News and Features

Spring Grove native fulfilling dream of being a teacher by joining Mabel-Canton faculty

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 9:25am

“I always wanted to be a teacher, as far back as I can remember. My mother is a teacher and I used to play teacher in her classroom.”

That’s how Mabel-Canton’s newest instructor, Kaitlin Bratland, explained why she went into education. Bratland recently started her teaching career last week when she began teaching elementary special education at M-C Public Schools.

Royalty chosen for 2019 Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 9:24am

Business brisk at Trout City Brewing in Preston, the area’s newest brewpub

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 8:49am

“We have been very pleased with the initial response. Beer sales have been very good and so has the food,” replied Trout City Brewing co-owner Anita Bisek.

She and her husband, Andy, opened Preston’s newest business last month in the old bank building on the east side of St. Anthony Street. They did a soft opening in August and then were greeted with a standing-room-only crowd Labor Day weekend when they introduced four different locally-brewed beers their son, Curt, had created.

Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston receives Operational Excellence Award

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 8:44am

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston has received the Operational Excellence Award from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a division of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This award follows a recent NCA National Cemetery Compliance Review that resulted in a score of 98 percent, among the highest scores in the nation.

Upcoming summit to unveil housing development opportunities in Preston

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 8:43am

The Preston Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Preston Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce they will be holding their first ever Housing Summit at F&M Community Bank’s Community Room in downtown Preston on Friday, Sept. 20. 

This one-day summit will bring together home builders, developers, investors, suppliers, realtors, lenders, area residents and local officials to learn how Preston is preparing to grow over the next decade – with a goal of building population and 160 new homes and apartments in the city by the year 2030. 

Commissioners approve access easement for DNR

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 9:26am

Fillmore County commissioners held a lengthy meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 3 – that Bluff Country News was unable to attend but obtained final draft minutes — during which Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lanesboro Area Fisheries Supervisor Ron Benjamin sat before the commissioners. He presented a Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easement resolution meant to handle access permission to a portion of land. 

History Alive! presents new pop-up plays later this month

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 2:16pm

This September, History Alive! Pop-up Plays will feature “Founding Lanesboro 1869” in honor of the 150th anniversary of Lanesboro and other Minnesota towns experiencing their own 150th birthdays. It is the fifth year of the annual Pop-up Plays which boast “Stories of Lanesboro on the streets of Lanesboro” as their motto. All plays use original scripts by Lanesboro writer Jane Peck, also artistic director of the productions.

‘Fifty Nifty States’ theme of September Over the Back Fence

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 2:15pm

“Fifty Nifty States” is the theme of the next Over the Back Fence Community Variety Show presented by Lanesboro Arts on Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre in Lanesboro. Songs like "I’ve Been Everywhere," "Georgia on my Mind" and "Aloha ‘Oe” will each be part of a place-based evening that also includes jokes, stories and sing-alongs.

Historical society seeking photos, stories of Harmony grain elevator

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 2:11pm

The McMichel Grain Elevator in Harmony is finding new  life as the Harmony Area Historical Society is working with the city of Harmony and current owners Barb and Jeff Soma to restore the elevator and have it named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Fillmore Central Board approves hiring of teachers as new school year gets underway

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 11:36am

The Fillmore Central School Board held its August meeting last Tuesday evening with a long list of hires comprising the bulk of the agenda as the district prepares for the new school year.