Caledonia Argus

The Year in Review

Posted: 1/22/02

Week of July 18............Family event will kick-off community center campaign; the impetus for the community center came from a lead gift of $300,000 from Helen and the late Art Fruechte. Gayle and Lee Grippen chosen as YFUís nominees to the United Nations Year of the Volunteer award. Relay for Life to be held in Houston August 3. Deaths: Bennie Veum, 93, Spring Grove; Mabel Schroeder, 84, Dorchester.

Week of July 25.........Drug-sniffing dog, Nitro, will join Caledonia Police Department. Miles Miller was named Outstanding Senior of the Year in honor of his dedication to the community. Caledonia Lions sponsors exchange student, Sasu Alasentie, from Finland. The city council agreed to give a $30,000 donation over a three year period to the Four Seasons Community Center. Ken Konkel of Houston was named Parade Marshal for Houston Hoedown. Deaths: Anna Hafner, 95, La Crescent; Paul Thies, 95, formerly of Caledonia; Armella Constans, formerly of Caledonia.

Week of August 1..........Mary Ann Schmitz selected as Outstanding Senior of the Year for her contributions to the community and her volunteering efforts. Ingrid Watkins, MD, joins Franciscan Skemp Caledonia Clinic. Caledonia Crazy Days this Friday and Saturday. ECM Publishers sponsor food drive for Semcac Food Shelf.

Week of August 8.........Sharen and Emily Lapham return from a trip to China determined to help a young man they met there finish his education. A year after an accident on August 10 in which Matt Hoscheit lost his left arm, he is working and enjoying his family. Lutheran Home welcomes nurse, Alma Agunta, from the Philippines. Deaths: Elizabeth Neuenburg, 83, formerly of Eitzen; Dorothy Mueller, 77, Winona; Genora Rauk, 101, Spring Grove; Cornelius Staven, 75, Spring Grove; Palmer Bergsgaard, 84, Spring Grove.

Week of August 15..........Jim and Steffy Schellsmidt enjoy the thrills of demolition derbies. Houston County Fair begins today. State winners for the Catholic Daughters educational contest were Mandy Bathalon, Theresa Ellenz, Margo Meisch, Jody Schuldt, Megan Buttell and Betty Schwartzhoff. Richard and Verly Holty and sons, Jim and Ron and families of Mabel were chosen Houston County Soil Conservation Farmers of the Year. Deaths: Gladys Kuecker, 90, Caledonia; Cleon Sires, 76, New Albin; Katie Halvorson, 101, Houston; Frieda Solie, 92, Spring Grove; Merle Gengler, 55, formerly of Caledonia.

Week of August 22.......VFW Club, Legion at odds over building lease. Barb Bissen and Aggie Tippery have each written a book of Hokahís 150-year history for the city celebration. Mitch Mullins of Caledonia captured the Menís Open championship at MaCalGrove. Death: Edwin Kinneberg, 83, Caledonia.

Week of August 29..........Robert Schroeder and his daughter, Lizzie, of Caledonia, went to Bogota, Columbia to help out an orphanage. City Council will review bids for a new pumper for the fire department. Local townships in Houston County will have to levy an additional $604,451 next year to make up for cuts through the Homestead and Agriculture Credit Aid. ISD #299 welcomes new teachers, Robin Marten, Brenda Bergan, Richard Daily and Jennifer Briest. 1976 State Football champions celebrate 25th anniversary. Deaths: Ralph Whitlock, 80, Caledonia; Marvin Loken, 78, Houston; Carlton Selness, 88, Spring Grove; Judith Ann Myhre, 53, Minneapolis; Lloyd Welke, 80, Hokah.

Week of September 5...........Nine months after a fire destroyed Ross Otternessís store in Spring Grove, ìRossís Placeî located in the former ìBake Shoppe & Cafeî, has been completely remodeled and is ready for business. Caledonia Lions member John Gaspard receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship award in honor of an individual Lion who has examplified himself and been recognized by his fellow Lions of representing humanitarianism qualities such as generosity, compassion, and concern for others. Seven CHS students attended the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) National Conference in Washington, D.C. Bud Marnach was nominated by Caledonia Community Education and chosen by members of the La Crosse Area Independent Youth Baseball League to receive the ìJack Freitagî award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated their support of baseball in their community. Death: Laurayne Liepins, 80, formerly of Wilmington Township.

