Discover Blooming Prairie

r e v o c s i E I R D AI

2013

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Your Guide To Blooming Prairie & TheBlooming Surrounding Communities Discover Prairie 2013

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Leader

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The

A Free Publication Serving Blooming Prairie and Ellendale

BPLeader.com Page 1

& Heather Haus Apartments Skilled Nursing Home Housing with Services Our motto, “Quality Care with a Small Town Touch” is what sets us apart.

Our professional staff are trained, licensed and educated in providing quality care and supervision twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

We pride ourselves in the work we do.

Services Provided: Skilled Long-Term Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Hospice • Therapeutic Diets • Social Services Activities • Weekly Church Services • Barber & Beautician • • • •

We Strive to maintain our goals:

Promotion of a therapeutic and caring environment for all our residents Respect for each individual's choices Encouragement of healthy lifestyle Provide a clean, safe, friendly and home-like setting for all residents

220 3rd Street NW, Blooming Prairie, MN 507-583-4434 | www.prairiemanorinc.com Page 2

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Blooming Prairie 2013

Discover Blooming Prairie Advertisers Index A.J. Lysne Contrating Corporation ..................31 A Touch of Charm ...........................................17 Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club ...............6 B to Z Hardware...............................................10 Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce .......8 Blooming Prairie Country Club .......................11 Boys & Girls Club of Blooming Prairie .............15 Car Time of Owatonna ....................................18 Cash Wise Foods ..............................................14 Central Valley Cooperative ..............................29 Darrick’s Preferred Auto .................................12 Deml Heating & Air Conditioning ...................22 Ellendale Muni ................................................17 Farmers & Merchants State Bank ....................5 First National Bank .........................................12 Geneva Bar & Grill ...........................................36 George’s of Geneva ..........................................37 Glenn’s Motorcoach Tours ..............................33 Heavy Metal ....................................................9 Holiday Inn & Suites ........................................25 Holman Agency, Inc ........................................7 Home Sellers of Minnesota..............................4 Jensen Heating, A/C, & Plumbing ...................37 Jesse’s Boot Store .............................................4

Ellendale Days

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Blooming Prairie 2013

Ellendale•Hope•Geneva

Joe’s Repair Service, Inc........................... 11 Johnson and Doerhoefer P.A. .................. 13 Krejci Ford, Inc .......................................... 8 Lerberg’s Foods ........................................ 35 Looks Unlimited....................................... 35 Main Street Dental .................................. 19 Mark’s Repair .......................................... 30 Metal Services of Blooming Prairie, Inc .. 40 Mike’s Repair - Extinguisher Services ...... 16 Miner’s Outdoor & Rec ............................ 27 Minimizer .......................................... 20, 21 Misgen Auto Parts ................................... 19 Prairie Manor Care Center ........................ 2 Prairie Plumbing & Heating ...................... 7 Salinas Auto Repair ................................... 9 Sportstitch, Inc ........................................ 10 St. Clair’s for Men .................................... 31 Steele Waseca Cooperative Electric .......... 28 Steele County Landfill.............................. 18 Steve’s Meat Market ................................ 34 Sunopta Grains and Foods, Inc ............... 39 The Leader ............................................... 38 Whispering Oak Assisted Living .............. 24 Worlein Funeral Homes ...................... 6, 29

Blooming Prairie Christmas Program

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Blooming Prairie at a glance......................6 A look back ................................................... 10 Investing in our future .............................. 12 Awesome Blossoms ................................... 14 Where we play ............................................. 15 City map......................................................... 23 Getting together......................................... 24 Blooming Prairie Public Library ............. 31 Places of Worship ....................................... 32 Ellendale ........................................................ 34 Geneva ........................................................... 36 Hope................................................................ 38

Work hard,

Play Harder.

JESSE'S BOOT Store (507) 583-9900

112 Hwy 218 S, Blooming Prairie Page 4

Discover Blooming Prairie A special project of the The Leader 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN 55060 Publisher Ron Ensley Advertising Director Debbie Ensley Managing Editor Jeffrey Jackson Media Consultants Betty Frost, Diane Gengler, Rachel Ebbers, Deb Theisen Advertising Design Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista, Keeley Krebsbach, Paul Ristau, Naomi Kissling, Nikkie Gilmore Cover Design Kate Townsend-Noet Page Design Tony Borreson Discover Blooming Prairie is distributed to readers of The Leader as well as at local businesses, and at the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.

All rights reserved ©2013

STEVE & LISA VAITH, REALTORS® Brokers/Owners, GRI ACTIVE Members of the MLS

423 E. MAIN ST. • BLOOMING PRAIRIE

Office: (507) 583-7233 Lisa’s Cell: (507) 456-3741 Steve’s Cell: (507) 456-1545

www.HomeSellersMN.com Discover

Blooming Prairie 2013

Welcome toBlooming Prairie Blooming Prairie, Minn., opens its doors and invites you to experience visiting, working, going to school and living where integrity and quality are present and a part of our normal life.

I am honored as the president of the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce to encourage you to come, walk a bit, talk a bit and experience the home of the legendary Awesome Blossoms.

The greatest assets in Blooming Prairie are its residents — people of all shape, color, ethnic background and description who continually and willingly put aside personal agendas and ideologies for a common greater good. These folks have a strong work ethic, are faith-based, value a high quality of family life, and recognize the importance of education.

The result of this strong founda-

tion is a community that invests in each other, is willing to learn new things and embrace change while standing firmly on who we are — a quiet and trusting community ideally located at the apex of four counties with quick access to Interstate 35 and 90. We are surrounded by a strong agricultural base and are very thankful to our families that farm.

