Spring Grove Herald

Black Hammer Township stays with tried and true levy

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:21am

Sticking with numbers that work, Black Hammer Township kept its levy at $130,000, which has been the same amount for the last 10-plus years.

The gopher bounty was raised from $2 to $2.50.

Dan Wiste was re-elected as supervisor, and David Skauge was re-elected as treasurer. Both won by seven total votes.

Clerk Elizabeth Wiste said finances were in good shape. The township’s assets were $335,309.47.

 

Wilmington raises tax levy slightly

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:21am

Dick Amundson volunteered to be moderator for the Wilmington Township annual meeting held at its Town Hall at 2 p.m. on March 12 and attended by nine township residents.

Clerk/treasurer Melissa Schroeder presented the financial report for 2018 with a beginning checking account balance of $166,432.01. 

“We increased our cash reserves by the end of the year, leaving a balance of $181,477.15,” she reported. 

There were elections in March, August and November, where we had to provide three election judges at all polling times. 

Spring Grove Township breaks even on finances

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:20am

Spring Grove Township Treasurer Mike Wiste reported the township broke “a little more than even” on its 2018 finances.

The balance for year ending 2018 was $256,978.32, whereas the balance for year ending 2017 was $255,395.73, a difference of $1,582.59.

“Overall, the township is in good financial health,” Wiste said.

Cash inflow and cash outflow had a difference of $2,115.40. Total inflow was $219,901.06 and outflow was $217,785.66.

The ambulance and fire levies remained the same at $2,364 and $10,549.90, respectively.

Township Day – A strong tradition in Minnesota

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:19am

Townships are the original form of local government in Minnesota. Established as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which created the State of Minnesota, the township form of government is a carryover from Europe. 

By congressional order, a survey divided the Minnesota territory into 36 square mile tracts of land.

Currently, there are 1,781 townships across Minnesota. In Houston County, there are 17 townships, of which Black Hammer, Spring Grove and Wilmington are located in the Spring Grove area.

Spring Grove Communications to hold annual meeting

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:18am

Spring Grove Communications looks forward to an enjoyable annual meeting on Tuesday, March 26, at the Fest Building.

March 19 was the deadline to RSVP for attending the meeting and the meal, and March 20 was the deadline to submit applications for two Board of Directors positions.

The meeting is generally well-attended by co-op members who utilize any service of Spring Grove Communications, which includes phone, email, computer service, internet, TV and much more.

Ag. Society plans for headliner, allows use of grandstands for Touchdown Club

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:18am

The Houston County Agricultural Society (commonly known as the Fair Board) approved several motions at their meeting on March 17 for the concert during fair week, Aug. 14-18.

Wennes Communications was approved for advertising for the concert, announcing the bands during the event and giving away several prizes.

Spring Grove’s Mollie B schedules performance in hometown

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 10:17am

It has been a very busy and successful year for Mollie Busta Lange, better known to the polka community as Mollie B. 

It was a year in which she performed on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, her band SqueezeBox bought their first official tour bus, they played in Texas, North Dakota, Georgia, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and she was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in September. 

Muriel Vaaler, 87, of Spring Grove

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 9:45am

Muriel (Mulnix) Vaaler, age 87 of Spring Grove, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Tweeten Lutheran Healthcare in Spring Grove.

She was born on November 10, 1931 in Caledonia, to Cecil and Barbara (Ensk) Mulnix.

Muriel was a 1951 Caledonia High School graduate. She worked at Lutheran Hospital as an aide before marrying Owen Vaaler on March 19, 1951. The couple was married for sixty-eight years.

The couple farmed for many years before retiring and moving to Spring Grove.

Ardys Ingvalson, 84, of Spring Grove

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 9:44am

Ardys Geneva Ingvalson (nee Omodt), 84, passed away into the arms of our Lord on March 8, 2019.  She lived an amazing and exemplary life, full of love, compassion, service, and faith. 

She was the wife of Leland for 59 years and was the BEST. MOM. EVER to Mark Ingvalson, (deceased), Marcia Ingvalson, John Ingvalson, Janine (Ingvalson) Wirth, Debra (Ingvalson) Landsom, Daniel Ingvalson, Suzanne Lynette, (deceased), Susanne Faith (Ingvalson) Benouna, and Sara (Ingvalson) Morken.  She was also the proud grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 13.  

Thelma Ellingson, 97, once of Hesper

Published by Herald on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 9:42am

Thelma O. Ellingson died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. 

Thelma Othilda Stoen was born March 23, 1921, the Wednesday of Holy Week, in Spring Grove, the daughter of Henry J. and Martina (Sollien) Stoen. She was baptized April 17, 1921, and confirmed June 3, 1935, both at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. Her great-great-grandfather, Halsten Stoen, had emigrated from Norway in 1850 and homesteaded in Pleasant Township, donating the land on which the original church and cemetery were located.