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

On Jan. 19, Brennan Schulte, 12, of Caledonia, cooked with Wolves guard Wayne Ellington as he attended the Minnesota Timberwolves annual Cooking for the Cause event at the Way Cool Cooking School of Eden Prairie. Children between the ages of 6-12 that are diagnosed with diabetes learned how to cook diabetic friendly meals with Timberwolves players.  Each team of children was matched up with a Timberwolves player to cook a different part of the meal.  At the end of the event all parts of the meal were placed together and everyone enjoyed the food.  The event was hosted by Timberwolves Broadcaster Tom Hanneman with Timberwolves players Al Jefferson, Corey Brewer, Wayne Ellington, Nathan Jawai and Oleksiy Pecherov being celebrity cooks.                         Submitted photo

More than 125 persons attended the informational seminar on spring road bans and hauling restrictions that was presented by the Houston County Highway Department and Sheriff’s Office Feb. 24.
In the photo above, Deputy Tim Irwin, who serves as the county’s vehicle inspector, addressed the group during the hour-long seminar that was held in the Caledonia Municipal Building basement.
Irwin explained why the road bans are put into place, how adhering to them will save taxpayers’ dollars (due to less damage to the roadways) and that he is here to help commercial haulers and farmers. Irwin offered to go to anyone’s business or farm and conduct an inspection free of charge, “ahead of time, as long as there’s some hot coffee and maybe a piece of dessert.”
It was noted that during the three years Irwin has been conducting roadside spot inspections, he has only issued eight tickets. “We’re here to help you,” he added. At right, Irwin gives a demonstration using a county highway truck.                               Photos by Charlie Warner