 693-3266 OR

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A resource to Connect,Support& Promote aStrong BusinessEnvironment

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320-693-8007 309 Sibley Ave. N. Litchfield, MN www.maxtodaysproperties.com

219 N Sibley Avenue | Litchfield, MN 55355 320.693.8184 | litch.com |

Peter’s Ribs & Catering Also Home of

Dan M. Hansen

Peter’s Signs

Full Service Catering • Banquet & Meeting Facility Take Out & Delivery • Off Site Liquor Available 61620 Hwy 12 West, Litchfield, MN

Manager License #40004115 Telephone 320-693-3255 Facsimile 320-693-7429 E-Mail dhansen@centeragency.com

320-693-6425

301 North Ramsey Avenue • P.O. Box 100 Litchfield, Minnesota 55355-0100

Litchfield Golf Club Golfing: “The way it should be” 18 Challenging Holes on Scenic Lake Ripley •

Discounted membership rate for NEW 2021 Members (Call for details)

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CARS • TRUCKS • TRACTORS STORE HOURS MON - FRI: 7:30 am – 7:00 pm SAT: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm SUN: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

320-693-3216 • 900 E Hwy 12 • Litchfield Next to the Muddy Cow

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405 West Pleasure Drive Pro Shop: (320) 693-6059

www.litchfieldgolfcourse.com litchgolf@ci.litchfield.mn.us

A TIME TO FOCUS ON DOWNTOWN Groups focus efforts on bringing activities, attractions, improvements to Litchfield’s downtown

•

D

owntown Litchfield has seen its ups and downs through the years as businesses open and close, the economy rises and falls, and commerce trends fluctuate.

But one of the constants of “Main Street” Litchfield is its historic buildings.

For many, those buildings and the businesses they house today are the key to making Sibley Avenue North a bustling hub of activities retail and community activity.

Many groups are pushing for that “revival,” if you will, from the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission — which seeks to guard the historic integrity of buildings within the downtown historic district — to the Litchfield Downtown Council — a nonprofit association of businesses, building owners and individuals interested in bringing vibrance to the downtown.

Min n e s ot a D e p a r t m e nt of Transportation’s reconstruction of U.S. Highway 12/Sibley Avenue in the downtown last summer brought much-needed infrastructure improvement through upgrades to the driving surface as well as city sewer and water service.

And this year, several initiatives have been introduced aimed at bringing even more improvements — and fun — downtown. Among them: • Litchfield City Council a p p rove d a f a ç a d e g ra nt program in April for downtown properties. While specifics of the program were still being developed when Discover went to press, the grant program

•

•

•

would provide up to $8,000 in matching funds for façade improvements on buildings in the downtown historic district.

The Downtown Council is teaming up with First District Association on a project, known as “Downtown Cow Town,” that will see FDA provide 18 fiberglass cows to be decorated by nonprofit organizations and placed throughout the downtown this summer. The cows will help draw attention to First District Association’s 100th anniversary, but also help the nonprofits. The cows will be auctioned off at the end of the summer with proceeds going to the nonprofits involved in decorating the cows . D owntown Council secretary Darlene Kotelnicki said maps of cow locations will be created and used to e n co ura ge re sid e nt s a n d visitors to explore Litchfield, similar to Peanuts character statutes that dotted St. Paul several years ago and the decorated buffalo that can be found throughout Buffalo, Minnesota.

The Heritage Preservation C o m mis sio n is s e e kin g a grant to fund benches to be placed along Sibley Avenue in downtown, with the Downtown Council already providing some matching funds. The benches would be constructed locally and would include historic information and photos on the backs.

Litchfield Downtown Council and City Council cooperated on the purchase of bike racks for the downtown area. Included in the purchase will be two that resemble old-style bicycles with large front tires, which will be positioned in Central Park. All of the racks will be locally made.

Litchfield Downtown Council also has requested the addition of decorative lighting in downtown. Location and display of the “Edison-style”

Longtime Litchfield barber Larry Ackerman, a member of the Litchfield Downtown Council, stands in front of the new street clock installed near his businesses in the 200 block of North Sibley Avenue. filament lights is still to be determined, but the plan is to have them lit in the evening, tentatively from May to midOctober.

• The Litchfield Planning Commission and Heritage Preser vation Commission have begun meetings aimed at reviving downtown buildings.

They have enlisted the help of Mid-Minnesota Development Commission and director Eric Day, a Litchfield resident, to assist in coordinating the effort and to provide other assistance.

