Caledonia Argus

The Year In Review

Posted: 3/4/03

Week of September 25óThe ISD #299 school board and City of Caledonia have joined in an eminent domain action against Ma Cal Developers, in order for a second access road to be built. John Martinez was promoted to Navy Chief. Deaths: Celia Ferris, 97, formerly of Fond du Lac, WI; Leo Weis, 92, Caledonia; Cody Allen Proulx, 5-day old son of Gregory Proulx and Ashley Meyer; Norman Vongroven, 75, Spring Grove; Charles Evans, 68, La Crescent.

Week of October 2óBev Burmester was chosen as Houston Countyís Day Care Provider of the Year. The retrofit project at the former high school is proceeding as planned; the demolition work has been completed and the reconstruction is underway. The Caledonia-based Team Miken/Michelob softball squad took top honors in two national tournaments in September. Deaths: Martha Garness, 85, Spring Grove; Orville Rask, 87, Caledonia; Izzie Gengler, 20, Caledonia; Donald Lind, 74, Rushford.

Week of October 9óRebecca Price is the new 4-H Program Coordinator for Houston County. CHS homecoming king and queen, Wes Stemper and Ashley Bearbower, were crowned Friday evening. Army Reserve Pvt. David M. Fink has graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, MO. The PSIMOS/Island Computer softball team placed 17th out of 44 teams in the national tourney held in Liberty, MO. Deaths: George Hahn, 94, formerly of New Albin, IA; Selma Ranzenberger, 87, Caledonia.

Week of October 16óLocal band members of ìSold Separatelyî, Mike Bubbers, Seth Gengler and James Fleischmann, were featured. The ISD #299 school board decided that it will ask voters for $818,000 in the December 17 levy referendum. St. Elizabeth Council 200 of St. Maryís celebrated its 100 year anniversary. State Representative Michelle Rifenberg recently accepted a ìFriend of Agricultureî award from Farm Bureau. Deaths: Clyde Seekins, Jr., 79, Caledonia.

Week of October 23óKatie LeBarron is an AmeriCorps member, helping children at Caledonia Community Education learn. The ISD #299 school board decided the proposed operating levy will be applicable for ten years. Clients of A.B.L.E. recently donated 463 pounds of food from friends, neighbors and staff to the Semcac Food Shelf. Deaths: Wendi Vix, 31, Sheldon; Kianna Sue Vix, stillborn daughter of Jason and Wendi Vix of Sheldon; Minnie Schuldt, 89, Caledonia.

Week of October 30óThe ISD #299 school board reconsidered its decision to set the operating levy at ten years, opting instead for a five-year term. Rifa Li opens the China Buffet in the former Albertís Grocery Store. U. S. Senator Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash on October 25. Mackenzie Chiglo, granddaughter of Nester and Phyllis Chiglo, was a winner in the Wisconsin Association of School Boardís 2002 Write and Illustrate Your Own Book contest. Deaths: Edna Kumpf, 87, Spring Grove; Elder Stellick, 86, Caledonia; Harold Miller, 91, Caledonia; Ross Johnson, 88, San Benito, TX; Richard Lange, 51, Houston.

Week of November 6óA gravel road is being put in as an extension of Esch Drive by Roverud Construction, Inc. Caledonia native and World War II veteran Don St. Mary will receive his high school diploma at a ceremony on November 11. Health insurance for county employees will increase by almost 20 percent in 2003.Charley and Sandy Good and Verne Koenig, all of Decorah were recently inducted in AmericaísOld-Time Country Music Hall of Fame. Lola Guillien was named Boysí Soccer Assistant Coach of the Year for Section 1A. Deaths: Norman Vick, 78, Harmony; Palma Danielson, 96, formerly of Wilmington township; Lila Jackowski, 78, Houston; Gladys Doering, 90, Caledonia; James Schomers, 68, New Albin.

Week of November 13óSheriff Mike Lee was re-elected to a third term in office on November 6. The playground equipment at St. Maryís elementary school was destroyed by arson in the early morning hours of November 9. Katmandu Trading Co., owned and operated by Jesse Schultz and Adam Steele, is now open in Hokah. Air Force Airman Willa S. Klankowski has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Ken VanDenBoom was named Athletic Director of the Year for Section 1A. Deaths: Donald Orr, 78, Winona; Bernice Abbott, 46, Dallas, TX; Lillian Anderson, 83, Spring Grove.