Blooming Prairie has created a climate where business can succeed, attested by our cluster of area manufacturers and active business community. Leadership and sacrifice in our school system has created an environment that focuses on a well-rounded and fully equipped student. Our city itself has progressive and innovative thinkers who have positioned our little city with infrastructure for growth. Our citizens feel safe because of our police force and our volunteer ambulance

and fire departments. Our military veterans provide activities and education to the entire community, and residents of all ages feel supported, valued and needed.

I graciously invite you all to come and enjoy our community whether it is to join us for our famous OldFashioned 4th of July, our numerous charitable events or Chamber of Commerce social activities. Blooming Prairie is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I am very proud to show it off.

Johnson

Tamzen R. Johnson is the president of the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce. Tamzen owns Johnson & Doerhoefer PA and is active in many community organizations.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank Est. 1904 The Farmers and Merchants State Bank is a family owned, independent bank. We are very proud of our 100 years of service to the community. In our institution, our customers know us and we know them, most on a first name basis and that is the way we like it! We pride ourselves on fast, friendly, superior customer service.

Online Banking • Many Accounts to Choose From • Club Discounts • Loans

507-583-6688 245 E. Main St., Blooming Prairie, MN www.fmbankmn.com Discover

Blooming Prairie 2013

Fax: 507-583-7214 Email: fmbank@citlink.net Page 5

Blooming Prairie at a glance THE BASICS

Location: 1.41 square miles in southeast Steele County County: Steele, Dodge Distance from the Twin Cities: Blooming Prairie is south of the Twin Cities From Minneapolis About 78 miles (85 miles by car) or 1 hour and 24 minutes by car From St. Paul About 75 miles (89 miles by car) or 1 hour and 25 minutes by car Elevation 1,293 feet

PREPLANNING Leaving Solutions Not Problems

• Specializing in personalized prearrangement & prefunding plans PLANS

Call Mary Kittelson Today!

Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club Make Reservations for Your: Wedding Reception | Business Meeting Organization Meeting | Graduation Party Family Reuinion | Bridal or Baby Shower Tea or Birthday Party | Anniversary Celebration For Current Schedule of Activities, See Channel 12

• NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultant

507-583-7561 BLOOMING PRAIRIE FUNERAL HOME

507-583-7561

418 Highway Ave. S Blooming Prairie, MN www.worlein.com Page 6

The Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club is an excellent facility for seating up to 350 people, with ample parking available. There is a stage with wing entrance doors, a dance floor, and very good lighting and acoustics. The Servicemen’s Club also has excellent food service, and an alcohol and non-alcohol beverage service available.

507-583-7884

210 4th Street, NE • P.O. Box 2011 Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Discover

Blooming Prairie 2013

Area code 507 Zip code 55917 Population 1,996 (according to the 2010 census) 1,970 (2012 Census Bureau estimate) Median age 40.5 Median family income (2011) $41,338 Housing (2011) Estimated median house value $107,968

GOVERNMENT

Mayor Harold Peterson

City Council Brad Clark Tara Gimbel Mary Kittleson Bill Newman The city council meets at 7 p.m. every second Monday of the month.

City Administrator Michael Jones Deputy City Clerk Terri Zwiener

Administrative Assistant Laura Larson Blooming Prairie City Hall 138 Highway Avenue S. P.O. Box 68 Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 (507) 583-7573 The city hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Blooming Prairie Police Department Chief Paul Wayne 138 Highway Avenue S. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Non-Emergency (507) 583-7885 Emergency 911

PRAIRIE

PLUMBING & HEATING INC. Larry Christianson, Owner

HOLMAN AGENCY INC. Bringing all lines of Insurance to the Blooming Prairie & Surrounding Areas since 1985

Home • Auto • Farm

Life • Longterm Care • Medicare Supplements

Call 507•583•7294 For a Free Quote!

P.O. Box 248 Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Keith holman | Carol Holman

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Blooming Prairie 2013

- Covering a 45 mile radius of Blooming Prairie • Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Furnaces Fixtures • Boilers & Supplies An Independent

dealer

438 Highway Ave. South 507.583.7266 Blooming Prairie, MN License PM061705 Page 7

Blooming Prairie Fire Department Chief Dean Naatz 138 Highway Avenue S. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Non-Emergency (507) 583-2088 Emergency 911 Blooming Prairie Ambulance Service Director Jeremy Halverson 333 2nd Ave. N.E. P.O. Box 363 Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Non-Emergency (507) 583-7573 Emergency 911 E-mail: bloomingprairieambser@frontiernet.net Blooming Prairie Emergency Management Coordinator Jacob Peterson 138 Highway Avenue S. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: (507) 583-7573

Blooming Prairie Area

Chamber of Commerce

KREJCI FORD INC Your Service Minded Dealer

MISSION STATEMENT To provide a framework for community growth and development by encouraging financial investment, coordinating business activities, promoting commerce and fostering a sense of community pride.

P.O. Box 805 138 Highway Ave. South, Blooming Prairie

(507) 583-4472

Page 8

14 Time President’s Award Winner

218 Hwy N, Blooming Prairie 507-583-2046 | www.krejciford.com

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MUNICIPAL SERVICES

Blooming Prairie Wastewater Treatment Plant Public Works Director Keith Doerhoefer Plant Operator Sue Penkava Assistant Plant Operator Pat Wehner After Hours Emergencies call: (507) 475-0996 Blooming Prairie Street Department Public Works Director Keith Doerhoefer Head of Maintenance David Johnson After Hours Emergencies call: (507) 475-0996

SCHOOLS Blooming Prairie Elementary School Principal Chris Staloch 123 2nd St. N.W. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: (507) 583-6615 Fax: (507) 583-4415 Blooming Prairie Public Utilities Utilities Manager Rick Kittelson P.O. Box 55 146 3rd Ave. S.E. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 (507) 583-6683 After Hours Emergencies: (507) 475-2819 E-mail:rdkbppu@frontiernet.net Website: SMMPA

Blooming Prairie High School Superintendent-Principal Barry Olson 202 4th Ave. N.W. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: (507) 583-4426 Fax: (507) 583-7952

Salinas

Auto Repair Brakes • Oil Changes• Cosmetic Repair Tire Repair • Batteries • Electrical Air Conditioning/Heating

We Do it All!

