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Northfield News
After midnight move, historic schoolhouse has new home in Dundas
After midnight Sunday morning, the Historic Waterford Town Hall finally moved from its Dakota County spot to the Rice County Steam and Gas grounds south of Dundas. The move down Highway 3 during the dark of night had been repeatedly delayed by Xcel Energy for one reason or another since December 2022. To prepare for Sunday’s journey down Highway 3, Xcel Energy moved power lines out of the way. Bill...
Benjamin Bus driver receives national outstanding driver service award
Northfield school bus driver Barb Moore received the National School Transportation Association or NSTA. The award was presented during the NSTA national convention on Tuesday, July 18th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NSTA is made up of school bus contractors from across the country. Laure M. Benjamin, vice president of operations, said in an email that she nominated Barb for this national award "because of her longstanding dedication to Benjamin Bus...
Vehicle hits bike at Highway 3, Third Street intersection; minor injuries
On July 27 at about 8:06 a.m., Northfield police officers along with Northfield Hospital EMS and Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Services responded to a vehicle-versus-bicyclist crash with injuries at the intersection of Highway 3 and Third Street. It was reported that a person was lying on the ground with ankle and hip pain, that they were awake and talking. Officers arrived on scene and spoke with all parties involved....
Town Ball Tally: Dukes beat Faribault, as Knights finish regular season with win
To begin their final week of regular season play before the start of the state tournament playoffs, the Dundas Dukes scored a 12-6 victory over the Faribault Lakers in a showdown between these local town ball rivals on Wednesday, July 26 at Memorial Park in Dundas. On a hot, humid night along the Cannon River that connects these two towns, Dundas opened the game’s offense in the second inning thanks to a single by Tyler Steimer, which scored Jon Bishop from third. ...
Lyrical prose and poetry writer to appear at Content Books
When writer Matt Mauch isn't teaching a summer class on creative writing, he is studying and testing out different writing genres himself. "I want my poetry to be different from book to book," explained Mauch during a Zoom interview Friday. "I want to grow, try something new. This book is radically different from my previous books." He explained that the themes involved in his latest work were inspired by true...
Larson returns as Northfield varsity volleyball coach
In looking for a replacement for coach Tim Torstenson, who led the Raiders to five Big 9 championships and several section final appearances during his 14 seasons with the team, Northfield High School turned to a familiar face. Elizabeth Larson was recently named the new head volleyball coach at the school. Larson previously held the position as the Raiders’ head coach from 2000 to 2007 and helped establish the legacy...
July Out n' About program is all about bikes, bike lanes
After the Minnesota Legislature passed the Bill Dooley Bicycle Safety Act this spring, Minnesota bikers are no longer required to stop at stop signs. That change, along with Northfield’s much-debated bike paths being installed directly behind 20 driveways, compounded by a growing concern about electric bikes whizzing on bike trails at speeds up to 30 mph, prompted Out n’ About organizers to dedicate an entire community conversation to a program on bike safety. ...
Archer House proposed design likely to change, but developers still hope to move forward quickly
After more than a year of largely behind the scenes work, a new development could come together quickly on the coveted former site of Northfield’s beloved Archer House — but the initial designs will likely be altered substantially after receiving a decidedly cool reception. “Certainly the initial plans and renderings we brought forward were 30% plans,” said Chris Kennelly, the lead on the project from Manawa, a division of Rebound Enterprises in Northfield. “… so we were trying to get feedback primarily on massing and...
Northfield Rotary injects more family fun into annual bike ride
This year’s annual Northfield Rotary Bike Tour has been rerouted — and for good reason. Not only will the popular ride return to being staged during the Defeat of Jesse James Days Festival in September, but the family ride is moving to Dundas to avoid the heavy festival traffic in and around downtown Northfield. The three road rides, 25, 50 and 100 mile routes and two gravel routes are also offered this year. ...
Local author wins bronze award from independent publishers
“Murder at Minnesota Point” by noted Northfield author Jeffrey M. Sauve received a bronze award for best Midwestern non-fiction from the 2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Conducted annually to honor the year's best independently published books, the “IPPY” Awards recognize excellence in a broad range of styles and subjects. The IPPY Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published books released each...
