litchfield-community-guide

Published by the Litchfield Independent Review

The inside source to Litchfield & surrounding area

LitchfieldCommunity Guide

2012

Arts • Business • Entertainment • Events • Faith • Festivals •Government • Health Care • History • Recreation • Schools • Services

FREE

2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE

T O L I T C H F I E L D

The Central Park bandstand wasrebuilt to its historical grandeurin 2002. Just an example of howLitchfield attempts to honor itspast as it looks to the future.

“Large EnoughTo Serve You...

Small EnoughTo Know You.”

Welcome to Litchfield:

Litchfield is a community located in central Minnesota that has much to offerpeople who visit or live in this city. Litchfield has many small, medium, and largebusinesses and industries that offer a wide variety of employment to many of its residents.

The city has a wonderful school system, both public and parochial, and along withtheir public education has an excellent community education program that provides recreation, art, theatre and education for young and old.

Litchfield is a community that you can receive the best of health care from young toold. Our new state-of-the-art Meeker Memorial Hospital offers a full medical menufor inpatient and outpatient care along with two medicinal clinics. Our city has alarge nursing home campus that is available to all levels of care for the elderly citi-zens in our area.

Recreation is a plus in our community, providing a wide variety of sporting opportunities and relaxation activities you may desire. We have an abundance of lakes in our area along with Lake Ripley which is an esthetic attraction for ourcommunity. The city has many well groomed parks with shelters that individuals andfamilies can use for any occasion. Litchfield has an 18-hole golf course with anadjoining clubhouse for dining both casual and formal.

When you spend time in our city, you will notice the historic buildings downtown,our beautiful Central Park, Memorial Park and Anderson Gardens by Lake Ripley,and many beautiful homes, businesses, and churches.

The residents of Litchfield are wonderful people and living in this community offersmany opportunities for a good quality of life. When you visit our community, wehope you enjoy your time and someday consider building or owning a business.Another option would be to build, buy, or rent a home and become a part of us.

As the newly elected Mayor of Litchfield, welcome to our community and for thosewho live here, thanks for making this community a great place to call home.

Keith JohnsonMayor, City of Litchfield

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2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE 1

Arts & EntertainmentLitchfield Community Theatre 42

BusinessLocal business climate 44

CommunityCity & county overview 4Lake Ripley 8Local services available 6

EducationLitchfield Public Library 26Litchfield Schools 20Litchfield School Board 22

FaithPlaces to worship 30

Festivals & EventsLocal festivals, celebrations 34Watercade 32

GovernmentLitchfield City Council 46Meeker County Board 46State and federal lawmakers 46

Health CareMeeker Memorial Hospital 38

HistoryDakota Conflict/Ness Church 54Downtown Historic District 53G.A.R. Hall 55Historic homes tour 48Litchfield brothers/railroad 56

RecreationCity streets & bike trails map 16Litchfield parks 11Meeker County parks 12Sports 18

On the coverThe cover of the Community

Guide featuresan AmericanLegion base-ball player, afather andson at theU.S. Fishand WildlifeService’sHabitatDay, kidsat theMeekerCounty Fair, ascene from LitchfieldCommunity Theatre’s summerproduction of “Oklahoma!”,Litchfield High School choirmembers, and a hula-hoopcontest during Watercade.

◆◆◆

Below: Litchfield CubScouts’ Raingutter Regatta,Litchfield High School march-ing band, and the LitchfieldOpen Chess Tournament.

Thank you for reading the Litchfield Community Guide

The Litchfield Independent Review presents the 2012Litchfield Community Guide. Our community has much tooffer, and this guide focuses on some of the highlights.

This publication was produced by the Independent Reviewnewspaper staff. It is meant as a reference for new residents,visitors and those who have lived in the area for years.

About the newspaper

The Litchfield IndependentReview, established in 1876, is theoldest, continuously operating busi-ness in Litchfield.

The Independent Review, whichhas won numerous state and nation-al newspaper awards, is publishedevery Thursday.

The office is at 217 Sibley Ave.N., Litchfield. For more information, call 320-693-3266, go online towww.independent review.net, or send an e-mail to [email protected]

CONTENTS

Published by the Litchfield Independent Review

The inside source to Litchfield & surrounding area

LitchfieldCommunity Guide

2012

Arts • Business • Entertainment • Events • Faith • Festivals •

Government • Health Care • History • Recreation • Schools • Services

FREE

IndependentReview

www.independentreview.net

LITCHFIELD

Agricultural Service & SuppliesArnold’s 37Bobcat 49Haugo Veterinary Clinic 40Randy’s Repair & Machine 34Schlauderaff Implement Co. 24Sparboe Farms 37Towmaster Trailers Parts Store 29Watkins Kimball Veterinary Clinics 28

Automotive Sales, Parts & Service3G’s The Outlet 43Cenex - Consumer’s Co-op Association 18Davis Motors 21Doug’s Auto Repair/Decker Auto Sales 25Litchfield Mobile Electronics Center 36Mutt & Jeff’s Auto Repair 40Northland Body & Paint 28Parts City Auto Parts 14R&R Auto and Metal Salvage 55Tiremaxx Service Centers-Binsfeld Tire 37

Banking/Financial/InsuranceAnderson Insurance Agency 32Center National Bank 3Christianson & Associates 47Conway Deuth & Schmiesing 41Farm Bureau Financial Services 19Home State Bank 35Investment Centers of America 18Insurance Solutions 27State Farm Insurance *BC

ChurchesFirst Evangelical Lutheran Church 31Immanuel Lutheran Church 30St. Philip’s Church 31Trinity Episcopal Church 30Zion Lutheran Church 35

Community Events & EntertainmentDarwin Community Club & Museum 50Litchfield Watercade 53Nelson Farm 40

Dining & BanquetCricket Meadow Tea 32Jimmy’s Pizza 49Peter’s 50Subway 52

EducationCommunity Education & Recreation 5Litchfield Public Schools 7St. Philip’s School 31

Fitness & RecreationLitchfield Golf Club 13Snap Fitness 47

Government & Civic GroupsCity of Litchfield *IFCLitchfield Chamber of Commerce 7Meeker Council on Aging 35Meeker County Development Corp. 47Meeker County EDA 47Meeker County Sheriff 34Meeker County Transfer Station 23Republican Party 28

Health, Medical, Personal CareACMC-Litchfield East and West 39Ecumen of Litchfield 15Family Eye Center 27Haugo & Solbrack, DDS 42Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 9Litchfield Eye Center 53Meeker Memorial Hospital *IBCMeeker Public Transit 14The Medicine Shoppe 41Willmar Hearing Aid Center-Litchfield 43

Home & GardenDarwin Monument 41Hendrickson Plumbing & Heating 42Lectric Shop Co. 37Rick Plumbing, Heating, Air-Conditioning 36Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Landscaping 21Tom’s Carpet Kingdom 40Turck’s Trees 43Valley View Electric 51

LodgingAmericInn 25

Manufacturing & IndustryAnderson Chemical 29Custom Products of Litchfield 33

Professional ServicesJohn W. Mueller Attorney At Law 47Northstar Surveying 49Peter’s Signs 45ProWorks Inc. 49Steffes Auctioneers 41

Real EstateAll-Star Realty 24RE/MAX Today’s Properties 52

Retail, Gift, Grocery Stores2 Chicks Upscale Resale Boutique 45Emmaus Gift Shop 35Litchfield Country Store-Fieldgate 23Litchfield Floral & Willow Woods 45Litchfield Liquor 43Mary’s Jewelry 44Mid Minnesota Music 51Natural Foods Co-op 45Partners Hardware Hank 55Rennie’s China Closet & Arts 44Very Vintage 28

Telecommunications, PrintersLitchfield Independent Review 56NU-Telecom 33

We thank these businesses for supporting the 12 th editionof the Litchfield Community Guide!

Directory of advertisers

Key:*IFC = Inside Front Cover*IBC = Inside Back Cover *BC = Back Cover

2 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE


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4 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDECOMMUNITY

Meeker County ishome to rollingfarmland, dozens

of swimming and fishinglakes, many historical sites,small town festivals, a popu-lar county fair, and some ofthe state’s largest dairy andpoultry operations. Mainhighways, rail service,remodeled medical facilities,thriving businesses, as wellas excellent schools in fourschool districts are some ofthe county’s strong attrib-utes.

Government offices are housed in the courthouse,325 N. Sibley Ave.; the Meeker County Family ServiceCenter, 114 N. Holcombe Ave.; Law EnforcementCenter and Detention Center, 326 N. Ramsey Ave.;and the County Highway and Minnesota Departmentof Transportation Facility, 422 S. Johnson Drive.

The county has several committees, including thePlanning and Zoning Commission, and Housing andRedevelopment Authority. Also in Meeker County is the

Meeker CountyDevelopment Corp., aUniversity of MinnesotaExtension Service office,Public Health, Soil andWater Conservation District,and Veterans Services.

HistoryThe Seventh Territorial

Legislature of Minnesotaordered the creation ofMeeker County on Feb. 23,1856. The county wasnamed in honor ofTerritorial Judge Bradley B.

Meeker. Forest City was the first county seat.However, after the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad wasconstructed through Litchfield, county residents votedin 1862 to change the county seat to Litchfield.

The Dakota Conflict began 150 years ago in 1862.The Acton Massacre on Aug. 17, 1862, led to the Battleof Acton, followed by the Manannah Massacre on Aug.26, 1862, and an attack Sept. 4, 1862, on the ForestCity Stockade, where many pioneers took shelter.

Litchfield is convenientlylocated 65 miles west ofthe Minneapolis/St. Paul

metropolitan area. Main high-ways, rail service, a local munici-pal airport, remodeled medicalfacilities, swimming and fishingat Lake Ripley, beautiful parks, astrong business community, aswell as excellent schools are some of the community’sstrong attributes.

The city is home to Lake Ripley Cemetery onMinnesota Highway 22 South, several athletic fieldsnear Litchfield High School, a golf course, and anindoor hockey rink at the Civic Arena. The city has itsown police department, as well as a volunteer firedepartment and rescue squad. Other city facilitiesinclude a municipal liquor store, municipal powerplant, water department and wastewater treatmentfacility. The city has several committees, including theAirport Commission, Golf Course Commission, LibraryBoard, Planning Commission, Police Civil ServiceCommission, Housing & Redevelopment Authority,and Historic Preservation Commission.

HistoryAfter the St. Paul and Pacific

Railroad was constructed throughLitchfield, the county seat wasmoved from Forest City toLitchfield in 1869. The town wasnamed after brothers E. DarwinLitchfield, Egbert E. Litchfieldand Edwin C. Litchfield, who

helped finance the construction of the railroad throughMinnesota. The city was incorporated in 1872.

Well-known residentsLitchfield is home to several well-known people. The

late Bernie Bierman, who was captain of the 1911Litchfield High School football team, was head coachof the Minnesota Gophers football team. The late Dr.William Nolen was a surgeon in Litchfield and anationally known author. The late Gale Sondergaard,born in Litchfield, won an Academy Award for bestsupporting actress for her 1936 film debut in “AnthonyAdverse.” John Carlson Jr., a LHS graduate, joined theSeattle Seahawks as a tight end in 2008.

Welcome to the city of Litchfield

Welcome to Meeker County

LitchfieldPopulation: 6,725 (2010 Census Bureau)County: MeekerCity Hall: 126 N. Marshall Ave. Call 320-

693-7201 for information.Web site: www.ci.litchfield.mn.us/

Meeker CountyPopulation: 23,300 (2010 U.S. Census Bureau)County seat: LitchfieldCommunities: Acton, Cedar Mills, Collinwood, Cosmos,

Danielson, Darwin, Dassel, Eden Valley, Ellsworth, ForestCity, Forest Prairie, Greenleaf, Grove City, Harvey, Kingston,Litchfield, Manannah, Swede Grove, Union Grove andWatkins.

Land area: 610 square milesCourthouse: 325 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield. Call 320-693-

5200 for information.Web site: www.co.meeker.mn.us/


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Electricity, gas, water, sewerLitchfield Public Utilities provides light and power

to the city of Litchfield. New customers should contactthe Utilities business office to find out the require-ments of establishing a new account. A depositis required of new residents. Budget paymentplans and automatic payment plans areavailable. A payment drop box is outside ofCity Hall, 126 N. Marshall Ave. Office hoursare 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Utilities officealso handles water and sewer billing for thecity. Telephone number is 693-7201.

Meeker Cooperative Light & Power alsoprovides light and power to areas in the outskirts ofthe city. For information, call its Litchfield office at693-3231.

While residents can choose from different providers,CenterPoint Energy is the main supplier of naturalgas to the area. CenterPoint Energy’s telephone num-ber is at 800-245-2377.

Telephone, cable, InternetThree companies provide telephone, cable TV and

Internet services in Litchfield: NU-Telecom, Mediacomand CenturyLink. Residents can apply for NU-Telecomservices by stopping by the office, 421 County StateAid Highway 34 S. in Litchfield or calling 593-2323 or800-303-7039. Mediacom’s customer service telephonenumber is 800-332-0245. CenturyLink ’s customerservice telephone number is 800-244-1111.

The area code for Litchfield and Meeker County is320.

Law enforcementThe Litchfield Police and Meeker County Sheriff ’s

departments are located at 326 Ramsey Ave. N. The Litchfield Police Department is headed by Police

Chief Patrick Fank. The non-emergency telephonenumber for the Police Department is 320-693-5425.The Crime Tip Line for the Police Department is 320-693-5430.

The Meeker County Sheriff ’s Office is headed bySheriff Jeff Norlin. The non-emergency telephonenumber for the Sheriff ’s Office is 693-5400. TheConfidential Crime Tip Line is 320-693-5411.

The emergency number for Police and Sheriff is 911.

