Pastor Lane Zaffke with a jar of maple syrup produced on his farm near Spring Grove.               Photo by Daniel McGonigle

The idea stems from a discussion Pastor Lane Zaffke had with a member of his congregation.
Zaffke owns several acres of land near Spring Grove. On his property he has about 12 acres of Maple trees.

Snow Days, the mid-winter celebration held at Caledonia High School each year, is being observed this week. King and queen candidates are shown above. They are clockwise starting at 6 o’clock, Tyler Pynnonen, son of Jeff and Amy Pynnonen, Hannah Nack, daughter of Doug and Marit Nack, Chad Lampert, son of Howard and Christine Lampert, Sam Meyer, daughter of Alan and Sandy Meyer, Dylan Klein, son of Darlene Klein, Lydia Petersen, daughter of Wayne and Kelly Petersen, Lyndon Becker, son of Merle and Donise Becker, and Sandy Kinneberg, daughter of Myron and Jean Kinneberg. Festivities throughout the week include: Monday- Decade Day, Tuesday- Twin Day, Wednesday- Dress As Your Wanted Profession, and dodgeball tournament at 10 a.m., Thursday- Stoplight Day (Green- you’re single, Yellow- might be taken, Red- taken), Valentines Day festivities- Student Council will be selling Kiss-O-Grams, SADD chapter will be selling flowers, Friday- Color Day (12th-camo/orange, 11th-black, 10th- blue, 9th- red), Snow Days Challenge 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Snow Days Coronation, Friday night- Snow Days Dance.                                    Photo by Charlie Warner

Caledonia Care and Rehab residents Sidney Aasum and Doretta Schmidt tried out the warm, colorful lap throws presented to them by Bonnie Goetzinger and Grace Staggemeyer.  Photo by Charlie Warner

A large group of Houston County residents are a little warmer this year thanks to the efforts of several Caledonia ladies. Every nursing home resident in the county was given a warm, cuddly lap throw during the Christmas season, courtesy of the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

Ace Communications Group has collected donations from its various vendors for area residents affected by the August 2007 disaster. Ace’s vendors contributed a total of $30,300 for disaster recovery efforts, which was given to Semcac for distribution to the long-term recovery organizations in both Fillmore and Houston counties. The funds were granted to RADAR (Rushford Area Disaster Alliance for Recovery) and HCILTRO (Houston County Interfaith Long-Term Recovery Organization). These groups have case management services in place to address the unmet needs of affected households. Semcac Executive Director Terry Erickson said, “On behalf of the recovery agencies, Semcac thanks Ace Communications for gathering these gifts for the families that continue to struggle with the impacts of last August’s devastation.” Ace Install/Repair Manager Lyle Lechtenberg (far left) and ACE IS Manager John Nitecki (middle) present the checks received from Ace’s various vendors to Semcac Executive Director Terry Erickson (second from left), RADAR representative Pastor Roger Michaelson and HCILTRO representative Pastor Louise Stromberg.                                      Photo Submitted

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Caledonia Fire and Rescue, and Caledonia Ambulance were called to a one vehicle accident on Gap Drive, about a half mile west of Highway 44 in Caledonia Township Thursday afternoon. Leah Betz of 16797 County Road 12, Caldedonia, lost control of the 1994 Ford pick-up she was driving, slid off the road, and landed upside down in a field about 25 feet below the roadway. Betz, who was wearing her seatbelt, was not injured. Due to the freeze-thaw cycle experienced lately, many gravel roads in the area are very treacherous. The Sheriff’s Office urges drivers to slow down on snow and ice-covered backroads. In the top photo, firemen work their way down the steep ditch to the Betz vehicle. Above, firemen work to open the hood of the pickup to disconnect the battery to prevent any sparks or fires.  Photos by Charlie Warner

Adeline Roesler-Begalke was right at home Thursday afternoon when she returned to her pre-school class at Caledonia Area Elementary School. She was critically injured in an accident January 4. (Photo by Charlie Warner)