'Up and coming Dundas' the topic of July Chamber luncheon
Dundas was at the table during the Northfield Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership luncheon last week. Jenelle Teppen, city administrator, Glen Switzer, mayor, and two Dundas city councilors joined Tracie Vranich, co-owner of Chapel Brewing in Dundas, at the “power” table at Ruth’s on Stafford. Chamber President Jane Bartho welcomed a record luncheon crowd, all of whom turned out to learn more about what’s happening in Dundas. ...
Wandering House project launches audio archive in Northfield
The public is invited to the Northfield Public Library by the city of Northfield Arts and Culture Commission to a launch of The Wandering House Sonic Archive, an audio archive project. The archive launch is on Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northfield Public Library, 210 Washington St. Attendees will learn more about the project and hear stories of home and belonging recorded in Northfield. This archive is...
Northfield River Rats make state
A roster deep with pitching excellence was a key factor in the Northfield River Rats run to first place at the American Legion Division I Sub-State 5 tournament on July 19-23 in Burnsville. The River Rats claimed the top spot and punched their ticket to the upcoming American Legion Division I state tournament in Rochester this week thanks to a 9-1 win over number seed Farmington in the title game on July 23. ...
Love for vintage fuels furniture and lighting store business
Joani Karl loves vintage. Especially lamps, lampshades, sofas, tables and hand dyed napkins. One-of-a-kind items more than 40 years old that can be described as “carefully curated vintage.” Karl, who opened Fate Furnishings a year and a half ago, uses that “carefully curated vintage” phrase on her business cards — along with a small lamp with an hourglass base. ...
Vintage Band Festival celebrates 17 years of diverse music
During one day, over 13 hours, on only one stage, 12 bands from across Minnesota will perform during Northfield's popular Vintage Band Festival. On Saturday, July 29, as tradition dictates, New Prague Community Band kicks off the Bridge Square festival at 9 a.m. This year's concerts mark the 17th time the festival has presented a diverse array of bands to Northfield audiences. With the help of 40-60 volunteers, the festival...
Inaugural fun run raises funds for traumatic brain injury retreat center
When Sara Rose and Mark Borene first met, they were both students at Northfield Nursery School in 1978. Now, they are engaged to be married. Rose, a professional nanny, health coach and executive director of TBI Ranch, joked that it "took him 37 years to ask." What she didn't say was that the couple's bonding has intensified since Borene suffered a traumatic brain injury six and a half years ago. ...
Horsemanship, mentorship on display at 4-H horse show
When many of the late-night workers are still asleep, some activities like the 4-H horse show start early in the morning at the Rice County Fair. "Good job exhibiting today," called out the judge in the horse ring at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The judge was complimenting the participants in the junior halter showmanship for grades nine and under. The clubs represented were Warsaw Willing Workers, Happy Hounds, Wheatland Wheaties and...
Beef show among the many opportunities for 4-Hers to shine
Just before Leo Purfeerst stepped into the judging ring to show feeder steer Wednesday afternoon at the Rice County Fair, the beef cow kicked him hard in the leg. After wiping away the tears, the third grader who is a member of the Big Woods 4-H Club, went back into the arena to show a feeder heifer. After Kendra Hanson, an 11th grader, Grace Hoover, a 12th grader and Hannah...
Pilot program to promote reading launched by Northfield Rotary Club
During the first session of Summer Plus at Bridgewater Elementary School, members of the Literacy Committee of Northfield Rotary Club launched a pilot program designed to inspire kids to read. With help from Sarah VanSickle, of Northfield Community Schools, the Rotarians worked with Michelle Sickler, a Bridgewater teacher, to enlist the fundamental elements of Readers Theater. Adult literacy volunteers Gigi Tisdale, Charlie Cogan, Elizabeth Child, Janet Stevens and Jayne Hager-Dee...
Farmers recognized for lifetime, lifetimes of achievements
When the Frederick Sommers and his wife, Rosie, and their son first arrived in Northfield, the town was just a log cabin. Their descendants were among those recognized at this year's Rice County Best of the Best ceremony Wednesday morning, which kicked off the Rice County Fair. Several awards mirrored past years, but the centennial and sesquicentennial farm recognitions don't happen every year at the ceremony. These awards recognize family...
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Northfield News has been serving Rice County, MN since 1876 and publishes Wednesdays and online at www.NorthfieldNews.com
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