By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor

The Caledonia City Council has reached an employment agreement with Jennifer Feely, who will serve as clerk/administrator. Mayor Bob Burns confirmed that Feely and the city had come to terms March 2.

Felly was born and raised in Fairmont, Minn. Following high school, she attended the University of South Dakota, where she obtained a bachelor of arts degree in political science. She then enrolled in the masters of public administration program at USD.

After graduate school Feely served as a planning intern for the city of Isanti, Minn. until she was offered the administrator/clerk/treasurer position for the city of Winnebago, Minn. in 2007.

“I’m looking forward to working for the city of Caledonia,” Feely said last week. “My last day in Winnebago will be March 17 and I plan to begin working for Caledonia on March 29.”

Feely will be taking the position of clerk/administrator that was vacated last fall when long-time clerk administrator Bob Nelson retired. 

After going 93 straight days without the mercury reaching 40 degrees, thermometers in the Caledonia area exceeded the 40-degree mark. This thermometer in downtown Caledonia topped out at 44 degrees around 2 p.m. Wednesday. The last time folks in the Caledonia area had temps this warm was Dec. 1, 2009.

Photo by Charlie Warner

The fifth grade Webelos of Caledonia Cub Scout Pack 51 participated in a winter campout with Spring Grove Boys Scout Troop 55 this past weekend. The scouts had fun loading up their winter gear, hiking through knee deep snow and traversing a stream to reach their camping destination. They set up camp in a beautiful wooded valley located between the two cities.  Under the guidance of the Boy Scout Troop, the Webelos worked on winter wilderness survival activities. These included acquiring water to drink, cooking and staying warm. They especially liked the challenge of campfire building without the use of matches. The boys were also introduced to navigation with the use of a compass.  In the evening, the Scouts enjoyed “hobo” dinners and s’mores cooked over the wood fire and the camaraderie of the group.  Boy Scout Troop 55 provided an excellent introduction to winter camping for the Webelos of Pack 51.  Webelos Scouts of Den 5 are: in front from left, Andrew Vick and Andrew Marshall.  In back, Webelos Den Leader Jon Hagerott, Nathan Hagerott, Dalton McHan, Derek Vonderohe, Thomas Jergenson and Nick Loging.                                          Submitted photo 

A production crew was at the Caledonia Quillin’s store last Friday morning to tape a commercial dealing with the “Win What U Spend” promotion that is currently being held at all seven Quillin’s stores in the tri-state area.

The Caledonia store was chosen as the location to tape the commercial and Caledonia Police Chief Kurt Zehnder was asked to be the person in the commercial.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 17 years and this is the first time I’ve been asked to be in a TV commercial,” Zehnder said.

Persons can enter the contest by taking their receipt as they check out of the store, sign it and put it in the entry box. Winners will be drawn each week, for the next six weeks, with $3,000 being awarded in Quillin’s gift certificates to patrons of the seven stores.   

The commercial will be aired on WKBT-TV of La Crosse.

In the photo above, Zehnder looks into the camera, as he does the commercial.

Photos by Charlie Warner