Heavy Metal specializes in precision CNC machining while being committed to providing exceptional value through competitive pricing, superior quality, dependable on-time deliveries, and outstanding customer service.

HEAVY METAL, LLC

CNC MILLING AND TURNING

507-583-0050

335 HWY AVE SOUTH | PO BOX 306 BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MN 55917 EMAIL: TYLER@HEAVYMET AVYMETA AVYMET VYMETALLLC.COM

(507) 583-6620 656 3rd St NE, Blooming Prairie Discover

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Page 9

A look back Blooming Prairie can thank the railroad for its name and for its existence.

But it didn’t start with the railroad, not completely at least.

Back in 1856, John Blythe built a log cabin on 160 acres of government land, then known as the Oak Glen Township, which was at the time part of Dodge County.

That same year, the township was annexed by Steele County.

Settlers — many of them men working on the railroad for the Minnesota Central Railroad —

continued to arrive in 1856 and 1857. What they found was a vast prairie covered with tall grass and, of course, flowers. The sight was enough that the wife of one railroad official called the place “Blooming Prairie.” And the new name stuck not only for the settlement of wooden shacks, but for the entire township.

The land was also perfect for the farmers Main Street who settled in the area to grow wheat. And with wheat being the big crop for the area for decades, a flour mill was soon built.

341 East Main Street Blooming Prairie, 55917 341 East Main MN Street Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

B to Z Hardware carries a complete line of paints and sundries; and we'll mix colors to match your painting projects.

• Electrical and Plumbing supplies for maintenance and repairs • A full line of Lawn and garden tools, fertilizers and seeds • Automotive and Tool Sections

We also rent equipment for all types of projects!

Contractor • Homeowner • Industrial • Party

Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm

BZ to

323 East Main St. Blooming Prairie, MN

HARDWARE

(507) 583-4469

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“Yourone one stop stop logo “Your logoshop” shop” “Your one stop screen logo shop” Custom Embroidery | Screen Printing custom embroidery printing Promotional Products |screen Tuxedo Rentals custom embroidery printing promotional products tuxedo rentals Awesome Blossom Merchandise promotional products tuxedo rentals

507-583-7001 507-583-7001 -5 583-7 700 1 “No Order is too Big or too Small” as our versatile equipment can handle any size order. Whether you are a business, school, non-profit organization, sports team, or a budding entrepreneur the need to communicate your brand is critical to your success.

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It wasn’t the only building erected or business begun in that era. Indeed, after the first rail station was completed in the 1860s, others — those not connected with the railroad — came to town, including merchants who came to the village to set up shop. The business provided all kinds of goods and service. There was a blacksmith and a general store that stocked food products. The village had a hotel and even a post office.

By 1867, Blooming Prairie had established

Blooming Prairie Schools

The 9 hole "Blooming Prairie" course at the Blooming Prairie Country Club facility features 3,026 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36.

The course rating is 34.8 and it has a slope rating of 12. Blooming Prairie golf course opened in 1936.

• Clubhouse Appetizers and Entreès • Banquets and Receptions • Ladies League • Men’s League

itself as a city. But it wasn’t until 1873-1874 that the Minnesota State Legislature passed the act that officially incorporated Blooming Prairie as an individual village and the first city council was elected.

The incorporation brought a flurry of improvements to the village. Streets were graded. Hitching posts for horses were built along Main Street. Sidewalks were leveled.

Trees were planted in vacant lots. And the city built its first city hall, complete with city council chambers, a jail and a fire station.

Blooming Prairie Creamery

Automotive and Commercial Truck Repair & Service Brake Repair | Tire Changing Equipment

(507) 583-7994 163 5th St NW Blooming Prairie, MN

FALL 2013 MEGA GOLF Golf all day Tuesday and Wednesday with a cart for $35.00!

(507) 583-2887 PO Box 788 Blooming Prairie

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Page 11

Investing in our future From its earliest days, even years before it was officially incorporated as a village, the Blooming Prairie community has had a school.

In the early years — 1868 — the school, like the community itself, was small. Built at a cost of $700, the school house was a one-story building with just one teacher, J.K. Bucklin.

As the community grew, so did the need for a larger building to educate the children who live in and around the village. So in 1873, a mere five years after that first school building was built, it was sold and the building converted into a meat market.

In its place, a new two-story school house was built, carrying a price tag of $3,000.

That second school house would be used for more than 25 years until the growing population demanded yet a larger facility. An eight-room brick building was erected in 1899 — a building that served the community for many years before being demolished.

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Panther Debit Card Sign up today and you can help promote school pride and generate income for the NRHEG school system every time you use your card. It’s never been easier to help the kids in our communities, and it’s accepted everywhere MasterCard is. Contact any of our friendly bankers today, and start giving back to NRHEG Schools!

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Today, Independent School District 756 has two school buildings — the elementary school, which serves grades kindergarten through sixth, and the Blooming Prairie High School, which serves seventh through 12th grades.

The high school is renown for the strong athletic teams it fields, including the 2013 state champion girls softball team. But the school is also recognized for its strong programs in the arts, as well as excellent academics.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Blooming Prairie Schools is to provide challenging opportunities for lifelong learning in a safe and caring environment.

1. The school will provide opportunities for all to increase achievement.

2. The school will provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.

3. The school will provide quality facilities.

4. The school will operate effectively and efficiently.

BLOOMING PRAIRIE SCHOOLS Blooming Prairie Elementary School Principal Chris Staloch 123 2nd St. N.W. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: 507-583-6615 Fax: 507-583-4415 Blooming Prairie High School Superintendent-Principal Barry Olson 202 4th Ave. N.W. Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: 507-583-4426 Fax: 507-583-7952

Johnson & Doerhoefer P.A. “ Committed to our clients, providing consistent, efficient, and prompt service.”

