February, our second month, has a very special -- a day that is a special one to those of all ages. This special day is called Valentine’s Day. This day is one in which love plays a bigger part than in other day of the year. On this day as well as the week leading up to this day more gifts of candy, flowers and jewelry as well as many cards with loving messages on them are purchased than any other month of the year. The cards, known as valentines, are made especially for this day only.These are all lovely gifts but the candy is soon eaten, leaving only an empty box and the lovely flowers soon fade and dry. The jewelry will lose its sparkle and the cards get tucked away and in some cases thrown away after a time period. Where this all happens every year after the passing of this day of … [Read more...]

The second annual Music on Sunday event will be held on March 4th, 2012 from 2-4 PM at the Kenyon-Wanamingo Middle/High School. The event is a joint project created by a partnership between the KW Education Foundation and the KW Music Department and has been held the last two years to showcase to the community the activities of the music programs at KW and the purchases made by the foundation on behalf of the students. The KW Education Foundation was founded to help raise money for teachers to purchase equipment for students. “Not everyone is able to come to evening concerts,” said Cathay Hoven of the KW Education Foundation. “We hope that people can come [to the event] and see students who are participating in activities in the music department.” The event will include both … [Read more...]

Twenty-year-old Kenyon native, Chad Lexvold, pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal vehicular homicide or operation recently and will be sentenced March 12 in Goodhue District Court. Lexvold was charged on October 7th, 2011 with nine counts after he allegedly drove a van while intoxicated on March 19th, which contributed to an accident that caused the death of one of the van’s passengers, Jacob Baalson, 19, of Kenyon. On the night of the accident, Lexvold was allegedly drinking with three others, Baalson, Luke Trevis, 18, and Nicole Groth, 17, before the group got into a van with Lexvold behind the wheel. The accident occurred at around 2 am on County Road 30 near a sharp turn at 50th Avenue in Holden Township. Investigators have since determined that the vehicle was doing at least … [Read more...]

Congratulations to Goodhue County 4-H’s General Livestock Judging Team!  Eight 4-Hers and two adult volunteers left Tuesday, January 3 to travel to Denver for the Western National Roundup.  The judging contest was held Saturday, January 7.  The group attended the Livestock Expo on Sunday and returned to Minnesota on Monday.Goodhue County 4-H’s competing team included Ryan Stehr of Zumbrota, Kelsey Glaess of Cannon Falls, Ellin Stolp of Oronoco and Taylor Waugh of Goodhue.  Joining the team were alternates Stacey Glaess of Cannon Falls and Kendrah Schafer of Goodhue and guests Madison Schafer of Goodhue and Emalie Stolp of Oronoco.  4-H Adult Volunteers Pat Glaess of Cannon Falls and Coach LeeAnn Waugh of Goodhue chaperoned the trip. “This experience was phenomenal!” 4-H … [Read more...]

There are things that happen, sometimes, in someone’s life that completely change its course, and not always for the better. That’s just what happened to Jenine Klankowski, of West Concord. In September of 2010 Klankowski began to experience brief lapses in her sense balance. She also began to lose her vision and her sense of taste. When the synptoms first appeared, she and her husband, Caleb, decided she should go to the doctor in Rochester to determine the cause of her symptoms. After examining her and subjecting her to further tests, the doctor determined that, if the symptoms weren’t causing major disruption to her life, Klankowski could return home with the hopes that she would recover in time. At first it seemed that the doctor’s advice was sound. It wasn’t until … [Read more...]

Dr. Michael Blue has served the community through the Olmsted Medical Center office in Wanamingo for the last six years. His decision to relocate and be closer to his grand children is a result of taking his own advice he often dispenses to his patients. His new position at a family medicine office in Okanogan, Washington will allow Blue and his wife to live close to his grandson and new (yet to arrive) granddaughter. Blue worked as a teacher of nursing at a community college before deciding to start med school at the age of forty-one. Starting a career at middle age is not the a usual choice and he comments that he will likely be paying his student loans out of his social security check. But it was the profession that he felt compelled to follow. Blue has worked as a pediatric nurse … [Read more...]

A Honor Roll Fifth Grade: Gretchen Anderson, Cole Axelson, Emma Berquam, Jacob Hilger, Spencer Miner, Alec Nesseth, Amber Olson, Tyler Ryan, Luke Steberg, Celia WoockSixth Grade: Derik Baumgartner, Lauren Berg, Corynne Dahl, Sabrina Eggert, Joseph Gould, Tess Hokanson, Corissa Kern, Madeline McCauley, Emily RechtzigelSeventh Grade: Samuel Breimhurst, Shelby Clawiter, Shera Clawiter, Megan Groth, Natalie Hildebrandt, Mia Peterson, Emily PliscottEighth Grade: Ella Lee, Drew Persson, Kadey Seeger A- Honor Roll Fifth Grade: Gavin Bauer, Nathan Bauer, Jenna Baumgartner, Brock Blanck, Trinity Blowers, Seth Brossard, Hunter Burow, Chelsea Gilster, Angelica Guerrero, Jesse Jackson, Carter Johnson, Sophia Kyllo, Kaya Lindell, Lacey Moeller, Cole Newman, Hunter O’Brien, Isabella … [Read more...]

Shawn Steven Schneider, age 32 of Lake City passed away on December 30, 2011 as a result of a critical injury that occurred while responding to a domestic call on December 19, 2011. He was surrounded by love, honor and respect not only in his last days but throughout his entire life. Shawn, a nine year veteran as a Lake City Police Officer proudly wore Badge Number 208. Shawn was a hard working, passionate and dedicated officer that truly loved his job. Shawn has been married to his best friend and the love of his life for nine years. The two of them enjoyed one another dearly, spending time hand in hand watching the waves roll in while collecting seashells on their cherished vacations. Shawn was blessed with three amazing and beautiful children that were the center of his world. … [Read more...]

There was excitement in the air at Nerstrand Elementary School on Thursday, December 15th for the annual Winter Program put on by the K-5th grade students, under the direction of music specialist, Melodi VanRoekel.  Two performances were given on Thursday, one at 12:45 and again at 6:45 p.m. The fifth grade band started off playing several selections.  Then the 24 kindergarten students entertained the standing room only crowds with four songs, accompanied by fifth grade student, Kasandra Keller on the piano.  The highlight of the performance was the musical production of “In Search of Peace”, a musical written by the students with the help of Melodi.  The inspiration for the musical was the Children’s International Peace Garden, located on the school grounds at Nerstrand … [Read more...]

By Logan Bernstein The holidays are a good time of year to remember people in need, and try to help by donating items to charity and by gathering food for donation to the local food shelf. In October the Kenyon-Wanamingo-Nerstrand area saw the opening of the new All Seasons Community Services - Food Shelf, which offers a new place to help area residents. The service, which has been steadily growing since it was opened, began by serving about 30 families but ended November at around 50 and is continuing to grow. “Donations have been quite good,” said Bobbie Jones, who manages the food shelf. “People have been generous, especially with produce and food donations.” Things usually slow down for food shelves in the month of December, but Jones hopes the All Seasons Food … [Read more...]