SOUTH
FUN Next Stop
Stearnses operate Chicago, Burlington & Quincy model railroad
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
ZUMBROTA —
From the outside, Scott and Nancy Stearns’ shed looks like another rural garage or small building. But inside, the 3,000-squarefoot shed houses 200 locomotives, 1,300 rail cars and 4,000-5,000 feet of track modeling the northern Illinois area of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy railroad.
“When people first walk in there, their jaw hits the floor,” Scott said.
The Stearnses, who have been operating their model railroad near Zumbrota for four years, started their hobby in retirement. Their system is a 1/87 scale model. A crew of 25 people can operate the set up.
“It’s not a museum,” Scott said. “It’s a working railroad, and you’re invited to come and run trains.”
The Stearnses host operating sessions for fellow railroad enthusiasts. The sessions follow the routine of a 12-hour shift on a full-scale railroad. The clocks in the operating session are set to run
fast so they can complete the shift in a shorter time.
“After a four-hour operating session, we hopefully have 25 smiling faces,” Scott said. “That’s what it’s for.”
Participants are assigned roles such as yard master, switch operator, road crew and more. The three dispatchers they use match the number of dispatchers used on the actual section of the CB&Q railroad. Packs of cards for each train give instructions on its route and destinations of its cars.
Scott’s hometown of Aurora, Illinois, is where the CB&Q railroad started. Growing up, he remembers having a Lionel train set on a 4-by8-foot sheet of plywood in the basement.
Stearnses page 2
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO Scott and Nancy Stearns smile Nov. 21, 2024, at their model railroad setup near Zumbrota. The couple began operating the setup four years ago.
A train passes by signal lights Nov. 21, 2024, at Scott and Nancy Stearns’ model railroad setup near Zumbrota. The signal lights change after a train passes through to show which tracks are occupied.
Scott
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operates a computer Nov. 21, 2024, at his model railroad setup near Zumbrota. Three computers control the setup.
Stearnses from front
The Stearnses had their first experience with a large model railroad at the annual convention of the Burlington Route Historical Society, where they were part of a 40-person operating session at a 4,700-squarefoot model railroad near Lakeville.
“We fell in love with it and just never left,” Scott said.
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“I’ve loved trains ever since I could walk,” Scott said. “I wanted to work for the railroad. But then, in the ‘70s, the grown-ups said, ‘No, you don’t want to do that because trains won’t be around in 10 years.’” Scott made a career in computers instead, something that has served useful for the set up. Reams of wires pinned on the underside of the track area connect to three computers programmed for the layout. Each locomotive contains a computer chip programmed for the railroad. As the trains travel, someone operating from the computers can switch trains to different tracks and more. The system automatically changes the signal lights as the train travels to show what sections of the track are occupied, just like an actual railroad.
The Stearnses strive to model accurately while employing creative license on their railroad. The railway setup has three layers of track to maximize space. Every town in their setup exists, and many of the businesses, though not replicas, also existed.
Stearnses page 3
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Stearns
To ensure accuracy, the Stearnses have done research, worked with the historical society and verified with friends who worked on the railroad.
Scott said it is fun when someone who knows the CB&Q railroad comes and remembers the scene. One guest who stands out in his mind was a former Chicago resident turned Minnesotan.
“The memories were just flying back because he recognized everything,” Scott said. “It was so much fun to watch him and listen.
Nancy agreed.
“That’s why we do it,” she said.
Three former electrical engineers have volunteered every Wednesday for the past several years from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to work with the Stearnses on the railroad. Scott plans the set up and does programming, and Nancy lays the physical track.
The Stearnses’ layout is part of the RiverRail group based out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The group encompasses 15 layouts plus three more under construction. The Stearnses said there are not a large amount of model railroad enthusiasts in their immediate area, but they are working to grow local interest.
“You’re invited to come over,” Scott said. “When it’s a private railroad, there’s two rules. Rule No. 1, it’s my railroad. Rule No. 2, see rule No. 1.”
Guests have traveled from as far as Chicago, Illinois, and Bismarck, North Dakota, to be part of the Stearnses’ operating sessions.
The sessions are open to all. New people are paired with more experienced operators.
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Scott said. “This is not a spectator sport.”
The Stearnses said model railroading is popular with men, but at their operating sessions, they have had as
many as six female participants.
“There’s nothing here that a woman can’t do,” Scott said. “(Nancy has) even proved it on the real railroad.”
Both Nancy and Scott are certified crew for full-scale trains. The pair have volunteered hundreds of hours on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Besides their model railroad, the Stearnses are also home to a museum-like collection of memorabilia. An authentic seat out of an early 1900s passenger car, the stove from a caboose, real rail papers, stamps for rail cargo, a railroad desk, one of the ticket windows from the Aurora station of the CB&Q railroad and more historical items set the scene for the layout.
Though the Stearnses want their railroad to be visually aesthetic as they slowly add in details such as trees, buildings and people, the mechanics of the system take precedence.
“There are a lot of things that will never be finished on this railroad,” Scott said. “We have to prioritize. To have an operating railroad, your first priority is to have a railroad that runs.”
The goal is to have frustration-free operating sessions.
“We want the sessions to run as smooth as possible,” he said. “We don’t want them to be too easy, because then people get bored. But you don’t want them to be so difficult that it ties up the railroad.”
Nancy said most people with layouts of their size undertake the endeavor earlier than they did. Looking to the future, the Stearnses plan to continue to improve as they add mechanical and visual details.
“It’s always in construction; it’s always being enhanced,” Nancy said.
Scott agreed.
“We’ll be done long before it is,” he said.
x female participants
Stearnses from page 2
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
A third of the setup is visible Nov. 21, 2024, at Scott and Nancy Stearns’ model railroad near Zumbrota. The layout includes three tiers of track wrapping throughout the
Model trains are visible in the Chicago station Nov. 21, 2024, at Scott and Nancy Stearns’ model railroad setup near Zumbrota. The full layout of the train setup is 3,000 square feet.