Compost siteThe city compost site is at 23968 615th

Ave., just past Lake Ripley campgroundon the left. The site is open seasonallyfrom 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturdays (closing earlier in late fall).The site is open until the first plowable snowfall andreopens April 1. The site is closed Sundays, holidaysand during the winter, except for a few weeks inJanuary to allow for people to drop off their Christmastrees. Items that can be dropped off include leaves,grass clippings, brush, tree branches, small amounts ofdirt with no sod, or other natural vegetation. Woodchips and compost dirt are free for people to pick up.For more information, call 693-7201.

Public transportationThe purpose of Meeker Public Transit is to offer

affordable transportation to the citizens of MeekerCounty. The bus transports people of all ages and abili-ties — from young children going to preschool, to sen-ior citizens going to doctor and hair appointments.Riders can purchase a one-way ticket, round-trip ticketor a bus pass. Buses are handicap accessible andequipped with a wheelchair lift. They are air-condi-tioned and have seat belts for passengers. The bus isavailable from 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday throughFriday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, and from 7:45a.m. to noon on Sundays for church attendees only.Riders must contact Meeker Public Transit by 5 p.m.Friday to reserve weekend rides. To make an appoint-ment for a ride call 693-7794 or 800-513-7433.

Garbage & recycling pickupWaste Management-Twin Cities West provides resi-

dential garbage pick-up in Litchfield. Garbage is col-lected once a week. Recyclables are collected everyother week, and Waste Management uses a single-sort recycling container. All recyclable items can bemixed in the container. Paymentdrop box for garbage bills is at 5E. Second St. For more informa-tion, call 800-450-9378. Businesshours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Themailing address is 490 IndustrialBlvd., Winsted, MN 55395.

West Central Sanitation ofWillmar, Minn., provides commer-cial garbage and recyclable pickupin Litchfield and the surroundingarea. For information, call 800-246-7630.

Basic information about services available in LitchfieldWhat to know, who to call

2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE 7COMMUNITY

Litchfield Public SchoolsLitchfield Public Schools

District Office, 114 N. Holcombe, Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-2444 • www.litchfield.k12.mn.us

Litchfield High School901 N. Gilman, Litchfield • 320-693-2424

Litchfield Middle School340 E. 10th St., Litchfield • 320-693-2441

Wagner Elementary School307 E. 6th St., Litchfield • 320-693-2824

Lake Ripley Elementary School100 W. Pleasure Dr., Litchfield • 320-693-2436

Alternative Learning Program26 3rd St. W., Litchfield • 320-693-0633

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Helping Students Build a Future Through Education

Post officeThe Litchfield post office is at 35 E. Second St. The

window is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.Residents can access their postal boxes from 6 a.m. to5 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Thepost office also offers passport services; call to make anappointment. The phone number is 693-6252.

Local newspaper and radio station

The Litchfield IndependentReview is published everyThursday. It has won numerousstate and national awards. Tosubscribe to the newspaper or to advertise in it, call 693-3266,visit its website at www.inde-pendent review.net, stop at theoffice at 217 N. Sibley Ave. orsend an e-mail to [email protected].

The local radio station,KLFD-AM 1410, offers local news, as well as state andnational headlines. The office is at 234 N. Sibley Ave.For information, call 693-3281 or go online towww.klfd1410.com.

By Andrew WigSTAFF WRITER

Someone left a black backpackin room N103 at Litchfield HighSchool last Thursday.

The backpack is now back withits rightful owner. A tweet fromEnglish teacher Candace Boere-ma helped make it happen.

Boerema is part of a smallgroup of LHS teachers who for thefirst time are giving Twitter a tryas a way to communicate with stu-dents. Some teachers use the so-cial networking application to re-mind students of homework as-signments and upcoming tests, aswell as to extend lessons beyondthe classroom. It also makes agood alternative to the lost-and-

found box.Students can read tweets onlineat a computer or on their cellphone, if it has Internet service.So far, teachers’ tweets are be-ing heard, sometimes even betterthan their own voices.


Meeker Memorial Hospitalis taking a step in conformingwith a federal push for hospi-tals to establish comprehen-sive electronic medicalrecords systems by 2015.

After a lengthy reviewprocess, the Meeker MemorialHospital Board of Directors onMonday authorized the imple-mentation of a new recordsplatform, offered by the hospi-tal’s current electronic med-ical records provider, Health-land Information Technology.

The American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009has established incentives forhospitals to engage in “mean-ingful use” of electronic med-ical records systems by 2015.

To help do so, the new soft-ware is supposed to be moreintuitive, and “much more at-tractive than what we havecurrently,” said Troy Bruning,information technology direc-tor at the hospital.

But the decision to stay withHealthland comes after hospi-tal leadership had concernswith their current Healthlandsystem.

“Part of the reason we werelooking outside of Healthlandinitially was because of somequestions we had with sup-port, and we weren’t necessar-ily happy with the product wecurrently have,” Bruning said.“Those questions were an-swered very well by Health-land.”

LITCHFIELD

A lesson in safetyFirefighters visit with preschool children � 22A

Heavy hittersArea volleyball teamsfind featured front-rowplayers � 9A

OCTOBER 13, 2011SINCE 1876

$1

Generatingnew ideasStudents build miniwind turbines � 1B

Independent ReviewIndependent Review


In a tragic 12-hour periodlast week, three MeekerCounty residents died in twoseparate, single-vehicle, roll-over accidents.

On the afternoon of Oct. 5,Eden Valley resident Anngel-ica Macias, 19, was pro-nounced dead at the scene offCounty Road 21 in Luxem-burg Township, in StearnsCounty. The Stearns CountySheriff’s Office responded tothe crash at at 4:09 p.m.

Macias was ejected from the2003 Chevy Impala, whichwas headed east-bound whenit crossed over the median lineand into a soybean field,rolling several times. Maciaswas the only person in the ve-hicle at the time of the crash.She was not wearing her seatbelt, and alcohol is not be-lieved to be a factor, StearnsCounty Chief Deputy BruceBechtold said.

“We just believe she ran offthe road,” Bechtold said. “Shewas traveling too fast and wasejected from her car.”

Early the next morning, tworural Watkins men died in an-other single-vehicle rollovercrash, this one north of ForestCity on County State Aid

Three youngadults die in two

separate rollovers

St. Philip’s School stu-dents received a lesson fromthe past when they visitedthe Little Red Schoolhouselast week in GreenleafTownship. They receivedspelling, math and sciencelessons, but also learnedwhat it was like to go toschool in a one-room schoolas a member of a rural farmcommunity 100 years ago.The schoolhouse was built in1913 for District 59, andclosed in 1968. It later be-came a public meeting place,used as the Greenleaf TownHall until 2007. Now, theLittle Red Schoolhouse Dis-trict 59 Inc. has been formedto preserve the old schooland facilitate lessons on itshistory. The old schoolhouseis one of only two in MeekerCounty to preserve its origi-nal structure.

An Eden Valleywoman, two Watkins

men die Oct. 5, 6

See ROLLOVERS on Page 5A

Meeker Memorialstays with currentprovider, despite earlier concerns

See HOSPITAL on Page 7A

See TWITTER on Page 2A

Teachers tap into Twitter to Tweet with students

BACK THEN 6BBULLETIN BOARD 5BCLASSIFIEDS 19ACOMMUNITY 1B

CO. FINANCIALS 16ACROSSWORD 6BFAITH 4BKIDS CORNER 6B

LOCAL 3AOBITUARIES 6AOPINION 4APEOPLE 2B

PUBLIC NOTICES 12ARURAL LIVING 3BSPORTS 9A

WHAT’S INSIDE : HOW TO REACH US

E-mail: [email protected]@independentreview.net

Telephone: (320) 693-3266Fax: (320) 693-9177

Schoolmarm Jan Solomonson asks a class of St. Philip’s School second- and- third-graders last week if they can namethe piece of equipment she is holding. Pondering the question are, from left, Ava Atkinson, Claudia Toenjes, AbbyShoutz, Riley Taber, Joey Carlson and Madison Revering. The device is a fly protector that horses would wear, a de-vice common 100 years ago. The St. Philip’s students visited the Little Red Schoolhouse (formerly Greenleaf TownHall) Oct. 5 to see what it was like to learn in a one-room school house in the early 20th century.

Some LHS teachers use social networking toolas way to inform kidsof tests, homework

St. Philip’sSchool stu-dents arriveat the LittleRed School-house Oct. 5,greeted bySchoolmarmJan Solomon-son, whoshows themwhat a schoolday was likefor rural stu-dents 100years ago.

Studentsbroughttheir lunch

to school inteacher-providedtin pails.

Learn moreabout Twitter onPage 2A

Hospital will update medicalrecords system

STAFF PHOTOS BY ANDREW WIGSchoolmarm Jan Solomonson, who was educated in a one-room school in the area andis now a historical re-enactment professional at Old Cahill School in Edina, Minn., talksabout life in the early 1900s. She displays artifacts from the time, explains the highlyreverential manners expected from children back then, and points to a peg in the wallabove a window, from which students would hang by their collar when out of line.The peg is no longer used, but like the school, remains as a reminder of a bygone era.

An oldfashionededucation

From left, 12thgrade college-level Englishstudents Kay-la Rosenow,Jordan Goode-jan, LorienRusch, MitchWollin, BrianaSchrotbergerand teacherCandaceBoerema useTwitter as aneducationtool.

STAFF PHOTO BY ANDREW WIG

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Lake Ripley has drawn people to its picturesquecircular shore for more than 150 years.Litchfield was settled in 1856 and early entre-

preneurs built Brightwood Beach resort in 1889 on thesouth shore, drawing visitors by train from states nearand far.

Early photos of people enjoying the lake reveal thatLake Ripley was a recreational draw for fishing, boat-ing and swimming.

Tides of enthusiasm among residents continued foryears, resulting in several parks around the lake, a 33-site recreational vehicle campground with lakeshoreaccess for each site, golf course, botanical garden andrestaurant.

The tide of enthusiasm later ebbed. A lake associa-tion formed, but after a number years stopped meet-ing. By 2002, water clarity was only two feet and weedpatches clogged and stalled boat motors. It seemedtime for the tide to turn again.

Dr. David Ross moved to Litchfield in 2002 andinquired about the lake association. Several phonecalls later, meetings started again.

The association learned about the negative effects ofcurled pondweed found in the lake. Ross and the othervolunteers started a fundraising campaign, and hired acompany to treat the weeds at a cost of $300 per acre.Thirty acres were treated initially. Water clarityimproved from two-foot visibility to eight-foot visibilityduring the first year.

Lake association members presented the results tothe Litchfield City Council and asked for an annualbudget of $10,000 to treat weeds and work on lakeimprovements. Council members agreed. Today, waterclarity continues to improve.

The association also has been active in building aswimming beach with buoys and wood platform out-look. The beach is groomed weekly. Also added to thebeach is a new outdoor shower to help visitors avoidswimmer’s itch after spending time in the water.

Lake Ripley was named to honor pioneer Dr.Frederick Noah Ripley, who froze to death near its

shores during the winter of 1856-1857. Now, 155 yearslater, another doctor is among the lake association vol-unteers caring for the rippling waters of Lake Ripley.

Lake Ripley Improvement AssociationLake Ripley Improvement Association meets at 7 p.m. the second

Sunday of each month at the Litchfield Public Library. Anyone interest-ed can attend. Membership is $25 for a basic membership, with largerlevels available.

Donations to LRIA improvement fund can be mailed to City ofLitchfield c/o Lake Ripley Improvement Association, 126 Marshall Ave.N., Litchfield, MN 55355. For more information, contact Dr. Dave Rossat 320-593-1872, or [email protected].

Lake Ripley statisticsAcres: 556Depth: 18 feetThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2005 fish survey

found:◆ Fair number of northern pike, averaging 22.8 inches◆ Moderate number of walleye, averaging 20 inches (these were

last stocked in 1981, which indicates Lake Ripley naturally reproduc-ing, sustaining walleye fishery)

◆ Moderate number of bluegill, averaging 5 inches◆ Fair number of black crappie ◆ Fair number of largemouth bass (good numbers likely, survey

was only near shore)◆ Moderate number of yellow and black bullhead

Local residents work to improve the quality of Litchfield’s Lake Ripley

for everyone to enjoy

Dr. David Ross is the president of the Lake RipleyImprovement Association, which strives to improve thelake’s water quality and beach, among other tasks.

Cleaning Lake Ripley’s

rippling waters


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10 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEPARKS, SPORTS & RECREATION

Minnesotans sure love theoutdoors. From our 10,000lakes to prairie breezes, our

gently flowing rivers to the Big Woods,outdoor recreation is a chance tostretch the legs and enjoy the beautyof our state.

Litchfield and Meeker County havemany opportunities for residents toenjoy the great outdoors.

People seeking peace and quiet oroutdoor enjoyment individually or as agroup can visit the parks in Litchfieldand Meeker County.

Meeker County began developingcounty parks in the 1960s after theestablishment of the Meeker CountyPark Board. Through aggressiveefforts to acquire land and developcounty parks, the county park systemconsisted of seven parks by the end ofthe 1970s.

Today, Meeker County has 10 parks— all but one on a lake or river.

Throughout the years, the ParkBoard has continued to invest in its

parks. In recent years, the focus wason building new, clean restroom facili-ties. The parks department also isworking to install park identificationsigns and landscaping to enhance thebeauty and unification of the system.

In addition to its annual budget, thepark system relies on grants anddonations to improve the parks.

A few years ago, acres were added tothe county’s newest park, WoodlandPark, with the help of a Department ofNatural Resources grant.

The DNR also has funded signifi-cant portions of a new playground atKoronis Regional Park and fixed riverwashout at Finnish Memorial Park.

Donations from the Meeker Cooper-ative Electric Trust and EllsworthLakers 4-H club allowed the depart-ment to install a horse well at theDarwin-Dassel Park. Families andbusinesses also have funded boat docksat Koronis and Spring Lake Park.

