Spring Grove Herald

Looking at the state tourney Lion boys

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 11:04am

The 2019 Spring Grove basketball boys extended the program's impressive string of highly successful basketball seasons, but they distinguished themselves as the first Lion lads to play in the state basketball tournament.

The boys broke a single-game shooting record while playing away from home and excelled in many aspects of the game - but overall, their statistical hallmarks were ball-handling and free throw shooting.

McCabe, Pieper place first in field events

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 11:02am

Freshman Christopher Pieper took first place in boys high jump as did senior Nick McCabe in shot put and the 4x100-meter girls relay at the Lewiston-Altura invitational on April 18. Two days previous, Caledonia/Spring Grove had competed at the La Crosse Logan Invitational.

Despite some individual highlights, C/SG did not have enough athletes or enter enough events to challenge for any of the team titles. The Warrior girls and boys both finished eighth among eight teams at Logan, and both were fourth among five teams at L-A.

Girls at Logan

‘Away we go’ on path to volunteer commitment that may last decades

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Tue, 04/23/2019 - 8:53am

A recent story about a local man’s recent retirement from firefighting made me laugh. It all started 48 years ago when a co-worker suggested he join the department, to which he told our reporter his reply was, “OK, and away we went.”

Now, I’ve never volunteered for anything as physically, mentally and emotionally taxing as fighting fires or responding to medical emergencies, something the same person started three years after his introduction to firefighting, but his recollection reminds me that I, too, have been swept up in suggestions to volunteer my time.

Census shows trends in agriculture

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 4:54pm

The census of agriculture doesn’t get the same attention as the U.S. census, but the most recent census for 2017, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently, shows some trends that mirror more general trends.

For example, agriculture is consolidating, much like business in general.

The number of farms in Minnesota decreased from 80,992 in 2007 to 68,822 in 2017. Yet, the amount of farmland dropped just 5 percent as the average size of farms increased 11.7 percent to an average of 371 acres per farm.

Consolidation of dairy and pork is even more dramatic.

Softball girls shut out, then snowed out

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 12:08pm

The Caledonia/Spring Grove softball girls suffered a hard-fought shut out to start the week before being snowed out at the end of the week.

Visiting La Crescent-Hokah broke a scoreless stalemate with a two-out and two-RBI, wind-blown single in the fourth inning and went on to blank the Warriors, 3-0. 

It was a very windy day at the Caledonia softball field, which according to coach Michelle Anderson, "affected a number of hit balls for both teams."

Lion bats active early in 11-5 road win against Wolverines

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 12:05pm

Noah Elton batted 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles while driving in four runs as Spring Grove scored 11 runs for the second time in three baseball games. In this 11-5 road victory at Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger on April 8, the Lion bats took charge early rather than late as they had in the previous 11-1 win at Schaeffer Academy.

Veteran trap team takes aim at another title

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 12:04pm

 Eighteen shooters are back from last year's championship squad plus two newcomers as the Spring Grove clay target team prepares to extend its string of both conference and state trap titles. There are a dozen Lion boys and eight girls on the 2019 roster, most of which were part of the state Class 1A championship in 2017 and the Class 2A title last spring.

This spring's contingent includes all eight who performed well at the 2018 National Championship Tournament, including two finalists - Kyle Hagen and Tristan Hammel.

‘Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes’ Poverty simulation shows true effect of impoverished families

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 12:01pm

Houston County Public Health and Human Services held an “eye-opening” experience on April 3, which simulated impoverished situations.

More than 50 participants from the department, its partner agencies, 20 students and two staff from Spring Grove Public Schools and three facilitators from the Minnesota Community Action Partnership took part in the simulation.

Adult Services Lead Worker Lisa Arneson said the department sponsored the event to bring awareness and help participants experience life in someone else’s shoes.

Beyond excellence; Spring Grove dominates section music honors again

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 12:01pm

“You are my MVP,” said judge Tom Haugen emphatically while pointing at Jonah Udstuen and his baritone saxophone. 

Other words of praise followed about that freshman musician and the other members of the Spring Grove saxophone ensemble, who had just completed an obviously stirring performance at the 2019 Section 1A Solo/Ensemble competition at Rushford-Peterson High School on April 9.

Best of the best times six

That saxophone ensemble received one of the coveted “Best in Site” (BIS) awards. 

Whitetails Unlimited raises money to fuel trap teams

Published by Herald on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 11:59am

An event in its fourth year raised a sizeable donation for two trap teams in Houston County.

A total of $6,204.41 was raised from the annual Houston County Hunter’s Night Out banquet, hosted by Whitetails Unlimited Minnesota South Field Director Chris Petersen said.

“We have great community support for the event and the teams,” he said. 

Throughout the last four years, a total of $23,765 has been raised and donated to the Spring Grove Trap Team and the Houston County 4-H Shooting Sports. Each group gets an equal donation.