Individual and Corporate Income Tax Preparation | Nonprofit Accounting and Tax Preparation Partnership Tax Preparation | Bookkeeping | Estate and Tax Planning | Payroll Services Federal and State Reporting Forms | FAFSA Reports | New Business Entity Choice and Set-Up

HOURS OF OPERATION January-April: M-F, 9-5, April 16-December: M-F, 9-3 Evening and Saturday appointments available

507-583-7528 314 East Main Street Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Discover

Blooming Prairie 2013

Page 13

Awesome Blossoms What’s in a name? To paraphrase Shakespeare, a Blossom by any other name would be just as Awesome.

But the Blooming Prairie’s Awesome Blossoms — the nickname for the high school teams — are not about to change that name. And there have been attempts to change it in the past.

Back in the 1950s and ’60s, there were votes taken to replace “Blossoms,” as they were then called, with a more “ferocious” nickname. When the Blooming Prairie boys basketball team qualified for the state tournament, a campaign began to change the name to a tougher sounding moniker. But, just like all the votes that proceeded it, the update was voted down.

And how exactly did that name come about?

Blooming Prairie historians say that the nickname was first used by a newspaper in Austin more than 100 years ago. When Austin sports teams played students from Blooming Prairie, the paper wrote that Austin played the

“Blossoms” team. Eventually the name stuck.

And when did those Blossoms become Awesome?

The current mascot was created by Tom Ressler in 1979. The “fighting flower” was supposed to look more ferocious than the previous one, but when people saw it, they instead said it looked “Awesome.”The Blooming Prairie Blossoms became the Awesome Blossoms.

The nickname has also won the school and the community national recognition, and routinely the “Awesome Blossom” nickname lands Blooming Prairie on a list of most unusual names, including those of USA Today, Sports Illustrated and TotalProSports.com. And the name is not only unusual, it’s unique. According to one study, Blooming Prairie High School is one of just 80 schools in the United States with a one-of-a-kind nickname. That really is Awesome.

OPEN 24 HOURS • Groceries • Fresh Produce • Meat Service Counter • Pharmacy • Video • Copies 7¢/Fax • 1 Hour Photo • Key Making • Dry Cleaning • Deli/Catering no job too big or small • Bakery - Photo Cakes, Weddings & Graduation Page 14

• Natural Foods Dept.

• Floral - Custom Design, Funerals & Weddings

• Check Cashing • Money Orders 19¢ • We Serve FREE Coffee • Cash Wise Liquor Conveniently Located Next Door

• Fast & Friendly Service!

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495 WEST N STREET, OWATONNA (507) 451-7220

www.cashwise.com Discover

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where we play VICTORY FIELD PARK

Across from Blooming Prairie High School, off Main Street West is Victory Field Park — a park that not only has a pavilion and playground equipment, but also, for the sports-minded, has two softball fields, a tennis court and an ice rink. The park is also used for Fourth of July activities, including the fireworks.

VICTORY FIELD ICE RINK

Located in Victory Field Park, the Victory Field Ice Rink was truly a community effort meant to help Blooming Prairie residents enjoy great Minnesota winter outdoor recreation in their own hometown.

Victory Field Park

OUR PROGRAMS For Ages 6-18

Designed and delivered with key youth development objective in mind, each of our activities falls within one of five Core Programs: • Education & Career Development • Sports, Fitness & Recreation • Character & Leadership • Health & Life Skills • The Arts

OUR VISION

Donate Your Time Donate Your Talent Donate Your Treasure

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Blooming Prairie 2013

Unit Director, Mary Sherman-Ahrens 401 4th St. S.E. Blooming Prairie, MN (507) 583-6699

To give every child access to a safe, nurturing, educational environment, that positivily effects their lives.

Service Hours: • 3-6 PM, Mon. - Fri. during the school year, • 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Mon. - Fri. during the summer

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The community saw the need to replace the old rink that was really nothing more than water that was put down on the grass of Central Park and left to freeze. The old rink had neither boards around the rink nor a proper warming house.

Not so with the Victory Field Ice Rink, which boasts not only a new warming house, big enough to facilitate the number of people at the rink, but also permanent boards that remain all year long. There are also restrooms, an equipment rental office with snacks, and a lounge. The rink itself is regulation size and has lighting for night activities.

The rink, 100 4th Ave. SW, was the result of the city’s efforts to secure grants to assist with the cost and the generosity of individuals and

businesses that also donated funds to pay the extra costs.

Warming house hours are 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday during the winter months. If inclement weather forces the closing of Blooming Prairie schools, the ice rink will be closed as well.

For more information, call 507-583-2315.

CENTRAL PARK

Located at the heart of Blooming Prairie, at the corner of Main Street and Center Avenue, Central Park boasts both a pavilion and a gazebo, both of which can be reserved by calling city hall.

The park is also the location for most of the Fourth of July Central Park celebration’s activities.

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Emergency or on the Farm Repair 507-455-0388 (After Hours 507-455-0483)

if no answer call 456-8519 or 456-8521 Mike

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Blooming Prairie 2013

PINE SPRINGS PARK

If you’re looking for a concrete swimming pool to cool during the hot summer months, Pine Springs Pool is not the place.

It’s better.

The man-made pool — sometimes called the “swimming pond” — has a sand bottom and is fed from the natural spring located beneath the city block on which it sits.

Those natural spring waters are treated with chlorine to make certain that algae and bacteria do not grow and to ensure that the pool is safe for swimming.

A picnic area with a gazebo have also been added to make the pool more welcoming.

