Caledonia Argus

The Year in Review

Posted: 2/19/03

Week of August 7óCongressman Gil Gutknecht introduces bill to lower the cost of prescription medication. Teachers begin moving into classrooms at the new middle/high school. Al Hein, a farmer from Mabel, to run against Greg Davids for Minnesota House Seat 31B. Harold Thompson, Caledonia, earns recognition as Outstanding Senior Citizen of Houston County. The Argus took first place in a food drive contest sponsored by its parent company, ECM Publishers in Coon Rapids. Construction underway for Four Seasons Community Center. Jessie OíBieglo, 19, and Keith Schroeder, 19, both of Caledonia, were sentenced to 120 days in the Houston County jail and restitution for inflicting almost $40,000 in damage to Beaver Creek State Park, a residence in Yucatan township and the new middle/high school while it was under construction in February. Deaths: Irma Johnson, 86, Caledonia; Lloyd Tessmer, 82, Houston.

Week of August 14óCity approves permit for salvage yard on East Main Street to Russell Besse. Houston County celebrates 100th anniversary of 4-H. Bread of Life church welcomes new pastor, Jerry VanRavenhorst. Deaths: Verna Burmester, 97, Caledonia; Julian Smalley, 88, Spring Grove; Clarice Gjere, 71, Spring Grove; Clarissa Klinski, 88, Rushford; Sylvia Meitrodt, 90, Caledonia.

Week of August 21óBoard members unanimously approved a new teacher contract that would pay teachers a 1.75% increase for 2001-2002 year and 3.5% for the 2002-2003 school year. Nathan Hahn of the Mayville Blue Ribbon Strivers won reserve champion gilt honors at the Houston County Fair. Matt Ranzenberger of the Caledonia Rockets had the Grand Champion dairy steer. Dru Rischette of the Silver Creek Rustlers won Grand Champion for the Bantam pen and also the entire poultry show. Deaths: Angel Wright, 41, Spring Grove; Leo Gallagher, 76, formerly of Caledonia; Leslee Fischer, 43, Sheldon.

Week of August 28óAndrew Miller joins Caledonia Argus staff. Fay Gengler of Caledonia speaks out against budget cuts affecting services for the blind. Beaver Creek Valley State Park, along with 23 other Minnesota state parks, will be reducing services starting September 3. Fun Daze celebration held in Hokah. Caledonia football joins the Three Rivers South Conference. Kevin Loeffler wins championship for the Junior Golf Tournament held at Ma Cal Grove Country Club. Germain Davison, of Butterfield Valley near Hokah, was named the recipient of this yearís Minnesota Tree Farmer of the Year Award. Deaths: Nathan Sherry, 51, formerly of Spring Grove; JoAnn Rislove, 54, Rushford; Roberta Burke, 71, Caledonia.

Week of September 4óRandy Mell, the Caledonia Area Forester for the Minnesota DNR, fought fires in Alaska from August 3-19 as part of an inter-agency fire team. The Caledonia Rockets are celebrating their 50th year as a 4-H Club. The Minnesota Department of Health announced that the state has its first two probable human cases of West Nile virus infection. McFarland Tennis Court, McFarland, WI, was renamed, Robert W. Renslo Tennis Facility, in honor of the 1951 Caledonia graduate, Bob Renslo. Bob Burmester scores game-winning basket for Minnesota Select. Deaths: Wilfred Henselin, 80, Stewartville.

Week of September 11óOpening day at the new $20 million middle/high school was a success, according to Principal Brian Doty. The Caledonia City Council voted Monday evening to spend nearly $130,000 to have a pedestrian walkway constructed on the east right of way of Highway 44/76. Liz Klug has been promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor at Merchants Bank. Deaths: Luella McWain, 99, Caledonia; Yvonne Doely, 73, Rochester.

Week of September 18óInterim superintendent Jim Tool and School Board President Cheryl Whitesitt accepted a bronze plaque commemorating the opening of the new Caledonia Area Middle/High School. Julie Knudsen and Steve Eggerich are new teachers at St. Maryís Elementary. Don and Lavona Meiners are recipients of the ARC Minnesota Volunteer of the Year Award. Aaron Mitchell earned Eagle Scout status by working with Julie OíMara Meyer to establish an emergency fund for Caledonia Elementary students who are in need of school supplies.

Top of Page