Week of September 12........New school project under budget, construction on schedule. ISD #299 will need a referendum to get out of its half a million dollar deficit, auditor Darwin Vicker told the school board. Jeb Griffith of Caledonia receives the Silver Beaver Award for contributions to Scouting. The first Jakes (Junior Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Day held at Caledonia Sportsman Club. St. Maryís school welcomes new teachers, Joleen Fink, Karen Loging, Bret Nielsen and Lacey Aarsvold. Three win safety awards from the Minnesota State Patrol, Jennifer Schroeder, Emily Wiste and Stacey Wilhelm. Deaths: Charles Meyer, 63, Caledonia; Ella Traff, 103, Houston; Maurice Bjergum, 85, Spring Grove.

Week of September 19........Local citizens react to the September 11 terrorist attack. Caledonia Charities drive begins. Farm Safety Week is September 16-22. Gas price scare creates lines at the pumps. Land acquisition approved for option of development for second access road for new school: .7168 acres from Harley and Bea Doering for a cost of $5,376.00. Boy Scout Troop #1422 participated in the 2001 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. ABC Works, formerly Networks, holds open house. Deaths: Sister Illuminata Schiltz, 89, Rochester; Mary Colleran, 80, Caledonia.

Week of September 26........New bleachers at Veteransí Memorial Field will be set up after the current fall sports season. City hall remodeling nears completion. Caledonia Rotary Club makes the first installment of a $10,000 pledge for the new Four Seasons Community Center. Mark Coffield, resigned from his position as city development director. David Lehmann of La Crescent, was re-elected president of Houston County NFO.

Week of October 3...........Dick and Teresa Walter and Bob and Louella Becker will be opening Twin Creeks Golf Course outside of Hokah. Lee Grippen, Caledonia, was named Lutheran Brotherhoodís Outstanding Volunteer for Ridge Country Branch 8681. St. Johnís school hosts Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omahaís Wild Kingdom. Ron Moen of Caledonia to be inducted into Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Deaths: Merton Unnasch, 91, Houston; David Mills, 79, Caledonia; Llyn Musser, 91, Spring Grove; Sophie Moen, 85, formerly of Caledonia.

Week of October 10.........Study finds county jail, which was built in 1875 and is among the oldest in the state, is not up with the times. Homecoming Royalty chosen: Chelsey Lager, Jessica Lange, Jodi Halverson, Kari Kruckow, Leslee Lapham, Eric McCabe, Jacob Kruse, Brad Nelson, Pual Hammell and Ben Hammell. Houston County Childcare Provider of the Year is Kathryn Clausen of La Crescent. Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. St. Maryís school held their fund raising marathon which collected pledges raising over $5,000. Caledonia Miken Team completes softball season with 82-6 record. National 4-H week celebrates 100 years. Death: Albin Nelson, 87, Winona.

Week of October 17.........Ken Baumgartner, 42, of Brownsville died following a fall from the roof of his home. Christmas parade will honor American Heroes. Weather was damp and drizzly for Caledoniaís Fall Foliage celebration. Caledonia volleyball team second in conference. Deaths: Jackson Leahy, infant, Caledonia; Kenny Baumgartner, 42, Brownsville; George Smerud, 74, New Albin; Alvina May 98, La Crescent; Beulah Smith, 87, Houston.

Week of October 24............Brad Nelson and Jodi Halverson chosen Homecoming Royalty. CHS claims conference football title. The CHS Shadow, a newspaper produced by the students of Caledonia High School, returns to being a monthly feature in The Argus. Deaths: Robert Lee, 78, Caledonia; Hazel Buckbee, 92, Houston; Fred Renner, 93, Caledonia; Carmaleta Deters, 53, Spring Grove; Robert Higgins, 81, Caledonia; Josephine Halverson, 89, Houston.

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