Chatfield News

Chatfield Public Library to get ‘new’ look to match historical architecture

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 2:32pm

A project that staff and the Library Board have been discussing for years — replacing the circa-1998 staircase in the main entry of the library with a wood banister befitting the Carnegie library’s Prairie School Craftsman roots — will soon be underway, according to Chatfield Public Library director Monica Erickson.

EDA gala recognizes volunteers, community

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 2:30pm

“I want to thank you – everyone who’s volunteered and given their time. That’s how Chatfield works,” stated Chatfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) member Michael Tuohy, standing before a gathering of Chatfield residents at the EDA’s annual gala held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Chatfield Center for the Arts to honor the contributions of numerous volunteers in the community.

Chatfield Brass Band to play Christmas music

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 2:28pm

Join the Chatfield Brass Band for its annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1:30 p.m. in Potter Auditorium.

The concert is free and a family event. Directed by Carmen Narveson, the band will perform many Christmas favorites with guest vocalists Mary Ludwig and Dan Hollermann. 

Legislators hear concerns from Chatfield officials

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 2:26pm

Chatfield’s City Council and administration, Chatfield Center for the Arts (CCA) representatives and the school superintendent entertained a visit from local legislators last Tuesday evening at the arts center during the city’s annual legislative forum held to keep state legislators Sen. Carla Nelson, Sen. Jeremy Miller, Rep. Nels Pierson and Rep. Greg Davids informed as to what projects the city is working on and what its legislative priorities are as the year ends.

Equitable education funding

Phillips: ‘Neighborhood’ a much more complex place than it appeared

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 10:04am

Just a few days after I wrote my OK, boomer/millennial divide column, I did one of the most quintessential boomer things possible: I took a dip into nostalgia to watch the movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

It really wasn’t nostalgia for me since I actually don’t have strong memories of the popular children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which ran from 1968 to 2001 and includes the time when my children were growing up.

Hearings this month before governments set final levies

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 9:59am

Local units of government are holding Truth-in-Taxation hearings this month prior to setting final levies payable in 2020.

County Board to take look at jail needs

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 9:53am

Late-November housekeeping kept the Fillmore County commissioners busy this past Tuesday, Nov. 26, during a regular meeting, including the move to take a look at the status of the county jail.    

The commissioners gave their nod to signing a contract with independent contractor Tom Weber for assistance in conducting a needs study for the county jail, as noted in the draft minutes of the meeting. The jail came up at a meeting in August when Sheriff John DeGeorge talked to the commissioners about the jail, which is the second oldest in Minnesota.

‘Friendsgiving’ has become annual event in Chatfield

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 12:42pm

“We always have enough food,” said Chatfield resident Pam Bluhm, armed with her trusty electric roasters and a crew of volunteers. “I can’t even remember how many years we’ve been doing this, but I just started a Thanksgiving dinner, and the church let me use the basement.”

Norwegian tradition baked into Chatfield church congregation

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 12:39pm

Members of Chatfield Lutheran Church are maintaining the Norwegian tradition of making rosettes, krumkake, flatbread, sandbakkels, lefse, fattigman and other baked goods while also providing tasty treats for Chatfield area residents each year during its annual Norwegian bake sale.

Biology project to start blooming next year

Published by rkramer@bluffco... on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 12:36pm

Independent study students of Chatfield High School (CHS) biology instructor Nora Gathje have planted the seeds of a project that should bloom in the coming years.