New Year is upon us, and with the new year comes new year’s resolutions.
We have resolved if our “Keep Fill” propane customers who are monitored ever run out of gas, they will get that tank of gas for free.
We have resolved to always offer competitive pricing and great service each and every day.
If this isn’t love
As I think about Valentine’s Day, the social media trending audio “If this isn’t love … do doo do doo … If this isn’t love do doo do dooo doooo do,” which is usually accompanied by a video of a couple being adorably sweet to each other, is running through my head.
As everyone knows, Valentine’s Day is an over-commercialized holiday that pressures people to use a heart-shaped commercial cookie cutter called “buying pink and red stuff” to show they love others. Though the commercialization does go too far, I do wonder if the main people making complaints about over-commercialization are actually grumpy and feeling particularly single this time of year.
We’ve all been there. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, hearing people’s dinner plans or seeing people post sappy messages and cute pictures of their significant other on social media can make you throw up in your mouth a little. Large teddy bears and heart-shaped chicken nuggets can grate on your nerves if you think Valentine’s Day is just about romantic love.
I take a different vein. I believe Valentine’s Day is about taking time to tell all the people you care about how much they mean to you, whether that is a friend, family member or lover. I’ve always liked Valentine’s Day because, in our family, it was a holiday to be celebrated by all. A week or two before, my sisters and I would set up a card table in the living room and make valentines. Card stock, stamp sets, paper hearts, pictures of flowers clipped from seed catalogs, glue, plastic jewels and all-pervasive glitter came together for our masterpieces.
how a man can spoil his wife and daughters. My parents’ romance is winsome. At risk of embarrassing them, I’ll elaborate. I love how they are still in love. I’ll see them holding hands, and it’s common for them to give each other a sweet kiss. I still sometimes pretend to be grossed out by all this like I sometimes was as a teenager, but deep inside, I know how blessed I am to have parents in love. That’s not to say romance is all about PDA, but at 45 years of marriage, watching two people still love to do life together and love one another is pretty special.
Growing up, I always felt safe in their relationship. It’s the small things that make their relationship beautiful. It’s how my mom’s eyes sparkle when she talks about a date night or little adventure they went on together. It’s seeing them watching the Vikings game highlights together. It’s my dad asking my mom to look at the auction ads or Craigslist ads he is window-shopping through as they daydream or tease each other about buying whatever it is.
This year, I have the sweetest boyfriend, so I’m looking forward to Valentine’s Day for both the aspect of telling family and friends that I love them and having a romantic someone in my life. I bought him a beautiful card last night at Walmart, and now I’m trying to decide if there’s a small gift or gesture that I could put with it. He has mentioned he likes chocolate cake with white frosting, so I think if I can find the time, I’ll make that for him.
There were valentines for each person in my family and my closest friends. Sometimes, I would even send ones to my baptism sponsors or other relatives.
Come Valentine’s Day, our family always had a little party. Generally, it was a nice meal Mom had made, Valentine’s Day themed napkins, maybe some candles lit and everyone putting out their valentines or chocolate for each other at the place settings.
Usually, fresh flowers were about. Dad always bought a bouquet and a valentine for Mom, and he also bought us girls each a card and also often individual roses or a bouquet. He set the bar high for
Whether it is Valentine’s Day season or not, I have discovered that one of the best dinner party conversation starters is asking the couples present to tell you their love story. Every story seems to have an amusing twist to it, and they start to smile and giggle once you coax it out of them. My own grandparents had a comical story. They met on a blind date. It was a double date along with the people who were setting them up. Grandpa got cold feet and did not show up, so his friend had to go find him. It worked; Grandpa and Grandma Kyllo were happily married their entire lives.
This February, ask someone their love story and take time to tell everyone in your life how much you love them. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Sunshine & Flowers by Amy Kyllo
Rasmussen from page 5
Rasmussen said the gelding fed off the confidence of those working with him.
“I’ve been doing the bare minimum of what has to be done to just function for these last couple years,” Rasmussen said. “When I got back to working with him, it was like me realizing again that I have to be back in my own body and be there and make that connection with him.”
Rasmussen’s first horse as a child was a mare in foal, so her family reached out to Appaloosa trainer and breeder Sylvia Passow from Brush Poppin Ranch near Peterson to help. Passow became a mentor to Rasmussen, teaching her to work with horses and later collaborating as a fellow breeder.
Rasmussen bought her first Arabian stallion in late high school. Her grandma, Catherine Smith, wanted her to be able to breed the stallion to an Arabian mare, so she promised one as a high school graduation gift. The mare’s name was Midnite Mikkie.
“They’re more of a spirited breed of horses,” Rasmussen said. “They snort and blow, and they lift their tails when they run. They just always seem so exu-
berant and majestic.”
The most impactful horse of Rasmussen’s career came a few years later. She was visiting a horse facility, and they invited her to meet a black Arabian stallion they had for sale.
“I walked in his stall, and the first thing he did was put his little nose out to my face for kisses,” Rasmussen said. “I was like, ‘Alright, you’re coming home with me one way or another.’”
This horse, BP Tali Tigar, would become the main bloodline for Rasmussen. He had a kind, quiet and thoughtful disposition, Rasmussen said. She regularly took him for trail rides, where she would get compliments on how quiet her Arabian was. She said when she told people he was also a breeding stallion, their jaws would drop.
Rasmussen’s Arabian bloodlines are what she describes as old, classic, foundation-style Arabians. They stand at about 14 hands tall. She works to have the dish or concave faces and upright tail carriage she said Arabians are known for.
