Spring Grove Herald

David Phillips: Say no to ugly gerry

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 08/22/2019 - 7:28am

Three Chicago-based digital designers have created a font whose letters are composed of actual congressional districts located in various states of the United States. An example of the font is in the headline to this column. Each letter is an actual congressional district somewhere in the United States.

The full alphabet of districts that form letters is fascinating – not because of the beauty of the font, which readers can see is hard to read, but due to the fact that it is confounding that U.S. congressional districts actually look like the letter B or Z or I or X and so on.

Spring Grove football reloads, could contend again

Published by Herald on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 8:27am

How much success can Spring Grove football fans expect after graduation claimed three All-State performers and an All State Honorable Mention from last year's second straight state 9-man championship team? 

The Lions start the 2019 season with seven letter winners, including four of last year's most productive 11 players. They need to replace all of the kicking game specialists and bring back only three starters on offense (two linemen, one back) and only three starters on defense (line, linebacker, defensive back). 

Volleyball girls dedicated to "keep it going"

Published by Herald on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 8:25am

Graduation claimed most of the offensive firepower from Spring Grove's record 27-win volleyball season last fall (2018), but there is much optimism that a solid Lion program will continue to extend the current 10-year string of winning or break-even seasons.

Soccer girls rebuilding defense again

Published by Herald on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 8:24am

For the second straight season, restocking the defense is the major task for the Caledonia/Spring Grove/Houston soccer girls. The Warriors head into this week's season opener with experience, returning 10 of last year's 15-player rotation. But most of the veterans performed on the offensive half of the field.

Five starters were lost to graduation, but that included both all-conference selections and the majority of the defense from last fall's 2-12-3 team.

Gross rewarded by college teammates

Published by Herald on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 8:23am

Kaitlyn Gross, Spring Grove High School class of 2018, continued her basketball career last winter at St. Mary's University in Winona. There were not a lot game minutes for the 6-foot-3 freshman post player, but there was plenty of hard work and valuable preparation.

"Kaitlyn made great strides throughout her first season with us," said head coach David Foley, "competing against some very talented players at her position every day in practice." 

Journalism investigation shows Ag. Society as public government body, subject to open meeting, data laws

Published by Herald on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:50pm

The Houston County Agricultural Society was proven to be an open and public body of government after a nearly two-year long investigation by the Spring Grove Herald. 

What started as an investigation into the activities of two former employees – who did the premium list work that was previously done by the Herald – stemmed another question: Is the Ag Society a public body of government subject to the Open Meeting Law and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act? 

Answer: Yes. 

Have a hoppy time at Hop Harvest Fest in Houston

Published by Herald on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:39pm

Hop on down to Houston for a good time with hops, live music, vendors, food and family fun at Hop Harvest Fest, hosted by Sweet 16 Farm.

Held on a hops and cut-flower farm, the Hops Harvest Fest is an event where anyone can come help harvest hops by hand.

The one-day event will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, from 2 to 10 p.m. at Sweet 16 Farm, which is located at 21215 Hwy. 16.

Tickets are $20 at the gate and ages 16 and under are free with accompanying adult. Camping is included with the ticket price for those that wish to stay overnight. Campsites are primitive. 

Spring Grove Marching Band gets fired up for marching season with ‘Aztec Fire’ Community preview night is Aug. 26

Published by Herald on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:36pm

The Spring Grove Marching Band is bringing a lot of fire to the streets, through their instruments and color guard flags, of course.

Though its first parade isn’t until Sept. 7 for Steam Engine Days in Mabel, the band has been parading around town, practicing the song, marching and choreography.

The band is also getting ready to debut their song and marching to the Spring Grove community on Monday, Aug. 26, at the football field. The band will practice from 6 to 8 p.m. with a performance at 7 p.m.

Henry Schaub, 97, father of Spring Grove woman

Published by Herald on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:33pm

Henry W. Schaub, 97, of Richland Center died at Schmitt Woodland Hills on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. 

He was born on July 24, 1922 in Mason County, Ill. the son of William Richard and Emma Buse Schaub.

 He married the love of his life, Juanita M. Lowe on November 17, 1945 in Bloomington, Ill.

Henry served in the US Army from Nov. 2, 1942 until Oct. 30, 1945, serving in CO G 357th Infantry of General George Patton’s 3rd Army. 

The “Tough Hombres” served in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. 

Ronald Lane, 77, of Spring Grove

Published by Herald on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:23pm

Ronald Sigurd Lane, age 77 of Spring Grove, and formerly of rural Decorah, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2017, at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, Wis.

He was born on Nov. 20, 1941, to Leonard and Thelma (Overhaug) Lane. He was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, Iowa.

He attended country school at the Kjome School. He later graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1961. He also attended Auctioneer’s School.