Litchfield and Meeker County parks offer many opportunities to fish, swim, camp, play, picnic and enjoy nature. Venture outside and explore the beauty of the area.

Please turn to Page 11

Flowers bloom from springthrough fall at AndersonGardens in Litchfield.

Finnish Memorial Park, along the North Fork of the Crow River, is just west of Kingston on County Road 27.

Explore the greatoutdoors


The following is a look atarea parks:

Litchfield parksAnderson Gardens (A) —

Anderson Gardens is a mini-arboretum park located on thenortheastern corner of LakeRipley with a picturesquegazebo.

Becker Park (B) —Located on South ChandlerAvenue, Becker Park is anopen play area with a swingset and a small, winter slidinghill.

Central Park (C) — Theheart of Litchfield, CentralPark and its bandshell arehome to activities throughoutthe year, including outdoormusic, Easter egg hunt, afarmers market and communi-ty meals. It is in downtownLitchfield along Sibley Avenue.

Crescent Park (D) — Thisplayground is located in theCrescent Lane developmentand has a swing set, and play-ground equipment.

Dog Park (E) — The parkis across from Memorial Parkon Lake Ripley. It has eightacres for dogs to run free, aswell as picnic tables andgarbage cans.

Jaycees Park (F) —Situated between Memorial Park and the Lake RipleyCampground along Lake Ripley, the park has a picnicshelter, playground equipment, dock, boat launch andice fishing access.

Lake Ripley Campground (G) — The municipaltrailer campground has 33 sites, all with sewer andwater, as well as permanent restrooms and showers. Allsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lions Park (H) — On the north shore of Lake Ripley,Lions Park has a playground, fishing docks,walking/bike path and large picnic shelter that may bereserved through Litchfield Community Education.

Litchfield Sports Complex (I) — Located nearLitchfield High School on Gilman Avenue, the LitchfieldSports Complex features a variety of athletic facilities,including four softball fields, four tennis courts, a horse-shoe court, two outdoor hockey rinks, basketball court,soccer area, skateboard park, two Little League fieldsand Optimist Park, home of the Litchfield Blues ama-teur baseball team. The area is also home to LitchfieldPublic Schools athletic facilities.

Memorial Park (J) — The location for manyLitchfield Watercade activities, Memorial Park lies alongthe east edge of Lake Ripley. The park has 175 feet ofbeach, swimming docks, lake overlook, bike/walkingpath, an Army tank and field cross memorial, sand vol-leyball court, lake access and a large picnic area.

North Casey Park (K) — This park is an open playarea with a swingset located on North Miller Avenuebetween Ninth and 11th streets, with Jewett Creekalong the east edge. There is a small, winter sliding hill.

Ness Park (L) — A large park located off NorthMiller Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, NessPark has a swing set, picnic tables and volleyball court.

Pleasant View Park (M) — Off Willmar Avenue inthe northwest section of the city, Pleasant View hasplayground equipment and play area.

Continued from Page 10

◆ See Page 12 for a map of Meeker County parks


Litchfield City Parks

PARKS, SPORTS & RECREATION

Litchfield City ParksA - Anderson GardensB - Becker ParkC - Central ParkD - Crescent ParkE - Dog ParkF - Jaycees ParkG - Lake Ripley CampgroundH - Lions ParkI - Litchfield Sports ComplexJ - Memorial ParkK - North Casey ParkL - Ness ParkM - Pleasant View ParkN - Prairie ParkO - South ParkP - South Street PlaygroundQ - Sunrise Terrace ParkR - Thompson Park


Prairie Park (N) —Along Butler Street,Prairie Park is a 40-acrenature park, featuring 2.5miles of walking andcross country skiing trails,playground equipmentand a picnic shelter pro-vided by the Rotary Club.

South Park (O) —This square block park onthe 300 block of MillerAvenue South is home totwo tennis courts, playequipment and a volley-ball court.

South StreetPlayground (P) —South Street Playgroundis an open lot at the cor-ner of North Davis andEast South Street withplayground equipment.

Sunrise Terrace Park(Q) — The park, locatedalong Sunrise Drive ineastern Litchfield, hasupdated playgroundequipment and a smallman-made sliding hill.

Thompson Park (R)— An open play area andswing set mark ThompsonPark, located on SouthChandler between EastRipley and East St. Paulstreets.

Meeker County parks

Clear Lake Park —Three miles south ofWatkins on County Road2, the park includes a picnic area and shelter, boat land-ing and a short hiking trail. The park is 34.4 acres.

Darwin-Dassel Park — With 160 acres, the county’slargest park has 6.5 miles of hiking, cross country skiingand horseback riding trails. Shelters and picnic tablesare on the lookout hill, a popular sliding hill in the win-ter. The park extends south of U.S. Highway 12 withadditional trails and picnic area.

Finnish Memorial Park — Ideal for canoeing downthe North Fork Crow River, Finnish Memorial Park isjust west of Kingston on County Road 27. The 17-acrepark has a canoe landing, tennis court, shelter and play-ground equipment.

Koronis Regional Park — On the southwest shoreof Lake Koronis, this 62-acre park offers overnightcamping with electricity and water hookup, bathrooms

and showers. It also has a swimming beach, playgroundequipment, boat landing, lookout tower, picnic shelterswith kitchen facilities and several recreational facilities.A walking/biking trail is currently being constructed toencircle the lake. To make shelter or camping reserva-tions, call 320-276-8843.

Lake Manuella Park — Known for its swimmingbeach, the park has picnic facilities, bathrooms and achanging house. It is located on CSAH 9 five miles southof U.S. Highway 12.

Shaw Memorial Park — Located in Forest City,along Crow River, the 10-acre park has picnic shelters,playground equipment, a softball field, basketball courtand ice skating rink in the winter.


Please turn to

Meeker County parks


By joining for the 2012 season, you will have the opportunity to play golf atboth these great courses while being considered a “Member” at both cours-es. Members will have access to all member benefits at both clubs, including:

• Men’s and Ladies’ Day• Leagues• Men’s and Ladies’ Invitationals• Club Championships• Member Tournaments• Member Discounts• And Most of All –

Two Great Courses!

Sign up and get started today!

405 W. Pleasure Dr., Litchfield

320-693-6059

www.litchfieldgolfclub.com

[email protected]

2012 RatesFamily ..............$795

Couple ..............$695

Single ...............$595

Age 25-29 ........$495

Age 22-24 ........$295*Tax additional

Litchfield Golf Club and Oakdale Golf Club are teaming up tooffer you the ultimate golf membership package!

• Beautiful 18-hole Championship Golf CourseOpen to the Public

• Four Sets of Tees for Any Level

• Professionally Stocked Pro Shop

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Valid Monday-Friday. Expires 10/31/12. Coupon good at Litchfield Golf Club only.

18 Holes & 1/2 Cart

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Spring Lake Park — Situated between Spring Lakeand Long Lake, one mile north of Dassel, the 13-acrepark offers fishing opportunities with a boat landing and

fishing dock, as well as picnic shelters, playgroundequipment and a popular Little League field. A new trailconnects the park to Dassel.

Thompson Park — Located on 525th Avenue, onemile west of Cosmos, Thompson Park has picnic shelters,playground equipment, ball field, volleyball court andfishing dock. It is 22 acres.

West Ripley Park — Located just south of Litchfieldon CSAH 1, the park has a boat landing, fishing pier,playground equipment, sand volleyball court, bike pathand large picnic shelter. It contains 5.6 acres on thewestern shore of Lake Ripley.

Woodland Park — Woodland Park has a total of 80acres for hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiingand bird watching. It is located between Kingston andDassel on Minnesota Highway 22.



Pleasantview Park at 600 Willmar Ave. N. in Litchfield is a fun place for children to play.

Meeker Public TransitFor information, call

320-693-7794 or 800-513-7433

"This BusIs For

Everyone"Monday-Friday,6:45 am-6 pm

Saturday,8 am-1 pm

An affordable transportationservice for all Meeker residents 71

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725 East Highway 12, Litchfield • 320-693-7299

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Litchfield Blues

The Litchfield Blues provide the communitywith top-caliber amateur baseball every springand summer. The Blues qualified for the Class

C state tournament from 1998 through 2002.The Blues call Optimist Park in Litchfield home.

Optimist Park is one block east of the Litchfield CivicArena on the northern edge of town. The ballpark hasa grandstand and concession stand, with a restroomfacility on the site. The schedule begins in mid-Apriland concludes with league and region playoffs inAugust. Most games are played Wednesday eveningsand Sunday afternoons.

Litchfield Golf ClubThe Litchfield Golf Club is a city-owned 18-hole pub-

lic championship course on West Pleasure Drive, alongthe northern edge of Lake Ripley.

The course plays just over 6,300 yards from the bluetees and 6,000 yards from the white tees. The course ishost to several tournaments during the season. Thewomen’s invitational is usually in early July, while themen’s invitational is in late July. Throughout the golfseason, there is couples golf each Friday evening, witha different format each week.

The golf club has a fully stocked pro shop. After theround, Peter’s on Lake Ripley is open six days a weekand has a full-service bar and restaurant. For moreinformation about the golf club, call 320-693-6059 orgo online to www.litchfieldgolfclub.com.

For those wishing to brush up on their golf game,the Litchfield Driving Range is at the intersection ofcounty roads 34 and 11 in the northeast part of town.

Skating, horseshoes, tennisLitchfield has several recreational venues. The city

offers four softball fields, a horseshoe pit, two paddletennis courts, 14 public tennis courts and an ice arenafor hockey and ice skating. For bowlers, the LitchfieldBowling Center is on Minnesota Highway 22 south.

Litchfield has an amateur baseballteam, an 18-hole golf course, tennis

courts, horseshoes and ice arena

Golfers trytheir best atLitchfieldGolf Club, acity-ownedpublicchampi-onshipcourse onthe northernedge ofLake Ripley.

Mixing fun with competition18 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEPARKS, SPORTS & RECREATION

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320-693-2821 ~ Service Station320-693-6014 ~ Fertilizer Plant

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Kevin Christoffers112 N. Sibley Avenue

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79143

20 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEEDUCATION

Litchfield High School901 N. Gilman Ave. • 320-693-2424

www.litchfield.k12.mn.us

Principal: Patrick DevineEnrollment: 560 (grades nine through 12)Average class size: 26 studentsCurriculum: Agribusiness, art, business,

English, family and consumer science, industrialtechnology, math, music, physical education/health, science, social studies, Spanish andGerman world languages.

LHS offers AP and “concurrent” classes, college-level courses that offer credits for both high schooland college. LHS currently offers 40 college creditsthrough its concurrent program. CollegeConcurrent Classes include pre-calculus, calculus,human biology, living biology, psychology, sociology,college writing, college literature, human geogra-phy, and German. AP classes that remain are sta-tistics and music. Other courses also can help pre-pare students for future occupations are articula-tion or vocational classes, which include the school-to-work program, art, business, FACS, industrialtechnology and house construction.

Extracurricular activities: Varsity athleticsports, music, drama, First Robotics, YES! club,Student Council, National Honor Society, knowledgebowl, speech, language clubs, FCCLA, FFA, art club,cheerleading, danceline, Vision magazine, newspaper,and yearbook.

An emphasis on educationLitchfield schools provide strong academics, opportunities

Litchfield Middle School340 E. 10th St. • 320-693-2441


Principal: Patrick DevineEnrollment: 375 (grades six through eight)Average class size: 25 studentsCurriculum: Structured in a “pod” format, same

sections of students take their core classes —English, mathematics, science and social studies —from the same four core teachers for that gradelevel. Students also take classes in reading. comput-er use, art, industrial technology, family and con-sumer science, physical education, and health.Electives include band, choir, agriculture and intro-ductory languages.

Extracurricular activities: Athletics for sev-enth- and eighth-graders, instrumental and vocalmusic, speech, FFA, FCCLA, Student Council andyearbook staff.

Philosophy: The middle school promotes team-ing concepts, such as an advisory program,exploratory days, team planning and interdiscipli-nary lessons. LMS uses differentiated instruction inthe classroom, in which teachers use a variety ofinstruction and assessment methods to better fitthe needs of students. The school also fosters a safeschool climate so that all students can reach theirfull potential.

Schools continued on

Litchfield is the home of the Dragons!


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Your year around source for all your lawn and garden needs.• Shade Trees• Shrubs• Evergreens• Fruit Trees

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Please turn to

Wagner Elementary School307 E. Sixth St. • 320-693-2824


Principal: Gregg ZenderEnrollment: 242 (grades four and five)Average class size: 24 studentsCurriculum: Classes expand on basic skills

taught in earlier grades and branch off into morediverse subjects in science and social studies.Students also take art, music, physical educationand computer classes.

Services: Special education, Title I programs forstruggling students.

Academic activities: Students at Wagner alsohave opportunities to participate in activities out-side the classroom, such as Dragon Lunch Bunch,D.A.R.E., Math Masters and Continental MathLeague.

Litchfield Alternative Learning Program26 W. Third St. • 320-693-0633


Coordinator: Tim MackeyEnrollment: 16 studentsCurriculum: English, social studies, mathemat-

ics, science and physical education/health. Studentshave the opportunity to take electives or partici-pate in the independent study program. Studentswork toward credit recovery and earning aLitchfield High School diploma. Students also par-ticipate in community service projects such asSecond Harvest, The Salvation Army, and commu-nity improvement projects. The school operatesunder Litchfield High School.

Mission: Established in 1996, the program servesstudents struggling in the typical high school envi-ronment by creating an environment that will helpstudents reach their fullest academic and socialpotential, thereby enabling them to get their diplo-ma and become productive members of society.

The Litchfield School District is governed by a six-member board. Three board members areelected to four-year terms every two years during the general election in November. The boardmeets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the library meeting room at the MeekerCounty Family Service Center, 114 N. Holcombe Ave. The district’s central office is in the Family Service Center.The telephone number is 320-693-2444, the website is www.litchfield.k12.mn.us.