Rasmussen page 8
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMANTHA DAWN EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Pictor CCA leaps at Cloud Castle Arabians and Sport Horses near Mabel. Pictor CCA is a black leopard Appaloosa Arabian cross.
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Rasmussen from page 7
More than looks, however, Rasmussen focuses on temperament.
“I want to raise horses that the whole family can use,” she said. “I don’t want to raise horses that are just suitable for trainers.”
Making sure her horses do not have reactionary personalities is a big component of this.
“You have horses who either think about things a little bit and then react, or you have horses that just automatically react,” Rasmussen said. “I want horses that think, that use the thinking side of their brain.”
ment of seeing other horses.
“I like to house them as naturally as I can,” Rasmussen said. “They’re much happier mentally.”
Rasmussen’s mares foal on pasture among the wooded hills on the farm she rents.
“We don’t coddle them here; … they seem to stay pretty happy and healthy that way,” she said.
Most foals are pre-purchased by the time they wean at 4-6 months.
One of Rasmussen’s main stallions currently is Pictor CCA. A black leopard Appaloosa Arabian cross, he is popular as a sire for his more unusual markings. His lineage is also meaningful. His sire is a stallion from Passow’s herd, and his dam has blood from both Midnite Mikkie and BP Tali Tigar.
Rasmussen’s horses are housed outside for 99% of their lives. Rasmussen pastures her stallions together except for breeding season and a short reprieve in stalls before and after breeding season. Rasmussen said having the stallions together helps them to be socialized, not develop bad habits and be able to trail ride without acting up from the excite-
Rasmussen also trains horses and has taught beginning riding lessons. Formal training begins when the horse is 3-4 years old. Rasmussen said Arabians are sensitive and require a quiet hand.
“I like to let them grow up to be horses first, and then we start doing more training stuff,” she said. “Temperament and their mental health are really important to me; plus, they’re more structurally prepared.”
Looking to the future, Rasmussen would like to potentially work full time with horses, doing training, developing genetics and teaching lessons. She has considered moving closer to Rochester and the Twin Cities, where there is more demand for these services. For now, though, she plans to let life slow down before making big moves.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Jessica Rasmussen leads stallion Pictor CCA Dec. 27, 2024, at Cloud Castle Arabians and Sport Horses near Mabel. Rasmussen does training with her horses as part of her operation.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY PIERCE PHOTOGRAPHY.
Pictor CCA stands in the pasture at Cloud Castle Arabians and Sport Horses near Mabel. At Cloud Castle Arabians and Sport Horses, horses are bred for traits such as temperament suitable for a family horse.
wood wood decor Witty Witty
Creative Designs
by
Jen expands Henderson’s hobby into a business
BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
DAKOTA — What started out as a hobby for Jen Henderson to decorate her and her husband’s first home has grown into a business.
Henderson owns Creative
Designs by Jen, a homemade home decor business that also sells T-shirts and sweatshirts. Henderson has operated her business from her rural home near Dakota since 2020, and she
has been creating for the past 12 years.
“It’s an outlet for myself; it lets my creative mind go,” Henderson said. “It is exciting when somebody wants to actually purchase something that I’ve personally made. It’s a heartwarming feeling. … It just started out as a fun hobby.”
Henderson specializes in wooden sign art. Some of it is cute or inspirational in theme,
but most are witty and humorous sayings. The latter are Henderson’s favorite to make.
“Everybody can use a laugh,” Henderson said. “When people come to the shows and see my signs, they’re going through, and they’re always laughing at things or taking it out and saying like, ‘Hey, Mary, look at this one.’”
Henderson designs many of
the stencils used on her pieces. Henderson said she hopes the signs bring happiness, and that maybe the customers get a good laugh.
“I just hope it brings them joy and they know that it’s handmade and that they are supporting a small business,” Henderson said.
Henderson page 10
A Christmas ornament hangs on a tree Dec. 9, 2024, at Jen Henderson’s shop near Dakota. Besides making decor, Henderson also works full time and is a mom of three.
PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO
Jen Henderson smiles Dec. 9, 2024, inside her shop located in an old granary in her yard near Dakota. Henderson is the owner of Creative Designs by Jen.
Henderson from page 9
Though Henderson’s journey began with making decor for her own home, it grew as she made for friends, family and neighbors — and eventually, the greater public.
“I started doing craft shows and learned as I started those that it was something that more and more people wanted,” Henderson said.
Henderson’s decor has a rustic, country style. Many of her signs have sanded edges and a stained look. Henderson said her style inspiration comes in part from how her mom decorated their home on their dairy farm. Like Henderson, her mom also made wooden crafts.
Henderson, who works full time outside her business, said the final quarter of the year is the busiest for her business because of the fall season and the holidays.
Henderson restored an old granary on her property to use as a store about five years ago. She is open about three days a year — in the spring around Mother’s Day, in the early fall and again in late fall on Small Business Saturday
during the Country Roads Small Business Mixer event in her area.
Henderson also attends five to seven craft shows a year, the majority of which are in the fall. Finally, her work is sold at Billie’s kitchen & Gift Shop near Dakota. She restocks the shop monthly as needed.
Henderson’s presence on Facebook also brings in business. There, she takes orders for custom pieces and gifts. One of the most popular has been her 7- by 7- inch funny sayings signs.
“Personalized gifts, I feel, are the best ones,” Henderson said.
Henderson’s Etsy store has been on hiatus. She plans to revamp it in the coming year. The online storefront will feature some of her popular designs.
Each year beginning in late August or early September, Henderson begins to make the decor in her basement work area. Henderson works about three times a week Monday through Friday and then again on the weekends around the activities and needs of her three children.
