Residents of Southeast Minnesota were treated to some of the best fall colors in recent memory last week. Temps were in the 70s, the sun was out, and the country roads were filled with persons enjoying the autumn scenery.                             Photo by Charlie Warner

World War Two veterans from the Caledonia area who traveled to Washington D.C. on the Freedom Honor Flight are from left, Bob Hosch, Arlyn Ranzenberger, Gilbert Meiners, Stan Engen, Gerald Noel, Leland Larson, Ervin Barth, John Smerud, Delmar Cochran, Joe McCarthy, Henry Frank, Merle Johnson, and Chuck Rollins. Not shown, Gordon Tippman.              Photo by Tom Murphy

There were 14 World War II veterans from the Caledonia area who flew on the Freedom Honor Flight from La Crosse to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 8.  The purpose was to have this generation of veterans see the monuments that stand in their honor.

Folks making the hairpin curve partway down this steep hill on Beaver Ridge Drive get a panoramic view of Beaver Creek valley below.                            Photo by Charlie Warner

Houston County is known for its majestic bluffs and steep valleys. There is probably no county in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that has as many ups and downs in its topography as Houston County. And these drastic changes in the topography make for many miles of dangerous roads with hairpin curves, and potentially lethal drop-offs.

Houston County Financial Director Casey Bradley is excited about his new position with the county. He said he is impressed with the county board and the way county government is conducted here.                     Photo by Charlie Warner

“I’m impressed with the county board, and the way county government is conducted here. I was used to a 10-person city council that was very structured. At my previous position, the city council had to form committees for everything. The committees would report to the council, and most issues took at least one more meeting before things were approved. It’s much more ‘hands off’ here. I think this is a much more efficient way of doing things.”

Among the contingency of World War Two veterans from the Caledonia area, who left early Wednesday morning on the Freedom Flight from La Crosse to Washington, D.C. were from right, Gerald “Jug” Noel, Chuck Rollins, and Del Cochran. Also pictured is Loveless Eikens American Legion Post 191 Commander Joel Boone. The local American Legion paid for the transportation to and from La Crosse. A total of 14 veterans from the Caledonia area were among the 125 WW II vets, who flew out of La Crosse early Wednesday to attend the ceremony in Washington, and will return Wednesday night. See the Oct. 15 issue of The Argus for a story on the day-long trip and a photo of the Caledonia vets. Photo by Tom Murphy