• Litchfield Downtown Council plans “Thriving Thursdays” throughout the summer, with outdoor concerts in Central Park and pop-up shops featuring small businesses and crafters from throughout the area.

• Two holiday-related events are destined to keep downtown heated with activity as the weather turns cold. Downtown Council is coordinating Harvest Madness on Oct. 14, and a Victorian Christmas event is being planned for early December.

It’s all about bringing more attention to the downtown, which

for many is still the heart of a small town like Litchfield.

One of the attention-grabbing ef forts made by the Litchfield Downtown Council was actually i n s t a ll e d i n 2 0 2 0 , w h e n t h e reconstruc tion of main street seemed to some like just the right time to add a touch of history to downtown.

A city crew installed a 10-foot clock and pedestal in the 200 block of North Sibley Avenue that’s intended to add some panache to the Litchfield’s downtown streetscape.

“Honestly, I think it really gives the downtown some character, especially now that I’m watching them wrap up the street project,” said Corrina McQuiston-Kurowski, owner of #Goals Nutrition and a Litchfield Downtown Council board member. “Without trees, it’s just kind of a big concrete slab. The acorn lights are nice, but there’s nothing really to dress up the downtown.

The clock gives you a focal point to look at.”

The clock’s location between 213 a n d 21 5 N . S i b l e y Av e . was decided by the Minnesota H is to ric Pre s e r vatio n O f f ice and Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Cultural Resource

Downtown to 53 2021 | independentreview.net

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Worship Services Sunday Services 8:30 and 10:00 am

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Wednesday 7:00 pm Summer Sunday Service 8:30 and 10:00 am See our website Firstlitchfield.org for updates on times or changes to the normal schedule

703 S. Sibley Avenue, Litchfield, MN 55355 320.693.2487

First Evangelical Lutheran Church

Zion Lutheran Church 504 N. Gilman Ave., Litchfield MN 55355 320-693-3207 www.zionchurch.net ••Like www.ZionLitchfield.org Likeususon onFacebook Facebook

Sunday Worship Services: Services: 8:30 8:30 a.m. a.m. and and 10:45 10:30 a.m. a.m.

Faith Hour: Formation: 9:30 a.m.

Education 9:45 a.m.

(For All Ages) Wednesday Afternoon Evening Activities Wednesday Afternoon and and Evening Activities

Kids of Kids ofthe the Kingdom Kingdom FaithPreschool Based Preschool And and Child Care Child Care Center 320-693-7806

A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America God’s work. hands.

God's Work, OurOur hands

and Growing in God’s Love All areSharing loved, all are equipped, all are sent

48 48

ind independentreview.net depen pende p ndentr entreview.n iew net | 2021 021

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AGRICULTURAL SERVICE & SUPPLIES Schlauderaff Implement Co. 60240 U.S. Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320- 693-7277 schlauderaffimplement.com

AUTOMOTIVE SALES, PARTS & SERVICE Alec Steiner

Owner NAPA Central MN 909 E Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3216

Heartthrob Exhaust 60819 US Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-0222 heartthrobexhaust.com

Parts City Auto Parts 725 East Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-7299 partscityauto.com

Quality Autowerx Sales and Service Inc. 809 E St Paul St Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-1630

Towmaster

61381 U.S. Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-4595 towmaster.com

BANKING/FINANCIAL Center National Bank

301 North Ramsey Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3255 centernationalbank.com

s to re f ro nt s . c row ri ve r m e dia . co m

Home State Bank

Muddy Cow

1435 US-12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-2001 hsbofmn.com

915 Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-373-5505 muddycowbar.com

Peter’s Ribs & Catering

CHURCHES/WORSHIP First Evangelical Lutheran Church 703 South Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-2487 firstlitchfield.org

EDUCATION Litchfield Community Education & Recreation

Immanuel Lutheran Church 175 W 11th St Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-6155

Office Located in the Wagner Building 307 E 6th Street Suite 110 320-693-2354 320-593-6528 FAX litchfieldcommunityed.com

Zion Lutheran Church 504 Gilman Ave N Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3207

Litchfield Public Schools

DINING/ENTERTAINMENT A maze’n Farmyard

100 Century Ave SE Hutchinson, MN 55350 844-374-8315 todaysdrivingschool.com

American Legion Nelsan Hortan Post 104

FUEL/ PROPANE

222 N Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-9074 facebook.com/post104

Dooley’s Litchfield Oil & Propane

Dassel Area Historical Society

Litchfield Golf Club

405 W Pleasure Dr Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-6059 litchfieldgolfcourse.com

District Offices 307 E. 6th St. Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-2444 litchfield.k12.mn.us