Henderson page 11
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Jen Henderson paints one of her wooden decor pieces Dec. 9, 2024, in her home near Dakota. Henderson’s pieces are handmade from start to finish.
from page 10
Though Henderson is the main person involved in her business, she is assisted by her husband, Jay, who cuts the wood and puts items together. He also helps load the car for shows and watches their children while she is gone.
“I don’t know where this would be without him … (he’s) definitely my other half of the business,” Henderson said. Henderson’s mom, Bonnie Frickson, helps as well with getting the store set up and as back up at craft shows. Someday, the pair dreams of remodeling Frickson’s former dairy barn into a storefront.
“I’d like to transform it into a fun store to display all our creations,” Henderson said. “Every time I’m decorating my shed here for the Country Road Mixer, my mom’s usually here helping and such, and she’s like, ‘We just need more room.’”
The dream is to convert one half of the barn into a permanent store front, with the other half available as a space for classes and parties.
Though she currently does not have a dedicated space for events, Henderson
has traveled to do a few parties and also teaches her craft through a few La Crescent-Hokah Community Education class sessions each year.
“I like being able to teach others how to do what I do,” she said. “Everybody’s doing the same project, but everyone’s looks so different.”
For Henderson, the internet, with DIY projects and Pinterest, have been a benefit to her business, as people get inspiration of what she can make them.
“There are a lot of people out there that are doing similar stuff (to what) I do,” Henderson said. “It’s always trying to find that creative difference in my work.”
One way she differentiates her pieces is through extra elements like a bow, greenery or studs.
“The extra little details … that adds that little extra character,” Henderson said.
Looking to the future, Henderson said she would like to have her upcycled granary storefront open more often. She also is open to her business, which she describes as her “wishful full-time job,” becoming her full-time employment.
“I would love to have it full time, but I don’t know how that’ll go with just time and economy,” Henderson said.
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
Wall art signs hang Dec. 9, 2024, at Jen Henderson’s shop near Dakota. Henderson describes her style as rustic country.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED Snowmobiles are displayed March 2, 2024, outside the Wanamingo Fire Department in Wanamingo.
The ride portion of the show covers about a 12mile route across mostly private property.
Vintage Ride from page 12
Majerus agreed.
“We try to do a nice job with our show, but we still try to make the event fun,” he said.
“(For) a lot of the locals, it’s not about the show, it’s getting together with the friends and trying to make them run and hoping they make it.”
David Friese is one such local. Each year, he and his family bring 6-10 vintage snowmobiles. Friese’s collection, which he has been building since the early 2000s, is about 25 sleds.
Friese has a dairy farm with 72 cows. In the
days before the ride, when milking is completed at 9 p.m., Friese heads to the shop, where friends help fix the snowmobiles into the wee hours of the morning.
“It’s just fun to get together with the guys and work,” he said. “The day of the show, (it is fun to) get together with all the different people that come in and visit and be together with all people that have the same interest.”
Friese’s collection has multiple brands, including 5-6 Harley Davidsons, but his collection of 7-8 twin track Raider snowmobiles
is among his favorites.
“They’re not always the most comfortable to ride, but they are fun to drive,” Friese said.
“It’s like sitting in a little missile. You’re sitting in a cockpit with two tracks.”
Another event organizer, Parker Erickson, a Wanamingo firefighter for about a decade, got his start in vintage snowmobiles working with the Friese family on their collection.
“That was by far the most fun,” he said. “You’d sit in the shop until midnight every night the week before trying to file points and get these old things running.”
He said no one knew
what they were doing as eight people worked on three snowmobiles.
“It really is one of those big events that just breaks up the dragging on of winter,” Erickson said. “Everyone gets to get together and just have a good time.”
For the show portion of the event, Majerus said
they want each snowmobile to be displayed regardless of monetary value.
“We don’t care if you’re in the running for a trophy,” Majerus said. “We want to put them all here so everybody gets to see them.”
The top three snowmobiles are chosen by
Vintage Ride page 14
judges. The best in show award winner’s cartoon depiction is featured on the event T-shirts, signage and award plaques for the next year. The cartoon snowmobile is driven by a bulldog, a nod to the former Wanamingo school district mascot.
The Friese family and friends — Rachel Friese (front); (middle, from left) Becky Friese, Josh Friese, Marshall Friese and Jesse Revland; (back, from left) Tylor Schaefer, Kalahan Anderson, Virgil Anderson, Max Mattson and David Friese — gather on the Friese farm before heading to the Wanamingo Vintage Ride & Show in Wanamingo. The Friese family brings 6-10 of their vintage snowmobiles to the event.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
One of David Friese’s Harley Davidson snowmobiles is displayed at the Wanamingo Vintage Ride & Show in Wanamingo. Friese’s entire collection has 25 snowmobiles, 5-6 of which are Harley Davidsons.
MONDAY
8:00 am Overnight market cows/bulls
UPCOMING AUCTIONS
10:00 am Fed cattle, followed by day-delivered market cows & bulls
1:00 pm Dairy cattle, stock cows & breeding bulls followed by feeder cattle
4:00 pm Baby calves, arena 2
TUESDAY
8:00 amSheep and goats
11:00 am Feeder pigs
WEDNESDAY
10:00 am Hog/Sow/Boar Auction
2:00 pm Fed cattle, followed by market cows and bulls
THURSDAY
10:00 am Special feeder cattle auctions, September - April
FRIDAY
Closed Office open 8:00 am – Noon
YARD HOURS
Sunday Noon – 10pm
Monday 6am – 10pm
Tuesday 6am – 10pm
Wednesday 6am – 4pm
(Open until 10pm, preceding special Thursday sales ONLY)
Thursday 6am – 4pm
Friday 6am – Noon
Saturday By Appointment
Vintage Ride from page 13
Majerus said having the winning snowmobile featured can mean a lot to the owner.
“(One year), the guy literally had tears in his eyes,” Majerus said. “It’s like, ‘Whoa, maybe we did something pretty cool here.’”