Litchfield Public School Board

JimEllingson

DanDollerschell

StaceyHelstrom

Brian Park

Karla Rick

DonnaMcGraw



Complete Line of:• Custom Feeds• Mineral Mixes• Commodities• Pet Food• Horse Feed• Wild Bird Feed & Supplies• Milking Supplies• Gates & Fencing Supplies• General Farm Equipment• Work Clothing

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Litchfield Country StoreHome of Fieldgate Dairy Products:• 30+ Varieties of Fieldgate Cheese• Fieldgate Butter• Fieldgate Pizza• Fieldgate Jams, Jellies, & Sauces• Fresh Cheese Curds• Gift Boxes• 20+ Varieties of Specialty Cheese

Litchfield Country Store25 W. Depot

Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-7223

Keep Meeker County BeautifulRecycling& HHWOptions

Meeker residents may bring household hazardous waste to the

Kandiyohi County Collection Centerat no cost. Contact them at 320-231-3587

City residents, contact your city offices toinquire about recycling opportunities.

Questions? Contact the Meeker CountySolid Waste Office at 320-693-5200 or go to

www.co.meeker.mn.us & click on “Solid Waste”

Meeker County Transfer Stat ion635655 293rd St., Litchfield320-693-2576

HOURS: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Saturday, 8am-12noon

•Recyclables (no charge)•Electronics & Appliances (fees apply)•Tires and Garbage (fees apply)•Demolition Landfill adjacent

Oi l Drop Stat ionCenex Parking Lot, Litchfield•This location is availalble 24/7/365•Dispose of your waste oil/anti-freeze

at no charge•Small fee for disposal of used oil filters

Dassel & Col l inwood Townships•Recyclables drop site behind Schmidty’s on Hwy. 12

Kingston Township•Recyclables drop site on Co. Rd. 27 by highway shed

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School of St. Philip225 E. Third St. • 320-693-6283

www.stphilipsschool.com

Principal: Diana McCarneyEnrollment: 85 (kindergarten through fifth

grade)Class size: Ranges from nine to 20 studentsCurriculum: St. Philip’s emphasizes a strong

academic curriculum in a faith-filled environment.In addition to core academic areas, such as math,reading, science and social studies, students takemusic, physical education, religion and computerclasses year around. St. Philip’s also offers Spanishcurriculum for all students.

The school has all-day, every-day kindergarten.Faith-based education: Open to families from

all parishes, it is an accredited Catholic school affil-iated with St. Philip’s parish in Litchfield. Schoollife revolves around following the way of Jesus andcarrying the values learned into the larger commu-nity. There are many opportunities for prayer andliturgy, including attending Mass every Friday.

Tuition: $1,750 for parishioners of St. Philip’sand $2,000 for non-parishioners for 2011-12.


Lake Ripley Elementary School100 W. Pleasure Drive W. • 320-693-2436


Principal: Gregg ZenderEnrollment: 476 (kindergarten through third

grade)Average class size: 20 studentsCurriculum: Classes focus on teaching children

basic skills and foundations for learning. Emphasisis placed on building students’ abilities in reading,math and writing, as well as developing theirspeaking and comprehension skills. Other classesinclude art, music and physical education.

Lake Ripley Elementary has every-other-daykindergarten, as well as an optional, fee-based, all-day, every-day kindergarten program.

Services: Early Childhood Education, specialeducation, preschool, and Title I for struggling stu-dents.

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The Litchfield Public Library is a one-stopsource for books, materials, research, andcommunity programs.

Since the completion of a new building in 2002,the library has been expanding the variety of servic-es it offers to residents in Litchfield and the sur-rounding area. Beth Cronk, Litchfield PublicLibrary head librarian, said “it’s surprising to peoplehow constantly busy it is here.”

The Litchfield library, which ranks fourth behindother Pioneerland libraries in terms of materials, isone of the largest of the 31 libraries in thePioneerland Library System. Because it is part ofthe Pioneerland system, any registered borrower cancheck out books or other items from any otherlibrary in the system.

The Litchfield Public Library is home to 46,500books, 1,300 audios, and more than 2,000 videos,and it boasts eight staff members, 8,700 registeredborrowers, 20,000 computer uses per year, and77,500 visits per year.

The library offers 16 public computers and fourcatalog computers, Wi-Fi Internet access, a copier,

printer, fax machine, microfilm reader, a NintendoWii system for public use, a large meeting room, andtwo study rooms. Regularly scheduled communityprogramming for children, teenagers and adults alsois offered.

The Minnesota Library Legacy program is oneexample of community programming. This programhas been running for the past year and a half, and itoffers arts, cultural and historical activities to theadults and children of the community.

Cronk said the library wasn’t able to offer thesekinds of events to the public in the past, but now,funding through the state Legacy Amendment hasmade that possible.

Serving the community is one of the main goals ofthe library. Jan Pease, children’s librarian, loves thefact that more people are visiting the library.

“We have so many people using the library; it’swonderful,” she said. “This is the best part of shar-ing in the community.”

To better serve the community, the library has

While the Litchfield Public Library offers books and educational resources,some visitors are drawn to the library for its modern-day amenities

such as Internet availability, e-books and use of a Nintendo Wii

Library continues to expand services

The Litchfield Public Library, at 216 N. Marshall Ave., is one block off Sibley Avenue North. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call the library at 320-693-2483 orgo online to litchlibrary.blogspot.com.

Please turn to


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304 N. Marshall Ave.Litchfield, MN

320-593-0591

Providing You a Combined 52 Years ofPeace of Mind For Your Insurance Needs.


been expanding and updating its collection. Morebooks are available in the young adult section, andmore popular music is being added to the music CDcollection. In July, the library began offering morethan 300 titles as downloadable e-books and audiobooks, with plans to expand the number of titles inthe future. Registered borrowers will have the abili-ty to access these titles from home and personalcomputers and mobile devices.

The library’s website also has been updated — it isnow a blog that updates every week. The blog haslinks to the library’s Facebook page, Twitter page,the library’s catalog, the library’s e-book site, andnewspaper columns about the library. The new web-site is: litchlibrary.blogspot.com.

Library opportunities, resources◆ Children’s DepartmentThe library has a wide assortment of books for

children in preschool through high school and offersa variety of children’s programs throughout the year.Some of these programs include three children’s

story hours per week for infants and older and asummer reading program for children and teens.Fun with 4-H is offered monthly during the schoolyear and twice every month in the summer.

◆ Book clubs/ClubsBook clubs are offered for adults, middle school

students, and elementary students in grades threethrough five. There is a Winter Reading Program foradults from January to March. The library alsohosts a knitting club, which meets once a month.

◆ Computer classesFree computer classes are offered occasionally

throughout the school year to teach communitymembers about the Internet, programs on the com-puter, and general computer maintenance.

◆ VolunteersThe library welcomes volunteers. Those interested

in volunteering should contact head librarian BethCronk.

◆ Book salesBook sales take place the third Saturday of every

month, with a large book sale taking place duringWatercade in July. Proceeds benefit the Friends ofthe Litchfield Library. Donated books, movies, andmusic are always accepted, with the exception ofencyclopedia sets.


NORTHLAND BODY & PAINT

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701 State Hwy. 55Watkins, MN 55389Ph.: 320-764-7400Fax: 320-764-7401

581 Linden Ave. EKimball, MN 55353Ph.: 320-398-3600Fax: 320-398-3601

For more information, go to www.gop.comPrepared and paid for by Meeker County Republicans

P.O. Box 198, Litchfield, MN 55355 790

80

MEEKER COUNTY

REPUBLICAN PARTY


100 Years and 4 Generations 1911-201179

101

30 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEFAITH

A/G-LIGHTHOUSE28164 Hwy. 22 N., Litchfield

Pastor Chris Castilleja320-593-2202

ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN118 First St. N., Darwin

Pastor Joe Midthun320-693-5778

APOSTOLIC LUTHERANKingston

Pastor Orval Wirkkala320-398-2130

BECKVILLE LUTHERAN20521 600th Ave., Litchfield

Pastor Maggie Cumings320-693-2519

BELIEVER’S FELLOWSHIP MENNONITE CHURCH34419 520th Ave., Grove City

Pastor Melvin Beiler320-857-2800

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF OUR LADY

57382 CSAH 3, Manannah Monsignor Francis J. Garvey

320-693-8900

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. GERTRUDE

31608 650th Ave., Forest CityMike McNeil, pastoral administrator

320-693-7801

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. JOHN

106 Fourth St. N., DarwinFather John Pearson

320-693-6878

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. PHILIP

821 Fifth St. E., LitchfieldFather Joseph Steinbeisser

320-693-3313

CHRISTIAN CHURCH(Non-denominational)

312 Marshall Ave. N., LitchfieldPastor Mike Zylstra

320-593-3635

People of faith can find denominational and non-denominational places of worship in Litchfield and the surrounding area

Finding a place to worship

Immanuel Lutheran ChurchImmanuel - "God with us" (Matthew 1:23)

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

Sunday Worship - 9:00 am

Bible Hour (all ages) & Sunday School - 10:15 am

Bringing all people into fellowship with God -Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and with one another.175 W. 11th St. (just west of Dairy Queen) in Litchfield

Church 320-693-6155 Parsonage 320-693-7715www.immanuellutheranlitchfield.net

Trinity Episcopal Church(on the north side of Central Park)

3 4th St. E., Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-6035

Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. (coffee hour follows)Bible Study - Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Hospitality and Free Lunch every monthon the last Friday, 11 am-1 pm

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Founded in 1871, Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of North Sibley Avenue and EastFourth Street in Litchfield, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE 31FAITH

CHURCH OF GOD OF ABRAHAMIC FAITH

501 Ramsey Ave. S., LitchfieldPastor Dale Swartz

320-693-6391

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE422 Ramsey Ave. N., Litchfield

Pastor Gary Worthington320-693-8108

CORNERSTONE CHURCH205 CSAH 34, LitchfieldPastors Paul Jorgenson

and Jeff Garland 320-593-7971

CORNERSTONE CHURCHKingston Community Center30840 722nd Ave., Kingston

EVANGELICAL COVENANT301 Lake St., DasselPastor Keith Carlson

320-275-3315

FIRST BAPTISTGrove City

Pastor Peter Lee320-857-2495

FIRST EVANGELICALLUTHERAN

703 Sibley Ave. S., LitchfieldSenior Paster Paul Lutter,

Associate Pastor Christa Forsythe320-693-2487

FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

54986 145th St., CosmosPastor Maggie Cumings

320-877-7663

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN225 Holcombe Ave. N., Litchfield

Pastor Gordon Pennertz320-693-3548

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN221 Atlantic Ave. E., Dassel

Pastors Steven Olson and JohnPeterson

320-275-3852

HARVEST COMMUNITY(Evangelical Free Church)

303 S. Gorman Ave.,Suite 400, LitchfieldPastor Mike Sechler

320-221-1817

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN175 11th St. W., LitchfieldPastor Samuel Morsching

320-693-6155

KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSESU.S. Highway 12 W., Litchfield

320-693-2998

LAKE UNION EVANGELICAL COVENANT

74246 CSAH 19, South HavenPastor Lloyd Melvie

320-398-2992

OSTMARK LUTHERAN(ELCA) 32721 680th Ave., Watkins

Pastor Joe E. Midthun320-693-8450

PEACE UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST

309 Church St. N., Eden ValleyPastor Jeanne Bringgold-Pro

320-693-3848

ST. PAUL’SEVANGELICAL LUTHERAN227 Ramsey Ave. S., Litchfield

Pastors Paul Lindhorst, Tim Redfield320-593-6324

ST. PETER’SEVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

20314 CSAH 9, DarwinPastor Tim Redfield

320-275-2965

ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

31415 CSAH 2, Forest CityPastor Jeanne Bringgold-Pro

320-693-3848

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST313 Miller Ave. N., Litchfield

Pastor Devin Locati320-693-6910

STANDING WORD CHRISTIAN CENTER

Pastor Roosevelt C. Williams320-693-1414

TRINITY EPISCOPAL3 E. Fourth St., Litchfield

320-693-6035

TRINITY LUTHERANGrove City

Pastor Jean Smith320-857-2001

UNITED METHODIST1000 Sibley Ave. S., Litchfield

Pastor Bill Kerr320-693-3409

VICTORY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

206 Second St. S., Grove CityPastor Danny Puckett

320-857-2680

ZION LUTHERAN504 Gilman Ave. N., Litchfield

Pastors Harvey Nelson andChristian Muellerleile

320-693-3207

First Evangelical Lutheran Church"A Place To Come Home To"

Senior Pastor Paul LutterAssociate Pastor Christa Forsythe

703 Sibley Avenue SouthLitchfield, MN 55355-3341

(320) 693-2487

Worship Times:Traditional Worship: 8:30 am

Contemporary Praise: 10:45 amEducation Hour (Sunday School): 9:30 am

Summer Worship:Sunday: 9:00 am, No Educational Hour;

and Saturday: 5:00 pm

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Rev. Joseph SteinbeisserParish office: (320) 693-3313

306 Holcombe Ave. N., LitchfieldFAX: 1-888-404-1952

Website: www.thechurchofstphilip.orgE-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm

Saturday evenings – 5:30 p.m.Sunday mornings – 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Misa en Español – 12:00 p.m.Holy Days – VariableWeekdays – Variable

Weekly Bulletin Available Online

790

61

32 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEFESTIVALS & EVENTS

7747

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Enjoy changing seasons in the Meadow!Soup & Sandwich Specials Daily

Also serving homemade pastries,locally roasted coffee and over

30 flavors of tea.

JULIANNE JOHNSON320.593.0456

e-mail: [email protected]

...now stop in & enjoy Lattes, Mochas, Espressos & More!Open: Mon.-Fri., 7am-4pm; Sat., 8am-3pm

Coffee House Mondays~ hours will vary ~NEW FOR

WINTER:

The weekend immediately following theFourth of July is Litchfield’s biggest celebra-tion each year. That’s when the entire city

dives into Watercade, a weekend of fun, food andfestivities. Litchfield will celebrate its 56th annualWatercade on July 5-8, 2012.