Located on the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street NW, Pine Springs is one of the largest swimming pools in the area. The pool has three sections. The first is four feet deep, the second five and a half feet deep, and the third 11 feet deep. The first section has a platform for children to jump off of and swim around.

A TOUCH of CHARM

Pine Springs Park

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Unique Gifts and Full Service Florist You deserve the finest accents, your family and friends the finest gifts.

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Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 - 5:00 Saturday: 9:30 - 4:00

507-583-7637

Downtown Blooming Prairie atouchofcharmonline.com Discover

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Great Food! Cold Beer!

Happy Hour Specials Monday - Saturday: 3 - 6 PM

Kitchen open @ 11 AM Daily!

507-684-9422 217 5th Ave West, Ellendale, MN Page 17

Blooming Prairie Country Club

There is a diving board platform at the third section. There are also sandboxes near the first section for children to play in.

Pool hours during the summer are from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Memberships are available for individuals and families, as are coupon books.

Swimming lessons — both morning and

evening sessions — are available for a nominal fee.

For more detailed information about Pine Spring Pool, including swimming lessons, contact the pool during normal business hours at 507-583-7401 or contact City Hall.

Pine Springs Pool was built and dedicated to public use in 1961, a gift to the city by local attorney Glenn S. Thorson, who was known to people in the community as “Mr. Blooming Prairie.” Thorson (1891-1973) was honored by Blooming Prairie, Steele County and the state of Minnesota as the Outstanding Senior Citizen of 1972.

BLOOMING PRAIRIE COUNTRY CLUB

Considered one of the finest nine-hole golf courses in southern Minnesota, the 36-par course of the semi-private Blooming Prairie Country Club features 3,026 yards of golf from the longest tees.

The club, which opened in 1936, has a course rating of 34.8 and has a slope rating of 127.

Steele County

Landfill

Used Vehicle Center

Monday - Friday: 9 a.m - 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

507-583-7766 9420 S.E. 64th Ave., Blooming Prairie, MN

Helping make a difference in Steele County since 1974.

Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Page 18

Saturday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

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The fun, well-kept USGA course is open to the public, but also offers memberships.

The club house features a pro shop with everything a golfer may need for a day on the links.

There is also a snack bar with a full menu of food choices, snacks, beer and soda. And, the Blooming Prairie Country Club offers accommodations for banquets and receptions, with space that can accommodate up to 100 guests comfortably. The meal can be catered by the club or can be catered

from the outside. For more information about the Blooming Prairie Country Club, call 507-583-2887.

EAST SIDE PARK

Located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 2nd Street NE — in the middle of a residential area, it provides easy access for children — East Side Park has both a basketball court and playground equipment.

East Side Park

Less Than Excited About A Trip To The Dentist?

Relax. It’s Main Street Dental.

Our “Gentle-Care” Dentistry makes going to the dentist a pleasure. Well, sort of.

But we will do whatever we can to make you comfortable. That’s a promise.

BLOOMING PRAIRIE • (507) 583-2141 405 East Main Street, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 OWATONNA • (507) 455-1000 1170 E. Frontage Road, Owatonna, MN 55060 ROCHESTER • (507) 536-7700 3110 Wellner Drive NE Rochester, MN 55906 NEW RICHLAND • (507) 463-0502 132 North Broadway, New Richland, MN 56072 www.mainstreetdentalclinics.com

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Page 19

MINIMIZER CELEBRATING 30 YEARS...

YOU’LL FLINCH LONG BEFORE

THEY DO.

Minimizer, a company with an international footprint, is proud to be a job-creating engine in a rural community, employing 53 hard-working people. Headquartered in Blooming Prairie, MN, USA, Minimizer manufactures poly truck fenders, poly toolboxes, customized mud flaps, and bracket kits.

MINIMIZER PRODUCTS

Family owned and operated for 3 generations, Minimizer parent company Spray Control Systems, Inc., was founded in 1983. Minimizer aims to provide products tough enough to please tough people in a tough industry.

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After raising three generations in the heavy truck industry, we think we’ve got the right combination of expertise, an attitude bent on hard work, and a sense of justice and equality towards both our customers, employees, and community.

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MINIMIZER CELEBRATING 30 YEARS...

YOU’LL FLINCH LONG BEFORE

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Minimizer, a company with an international footprint, is proud to be a job-creating engine in a rural community, employing 53 hard-working people. Headquartered in Blooming Prairie, MN, USA, Minimizer manufactures poly truck fenders, poly toolboxes, customized mud flaps, and bracket kits.

MINIMIZER PRODUCTS

Family owned and operated for 3 generations, Minimizer parent company Spray Control Systems, Inc., was founded in 1983. Minimizer aims to provide products tough enough to please tough people in a tough industry.

• TESTED AND TORTURED • DAILY BY TRUCKERS FOR TRUCKERS

After raising three generations in the heavy truck industry, we think we’ve got the right combination of expertise, an attitude bent on hard work, and a sense of justice and equality towards both our customers, employees, and community.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT PARK

Just off U.S. Highway 218, next to the Servicemen’s Club, is Fire Department Park, which plays host to the annual corn and brat feed of the Blooming Prairie Fire Department. The park’s pavilion may be reserved by calling city hall.

Fire Department Park

GREEN GARDENS PARK

A “small but relaxing park that is hard to miss.” That’s how the city describes Green Gardens Park, which is located on a lot downtown where a building used to sit, just off U.S. Highway 218 and Main Street East. The buildings that surround it have been painted to help the park, the city’s smallest, blend into the buildings.

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H.S.

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4TH ST NW

MEMORIAL DR SW

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Public Schools

City Parks

Swimming Pool

Public Utilities

City Hall

Ambulance

Police Dept.

Fire Dept.

Water Tower

Road

City

Railroad

City of Blooming Prairie

Steele County

Getting together PAINT THE TOWN PINK

Even as it has raised awareness about cancer, the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group has worked hard to raise money to fight the dreaded disease through its annual Paint the Town Pink event — an event that has businesses and individuals, schools and families alike participating in the event.