Majerus started the ride in 2010 to raise money for Wanamingo’s Fourth of July fireworks. He had started buying vintage snowmobiles around 2008, and he specializes in 1972 Polaris snowmobiles, with 9-10 working and a bunch more to fix.
“I started seeing a couple shows pop up, and I was laughing at these
people on these old snowmobiles,” Majerus said. “Now, I’m one of the people that’s trying to keep it alive.”
Looking to the future, Majerus, Gudknecht, Erickson and others involved in the event are balancing how to keep the event fresh while keeping up with traditions.
“It’s easy to start an event because everybody’s excited and passionate,” Majerus said. “By Year 4, Year 5, … you almost get complacent because it’s become the same thing. … It’s more difficult to rally the troops year after year after year.”
Majerus said he wants it to continue regardless of his involvement. His favorite part is watching people enjoy the moment.
“It’s super fun to sit back and look at the crowd,” he said. “Everybody’s having a great time. All the BS in the world is gone for an hour or two.”
Brandon
Kathy Jo
Three snowmobiles are displayed March 2, 2024, at the Wanamingo Vintage Ride & Show in Wanamingo. In addition to the show, attendees can also enjoy all-you-can eat chili from the nearly 60 gallons of chili served.
AUCTION SCHEDULE
Tuesday, April 29th (online only) Farm Equipment Estate Auction for The Doug Pirkl Estate; Selling John Deere tractors, Chevy and Ford pickups, New Holland discine, Ford grain truck, Case skid loader, John Deere round baler, snowblower, Midsota gooseneck trailer, farm support equipment, power and hand tools, firearms, collector farm toys and shop supplies. Bidding starts opening Saturday, April 19th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, April 29th at 4 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, May 6th (online only) 18.4 Acre Building Site with Older Home, Newer Outbuilding for the Harold and Patricia Schweisthal Estates; Building site with older 1 1/2 story home, attached garage, 1700+ square feet, 2002 build garage/shop, concrete floor, good well with newer pump, great property located on HWY 60 near Faribault. Bidding starts opening Saturday, April 26th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, May 6th at 10 am. (Maring)
February 25th at 10 am. (Hamilton) Tuesday, March 11th (online only) Spring Area Farmers Consignment Auction; Call now to consign your clean farm and construction equipment. Accepting consignments at lot Thursday, February 20th through Friday, February 28th from 8 am to 5 pm. Bidding starts opening Saturday, March 1st at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, March 11th at 10 am. (Maring) Thursday, March 20th (live and online) Farm Retirement Auction for Wayne and Nancy Peterson at Northfield; Selling John Deere and New Holland tractors, New Holland balers, International combine and heads, John Deere loader, New Holland discbine, planting and tillage equipment, spraying and livestock equipment. Very clean equipment. Live auction begins Thursday, March 20th at 10 am. (Maring)
Tuesday, March 25th (online only) Spring Area Farmers Consignment
Auction; Call now to consign your clean farm and construction equipment. Advertising deadline Monday, March 3rd. Accepting items until Monday, March 17th. Bidding starts opening Friday, March 14th at 10 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, March 25th at 10 am. (Hamilton)
Saturday, March 29th (live and online) Clean Farm Estate Auction for the James Halik Estate at Black River Falls, WI; Selling John Deere tractors, John Deere combine and heads, Peterbilt, Kenworth and Volvo semi tractors, Timpte grain trailer, tri-axle grain trucks, John Deere planter, Kinze planter, John Deere grain drill, Hagie self propelled sprayer, John Deere skid loader, Chevy Duramax, Schaben pull type sprayers, John Deere field cultivators, John Deere chisel plow, Anhydrous toolbars, grain carts, Brent gravity flow wagons and other good farm support equipment. Live auction begins Saturday, March 29th at 9:30 am. (Maring)
Thursday, April 1st (online only) arm Equipment Auction for Maurice W Shea Estate; Selling tractors, combines, tillage equipment and support equipment. High quality and well maintained farming machinery. Bidding starts opening Friday, March 21st at 10 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, April 1st at 9 am. (Hamilton)
Thursday, April 3rd (live and online) Farm Estate Auction for Barnett
Bros Inc. & Loss Lake Farms Inc. at Kilkenny; Selling John Deere tractors, Cat dozer, Terex scrapers, Cat motor grader, clean farm grain trucks, haying equipment, tillage machinery, pickup, antique car and livestock machinery. Live auction begins Thursday, April 3rd at 9:30 am. (Maring)
Sunday, April 13th (online only) Estate Auction for the Harold and Patricia Schweisthal Estates; Selling lawn mower, John Deere garden tractor, Oliver tractor, Chevy Impala, implements, power and hand tools, woodworking tools, antiques, collectibles, farm primitives, Christmas decorations, antique furniture, outdoor items and more. Bidding starts opening Saturday, April 5th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Sunday, April 13th at 4 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, April 22nd (online only) Firearms, Knives and Coins Auction; Selling collectible and modern firearms, pocket and fixed blade knives, gold and silver coins, quarters, pennies and gold pieces. Bidding starts opening Saturday, April 12th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, April 22nd at 4 pm. (Maring)
Sunday, May 11th (online only) Collector Car, Parts and Tool Auction for the Doug Pedersen Estate; 1963 Volvo PV544, 1967 Wards Riverside 125CC motorcycle, Ford Flathead V8, air compressor, mig welder, solar plasma cutter, tool box, metal band saw, Snap-On and Matco hand tools, wood working equipment, shop tools. shop supplies, wood chipper/shredder, yard drag, AgriFab seeder, yard equipment and much more. Bidding starts opening Saturday, May 3rd at 8 am and bidding starts closing Sunday, May 11th at 3 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, June 3rd (online only) Early Summer Area Farmers Consignment Auction; Call now to consign your clean farm and construction equipment. Accepting consignments at lot Thursday, May 15th through Friday, May 23rd from 8 am to 5 pm. Bidding starts opening Saturday, May 24th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, June 3rd at 10 am. (Maring)
