Thursday June 9, 2016 Vol. 4, No. 15
The Weekly Post
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Farmington council selects parking lot bid
MAPLE LANE COUNTRY CLUB TURNS 50
By KELSEY WATZNAUER
FARMINGTON – The Farmington City Council accepted a bid from Stark Excavating, Inc. to begin construction on a parking lot at South Main Street in its regular meeting on Monday. “The USDA would pay 75 percent up to the $100,000 [grant cap] and the city would pick up 25 percent plus anything that is over the $100,000 amount,” said City Administrator Rollen Wright. The council received at least one additional bid for the project but chose Stark’s proposal of a six-inch concrete surface – estimated at $116,675 – instead of a blacktop bid of $94,692.85, Wright said. “In my mind, concrete is stronger; it’s a no brainer,” said Alderman Matt Ulm. “I’m in the construction industry and I know that’s a pretty good deal.” Additionally, the Community and EcoFor The Weekly Post
This was the scene in 1967 as work began on a swimming pool at what would become the Maple Lane Country Club north of Elmwood. In the background is the farmhouse that now serves as the clubhouse. Submitted photo.
From farm to family recreation destination By JEFF LAMPE
ELMWOOD – When he first moved to town, Vince Hulslander went into Farmers State Bank planning to borrow $2,000 to pay off the purchase of a house. Late bank president Bob Lott had other ideas. “He told me, ‘I’ll do better than $2,000. I’ll give you $3,000, but $1,000 has to go to the country club we’re working on,” said Hulslander, who moved to Elmwood from Annawan to work in the Peabody Coal Co. mine in Rapatee. That was back in 1966 when Maple Lane Country Club was still a concept and the golf course that now graces the old farm was still being planted in beans or corn. Hulslander agreed with Lott’s proposal and was one of the first 100 Weekly Post Staff Writer
members who joined the club, which would take its name thanks to a long lane bordered by tall maples that led to a historic farmhouse. That original group of members helped bring to fruition the ideas of Richard Whitney, Lott and a few other Elmwood citizens. The plan was to purchase an old farm and house north of town to provide a
Vince and Bobbi Hulslander of Elmwood have been members of Maple Lane Country Club for all 50 years of its existence Photo by Jeff Lampe.
family recreation center that would include a swimming pool, fishing lake, golf course, tennis court and clubhouse. By enlisting members, the organizers raised enough money to purchase the property for $35,000 on April 26, 1966. The farm had originally belonged to Daniel Hurff, who around 1860 Continued on Page 2
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Brimfield board talks parks, ATVs By TERRY BIBO
BRIMFIELD – Given a summer-light agenda, Brimfield trustees breezed through Monday’s regular meeting and focused on averting problems later. They pondered a potential park board. They began discussion on licensing ATVs and golf carts. And they agreed to spend up to $60,000 to replace a 12-year-old truck with a model which could serve multiple purposes such as snow removal. “It would be a heavier truck,” said President Dan Fishel, who had proposed the idea as part of the 2016-2017 budget. “I’m thinking we’re going to stay with the red and have a Cardinals’ emblem on each door...” For The Weekly Post
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