The event culminates in a two-day auction in September to raise money for the Eagles Cancer Telethon, support a community fund to give gas cards, restaurant coupons and lodging assitance to individuals and their families as they go through cancer treatment.

But the activities begin long before the September auction. The cancer group starts selling pink flags for its annual Field of Flags in April. The flags, which honor and remember those who have had cancer or are battling it, are displayed in a field east of Highway 218 from Main Street.

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Leading up to the auction are numerous other displays of pink — in schools, businesses, residences and even on the roadways. The high school football and volleyball teams even don the color to show solidarity in fighting cancer.

New in 2013 was a Memorial Walk — a two-mile walk that took participants along a path through Blooming Prairie marked with pink ribbons and decorations.

ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET

On the third Thursday in November, the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce as well as guests from the community come

together for its annual banquet, held at the Servicemen’s Club — a banquet that gives the people of Blooming Prairie a chance to see and hear about some of the accomplishments of the chamber in the city throughout the year.

Area businesses decorate the tables with centerpieces of their own creation for the banquet and new officers for the chamber are recognized.

The highlight of the evening is the awarding of the “Citizen of the Year” by the chamber — an honor that recognizes someone who has served the community.

The banquet is open to the public.

For more information, call the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce at 507-583-4472.

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OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY For nearly 40 years now, Blooming Prairie has been the scene of one of the largest, if not the largest, Fourth of July celebrations in southern Minnesota.

Dubbed “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July,” the event stretches over two days and draws an estimated 35,000 or more visitors to the streets of Blooming Prairie and is the largest city-wide celebration of the year in the community.

True to its name, the Fourth of July celebration truly is “old-fashioned,” boasting bean-bag tosses, horseshoe tournaments, tractor pulls (including antique tractors), and classic car shows.

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The celebration stays current though by adding new and exciting attractions each year.

Two attractions, however, remain at the OldFashioned Fourth of July are the fireworks display — held at 10 p.m. at Victory Field — and, of course, the Fourth of July parade, which routinely brings in 125 units to participate.

The Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce is responsible for putting together the celebration, including the vendors, entertainment and parade participants. For more information, call the chamber at 507-5834472.

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GOBBLE WOBBLE

Started in 2010, the Gobble Wobble has quickly become a Thanksgiving tradition on the streets of Blooming Prairie. And the event has grown in popularity and numbers every year since its inception.

Beginning early in the morning — long before the turkey is served or the football teed up for the opening kickoff — runners and walkers gather to participate either in a six-mile run, a threemile run or a three-mile walk for individuals, or a three-mile walk for teams. And after the adults are done, children can participate in the threeblock race, known as the Widdle Wobble, led by a turkey.

Begun by race organizer Linda Klemmensen, the Gobble Wobble raised funds for the Pine Springs Pool in Blooming Prairie. This year, the event will raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Blooming Prairie.

RIBFEST

For three years now, the Servicemen’s Club has been the site for the Blooming Prairie Ribfest Cook-Off in June — a fund-raiser that benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Blooming Prairie.

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HOLIDAY DAZZLE

If the Fourth of July celebration is a longstanding tradition in Blooming Prairie, the community’s Holiday Dazzle, held on the first Friday of December, is quickly becoming a similar tradition.

The celebration, put on annually by the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, is meant to provide a chance for downtown businesses to showcase their products during the holiday season. It’s also meant as an event that allows everyone — even the biggest Scrooges of

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them all — to have some holiday fun.

In fact, one highlight in every Holiday Dazzle celebration is the annual Scrooge contest in which four contestants vie for the honor of being named the town’s Scrooge for the year. Whichever of the four contestants raises the most money wins the honor. The funds raised go toward replacing and purchasing Christmas lights for the downtown businesses.

But there’s more, including wagon rides down Main Street, instrumentalists playing music, and, of course, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

For more information, call the chamber at 507-583-4472.

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CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE

Twice a year — in May and then again in September — Blooming Prairie residents and businesses come together to hold a city-wide garage sale. The sale is sponsored by the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER GOLF FUN DAY

For nearly two decades, the Chamber Golf Fun Day serves as an annual fund-raiser for the chamber.

The event, which has a shotgun start, is open to the public. Held at the Blooming Prairie Country Club, the golf tournament features a theme for which participants often dress the part.

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Blooming Prairie Public Library The Blooming Prairie Public Library is a branch of the Owatonna Public and a member of the SELCO (Southeast Libraries Cooperating) Regional Library system.

As a branch of the Owatonna Public Library, the Blooming Prairie Public Library shares the same mission — “to provide for the informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs of the residents of Owatonna, Blooming Prairie and rural Steele County through organized collections of various media and access through technology to other resources” — and — “to provide better library service for everyone.”

Located in the City Center building at 138 Highway Avenue South in downtown Blooming Prairie, the library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Wednesday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and

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from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed on Sunday.

Preschool storytime is held at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesdays and features reading, rhymes and songs for all preschoolers and their families.

For more information, call the Blooming Prairie Public Library at 507-583-7750.

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Places of orship ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Vibrant Life Assembly of God 702 S. 3rd St. Ellendale Worship Service 10:30 a.m., Sunday

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

104 1st Ave. NE Blooming Prairie Worship Services 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday

CATHOLIC

Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Litomysl 9946 24th Ave. SE. Rural Owatonna Worship Service 9:30 a.m., Sunday

St. Aidan Catholic Church Hwy 30 and 3rd St. Ellendale Worship Service 9:30 a.m., Sunday

St. Columbanus Catholic Church 114 E. Main St. Blooming Prairie Worship Services 5:15 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. Sunday

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church Rural Geneva Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Sunday

LUTHERAN

Community Lutheran Church (ELCA) 106 3rd St. SE Geneva Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sunday

Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) 5881 SE 118th St. Blooming Prairie Worship Service 9 a.m., Sunday

Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA) 7126 S.W. 98th St. Ellendale Worship Service 9 a.m., Sunday.