Sunday, June 22nd (online only) Moving Auction for Joe and Monica Boehmer; Ford Golden Jubilee restored trailer, John Deere L & LA restored tractors, Allis Chalmers tractors, Ford 650 parts tractor, tractor parts, 1988 Chevy 3500 pickup, tractor implements, tool box, Snap-On hand tools, power tools, Harley Davidson golf cart, steel wheels, lawn and garden items, clean furniture and household items. Bidding starts opening Saturday, June 14th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Sunday, June 22nd at 3 pm. (Maring)
Tuesday, July 15th (online only) Clean Farm Retirement Auction for Michael and Dana Timmers; Case IH tractors, Sterling Tandem Axle grain truck, John Deere combine and heads, Demo 365 gravity flow wagons, Mandako Twister 12’ vertical tillage tool, John Deere no-till drill, Hardy crop sprayer, John Deeere chisel plow, Westfield grain auger and farm support equipment. Bidding starts opening Saturday, July 5th at 8 am and bidding starts closing Tuesday, July 15th at 10am. (Maring)
Friday, August 1st (live and online) Exceptionally Clean Farm Retirement Auction for Terry and Cindy Vaith and Bob and Karen Vaith of Ellendale; John Deere tractors, John Deere combine and heads, John Deere planter, John Deere stalk chopper, nice tandem axle diesel grain trucks, DMI New Holland field cultivator, DMI ripper, LanD crop sprayer, fertilizer tender, dry fertilizer spreader, Westfield grain augers, farm support equipment. Very clean and well cared for line of farm machinery. Live auction begins Friday, August 1st at 10 am. (Maring)
Saturday, August 9th (live and online) Pre-Harvest Area Farmers Consignment Auction; Call now to consign your clean farm and construction equipment.; Accepting consignments at lot Wednesday, July 30th through Wednesday, August 6th. Live auction begins Saturday, August 9th at 8:30 am. (Maring)
Saturday, August 23rd (live and online) Clean Farm Retirement Auction for Michael Wojahn; John Deere tractors, Case IH combine and heads, John Deere planter, Demo grain cart, Westfield grain augers, International grain truck, tillage and planting equipment, antique collector tractors and farm support equipment. Live auction begins Saturday, August 23rd at 9:30 am. (Maring)
Sunday, August 31st (online only) Annual Labor Day Consignment Auction Day 1; Selling hobby and antique farm equipment, attachments, shop tools,
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National WEEK
BUSY AS
bees
Chatfield FFA develops leadership, ag knowledge in students
BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER
CHATFIELD — The Chatfield FFA program is building up a generation of
Allen (left) and John Copeman help with honey extraction in the Chatfield
area Oct. 12,
students in leadership and agricultural knowledge through volunteering, competition and beekeeping.
As FFA adviser, Stacy Fritz enjoys her position.
“It keeps me moving, and the students teach me things every year,” she said. “It’s very dynamic, and I get to see kids succeed and work hard.”
Rachel Johnson, a senior at Chatfield Public Schools, has been in FFA since seventh grade. Her sister, Ramie, was part of the chapter before her, and seeing the fun Ramie had inspired Rachel to join.
“FFA taught me to be independent and do what I wanted to do,” Johnson said. “That’s very important for when I go into
college and the real world afterward.”
Originally chartered in 1975, the original Chatfield FFA lasted until 1985 and was re-chartered in 2000. Fritz became the adviser in 2005.
Chatfield FFA page 2B
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Reggie
High School nature
2024, in Chatfield. Chatfield FFA’s Chatty Bees program started in 2021.
Chatfield FFA
from 1B
“(We’re) a very young chapter,” Fritz said. “A lot of FFA chapters have 50 to 80 years.”
In her time with Chatfield FFA, Fritz has seen 19 students earn their American FFA Degree and 94 students earn their State FFA Degree, the first and second highest FFA degrees, respectively.
“We’ve grown,” Fritz said. “When I started, we didn’t have anything for contest judging materials, lab supplies (or) anything for hands-on activities. I built resources by applying for grants. (Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council) has provided several grants.”
The Chatfield FFA chapter is known for beekeeping. It is an FFA-run and schoolbased supervised agricultural experience project started in 2021. Thanks to a community naming poll, the program is known as the Chatty Bees. A local couple, Mike and Gina Tuohy, donated beekeeping equipment. CPS started with two hives, quickly expanding to five. This year, they are managing seven hives.
Most students — as well as Fritz — are nervous around bees, but education helps students be more com-
in 1975 and re-chartered in 2000.
Fritz said. “You just have to understand what they’re doing and what they’re protecting. I’ll take students out there and let them get as close as they feel comfortable because honeybees are docile enough
that you can stand right next to their hive and watch them fly in and out. … They’re very fascinating little creatures.”
Fritz takes extra precautions when showing the hives to students in the fall, as the bees are protecting their stores from yellowjackets. In the spring, the bees are calmer, so it is a better time to watch. She advises students not to stand in front of the hive, as that interrupts the bees’ traffic flow.
she learned a lot and enjoyed the project.
the National FFA Organization’s highest award — for the past eight years. They also have been in the Top 10 for FFA chapters in Minnesota multiple years.
Johnson helped Fritz during the first two years the chapter had bees. She said
“My favorite part of that was definitely going out there and getting the supers full of honey and then extracting the honey,” she said. “It was a long process, but it was really, really fun, and the people I did it with were very fun to be around.”