Today’s Driving School ol

57645 State Hwy 55 Eden Valley, MN 320-453-6901 amazenfarmyard.com

901 1st St. N. Dassel, MN 55325 320-275-3077 dasselhistorycenter.org

61620 Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-6425

61448 US-12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-2411

GOVERNMENT & CIVIC GROUPS & Ergot Museum

City of Litchfield

126 Marshall Ave. N. Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-7201 ci.litchfield.mn.us

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MARKETPLACE Litchfield Chamber of Commerce 219 N Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8184 litch.com

Litchfield Visitors Bureau 219 N. Sibley Ave. Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8184

Meeker County Administrator Office 325 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-5200 co.meeker.mn.us

Meeker County EDA 325 N Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-5272 meekercodevcorp.com

HEALTH, MEDICAL, DENTAL Litchfield Dental

329 US Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8939 litchflelddentalmn.com

Litchfield Family Dental 715 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-2228 litchfieldfamilydental.com

HOME & GARDEN Midwest Garden Co 21392 CSAH 18b Dassel, MN 55325 320-275-9514 midwestgardenco.com

Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Garden Center 60973 US-12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-7787

1150 MN-7 East Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-234-7673

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HOME SERVICES

Peter’s Signs

61620 Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-221-1940

AEM Mechanical

1115 Hwy 7 W Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-0991 aemhutch.com

REAL ESTATE

SafeBasements

RE/MAX Today’s Properties

INSURANCE

RETAIL STORES

Anderson Insurance Agency

Litchfield Liquor

60335 US-12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-8729 safebasements.com

309 N Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8007 MaxTodaysProperties.com

409 East Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-2834

Center Insurance

627 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-8563 litchfieldliquorsmn.com

Natural Food Co-Op

301 N Ramsey Ave, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3255 centernationalbank.com

Farm Bureau- Kevin Christoffers

230 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-7539 naturalfood-coop.com

112 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-0601 kevinchristoffers.com

Mary’s Jewelry

Insurance Solutions

SJP Designs

227 N Sibley Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-8678

304 N Marshall Ave, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-0591 insurancesolutionslitchfield.com

Walmart Supercenter 2301 East Frontage Road Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-1022 walmart.com

LODGING Americinn

1525 U.S. Highway 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-1600 americinn.com

TRANSPORTATION Central Community Transit

PRINTING SERVICES Litchfield Independent Review 214 Sibley Avenue No. Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266 independentreview.net

823 N Sibley Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-3031

LITCHFIELD

Independent Review

812 E Ripley St Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-7794 800-513-7433 cctbus.org

MARKETPLACE SPECIALTY SERVICES

Precast System

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power

Valley View Electric

Nuvera

116 US-12 Darwin, MN 55324 320-693-8440 darwinconcrete.com

Builders First Source

170 Broadway Ave S Cokato, MN 55321 320-286-2023 bldr.com/location_cokato-lumber

14755 County Road 9 Eden Valley, MN 55329 320-980-3278 valleyviewelectricmn.com

Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc Dassel 888-679-4857 Long Prairie 866-514-0982 Willmar 877-484-3211 St. Cloud 844-262-2281 farmriteequip.com

1725 US Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3231 meeker.coop 421 County Rd 34 Litchfield, MN 55355 320-593-2323 nuvera.net

UTILITIES

KMG & Co. Hair & Nail Salon

Mediacom

40 E 2 street Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3723

317 E Hwy 7 Hutchinson, MN 55350 844-XTREAM3 mediacomcable.com

MIDWEST GARDEN COMPANY

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320-275-9514 | STORE HOURS: TUES TO SAT 9-6, SUN 1-5 | 21392 CSAH 18, DASSEL, MN

2021 | independentreview.net

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725 East Highway 12, Litchfield • 320-693-7299

• Full Line of Interstate Batteries • Axalta Paint Automotive, Fleet & Industrial • Turn Drums and Rotors

Bundle & Save 421 County Road 34

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• Make Hydraulic Hoses • Make & Repair A/C Hoses • Air Hose Repair • American Welding Tank Exchange

PROFESSIONAL PARTS PEOPLE

Ryan Swenson DDS Abby Johnson DDS

Authorized Ship Center

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Full Service Lumberyard Windows, roofing, siding, decking, additions and sheds 170 Broadway Ave S., Cokato, Minnesota 55321

320-286-2023 Monday-Friday 7am-5pm Saturday 8am-12pm • Closed Sundays

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Residential & Commercial Design Full Time Designer since 2006 Tile & Custom Tile Designs Flooring: Carpet, Wood, Tile, Vinyl Hunter Douglas Window Coverings Art & Accessories Design Consultations $45/hour

[P] 320.593.3031 [E] sarajo.pollock@gmail.com 823 N. Sibley Ave.• Litchfield, MN 55355

DOWNTOWN continued from 45

Unit, in collaboration with Litchfield Downtown Council and the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission.