Week of November 20óWork has begun on the interior of the new Four Seasons Community Center. John Tuchek, the former Lanesboro Police Chief who was convicted of eight counts of first degree arson and one count of fifth degree arson, was denied a new trial by Judge James Fabian. Laura Kruse and Garret Ross were selected to perform in an honorís recital at Luther Collegeís 46th annual Dorian Keyboard Festival. Winona State University head football coach Tom Sawyer has announced that Mitch Schiltz has been named to the 2002 varsity football team at Winona State. Deaths: Clarence Loerch, 91, Winona; Theodore Gjere, 92, Decorah, IA; Lloyd Bjorgo, 80, Caledonia; Nadine Privet, 70, Caledonia; Gerald Berg, 61, Decorah, IA.

Week of November 27óA vehicle smashed into the doors of the gymnasium at the old middle/high school Sunday night, causing extensive damage. The Sesquincentennial committee has received $2,500 from the Caledonia Chamber. Construction at the old middle/high school is on schedule for completion in late February. Woodland honors Subway as employer of the year. Deaths: A. Ellwood Swenson, 79, Caledonia; Anna Gstalder, 98, formerly of Hokah; Arlin Feil, 84, Caledonia; Baldwin Hanson, 87, Spring Grove; Barbara Albert, 52, Brooklyn Center; Clarice Storlie, 80, Spring Grove; Robert Wiste, 70, Spring Grove.

Week of December 4óMark Taylor, the man charged with damaging the northwest doorway of the former high school faces six charges, including criminal damage to property, fourth degree DWI, and collision with an unattended vehicle. John Cochran, M.D., a family physician at the Franciscan Skemp Clinic, has been nominated for the 2003 Minnesota Family Physician of the Year Award. Brian Theiler, Gundersen Lutheran Social Services director, has been named interim administrator for Tweeten Health Service and Harmony Healthcare. Deaths: Willmar Thorkelson, 84, well-known religious writer; Earl Johnson, 89, Money Creek; Lillie Halverson, 98, Spring Grove; Mildred Caffrey, 89, formerly of McIntire; Arnold Belverud, 86, rural Mabel; Lester Oefstedahl, 87, Spring Grove.

Week of December 11óKermit McRae of Caledonia designed the winning button for Caledoniaís Sesquicentennial. The city council alloted $25,000 for the Kruckow/Gjere project adjacent to the new middle/high school. The Houston County Public Health Nursing department is part of a nationwide effort to mobilize agencies to respond to a potential small pox outbreak. Deaths: Dale Spiegler, 76, Waukon, IA; Lillie Traff, 90, Austin; Sister Gertrude Theisen, 82, Rochester; Bonnie Sanden, 75, Houston; Michael Morey, infant son of Michael and Kendra (Paul) Morey; Norval ìPaulî Adamson, 62, rural Caledonia.

Week of December 18óEarning first place in Founders Days Christmas lighting contest for the city was the home of Neil and Pam Beckman. The city council adopted a total property tax levy of $313,665, which includes a general fund levy of $180,223, and an indebtedness levy of $133,442. Jerry VanRavenhorst will open the Underground youth center this Friday. Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty appointed Brian Lamb, commissioner of the Department Administration and Sheryl Corrigan to oversee the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The Lutheran Home has been awarded for four accident free years. Deaths: Judith ìPeteî Betz, 54, Caledonia; Lyle ìButchî Heintz, 85, formerly of rural Caledonia; Margaret Lybeck, 88, Caledonia; Peter Fokema, 96, Caledonia.

Week of December 25óThe ISD #299 school board authorized district administrators to revise Caledonia High Schoolís four-period schedule in favor of a schedule ìwith a bias towards the eight-period dayî. Ray Johnson is Caledoniaís new postmaster. The latest Caledonia Pride, compiled by Dr. Alan Fleischmann, will be delivered this week. The ISD #299 operating levy referendum was passed on December 17. wotj 61.7% of district poll-goers voting in favor of the levy. Deaths: Adeline Witt, 93, Mineral Wells, TX; Armin Korthauer, 74, Houston; Dorothy Kulas, 88, Houston; Howard Rask, 95, Rochester.

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