When they harvest honey, the Chatty Bees sell it at a local store, Big Girl Stickers and Stems. The proprietor, Melissa Burnett, has partnered with Chatfield FFA to sell the honey and support the chapter’s programs.
The Chatfield FFA has received a 3-Star designation in the National Chapter Award Program — which is
Over the years, Chatfield’s programs and opportunities have expanded. For example, Chatfield FFA’s annual drive-thru meal is set for Feb. 2. This meal funds the chapter’s Blue Jacket Bright Futures scholarship program, which provides FFA jackets as well as a scarf or tie for young members, so they do not have to buy them. They have given
Chatfield FFA page 3B
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Chatfield FFA members — Lacey Stailey (from left), Rachel Johnson, Anna Bernau, Samantha Baker, Amaya Harmening, MaRea Reichstadt and Katy Briggs — pause Oct. 25, 2024, during their participation in the National FFA Organization’s National Days of Service community service project in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chatfield FFA chapter was originally founded
Chatfield FFA students — Charles Worden (front, from left), Austin Mulhern, Tanner Knutson, Erin Manning and Nathan Kesler; (middle, from left) FFA adviser Stacy Fritz, Gracie Bosma, Alivia Delaney, Reeyin Lanning, Danika Henry, Hailey Hammill, Joesey Ferguson and Reid Bernau; (back, from left) Josh Bain, Sen. Jeremy Miller and Carter Lange — meet in the Minnesota Senate Feb. 27, 2024, in St. Paul. The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council grant has been one of the main supports of the Chatfield FFA chapter.
Reggie Allen does a hive inspection in the Chatfield High School nature area July 22, 2024, in Chatfield. The Chatty Bees program started with two hives and expanded to seven this year.
Chatfield FFA from 2B
over 185 jacket scholarships in 16 years.
“We make things as accessible as possible,” Fritz said. “We have affiliated membership, which means all students who come through an ag class automatically have membership. It’s paid for through our FFA crop plot. It’s about 26 acres, so no student has to pay for dues. … It’s never going to be an issue for a kid to participate in FFA in Chatfield.”
Then, there is the 24th Annual Jared Hammell Memo-
rial Volleyball Tournament in March, started by alumnus Gina Jaquith in honor of her late cousin. The tournament also raises money for scholarships, often raising about $13,000 per year after scholarship expenses. Chatfield FFA seniors can apply for the scholarships, which range from $750 to $1,500.
Through the Chatfield FFA, students gain experience in agriculture and
leadership by participating in a variety of activities, including community service, giving blood at blood drives, making tie blankets and promoting agricultural literacy at the Chatfield FFA’s Little Farmhands exhibit at the Fillmore County Fair and the Family Fun Ag Day.
Johnson has done SAEs in poultry evaluation, food science and technology, and agronomy.
“They really taught me more than I thought,” she said.
“The process of getting food to the market and on the shelves is actually quite long, and I never knew that before, and
crops taught me the different weeds I would see and the different crops and the soil types for those crops.”
The results of the chapter’s dedication speak for themselves. The Chatfield FFA has received the Three Star Chapter Award —, the FFA National Chapter’s highest award —, for the past 8 years, and they have been in the top 10 for FFA chapters in Minnesota for multiple years.
The competitions are Johnson’s favorite part of being an FFA member, especially at the state level, where she can meet other similarly interested peers. She likes being in poultry evaluation the most.
“It’s so cool to see how you work so hard throughout the year to get to state, and so did all these other people, and now, you’re here competing against each other,” Johnson said.
Whether or
not students go on to pursue agriculture after high school, Fritz said she has seen confidence increase in everyone who goes through Chatfield FFA.
“We just did an injection lab in my seventh-grade class, and a couple of them are looking into vet-related careers now,” Fritz said.
“Those hands-on activities provide opportunities for kids to explore things they’re interested in and build their confidence and leadership skills, which we know is important for success wherever they go and whatever they do.”
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Chatfield FFA members lead a group of elementary students to see farm equipment at the Ag Day Camp Aug. 7, 2024, at Hammell Equipment in Chatfield. At Chatfield, FFA students gain experience in promoting agriculture literacy.
Chatfield FFA members MaRea Reichstadt (left) and Rachel Johnson represent their chapter at the FFA National Convention & Expo Oct. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Chatfield FFA has received the Three Star Chapter Award for the past eight years and have been in the Top 10 for FFA chapters in Minnesota for multiple years.
Chatty Bees honey from Chatfield FFA is sold at Big Girl Stickers and Stems Dec. 20, 2024, in Chatfield. The proprietor, Melissa Burnett, has partnered with Chatfield FFA to sell the honey and support the chapter’s programs.
DODGE
Kasson
County ANDRIST
What FFA contests do you participate in? I am involved in floriculture career development event and Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Discussion Meet mainly, but I have tried dairy cattle evaluation and management CDE. Last year, I placed 14th in floriculture and am preparing for this year’s contest. This year was my first year doing discussion meet and placed first at regions and second at state, receiving a $750 scholarship. I currently have two student agricultural experiences. One is in entrepreneurship and the other one is a placement. I have a flower business, and I grow my own flowers and sell fresh-cut flower arrangements. For my placement SAE, I work at a daylilies farm in West Concord during the summer and at a floral shop in Dodge Center during the winter.
What events and community volunteering do you participate in through FFA? I have participated in many activities over the years, such as the CHS Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair, petting zoos, Feed the Farmer, Ag Day Dinner and many more. At the Miracle of Birth Center, I took care of dairy and beef cows and calves. Feed the Farmer is an activity where we make 250 lunches for farmers during harvest season. Another big volunteering activity would be our chapter’s Ag Day Dinner. We hold an auction and have a free supper for supporters of FFA. The money we collect from the auction goes to Relay For Life, which is an event for victims of cancer and individuals that have passed from cancer.