Litchfield Downtown Council, an organization of business owners and other interested individuals which formed in 2018, raised $7,500 — through donations ranging from $10 to $1,000 — to purchase the clock.

The council’s board of directors, which includes Betty Allen, Darlene Kotelnicki, Deanna Lease, Larry Ackerman, Connie Lies, Garmon Tipka, Carl St. Pierre and Kevin Hovey, along with McQuistonKurowski, considered five different clock designs from three different companies. Those designs were presented to the Heritage Preser vation Commission for review.

The HPC forwarded the designs to historic consultant Gemini Research for further review, and the Morris-based firm recommended a clock built by Lumichron Commercial Clocks of Grand Rapids, Michigan. When it took the idea for the clock to potential donors, Litchfield Downtown Council raised about three-fourths of the cost of the clock in less than two months, according to Kotelnicki.

Ackerman, owner of Larry’s Barber & St yle, is one of the most-tenured business owners in downtown Litchfield, having purchased the barbershop in 1965.

To Ackerman, the clock is a piece of nostalgia, but also a bit of a statement.

“When you’ve been around a town like this for so long, you have a little different perspective of what it is and what it was,” Ackerman said of Litchfield’s downtown, recalling the city’s retail heyday. “I remember the people that occupied these buildings, the businesses that they ran, the personalities.

“Things have changed a lot,” he said, adding that seeing businesses disappear from small town main streets like Litchfield’s has been sad.

“It’s a progression. It’s an evolution.

You can’t blame anyone for it. It’s just the way it happens.”

The downtown might never again be what he remembers from

the 1960s and 1970s, Ackerman said, but it still is an important part of Litchfield. And that’s why the downtown council worked on getting a clock, a reminder of past success.

“We decided a clock would be a good thing,” Ackerman said. “It will bring perspective down the road, I think.”

He knows not everyone might agree, but the more people he talks to, the more he’s convinced it was a good project for the Litchfield Downtown Council to undertake.

“Some people kind of laugh at it, but I’ve had more people mention (the clock) as a good thing,” Ackerman said.

Street clocks — also referred to as “post clocks” or “jeweler clocks” — were fairly common in downtown business districts between the 1870s and 1940s, according to Sue Granger of Gemini Research.

“They drew attention to the business that installed the clock, and were a convenience for shoppers and merchants,” Granger explained in an email. “It was especially common for jewelry stores to install street clocks, but hotels, department stores, banks and other businesses had them also.”

In fact, street clocks dotted the North Sibley Avenue business district in Litchfield, Granger said, with four street clocks in the area between the 1880s and 1950s. All of the clocks were located on the west side of Sibley.

One of the clocks, located at 115 N. Sibley Ave., appears to have been placed between 1910 to 1914, according to the Meeker County Historical Society’s records.

A Litchfield Independent Review article reported that this clock cost about $315 new and was built by the Anastasia Clock Company.

Another clock, dating back to 1902, was located at 215 N. Sibley Ave. The last photo of this clock was taken in 1941. The third clock was placed at 227 N. Sibley Ave., where Millard’s Jewelry once stood, dating back to at least 1899 as shown by the Litchfield Municipal Progress Book. The fourth clock stood at 301 N. Sibley Ave. near the former Gross Jewelry store in a photo dating 1909.

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STORE HOURS: MON-FRI, 9AM-7PM SAT, 9AM-3PM

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MEMBER OWNED, COMMUNITY SUPPORTED. • Fresh Organic Produce • Fresh Spices, Teas and Bulk Items • Grassfed Meats and Pasture Raised Eggs • Grab and Go Deli Items • Allergen Food Friendly • Supplements, Herbal Remedies • Medicinal Monday EVERY Monday 10% off!