As the name implies, Watercade celebratesLitchfield’s location in west central Minnesota’slakes region, most notably Lake Ripley, which is onthe city’s south end, and is the site for severalWatercade events. Activities planned each yearinclude a fireworks display, golf tournament,Grande Day parade, Art in the Park, medallionhunt, 4-mile run, fishing contest, kiddie parade anda Little Crow water ski show.

Watercade’s finale is the annual queen coronationand includes the crowning of the new MissLitchfield and princess. The 2011-12 Miss Litchfield,Erika Gartner, will serve until the 2012 coronation.

The sand sculpture contest takes place on the beach ofLake Ripley.

CelebratingWatercade

Watercade’s 4-mile run, which winds around Lake Ripley,attracts many participants.

Watercade Princess Leah Randt, left, Queen Erika Gartnerand Princess Justina Shaffer were crowned in July 2011and will serve as ambassadors of Litchfield, appearing inparades and other regional events through July 2012.

Auto/Home Health/Life Business

For All Your Insurance Needs,

See us Today!

Anderson Insurance Agency

409 E. Hwy 12Litchfield, MN 55355

[email protected] 71

810

For All Your Insurance Needs,

See us Today!


100+ Jobs StrongProviding Employment in Litchfield Since 1959

ISO 9001:2008 Certified�Custom Products has over 50 years in designing, testing and building

cabs and rollover protective structures for off-highway equipment.

�Each year the company donates to over 20 local area organizations,institutions and events to help sponsor local activities and programs.

�Contact us for employment opportunities in:• Metal Fabricating - Set up and adjustment of machinery including CNC

press brake, CNC milling, CNC tube bender, saws, drills and laser cutting equipment.

• Welding - Set up and weld all gauges of sheet metal using welds such as wirefeed, tig and robotics. AWS Certification.

• Finishing - Painting and final assembly of the product; installing glass, rubber,insulation, hardware and accessories.

• Support Services - in sales, engineering, warehousing and administration.

Applications available through Masterson Personnel in Litchfield • Equal Opportunity Employer

320-693-3221 • www.800cabline.com79113


Memorial Day • May 28Veterans organizations plan stir-

ring tributes each Memorial Day inLitchfield and neighboring towns.

Litchfield’s events start with a short,respectful parade through Litchfield,

then move to Lake Ripley Cemetery fora memorial service.

Manannah Daze• June 1-2

The small village ofManannah putstogether one big dayof fun each June witha parade, an unusual“Miss” Manannahpageant and a variety of competitive activities.

Eden Valley’s Valley Daze • June 21-24Eden Valley celebrates every June. Events for the

weekend-long celebration include a parade, carnival,live music, food stands and tournaments.

Cosmos Space Festival• July 20-22

The 44th annual SpaceFestival is expected to be anout-of-this-world event, includ-ing the crowning of Little MissUniverse and Man in theMoon, fireworks and a parade.

Meeker County Fair • Aug. 2-5It’s the 140th

annual “FairestDays ofSummer” forcounty residentsthe first weekendin August. It fea-tures traditionalcounty fair activ-ities, such as exhibits and the showing of livestock,carnival rides, live music and demolition derbies.

Watkins’ Kraut and Wurst Day • Aug. 4Area residents celebrate their German heritage in

Watkins’ one-day celebration, which includes aparade, kids’ games and, of course, sauerkraut andbratwurst.

Antique Car Run• Aug. 11

The NewLondon toNew BrightonAntique CarRun withvehicles from1908 and earlier covers 120 miles, including travel-ing through the heart of Meeker County, makingstops in Grove City, Litchfield and Kingston.

Small towns throughout Meeker County offer festive events all year

Local festivals, celebrations

Automotive Repair& Machine Shop

7920

4

Randy LoslebenCraig BrutgerAndy Miller

326 East Highway 12Litchfield

320-693-7065www.randysrepair.com

Welcome toMeeker County!

Proud to be servingLitchfield and the

surrounding communities

Jeff NorlinMeeker County Sheriff

Welcome toMeeker County!

71814

Please turn to


RSVPRSVPLead With Experience

VolunteerEcumen RSVP

218 North Holcombe Ave. - Litchfield, MN 553551-800-669-6714

790

48

Meeker Councilon Aging

•Volunteer Drivers•Chore Corps

•Information and Referral•Advocacy for Seniors

218 North Holcombe Ave. - Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-2718

7207

0

Emmaus Gift ShopEmmaus

Gift ShopEmmaus

Gift ShopBest Kept Secret in Litchfield

Featuring ever changing specialty merchandise

pScandinavian Specialtiesp

pBridal Registryp

pGlasswarep

pBooks For All Agesp

pEthnic Foodsp

pUnique Custom Jewelryp

pCards & Napkinsp

pCeramic Kitchenwarep

pLinens & Household Decorative Itemsp

Proceeds benefit Bethany, Emmanuel,Emmaus Place & Gloria Dei

200 Holcombe Ave. N., LitchfieldPh. 320/373-6625

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 9 am-1 pm

Zion Lutheran Church

504 Gilman Ave. N., Litchfield ~ Ph. 320/693-3207Fax: 320/693-3208 ~ E-mail: [email protected] congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Pastors: Harvey Nelson & Christian MuellerleileParish Ed: Mindy Czycalla

Youth Director: Breanne RoyerVisitation Pastor: J. David Nelson

Kids of the KingdomDay Care Center

Georgia Borchardt, DirectorPh.320/693-7806

Worship Services8:30 a.m. Classic

10:45 a.m. Contemporary

Education Hour:(For All Ages!) 9:45 a.m.

Choirs For All Ages

Sharing and Growing in God's Love

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Darwin Twine Ball Celebration • Aug. 11It’s one of

Minnesota’sunique land-marks —Darwin’s bigball of twine.Dubbed theWorld’sLargest TwineBall Collectedby OnePerson, thespherical col-lection is celebrated with parade, garden tractorpull, craft fair and pork chop dinner.

Forest City StockadeRendezvous• Aug. 18-19

Step back in time for the28th annual Rendezvous.The Forest City Stockade,a replica of a fort built byForest City residents dur-ing the 1862 DakotaConflict, is home to a vari-ety of old fashioned activi-ties, demonstrations andfood. Some of the recon-structed period buildingsinclude a newspaper office,church, woodwright shop,gun shop, pottery and can-dle-making shop, land office, and a school.

Forest City Thresher Days • Aug. 18-19Thresher Days include displays of antique tractors

and other farmequipment, alongwith potato dig-ging, threshingand corn shred-ding demonstra-tions. A tractorparade also is afavorite annualevent.

Dassel Red Rooster Days • Aug. 31-Sept. 3Labor

Day week-end is timeto celebrate,with anambassa-dors coronation,parade,Minnesota’sLargestChicken Barbecue, and other activities. This year isthe 52nd anniversary of Red Rooster Days.

Forest City Pioneer Christmas • Dec. 1The Forest City

Stockade changesa bit from its sum-mer Rendezvous toa winter holidaytheme during itsannual PioneerChristmas.Activities includehorse-drawn sleighrides, a visit with Santa, Christmas caroling and old-fashioned ornament making. There’s also plenty offood and other activities going on, as well as theopportunity to visit various buildings on site, such asthe woodwright shop, blacksmith, and general store.


RickAll Your Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning needs for 57 years

by licensed plumbing professionals.

320-693-361122 East Third Street, Litchfield • [email protected]

License #003513PM

• Plumbing• Heating• Air Conditioning• Video Pipe Inspection

79207 716

82

LITCHFIELDMobile Electronics Center Inc.

714 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield693-5885/Toll Free 888-475-5885

Since1997

More than Car Stereo!You can have the options you’ve always wanted, such as:

• Remote Car Starts • Keyless Entry • Cruise Control • Car Audio & Video • Voice Guided Navigation

• Ipod/MP3 Integration • Satellite Radio & much more

If you’ve seen or heard about it, we can probably add it!


Complete Automotive Repair

Binsfeld Tire Inc.2125 E. Hwy. 12, Litchfield

320-693-8632www.tiremaxx.com

•Brakes •A/C Service•Alignment •Oil Change•Exhaust •Tires & More

7914

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“At Sparboe Farms, we work hard

to produce high quality,nutritious and affordable

eggs for families across America.”

1.800.BEST EGGWWW.SPARBOE.COM

7915

3

Lectric Shop Co.901 Ripley St. E., Litchfield

(320) 693-2843

Proudly serving Meeker County for 40 years! Owner: Joe Tacheny,Electrical Contractor

Call for all of yourelectrical needs!

Farm • Home • Commercial

Great quality service

7185

9

79144

38 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEHEALTH CARE

Meeker Memorial Hospital is a general acute-carefacility offering emergency and in-patient, out-patient services.

In 2009, MMH took its mission statement, “To pro-vide high-quality healthcare services responsive tothe residents of the Meeker County area,” to heartby completing a $26.5 million expansion project. Notonly did MMH update and expand its facility, it alsoexpanded the number of specialized services offered.

“We’re very focused on the patient and look toways that we can enhance their care,” said Lori Rice,coordinator of education and marketing at MMH.

The expansion of the hospital campus added sever-al bonuses such as an in-house MRI, a third surgicalsuite, a cafe, a new gift shop, a new chapel, and newprivate patient rooms. These new private roomsallow staff members to provide patients with moreindividualized and personalized care.

The emergency, radiology, and surgery depart-ments are now located in the same vicinity, makingit easier for staff members to care for patients andrespond to emergencies with greater ease and expe-dience. Using a new simulation learning environ-ment, emergency room and critical care staff arelearning quicker problem-solving skills to betterrespond to a patient’s needs.

According to Rice, the numerous specialized servic-es that MMH offers are some of the most understat-ed aspects of the hospital.

The hospital’s goal, Rice said, is to “use the facilityand its design to help us with more specialized serv-ice.”

Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield is a general acute-care facility offering emergency, inpatient and outpatient services.

Meeker Memorial Hospital embraces its motto, ‘Care as it should be’

Committed to quality care

Meeker Memorial Hospital612 S. Sibley Ave. • 320-693-3242

www.meekermemorial.org

Meeker Memorial Hospitalis a 38-bed, county-ownedhospital. It is accountable tothe Meeker County Board ofCommissioners. MMH is gov-erned by an eight-memberHospital Board that includestwo county commissioners,the chief of the medical staff and five community representativesfrom its service area. Kyle Rasmussen is the chief executive officer.

Please turn to


71816

40 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEHEALTH CARE

Examples of MMH’s more specialized serviceinclude overnight evaluations in the new sleep cen-ter and Mist Therapy — a new treatment designedto heal wounds faster.

MMH’s recent partnership with SuburbanRadiological Consultants has allowed the hospital tooffer a wider variety of specialized, convenient, on-site treatments. Diagnostic Imaging allows severalcare providers to work together to provide optimumcare for the patient. The expertise of the team of spe-cialists and the convenience of on-site proceduresprovides patients with care close to home.

At MMH, patients have the opportunity to activelyfollow their health. Direct Access Diagnostic Testinggives patients the freedom to screen their ownhealth at their own convenience.

Meeker Memorial Hospital also offers:◆ Wellness — MMH also places great emphasis

on the wellness of their employees, volunteers, andthe community. MMH offers regular community pro-gramming and classes, such as Litchfield Lite, thatemphasize exercise and healthy living practices.Those interested can register for these classes onlineon the MMH website.

◆ Services — around-the-clock emergency care,cancer care, community education, Direct Access

Diagnostic testing, obstetrical care, rehabilitationservices, senior behavioral health care, supportgroups, surgery, and technologically advanced diag-nostic tools.

◆ Advanced medical services — allergy, audiol-ogy, colonoscopy, counseling, endoscopy, gastroen-terology, oncology, orthopedics, otolaryngology (ear,nose and throat), pathology, podiatry, psychology,radiology, rheumatology, sleep center, stress testing,and urology.

◆ Medical staff — The MMH medical staff con-sists of 11 board-certified physicians. Nine are activein family practice, one in internal medicine, and onein general surgery.

◆ Volunteer opportunities — Volunteers donatehundreds of hours of service to the hospital, helpingpatients and visitors in a variety of ways.

Meeker Memorial ClinicMeeker Memorial Clinic in Dassel is another

example of MMH’s commitment to enhancingpatient care.

The clinic is open five days a week and offers vari-ous services, which include X-rays, an on-site lab,and the ability to perform minor procedures. Newthis year, the Dassel clinic also offers physical thera-py services all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


TM

23rd

Annual

Pumpkin Patch FestivalNelson Family Farm • Litchfield, MN

Weekends and MEA!

www.nelsonfarm.com320•693•7750

Lots of FUN Fall Activitiesfor EVERYONE!

7919

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TOM’S CARPETKINGDOM

Eden Valley, MN — (320) 453-3673

790

62Open Monday-Thursday — 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WINDOW TREATMENTSCARPETING & AREA RUGS

LAMINATE FLOORINGCERAMIC TILE

HARDWOOD FLOORSVINYL FLOORING

71792

Exhaust, Radiator Repair,

Auto Electrical Repair, Brakes,

Tune-ups, Major Engine Repairs

Fred LaLonde

From the Headlights to the Tailpipe,No Job is TOO LARGE . . . or too small!

Mutt & Jeff’s Auto Repair311 S. Chandler Ave., Litchfield • 320-693-2867

Haugo Veterinary

Clinic1101 Sibley Ave. S.

Litchfield

320-693-696171941


Call ERIC or ASHLEYor just stop in!

www.steffesauctioneers.com827

79

Fast Service & Free DeliveryFree Health Care Screenings

Generic Drug SavingsLow Competitive Prices

693-93141-800-524-7285

www.medicineshoppe.com329 E Hwy 12 • Litchfield 71

971

320-693-5902East Hwy 12, Darwin, MN

darwinmonument.com

Fountains Rocks

79193

MonumentsMonuments

DARWIN MONUMENTMonuments and More!