First Lutheran Church (ELCA)

MENNONITE

First Lutheran Church (AFLC)

UNITED METHODIST

434 1st St. S.W. Blooming Prairie Worship Service 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday

503 Radel Court Ellendale Worship Service 9 a.m., Sunday

First Lutheran Church (LCMC)

13638 750th St. Blooming Prairie Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday

United Methodist Church County Road 14 Ellendale Worship Service 10:30 /a.m., Sunday

Hope Worship service 9 a.m. Sunday

Pontoppidan Lutheran (ELCA) Lemond, Minn.

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Page 33

Ellendale The youngest of all incorporated cities in Steele County is the city of Ellendale, a community that owes its existence and even its name to the railroad. So indebted is the town to the railroad that even to this day the city sign bears an image of a train.

As the story goes, in the year 1900, Thomas Brown, an official for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, was looking to establish a new town along the railroad’s path north to Minneapolis. Specifically, the railroad was looking to establish that town somewhere between Albert Lea and Owatonna — a town that would benefit the farmers in the area who could ship

out their produce and bring in supplies over the rails.

The farm of Elling Ellingson, halfway between those two cities, was chosen as the site for the new town.

The name of the town would be “Ellendale,” named in honor of Ellen Dale Ives, the wife of the president of the railroad and a woman known for her humanitarian endeavors.

The city of Ellendale was incorporated in 1901.

Even before the actual incorporation of the city, businesses began to spring up in Ellendale — a bank, a grocery and dry goods store, a furniture shop/mortuary, livery stables, a meat market, two

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elevators and a lumberyard. In September 1901 — just a month after the village’s incorporation — stockyards were built south of the depot.

Ellendale was growing. By the end of that year, the population was 200. By 1910, the population had doubled to 300.

Ellendale At A Glance:

Zip code 56206 Population 691 (according to the 2010 census) Median age 39.6

Ellendale, MN 56206 507-684-2681 The city offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Police GOVERNMENT Police protection for the city of Mayor Ellendale is contracted with Steele Roger Swearingen County.

City Council Non-emergency: 507-451-8232 THE BASICS Duane Goebel Emergency: 911 Scott Groth Ellendale Fire Department Location: 0.96 square miles in Dick Lassahn 705 2nd. Street southern Steele County, near the Ellendale, MN. 56026 Freeborn County line and just west Dean Reiter Non-emergency: 507-684-9800 of the intersection of Interstate 35 City council meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Emergency: 911 and Highway 30.

Thursday of the month in the Ellendale Ambulance Service County meeting room adjacent to the city 505 3rd Street Steele office in the city hall.

P.O. Box 172 Elevation Ellendale City Offices Ellendale, MN. 56026 1,280 feet 502 2nd Street Non-emergency: 507-688-2745 Area code P.O. Box 285 Emergency: 911 507

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507-456-2459 | 507-684-2088 Page 35

Geneva Located just over the Steele County line in neighboring Freeborn County, sits the community of Geneva.

According to the Minnesota Historical Society, the community now known as Geneva was first settled in 1855. The settlement came about when Milton Morey, a native of Vermont, moved to New York state. Once in New York, he heard about the lands in Minnesota, still a territory at that time and not yet a state.

Morey ventured to an area near Austin, Minn., where he was told about a town site near what was then called Black Walnut Lake. In 1855, Morey moved his family there, staked a claim and rechristened both the town and the lake as “Geneva,� named after a Geneva Lake, a 2,214 acre lake in New York.

By 1856, the town had its first post office. And the town was incorporated on Nov. 24, 1889.

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THE BASICS

Location: Geneva is located in northeast Freeborn County, at the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 45.

County: Freeborn Elevation 1,227 feet Area code 507 Zip code 56035 Population 555 (according to the 2010 census) Median age 38.3

GOVERNMENT

Mayor Steve Bailey City Council James Beenken Jannell Tufte Richard Weckwerth Taff Worrell

SCHOOLS

Geneva is part of the New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva school district, known as NRHEG. NRHEG High School (Grades 7-12) 306 Ash Avenue S New Richland, MN 56072 Phone: 507-465-3205 NRHEG Elementary School (Grades K-6) 600 School Street S Ellendale, MN 56026 Phone: 507-684-3181

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Food from 4:30 PM to 10 PM Daily Specials starting at 5 PM! Saturday lunch at 11 AM

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(507) 256-4501 Downtown Geneva Page 37

Hope

At one time, Steele County was king when it came to dairy products.

In 1883, the county boasted four cheese factories that made more cheese — 150,000 pounds of it — than any other county in the state.

By 1884, the county was known for its butter. That year, Steele County had at least 24 creameries, some say more, — an average of two creameries for every township — and Steele Countians produced 375,000 pounds of butter, meaning that it produced more butter per capita than any other county in Minnesota.

Alas, those days are no more. Though there are still large dairy farms in the county, the cheese factories are gone. And of the 24 creameries that existed here, all are gone.

All except one. The Hope Creamery.

Unlike many other butter manufacturers, Hope Creamery — one of the only independently owned creameries in the state — churns out butter the oldfashioned way, in small batches. It is the way the butter is made as well as the ingredients — fresh, local cream

— that makes this butter prized by chefs, bakers and consumers.

The creamery is located in Hope, Minnesota, a small, unincorporated community between Owatonna and Ellendale.

THE BASICS

Location: Between Owatonna and Ellendale in Steele County.

Elevation Zip Code Area Code 1,201 feet 56046 507

Reaching Over 6,000 Readers!