• Membership Benefits include: 5% off everytime you shop Member Only Specials monthly • Community Classes Monthly

DASSEL HISTORY CENTER AND ERGOT MUSEUM on the National Register of Historic Places

Ergot: from Blight to Blessing Seed Corn: from Maize to Amazing Magnus Johnson: from Swedish Immigrant Farmer to US Senator Plus Changing History and Art Exhibits and Programming Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

901 First St. N., Dassel, MN 55325

320.275.3077 dahs@dassel.com www.dasselhistorycenter.org 2021 | independentreview.net

53

IS YOUR EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLE IN NEED OF EXHAUST

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Where technology and craftsmanship come together 60819 US Hwy 12 Litchfield, MN 55355 • 320-693-0222 Mike@heartthrobexhaust.com www.heartthrobexhaust.com 54

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BUILD YOUR FUTURE WITH WELDERS • INSTALLERS • MATERIAL HANDLERS SAND BLASTER • SHIPPING & RECEIVING

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MOVING COMMUNITIES FORWARD

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Office: 320-693-7900 Parts: 320-593-9545 (m-f 7:30-5:00)

LITCHFIELD

Community Education & Recreation (320) 693-2354 • ( 320 ) 593-6528 FAX Office Located in the Wagner Building 307 E 6th Street Suite 110

District 465 Litchfield Community Education and Recreation offers opportunities for all age groups....from early childhood to senior citizens. Registrations for classes and activities are taken first come-first served with some classes having limited enrollment

litchcommed@isd465.org www.litchfieldcommunityed.com

Youth Activities

Adult Activities

s

Enrichment and recreational activitie offered year-round Trips Special Events

nt ment AA variety of recreational and enrich people that er oth et me to nity er people that ortu s. Opp vitie acti tunity to meetaoth Oppor ies. activit hobby! new n lear or ts res share your inte ts or learn a new hobby!

share your interes

Club dsire Kiitf onSp agon Olympics re Drag Specndial Dr care Dragon Spitfi cs pi Wee Dragon Kids Club-preschool wrap arou

ial Ol th developmental ecuth wiym andSpyo

gramadults for re Pro ing Childca Agemm ool ra Pr Schog Days & Summer scho Non ilitolies ool,ab After-sch re & ca Befoysi dis l ph !

FUN the of Come and be a part

Adult Basic Education English as a Second Language High School Equivalency Program • Life Skills • Citizenship ess • Driver's License • Work Readin • Keyboarding Skills • Basic Computer Classes

and

with Programming for adults and youth ties bili disa l sica phy developmental and

tre Litchfield Community Thea tion

Annual summer musical produc Holiday Showcase in December duction held Community Youth Theatre pro in the spring t the year Special performances throughou ge and Unlimited opportunities on sta behind the scenes

Aquatics

Red Cross Swim Lessons Open Swim Private Swim Lessons

Early Childhood Programs Early Childhood Screening School Readiness Preschool ECFE Birth-5 Census

Getting Together: Sharing, Growing, Learning.

Litchfield Public Schools Early Childhood Program

Awarded a 4 Star Rating from the MN Dept. of Ed. For the Parent Aware Program Early Childhood Family Education School Readiness Early Childhood Special Education Early Childhood Screening Kindergarten Round-Up • Kindergarten Readiness

Litchfield Public Schools Early Childhood Programs for children birth to pre-kindergarten Early Childhood Family Education - ECFE (Sept. - July) Early Childhood Special Education - ECSE (Sept. - May) School Readiness (Sept. - May) • Litchfield Preschool Early Childhood Screening (Offered throughout the year) Kindergarten Round-Up (April) • Kindergarten Readiness (August) Parents: Register your child(ren) on the school census upon birth and/or moving into the Litchfield School District and you will automatically be included in early childhood mailings, scheduled for Early Childhood Screening and Kindergarten Round-up when the child is age appropriate. To register on the school district census call Community Education at 320-693-2354.

ECFE classes are offered throughout the school year and you can register through Litchfield Community Education.

Special events are planned such as Come and Play Dates, Holiday Happenings and many others. You can find information on classes and special events in the Community Education program guides that are published and distributed in early August, December, and mid-May. These program guides are available on the website www.litchfieldcommunityed.com Call or email LPS Early Childhood Program atRebecca litchcommed@isd465.org or call 320-693-2354 Call or email Early Childhood Programs Coordinator, Warpula at 320-693-2354, rwarpula@isd465.org for questions or or concerns concerns about about early early education education opportunities opportunities for for your your child! child! for further further information, information, questions

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