42 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Through the years, Litchfield hasestablished a tradition of theaterarts in the community.

The people who have a passion for livetheater have been the driving forcebehind the scenes of the wonderful pro-ductions performed on the Litchfieldstage. It was the late Bernie Aaker, alongwith Charlie Blesener, the LitchfieldCommunity Education director in 1977, whohad the idea to form a community theater inLitchfield. The partnership betweenLitchfield Community Education andLitchfield Community Theatre has sincethrived.

As a result, Litchfield has one of thelongest consecutive runs of community the-ater productions in the state of Minnesota,according to Al Anderson, who has directedand acted in many LCT shows. “For a com-munity this size it’s spectacular.”

In the summer of 2011, LCT performed“Oklahoma!” in Bernie Aaker Auditorium,named after the longtime director.

Litchfield Community Theatre will pres-ent its 36th consecutive production in sum-mer 2012.

Another growing force is LitchfieldCommunity Youth Theatre, which encour-

ages young, bud-ding actors to learnmore about andbuild an apprecia-tion for theater.Children performed“Willy Wonka Jr.” inspring 2011.

Other arts andentertainmentevents include:

◆ The annualHoliday Showcase the first weekend ofDecember, featuring the musical talents oflocal residents.

◆ A fall musical put on by Litchfield HighSchool’s drama department, which per-formed “Beauty and the Beast” in 2011.

◆ Litchfield High School choir and bandconcerts throughout the year. The school’schoirs and bands have received numerousstate and national awards.

Litchfield supports theperforming arts, from

community theater to highschool band, choir concerts

A thriving arts community

• Don’t forget to call us to have yourfurnace, or heat pump serviced.

• We can service all your plumbing& heating needs, big or small

• Furance, Water Softener, and WaterHeater change outs available

• Residential, commercial, or remodeling, or new construction

320-275-124629901 725th Avenue • Dassel, MN 55325

samhendrickson.com • [email protected] • Fax: 320-275-1247

Rebates available

• Geothermal Systems available.

FREE on-site evaluation of project available. Just call to set up an appointment.

7913

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In 2011, LitchfieldCommunityTheatre per-formed“Oklahoma!,”while LitchfieldCommunity YouthTheatre staged“Willy WonkaJr.”

James D. Haugo, DDSMichael A. Solbrack, DDS

715 Sibley Ave. N.Litchfield

320-693-2228

651

79


~ Wine Club ~Join Angela & Kristi for our

monthly Wine Club andsave 15% on wine

purchases!!

320-693-8563517 North Sibley Avenue, Litchfield, MN

Regular Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

79205

Quality - Selection - Competitive Prices

LITCHFIELD———LIQUOR———

Meeker County’s Largest Selection of Wine & Spirits

Small Town Friendly Service

Monthly SpecialsQuantity DiscountsRequests for NEW

Products Welcome!

Spring Balled & BurlappedShade and Evergreen Trees

Summer Evergreens in the Field

831

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Colorful Fall ShadeTrees in the Field

Winter Evergreens in the Field ofSnow

www.turckstrees.com

Steve & Joan Turck • 67304 MN Hwy. 24, Litchfield • 320-693-3944

Container Grown, Balled and Burlapped or Spaded Trees

Your Complete Christmas Stopwith GREAT SERVICE!

Cut Your Own or Precut TreesBalsam, Canaan & Fraser Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Scotch & White Pine

Opening Friday after Thanksgiving • Visit our Live Reindeer!

Trees For All Seasons!

Where Saving Money Is Important809 East Highway 12, Litchfield

Art Gieseke Jeff Woods

320-693-30243gsoutlet.com

8315

0MN Dealer#25696

THE OUTLET

N-02

641

The cost of not correcting your hearing is too

high to ignore it!•Loss of alertness

•Fatigue•Anxiety

•Depression•Anger

•Missing out on precious moments•The connection we feel towards others

•Looking forward to speaking to our loved ones; not avoiding it…

Litchfield Branch of Willmar Hearing Aid Center338 U.S. Hwy. 12, Suite 103 Litchfield, MN320-593-0885 or 1-800-447-7244

Hutchinson Branch of Willmar Hearing Aid CenterMonday-Friday, 9am-4pm

100 Washington Ave. E., Hutchinson, MN 55350320-234-6825 or 1-866-361-3036

Glencoe Branch of Willmar Hearing Aid Center624 13th St., Suite 102, Glencoe, MN 55336320-864-2055 or 1-800-732-3730

Service, Security andSatisfaction…Our Promise

To Our Customers

Even as the economy struggles, several busi-nesses throughout the Litchfield area haveopened or expanded, thanks in part to the

Litchfield Area Chamber of Commerce.Dee Schutte, executive director of the Litchfield

Chamber of Commerce, credits people in the communi-ty for making the area so attractive to businesses.

“The one thing that always comes up is the peopleand their great work ethic,” Schutte said. “They’re ableto have the skills they need, and their loyalty to thecompany longevity is good. They really bring a lot toLitchfield.”

Litchfield is attractive to businesses for many rea-sons — it has a diversified workforce, a low tax base, astrong school system, an acute-care hospital, an air-

port, and access to U.S. Highway 12. Also in Litchfieldis Litchfield Industries, a group dedicated to helpingnew and established businesses succeed.

Suzanne Hedtke, executive director of MeekerCounty Development Corp. and Meeker CountyEconomic Development Authority, said the city ofLitchfield also is dedicated to local businesses.

“I think because of the commitment the city has tothe business community, they realize the importance ofbusiness and sustaining and growing it,” Hedtke said.“They employ people who live in our community, peo-ple who eat here, purchase gas, purchase groceries,their children go to school here. They all work hand inhand to sustain our community and build our commu-nity throughout.”

Small and large businesses in Litchfield like area’s work ethic

Litchfield features a diverse business base — from retail to manufacturing — and has a low tax base.

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Your one-stop for one-of-a-kind gifts by yourlocal friends and artists

30 N. SibleyDowntown Litchfield

320-593-2960

• Create a FOOD BASKET of jellies, etc.

• Order early for special requests

Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Closed Sundays

Holiday Hours: Thursdays till 6 p.m. during December

Closed on Holidays • Open Dec. 24 till 4 p.m. 593-8678 227 N. Sibley, Litchfield

Diamond Jewelry • Bulova & Seiko Clocks

Sterling by Elle & Hot Diamonds

Citizen & Skagen Watches • Peggy Karr GlassJewelry and Watch Repair

VisaDiscoverMaster Card

7917

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Supporting local businesses

44 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEBUSINESS


TRUCK LETTERINGSIGNAGE OF ALL TYPES

SCREEN PRINTINGTEAM APPAREL & UNIFORMS

EMBROIDERYSAND BLASTING

24132 S. MN HWY. 22Litchfield, MN

320-693-2796peterssigns.com

[email protected]

N021

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2B

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79168

Flax Products Gluten/Wheat Free Fresh Spices

Hormone Free Meat Supplements Burt's Bees

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46 2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDEGOVERNMENT LEADERS

Meeker County’s governing body consists of fivecommissioners, each representing a district with-in the county. Elections for these seats occur everytwo years in November. The Meeker CountyAdministrator is responsible for day-to-day opera-tions of the county. The County Board meets at8:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of themonth at the Meeker County Courthouse, 325 N.Sibley Ave. For information, call 320-693-5200.

Meeker County Board

The city of Litchfield is governed by six council mem-bers and a mayor. The city administrator is responsiblefor day-to-day operations of the city. The mayor andcouncil members serve four-year terms. Staggered elec-

tions take place every two years in November.Litchfield City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. the first andthird Mondays of the month at City Hall, 126 N.Marshall Ave. For information, call 320-693-7201.

Litchfield City Council

Keith JohnsonMayor

Ron DingmannAt-large

Barb AltringerWard 1

Connie LiesWard 2

DwightLorensenWard 3

Vern Loch Jr.Ward 4

Gary WalzWard 5

Jim Swenson1st DistrictLitchfield

DaveGabrielson2nd DistrictLitchfield

TimBenoit3rd DistrictDassel

Wally Strand4th DistrictKimball

Roney Kutzke5th DistrictGrove City

Rep. DeanUrdahl (R)District 18B

State capitol:571 State OfficeBuilding, 100 Rev.Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. Blvd., St.Paul, MN 55155Phone: 651-296-4344 or 800-920-5861E-mail: [email protected]: 2002,re-elected in2004, 2006, 2008and 2010.

Sen. ScottNewman (R)District 18

State capitol:75 Rev. Dr. MartinLuther King Jr.Blvd., CapitolBuilding, Room301, St. Paul, MN55155-1606 Phone: 651-296-4131E-mail: [email protected]: 2010

The city of Litchfield and Litchfield Township arewithin Minnesota Senate District 18 and HouseDistrict 18B. State Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson,and state Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, servethe area.

Meeker County is part of the 7th CongressionalDistrict, which is served by U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson,D-Detroit Lakes.

U.S. Rep. CollinPeterson (D)

U.S. capitol:2211 RayburnHOB, Washington,DC 20515Phone: 202-225-2165Elected: 1990-present; served inMinnesota Senate1977-1986.Web site:collinpeterson.house.gov

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Walk down a Litchfieldstreet and you’re likelyto find countless monu-

ments to the city’s early history. Following is a driving — or, for

those more ambitious souls, walk-ing — tour featuring some of thetown’s most impressive historichomes.

The tour begins on MarshallAvenue, with the G.A.R. Hall onyour right and Central Park onyour left. Go north on MarshallAvenue two blocks, turn right ontoFifth Street.

Litchfield was founded in 1869. Itwas established as the county seatof Meeker County due to the rail-road built by E. Darwin Litchfieldand his brothers in the 1860s. Priorto that time, Forest City, a townabout five miles north, had beendesignated the county seat, but citi-zens decided a city next to the rail-road would be more convenient andhave a better economic base. Thehomes we will see on this tour arefrom the 1869-1920 Victorian Era.This was a time of great changeand growth out here on theNorthern Plains.

On the corner to your left is,503 Holcombe Ave. N.

A distinctly Victorian home, orig-inally the Morrison House, thishome is an excellent example of astyle referred to as the “PaintedLady.”

Turn left here onto HolcombeAvenue North and go one block toSixth Street East. Turn left, go one

block to Marshall Avenue Northand turn right. On your left is,

611 Marshall Ave. N.Mary Jo Smith has turned this

early 1920s Tudor-style home into abeautiful bed and breakfast calledThe Marshall Estate. It featuresfour bedrooms, hardwood floors,built-in china cabinets with lead-ed/beveled glass, a charming fire-place, and indoor and outdoorporches.

Proceed north to Seventh Streetand turn right. Go two blocks toArmstrong Avenue North and turnright. Proceed one block and onyour left is,

518 Armstrong Ave. N.This home was built in the late

1800s by August Lenhardt. Thisfamily built the Litchfield Breweryand owned Lenhardt Hotel andmany of the first lots surveyed inLitchfield after the town was laidout.

Four doors down also on the leftside of the street,

506 Armstrong Ave. N.A two-story house with a large

porch, this home was built in 1908.It is an excellent example ofVictorian architecture featuring adignified home with a wrap-aroundveranda porch, artistic windowsand a large, quiet yard.

If you look to your right,

225 Fifth Street You see a large Tudor style home.

August T. Koerner, a prominentbusiness and political leader, builtthis home in 1894. The large roundturret is one of the more striking

characteristics of this home.Through the years, this home hasbeen extensively remodeled. Mr.Koerner, the original owner, alsoserved as Minnesota state treasur-er in the late 1800s.

Proceed to the next block, threedoors down on your right and pullcurbside to see,

413 Armstrong Ave. N.This large red brick house was

built by Peter Hanson as a weddinggift to his daughter, Nellie, whenshe married Mr. March in 1905. Ithas a ballroom on the third floorand the light oak woodworkthroughout remains in impeccablecondition. There is a servants’ stair-case, a fireplace in the master bed-room and a large beautiful diningroom with 10-foot ceilings.

Next door on the corner is,

405 Armstrong Ave. N.Completed in 1904, local folks

call this home “the Red Castle.”Peter E. Hanson, the originalowner, had the home built while he

Take a walking ordriving tour to see themany historic homes

in Litchfield thatreflect various

architectural styles.

Litchfield’s historic homes

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served in the Minnesota Senatefrom 1895-1898 and as secretary ofstate from 1901-1907. It is interest-ing that the state Capitol in St.Paul was being built at the sametime as this home. The original tileroof of this home (some of whichyou can see on the turret) was thesame color and design as the tileused on the roof of the Capitolbuilding. The house has five fire-places, a grand stairway, an oakdining room, and cherry woodworkthroughout. The outside walls arequadruple-brick for insulation. Itwas the original owner of thishome, Mr. Hanson, who built thehome we just saw next door for hisdaughter, Nellie.

Across the street on the corner youwill see,

406 Armstrong Ave. N.This home was built about 1888

and is where John T. Mullen, awell-known Litchfield merchant,lived.

Proceed to the next block andimmediately on your left at the cor-ner is,

326 Armstrong Ave. N.Built about 1910, the architec-

ture of this home is untouched

since construction.

Next door,

320 Armstrong Ave. N.This home was constructed

between 1910-1915. Its turret is anexample of the Victorian Era. Thehome was once owned by FredRichter, a former Litchfield mayor.

Drive to the next corner and turnright onto Third Street and pullcurbside just before the stop sign.Across the street on your right, youwill see a large yellow brick home.