What is your favorite memory from FFA? The Miracle of Birth Center. This is my favorite memory because I got to meet FFA member from all over Minnesota. I love that everyone had so many connections and had so many things in common that we could discuss all day. I made lots of friends and got to take care of my favorite animals, such as cows, sheep and pigs.
What experiences have you gained through FFA that you would not have had otherwise? Some skills that have made a huge impact on me are public speaking/deep thinking, problem solving and teamwork. Public speaking is a good skill for everyday life but also for the career I want to pursue. I put deep thinking into my list because you have to come up with complex and big ideas for going forward with your everyday life and at the workplace. Deep thinking and problem solving can go hand-in-hand with each other because you have to execute deep thinking to help problem solve. Problem solving will most definitely help with my future between my career and everyday conversations. Lastly, teamwork is one of the most important things to me. After developing this skill, I have realized that you are constantly working with others everywhere you go and will be doing this for a long time into the future.
What are your future goals in your FFA career? My main goals are building my flower business, making it to state in a CDE and getting a proficiency. I am currently building a greenhouse to start planting early to progress my growing process. I am hoping for a proficiency in either my placement SAE or my entrepreneurship SAE that shows my time and effort put into these projects.
Tell us about yourself. I am definitely the type of person who loves trying new things all the time, but my main hobbies are racing dirt bikes, crocheting, playing with flowers and hanging out with animals and friends. My future plans are to become a lawyer specialized in agricultural issues and business. I hope by specializing in that field, I can keep agriculture in my everyday life because I love it so much. I also hope to have a little hobby farm, too, one day.
What FFA contests do you participate in? I am in livestock evaluation career development event, meats evaluation and technology CDE, and employment skills leadership development event.
What events and community volunteering do you participate in through FFA? I am part of the food shelf, corn drive and steak feed.
What is your favorite memory from FFA? When I got fourth place at the Stewartville livestock judging invite.
What experiences have you gained through FFA that you would not have had otherwise? Going to the State FFA Convention for the meats evaluation and technology CDE and just gaining the experience of the state convention.
What are your future goals in your FFA career? To go to state, continue to try new things and be in an agriculture field.
Tell us about yourself. I am a small farmer from West Concord. I have a beef cow and two calves at my grandparents’ house. Right now, I work at a small butcher shop in Concord called Concord Store and Locker. During spring, summer and fall, I show cattle and play football. My year is pretty busy, but sadly, next year is my last year in high school and football. My future plans are to one day own the butcher shop I work at currently. I also want to continue to work on the family farm and someday own it myself and sell my beef on the retail counter of the store. I am interested in continuing my education in the butcher shop and in the showing world. These are two skills I will use the rest of my life because I like what I do, and I think it is worth getting up every morning for the rest of my life. There are so many things I can learn, see and develop in showing, butchering and raising a cattle herd.
WINONACounty LORCH
Tell us about yourself. My main hobby is showing Boer goats. My summers are filled with shows and preparing for shows. I also enjoy tinkering with small engines. I am currently restoring a 1981 John Deere Liquifire snowmobile. I participate in trapshooting in the spring and have previously participated in basketball and baseball. After high school, I plan to go to college for something agriculture related — specifically livestock related.
What FFA contests do you participate in? I participate in livestock evaluation career development event. My supervised agricultural experience is Boer goat entrepreneurship. I raise, sell and show registered Boer goats. I am focused on raising quality goats with good genetics that will do well in the show ring and the breeding pen. I currently have 10 Boer does in my herd.
What events and community volunteering do you participate in through FFA? I have gone to conventions and some regional leadership events. In the fall, our chapter organized a petting zoo for the kids at the elementary school that we share a building with. I brought a goat and helped set up the pens. It was rewarding to see all the younger kids who are not acquainted with agriculture running from pen to pen looking at the animals.
What is your favorite memory from FFA? This year, when our livestock evaluation team went to the Region VIII state qualifying contest, and we took first place. It is fun to go to competitions with my friends and even better when we can do well.
What experiences have you gained through FFA that you would not have had otherwise? I have gained a lot of experience in leadership and public speaking. When I first joined FFA, I was extremely shy, and getting up in front of people to talk was terrifying. Three years later, I am the vice president of my FFA chapter and have become way more comfortable talking in front of people. I have also learned how to work well with others to lead. It has taken a ton of effort to get our chapter started, and if my advisor, fellow officers and I were not able to work well together, we would never have gotten to where we are with our chapter today. The leadership and public speaking skills that I have learned in FFA are important universal skills in whatever career path I choose to follow.
What are your future goals in your FFA career? My future goals in my FFA career are to place in the top 10 individually and as a team at the State FFA Convention livestock evaluation CDE, win a proficiency award in my SAE area, receive my State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree, and win the Minnesota FFA Star Farmer award.
Hope Lutheran High School starts FFA program
BY AMY KYLLO STAFF WRITER
WINONA — Hope Lutheran High School in Winona has done something few other parochial schools have accomplished: start their own FFA chapter.
The high school, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has an enrollment of about 78. The school received notice from the Minnesota FFA Association in April 2024 that their chapter had been recognized on the state level, and in July 2024, they re-
ceived national recognition.
“(We’re) trying to get more of the rural kids to come down to Hope to have a faith-based education,” said Deb Ellinghuysen, the new chapter’s FFA adviser.
The chapter has 19 participants. Fourteen are from Hope Lutheran High School. The remaining students come from two of the three K-8 schools that are part of the parochial system.
One of the challenges in starting an FFA chapter was balancing the interests of their members, Ellinghuysen said.
“Some are more into mechanics and welding,” Ellinghuysen said. “Some are more into general livestock, some into poultry, some into dairy. We’re trying to find our way through to make everybody happy and attain their goals.”