Leader The

Ellendale Prairie and g Blooming ation Servin A Free Public m

. 2 No. 37 7, 2013 • Vol September

bpleader.co

tive Steele-Waseca Coopera 2A ory, part of deal to buy territ

Serving Blooming Prairie, Ellendale, Geneva, and Hope

12A Blossoms down Panthers,

New year, new security enhancements across district IVAN

By DEREK SULL

a.com dsullivan@owatonn

IE — Unlike last BLOOMING PRAIR to wait on the had year, parent Jenny Fortto pick up her son, other side of the glass ernoon at Bloomaft Isaac, on Wednesday School. ing Prairie Elementaryparents, like Fort, In previous years, children in the hallcould wait for their Prairie Elementary ways of Blooming as part of a $60,000 School. But this year, doors are automatil’s schoo the e, updat p.m., a few minutes cally locked until 2:50 school day. before the end of the wait,” Fort said. “I “I don’t mind the , group at l was unsafe before ice skating in a didn’t think the schoo the changes.” cou esy of court Area women pract o (Phot e.

Brownsdal but I’m glad they made a new main enRohler Rink in d Herald) Daily is e ustin chang One key Matt Peterson/A es all visitors to enter requir which , trance the office. the school through h said the safePrincipal Chris Staloc also includes timed ty upgrades, which doors, were being locks on all other the Newtown, worked on, even before l shooting on , Prairie ing schoo Bloom Conn., elementary Friday, 20-year-old rn Minnesota like cities like munities of southe Dec. 14, 2012. On that 20 children and Hollandale and larger shot Ellendale, Geneva, fatally Lanza Adam r Lea. .com ers in a mass murde Austin and Albert least two teams in the the league, • astrain@owatonna six adult staff memb ntary School.

By AL STRAIN page has The goal is to get at ook pa ort showing at Sandy Hook Eleme that the league’s Faceb that our front e is plenty of supp teams. though Karow says “We have always known,” Staloch said. would allow for four “Sister No be starting out, ther access enough people that name hough they may just ers. entrance was easy Roll but ms, who goes by the participated in nd sive, Willia expen hbou be Shana Sout would nesota ue that will Mercy” when she’s competing, has er of things “We knew that it really want to make already for the Min the roller derby leag she likes a numb we had to do it. We l people through ers is the name for would-be other leagues andinsays sure we could funne exactly who is in roller derbies.

The Southbound Roll nty. Members of the n and the about competing aderie of the wome our office and know they are doing. nsdale in Mower Cou “I really like the camar when you’re on the track what Minnesota after the hern be based out of Brow forms sout our building and in that ue horrible things hapsweating it out close-knit group g to start a leag ptin And then you see together and you’re attem cing are same practi er, ue the States, and it releag of the state. we’re star- togethit’s hot,” Williams said. “You’re all doing together. s pen across the United no longer just team, part a r g othe startin ’t g in can when we weren er and hurtin minds you that you Something needs success of leagues held a fundraiser in who told us that g awful drills togeth havin le, is ne horrib safety. l someo group league.” other when to join the talk about schoo the track rally around each Last Saturday, the Blooming Prairie Service- ing a recruiting women on tly You or curren hing is ” getsomet and with The group to be done. at the pay for registration nder problems off the track Blooming Prairie and fundraising to co-fou on 3A Mankato, league something.”

Karow and fellow men’s Club.

See DISTRICT es around were in the league started. e been working on starting with “The closest leagu ” said league co-founder ting See GIRLS on 3A Carranza said they’v ville, months.

Rochester and Burnswere like, ‘There’s no league in Carley league for about two will serve the small comthe “We . team, Karow a le start to Jeanel we were just going Karow said the league between.’ We figured (a member of another league) to but then we talked , chamber proChairole Williamson to said some iduals who wish committee chair, tion fee for indiv but the motions churches and clubs have haven’t had good truck or tractor, “In the past, we for free. years local . sale, show a car, unity,” said Becky city-wide garage be able to view them people to our comm or. “We thought weather for our the weather is really public will we get a good amount of fundraisers the Boys and Girls Club in ART This year, “We hope but we’re hoping down a bake sale Noble, chamber direct er.”

Noble

By ASHLEY STEW ” come hold ut, to will people a good turno na.com Blooming Prairie ide cars, and we want it’d be a good tie togeth er is hoping for good so we get astewart@owaton we have to offer and and rummage sale during the city-w said.

Noble said the chamb et town to see what

DERBY GIRLS

to Blooming Prairie by league reaches out der ler rol n’s me wo Would-be

T

Page 38

e sale, motor show to host city-wide garag e erc mm Co of r be Blooming Prairie Cham

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SunOpta PO Box 128 Hope, MN 56046 507-451-4724 800-342-6976 Discover

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605 5th Street NE, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 1 17 507.583.2144 ◆ Fax 507.583.2020 ◆ metal-services.com

Agricultural & Commercial Repair

Laser & Plasma Cutting

Plasma Cutting Capacity t ty

Aluminum Up T To 2 in. x 8 ft. x 20 ft.

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Carbon Steel Up T To 2 1/2 in. x 8 ft. x 20 ft.

Laser Cutting Capacity tty

Aluminum Up T To 3/8 in. x 6 ft. x 12 ft.

Stainless Steel Up T To 5/8 in. x 6 ft. x 12 ft.

Carbon Steel Up T To 3/4 in. x 6 ft. x 12 ft.

Metal Fabrication & Welding

Our Welding R Repair shop is very experienced in all areas of welding. From big jobs to small, l, we’ we’ve seen it all. Equipment repairs include agricultural, commercial, livestock, industrial and construction.

Metal Services’ portable repair trucks can bring this service right to your door. r We specialr. ize in piping and maintenance projects at your location.

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Our metal ffabrication shop has the experience and capability tty to perform f sands of times, we’ll produce quality tty parts for f you on time, all the time.

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