307 Holcombe Ave. N.Built about 1895 by a prominent

banker named O.H. Campbell, thishouse was once known as the“Raven’s Nest.” From 1920 to thelate 1940s, it was used as a nuns’conservatory, and many people inLitchfield remember taking pianolessons there. It remainsunchanged and a stark example ofthe fortress style of Victorianhomes of the 1890s. It is built ofyellow brick produced in Litchfieldduring that time.

Continue on Third Street to thestop light and turn left onto SibleyAvenue North. Follow SibleyAvenue across the railroad tracksand turn right at the end of thisblock onto Ripley Street West.Follow Ripley five blocks toDonnelly Avenue South. Turn leftonto Donnelly and at the far end ofthis block on the right corner, youwill see,

326 Donnelly Ave. S.This house has been the home of

two famous Meeker County resi-dents. It was built in 1893 andstood on the corners of Swift andRipley avenues. Many years later itwas moved here to DonnellyAvenue. One well-known residentwas Gale Sondergaard.

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of Siam,” and “Anthony Adverse,”for which she won the AcademyAward for Best Supporting Actressin 1936. She also starred onBroadway. She lived in this homewith her family during early child-hood. Later, this was the home ofBernie Bierman, famous footballcoach of the University ofMinnesota Gophers. He played foot-ball for the Litchfield High Schoolteam and went on to play left endfor Minnesota. He coached atTulane University and in 1932 tookhis team to the Rose Bowl. Hereturned to Minnesota to coach theGophers and brought on what wasto be known as the “Golden Era” ofMinnesota football. This home is anexample of the Victorian design.

Turn left here onto West WeiselStreet and drive five blocks toSibley Avenue. Turn right ontoSibley Avenue. Drive three blocks.Just past the hospital on the rightcorner pull curbside.

700 Sibley Ave. S.This lovely home was built in the

late 1920s and is a perfect example

of what is known as CraftsmanArchitecture. We have severalhomes in our town of this stylefrom the early 1920s era.

Proceed to the far end of thisblock to,

724 Sibley Ave. S.The Rosemary Home. This was

the home of Dorothea Kopplin andher family. Mrs. Kopplin lived from1898-1970. She was a mother,teacher, homemaker and author.She was Minnesota Mother of theYear in 1949. In accordance withher will, her home became a homefor nursing students, nurses andbusiness women. This was done inmemory of her daughter who diedof leukemia at age 6. Her daugh-ter’s bedroom is a small room atthe front of the second floor and isstill furnished as it was when thechild lived there. Mrs. Kopplin’sdaughter’s name was, of course,Rosemary. Mrs. Kopplin wrote“Something to Live By” in 1945with all royalties being donated tothe Minnesota Federation ofWomen’s Clubs for nursing scholar-ships. The home was built in thelate 1890s and has a permanentcaretaker living on the grounds.

Go to the next block and immedi-ately on your right is,

806 Sibley Ave. S.This lovely home was built in

1906. The garage replaces what wasonce a livery barn which had roomfor two horses and one carriage.

At the end of this block, justbefore the Methodist Church, andagain on the right, you will see,

910 Sibley Ave. S.This Victorian home was built in

the late 1800s, and was the firsthouse in Litchfield to have runningwater. It was built by Mr.Sweetman who had an oil business.The property includes a windmill,which was used to pump water intoa storage tank in the attic and pro-vided running water to the house.The interesting garage behind thishouse was built in 1940 to replacethe large, old barn which had to betorn down. This property onceextended back five blocks to SwiftAvenue. The house retains its dis-tinctive Victorian appearance.

Proceed several blocks downSibley Avenue to AndersonGardens, on your right, beside LakeRipley.

If you wish, you may take a walkthrough the gardens. In the park isa gazebo built where a ferry boatlanding once stood in the late1800s. The ferry boats would touraround the lake during summermonths. Atop the gazebo you willsee what was once the cap of a tur-ret from a large, prominent homein Litchfield. When the home wasdemolished years ago, the turretcap was rescued, and now has anew home.

To continue the tour, turn aroundand head north on Sibley Avenue, inthe direction from which you came.As you proceed down Sibley Avenueabout five blocks, you come to thecorner of McQuat Street and SibleyAvenue. Pull to the right curbsidejust prior to McQuat Street.

2012 LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY GUIDE 51HISTORY


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805 Sibley Ave. S.This large English Tudor style

home was built in 1910 and wasonce the home of Dr. KarlDanielson. Dr. Danielson is remem-bered for swimming in Lake Ripleynearly every day of his life, even inwinter. He lived to be 90 years old.

Continue down Sibley Avenueabout four blocks to Weisel Streetand turn right. Proceed east threeblocks to Armstrong Avenue. Thehouse in front of you:

403 Armstrong Ave. S.Built in 1889 by C.W. Wagner,

then owner of the Litchfield news-paper and the man for whomWagner Elementary School isnamed, his wife Emma ChandlerWagner, and their only daughter,Harriet. Following the deaths ofher parents, Harriet lived in thehouse for part of each year, spend-ing the rest of her time travelingabroad. The house remains close toits original state. Some of the

changes are the addition of a fire-place in the front parlor, partialenclosing of the front porch, and anupstairs enclosed back porch. Theinterior has been restored to muchof its Victorian glory.

Turn around and head west onWeisel Street to Sibley Avenue, pullcurbside before the stop sign. Acrossthe street in front of you, you willsee,

316 Sibley Ave. S.Currently Johnson-Hagglund

Funeral Home, this home was builtby B.P. Nelson in 1903 as a familyresidence. There was a tennis courton the south side of the home and athree-stall carriage house on thenorth. The third floor was a ball-room with dance parties still beingheld there in the 1930s and ’40s.

Turn right onto Sibley Avenueand next door on the left is,

310 Sibley Ave. S.This lovely Victorian home was

built in 1899. This house cost$2,000 to build. There have beenfew changes to the original floorplan. In the dining room of thishome is one of the most beautifulfireplaces. It is artistic from floor toceiling with several different typesof woodwork combined with copperinlay for a spectacular mantle. Thehouse has five original ornate win-dows, and a maplewood mosaic onthe entryway floor.

Next door you will see,

304 Sibley Ave. S.This two-story red brick office

building was once a lovely home

built in the late 1880s. It was thehome of a well-known, successfulbrewer who operated a large brew-ery on the north shore of our LakeRipley. Not to be outdone, hisbrother founded St. Paul’sLutheran Church in Litchfield.

On your right side you will see,

215 Sibley Ave. S.“Guide to the Architecture of

Minnesota” (1977) describes thishome as an “Eastlake style frameclapboard house with extensiveturned work on the Queen Anneporch.” It was built in 1890 by Mr.McClure, a Litchfield banker. Itremains close to its original condi-tion with the original oil cloth wall-paper still on the dining room wallsand tin ceilings in the kitchen andbath.

You’ve reached the end of the tour.To return to the G.A.R. Hall whereyou started, proceed on SibleyAvenue, across the railroad tracksto Third Street, turn right at thestop light, go one block and turn leftonto Marshall Avenue. The G.A.R.Hall is on your right.



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The Litchfield Commercial Historic District, as defined bythe National Register of Historic Places, encompasses mostof the central business district. The district has 48 proper-ties, including 36 “contributing” buildings.

Most of the buildings in the district are two-story, brickcommercial buildings constructed between 1882 and1940. At least 15 were built of cream-colored brick manu-factured in Litchfield. About 24 of the 46 buildings werebuilt before 1900. About 14 of the buildings were builtbetween 1900 and 1930. Four were built between 1930and 1945, and four are post-World War II construction.The latter four are non-contributing because they postdatethe period of significance.

Litchfield’s Commercial Historic District

Walk the sidewalks of Litchfield’s downtownand the city’s history looms large. Many ofthe historic buildings that frame the city’s

main street were built as early as the 1800s.More than 100 years later, the city’s downtown was

designated a Historic Commercial District by theNational Park Service and placed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places in 1996.

“The district is significant as a uniform collection oflate 19th and 20th century commercial buildings...,”according to the National Register of Historic Places.“The buildings are strongly associated withLitchfield’s historic role as an agricultural trade cen-ter on the St. Paul and Pacific (later known as theGreat Northern) railroad line.”

PreservingLitchfield’s

historic district

July 5-8, 2012

Ness Church, southwest of Litchfield on 580thAvenue, is one of the state’s oldest historicalsites.

The bodies of the first white victims of the DakotaConflict (Sioux Uprising) are buried in the church’scemetery. Ann Baker Jones, Vironus Webster, HowardBaker, Robinson Jones and Clara D. Wilson are buriedin a single grave, which is marked by one of the state’soldest monuments. The monument was dedicated onSept. 13, 1878.

The five settlers were killed after Robinson Jonesand four Sioux Indians had been shooting at targets atthe Baker cabin in Acton Township. Andreas Olsonwas killed a few days later after he left the stockade inForest City to tend his farm. Olson also was buried atNess Cemetery.

The Acton Massacre touched off the Dakota Conflictof 1862, the bloodiest time in Minnesota history. About750 white settlers were killed and 200 were takenprisoner during the uprising, which lasted about amonth. The Sioux were driven from their homeland insouth central Minnesota, and 38 Sioux were killedDec. 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minn. It was the largestmass hanging the United States has ever seen. Thefinal battle of the Dakota Conflict was fought Sept. 18,1862, at Wood Lake when Henry Sibley, who also wasa Minnesota governor, promised to kill all the Sioux ordrive them out of the state.

Ness Church was dedicated as a MinnesotaHistorical Site on Sept. 13, 1970. First named St.Johannes’ Lutheran Congregation, the church’s origi-

nal 25 members, all men at the time, changed the con-gregation’s name to Ness Norwegian LutheranCongregation in 1858. The congregation was namedafter the settlers’ home church in Ness, Hullingdahl,Norway.

At the last Sunday service in 1968, the 110-year-oldcongregation disbanded, leaving the church and itscontents to the Ness Memorial Cemetery Association.The church is still used for reunions, weddings andother celebrations.

With information from “The Ness Lutheran Church”by Charles Ness.


Ness Church monument marksgrave of Dakota Conflict victims,who were killed 150 years ago

A monument marks a single grave where the first white vic-tims of the Dakota Conflict were buried at Ness ChurchCemetery. 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the DakotaConflict.

Remembering a tragic time

Leaf through the newspaperfor award-winning

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Independent ReviewLITCHFIELD


The GrandArmy ofthe

Republic (G.A.R.)Hall, 308Marshall Ave. N.,is one ofLitchfield’s mostwell-known histor-ical and visitorsites.

The GrandArmy of theRepublic wasorganized in 1866in Illinois.Membership waslimited to Unionveterans of theCivil War, and itspurpose was tomaintain fellow-ship for the veter-ans, honor thedead and helporphans, widows and handicapped veterans of the war.Its motto was “Fraternity, Loyalty, and Charity.”

By the 1880s, there were more than 400,000 mem-bers, and the Litchfield post had more than 300 mem-bers. It was eventually disbanded in 1949, but theLadies of the G.A.R. still meet today.

The Litchfield post was named after Frank Daggett,a local newspaper publisher who was actively associat-ed with abolitionist John Brown. He commanded twoAfrican-American heavy artillery regiments and wasactive in establishing the G.A.R. in Minnesota.

Daggett also wasone of the firstgrand command-ers of theMinnesota G.A.R.He died in 1876when he was 39.

Post 35 is theonly authenticG.A.R. Hallremaining inMinnesota. It wasdesigned by a postmember to looklike a militaryfort. It was builtin 1885 for about$5,000. The build-ing is on theNational Registerof HistoricalPlaces and hasbeen preserved asnearly as possibleto its original con-

dition. It was deeded to the city of Litchfield on thecondition that it be kept as a memorial to Civil Warveterans and be open to the public.

The Meeker County Historical Society museum ishoused in a two-story addition at the back of theG.A.R. Hall. The addition was built in 1960. Themuseum includes artifacts from pioneer days.Historical reference books and archives for theLitchfield Independent Review are stored there.

Museum hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday throughSunday. For more information, call 320-693-8911.

Litchfield’s Grand Army of the Republic Hall is the only one in Minnesota

The Grand Army of the RepublicHall has been preserved as nearlyas possible to its original condition.The Meeker County HistoricalSociety is housed in the back.

G.A.R. Hall honors history

Members of the Frank Daggett Postand Drum Corps stand at attentionin front of the G.A.R. Hall onMemorial Day, May 31, 1886, oneyear after it was built.

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Litchfield’s history dates back more than 150years, as pioneers moving west settled inMeeker County.

When the town was organized in 1858, it wasnamed Ness, in honor of Ole Halvorson Ness who wasone of the first Norwegian settlers in the area.

The name stuck for 11 years, until the St. Paul &Pacific Railroad Co. plotted a track through Ness onits way from Breckenridge to Minneapolis.

In 1862, a contract was made with E. DarwinLitchfield, an English capitalist and stockholder inthe St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. Mr. Litchfield and hisbrothers, Electus B. Litchfield, Edwin C. Litchfieldand Egbert S. Litchfield, prominently aided in the con-struction and financing of the railway.

This was one of the first railroad companies in thecountry to construct its line ahead of settlement. Therailroad endeavored to keep settlement progressing bylaying out town sites. Business and residence lots were

platted. Sites for factories and mills were reserved.Wide streets were laid out. Parks were planned, andtrees were planted. To honor the Litchfield brothers,the citizens of Ness Township petitioned in 1869 tohave the village renamed Litchfield. Later that year,in an election Nov. 2, 1869, county residents also votedto move the county seat from Forest City to Litchfield.

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Railroad helps define city, county

By Amber ThompsonSTAFF WRITER

As the temperature rises in

Meeker County, people are

more active outside — spend-

ing more time barbecuing,

playing sports and celebrating

with alcohol. Amid the fun in the sun,

though, is also an increase in

arrests of people driving while

intoxicated. The Meeker County Sher-

iff’s Department made 69

DWI arrests in 2008, with the

frequency increasing slightly

during the summer months

and around winter holidays.

“You can see the trend — in

the cold months, people aren’t

as active and there aren’t

many. But over June, July

and August there is an in-

crease,” Capt. Jon Thoma of

the Meeker County Sheriff’s

Office said. Meeker County isn’t

unique. Minnesota averaged

117,730 arrests and 184 traf-

fic deaths due to DWIs from

2005 to 2007, according to the

Minnesota Office of Traffic

Safety. More than 505,152

Minnesotans, about one in 10,

have at least one DWI on their

record. The effects from a DWI ar-

rest can be sobering, with peo-

ple incurring jail fees, court

costs and higher insurance.

Flashing red and blue

Different people process al-

cohol differently. While some

people might be functional at

the legal limit of 0.08 alcohol

concentration, other people

will have difficulties. Some-

times, this can lead to erratic

driving and a traffic stop.

Police need probable cause

to pull over a vehicle. Broken

tail lights, items suspended

from the rear-view mirror,

seat belt violations or speed-

ing are common reasons that

cars would be stopped, Thoma

said. “Sometimes, we do get calls

from citizens. There could be a

get-together where the host

tried to get someone who had

been drinking to stay there,

and they take off. Because of

cell phones, we also get driv-

ing complaints from people

following someone who they

think is impaired,” he said.

However, detecting alcohol

during traffic stops is a com-

mon way for the situation to

start, he said. “A lot of times, we will no-

tice the odor of alcohol on the

person. They might be slur-

ring, their eyes bloodshot or

watery. The most extreme

cases could actually be falling

down, which is very rare,”

Thoma said. If alcohol is suspected, the

officer subjects the driver to

field sobriety tests, including

walking heel-to-toe, standing

on one leg, and other similar

tasks. Performance on the

test, as well as the ability to

follow the officer’s instruc-

tions are judged.

A preliminary breath test

for alcohol is used if the driver

does not pass the field sobriety

tests. If alcohol is detected, the

driver is arrested. If the driv-

er refuses to take the breath

test, he or she also is arrested

and charged much the same

way as if having failed the

test.

By Stan RoeserCONTRIBUTING WRITER

A 40-acre tract of land just

north of Lake Erie in

Ellsworth Township has been

a riding site for members of

the Crow River Wheelers for

the past eight years, and it’s

been pretty much out of the

public’s eye.That could change in the

near future.Club members came before

the Meeker County Board

Tuesday to ask for county

sponsorship in seeking state

and federal grants to fence in

and improve the ATV riding

area, which the club owns.

It is hoped that as much as

$250,000 can be obtained in

grants, which would cover

costs of improving the road in-

to the area, improve trails,

fence in the tract and build a

shelter.To be eligible for the grants,

it is necessary for the county

to act as sponsor for the appli-

cation, said Gregg Soupir,

Minnesota Department of

Natural Resources parks and

trails supervisor for the area.

Soupir, who works out of

the DNR’s Spicer office, said

the DNR has a Trails and

Parks Division that works to-

ward establishing areas for

LITCHFIELD

‘Li’l Abner’lands on stageCommunity Theatre play

opens July 23 � 3A

Perfect partnersCecil Leitch, Ken Johnson

compete together in

26th Watercade tennis

tournament � 9A

JULY 16, 2009

SINCE 1876

$1

New royaltynow reignsSteman is crowned queen,

Hansen is princess � 1B

Independent ReviewIndependent ReviewCounty backs

group seeking

grants for trails


Due to budget cuts at the

state level, the Meeker Coun-

ty Court Administration office

has reduced its hours on Fri-

days, closing at 2 p.m. rather

than 4:30 p.m. previously.

According to Chief Judge

Paul Nelson, the Eighth Judi-

cial District saw a budget re-

duction of $367,000 for fiscal

year 2010 and $374,000 for

2011. Cuts were made to the

part of the budget that pays

for staff salaries, forcing the

district court to reduce staff

and hours. “We really didn’t want to do

this, but with the reallocation

of funds within the branch

and the slight reduction that

we did get in the budget, the

reduction in hours saved a sig-

nificant number of employees

from being laid off,” Nelson

said. To meet the budget, the

Minnesota Judicial Council

decided to reduce staff levels

to what was deemed as the

most efficient levels in Min-

nesota according to a weight-

ed staff study by the National

Center for State Courts.

Court reduces hours

due to budget cuts

BACK THEN 7B

BULLETIN BOARD 8B

CLASSIFIEDS 17A

COMMUNITY 1B

CROSSWORD 7B

FAITH 4B

FOR THE RECORD 8A

KIDS CORNER 7B

LOCAL 3A

OBITUARIES 5A

OPINION 4A

PEOPLE 2B

PUBLIC NOTICES 12A

RURAL LIVING 6B

SPORTS 9A

WATERCADE 4BWHAT’S INSIDE :

HOW TO REACH USE-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]: (320) 693-3266

Fax: (320) 693-9177

It was a Watercade weekend worth remembering

for many reasons, with successful events, won-

derful weather and plenty of fun and sun.

Whether it was participating in sports-related events,

shopping for crafts, or oohing and ahhing at the fire-

works, there was plenty to see and do. To see and read

more about Watercade, turn to Pages 10A, 1B, 4B and

5B, and go online to www.independentreview.net.

Effects of DWI last longer than enjoyment of the drink

STAFF PHOTO BY AMBER THOMPSON

The Crow River Ski Team wowed a large crowd with its pyr-

amids, stunts and barefoot skiing Sunday afternoon on a

calm Lake Ripley, ideal for water skiing.

STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Runners leave the starting line Saturday morning for the Lake Ripley 4-mile run. Read results on Page 10A.

STAFF PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

Children of all ages participate in a twist contest dur-

ing the beach party Friday evening at Lake Ripley.

STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Luke Primus, center, of Hutchinson and his children,

Lily and Mason, work on a sand sculpture Saturday at

Lake Ripley beach. The Primus family, including mom

Jenny, not pictured, took second place in the contest.

A Watercadewrap-up

More people drive

under the influence

of alcohol during

summer months in

Meeker County

See DWI on Page 8A

ATV group wants

to open up area for

public to use

See COUNTY on Page 6A

Court Administration

office closes early,

staff hours reduced

See COURT on Page 6A

DWI arrestsThe Meeker County Sheriff’s

Office made 69 arrests for driv-

ing while intoxicated in 2008,

with summer months among

the busiest:January: 7February: 6March: 4April: 5May: 4June: 8July: 9August: 7

September: 4October: 5November: 4December: 6

LITCHFIELD

A childhoodadventureKids in Little Actors classperform ‘Peter Pan’ � 2A

One winawayWatkins plays Kimballfor state tournamentberth � 8A

AUGUST 13, 2009SINCE 1876

$1

HistoricalconnectionsFamily donates 1700sBible to stockade � 1B


STAFF PHOTOS BY BRENT SCHACHERERDan and Diane Seeman of El Cajon, Calif., wave to an onlooker Saturday as they pull out of their parking space onNorth Marshall Avenue in Litchfield. The Seemans, driving a 1909 Buick, were participating in the New London to NewBrighton Antique Car Run for the first time.

By Brent SchachererEDITOR

Sometimes it’s diffi-cult to explain thehistorical context

of the annual New Londonto New Brighton AntiqueCar Run.

But Dave Shadduck of-fers a pretty good illustra-tion.

The Kildeer, Ill., resi-dent was one of about 60antique car afficionadoswho drove their prize pos-sessions through Litch-field Saturday morning aspart of the 23rd annualrun, a 120-mile trek that re-creates thefamous London to Brighton car run inEngland.

As Shadduck thoroughly checked his1904 Cadillac during a stop in Litch-field, a bystander asked what attract-ed him to antique cars.

“It’s a hoot to keep them running.They’re just a kick,” Shadduck said.

Then he offered a historylesson. Nodding to a nearby1903 Oldsmobile that he al-so owns, Shadduck saidthat the owners’s manualfor the vehicle included in-structions for the driver onwhat to do when he encoun-tered a horse on the road.

“You have to remember,this is back when they werestill trying to decide whatwas better, the horse or theautomobile,” Shadducksaid. “These cars are from avery different time.”

For Shadduck, that dif-ferent time was a wonder-ful time for automobiles.

He enjoys the the century-old vehiclesso much that he doesn’t limit himself tothe New London to New Brighton carrun.

“This car (1904) Cadillac and thatone (1903 Oldsmobile) are going to bepacked up and sent over for the London

Relishing the relics

CLASSIC CARS ROLL THROUGH COUNTY FOR ANNUAL NEW LONDON TO NEW BRIGHTON ANTIQUE CAR RUN

LarryPetersonEden Valley-Watkins superin-tendent saidthe SchoolBoard dis-cussed thepros andcons of ask-ing votersfor a tax in-crease, butdecided itwas neces-sary toavoid statu-tory operat-ing debt.

BACK THEN 6BBULLETIN BOARD 5BCLASSIFIEDS 15ACOMMUNITY 1B

CROSSWORD 6BFAITH 4BFOR THE RECORD 6AKIDS CORNER 6B

LOCAL 3AOBITUARIES 5AOPINION 4APEOPLE 2B

PUBLIC NOTICES 10ARURAL LIVING 6BSPORTS 8A

WHAT’S INSIDE : HOW TO REACH US

E-mail: [email protected]@independentreview.net

Telephone: (320) 693-3266Fax: (320) 693-9177

‘Old’ is abadge ofhonor for

antique carowners, whodon’t mindtraveling in

the slow lane of traffic


Eden Valley-Watkins School Board will askdistrict residents to approve a tax increase thisfall.The board voted unanimously Monday toseek an excess levy during the general electionNov. 3. The referendum will ask voters to re-voke the current levy of $450 per student andreplace it with a $700 per student levy.The $250-per-student increase would raiseabout $220,000 for the district, according toSuperintendent Larry Peterson, who ex-plained that current projections are that thedistrict will have a $200,000 budget shortfallnext year.“We realize the time frame, we realize thesituation we’re in,” Peterson said. “We haveour work cut out for us in this environmentand economy.“The feeling of the board was the state had

EV-W to ask district residents for larger levyDistrict wants to revoke existinglevy, replace it with larger one

See LEVY on Page 2A


Meeker Memorial Hospitalmight have a new chief execu-tive officer by Monday.

Jesse Tischer and Kyle Ras-mussen were named as final-ists last week, and the Meek-er Memorial Hospital Boardwas conducting interviews forthe vacant CEO position,when this edition of the news-paper went to press.

The search committeehopes to select one of the final-ists by the end of the week,and the Hospital Board then

would vote on the committee’srecommendation at a specialmeeting Monday morning.

The new CEO would re-place Mike Schramm, who leftMeeker Memorial Hospital fora CEO position at Rice Memo-rial Hospital in Willmar.

Hospital Chief FinancialOfficer Gary Sogge has servedas interim CEO sinceSchramm’s resignation be-came effective May 18.

Tischer and Rasmussenhave experience in health careand administration.

Tischer was the first to in-terview Wednesday morning.Tischer is the chief executiveofficer and administrator forWheaton Community Hospi-tal and Medical Center inWheaton, Minn., a licensed25-bed acute care facility with

Hospital Board interviews twoCEO finalists

Board members to meet Monday

to select candidate

See FINALISTS on Page 2A

See CARS on Page 7A


Atwater-Cosmos-GroveCity and Eden Valley-Watkins School Districts arecelebrating this week as Min-nesota Department of Educa-tion results state that bothschools made Adequate Year-

ly Progress as posed by the NoChild Left Behind act.

But they will not be restingon their laurels.

“We did very well,” EV-WSuperintendent Larry Peter-son said. “We’re pleased withthat. We’ve made it everyyear, but it’s getting tougherevery year, and we’ve got tokeep working at it.”

AYP is a means of measur-ing, through standards andassessments, the achieve-ment of the No Child Left Be-hind goal of 100 percent profi-cient by 2014. AYP is struc-tured to ensure that all chil-

dren have the opportunity toobtain a high-quality educa-tion and reach, at a minimum,

proficiency on challengingstate academic achievementstandards and state academic

assessments.Peterson credited parents

and teachers with creating a

strong educational environ-ment and stressing the impor-tance of meeting AYP.

As an example of the dis-trict’s desire to excel onstatewide tests, the EV-WSchool Board approved its2009-2010 district goals Mon-day. One was to work for con-tinued improvement in read-ing, an area in which EV-Wstudents have performed wellon statewide tests.

“(AYP) is a moving target;it’s always tough,” Petersonsaid. “We’re satisfied we’ve

State report card shows ACGC, EV-W get an A

Dan Amundsen watches as his fatherpours coolant into the radiator oftheir 1911 Maxwell.The Amundsens ofSt. Anthony, Minn., have owned thecar since 2002.

Litchfield, D-C schooldistricts will need to improve scores

Adequate Yearly ProgressOf 2,303 Minnesota schools earning an AYP status in 2009, 1,066 schools made AYP compared to 984schools in 2008. There were 1,048 schools that did not make AYP in 2009, up from 931 schools in 2008. Minnesota has 283 Title I schools in need of improvement, which will be providing additional optionsand services to students — this includes Litchfield and Dassel-Cokato school districts.School District Eligible groups Percent that met requirements Met AYPACGC 18 100% YesDassel-Cokato 20 95% NoEden Valley-Watkins 17 100% YesLitchfield 23 91.3% No

See SCHOOLS on Page 6A


The announcement Sundaythat a Litchfield soldier haddied in Afghanistan brought aflurry of calls to Johnson-Hag-glund Funeral Home Mondaymorning.Callers sought more infor-mation about Pfc. JonathonYanney, about his family,those who may have knownhim, and about funeralarrangements for the soldier.But Shannon Bartlett, funer-al director at Johnson-Hag-

glund, had noinformationfor callers.

Neither didL i t c h f i e l dSchool Dis-trict Superin-tendent BillWold nor offi-cials at any ofthe district’sschools.

“We’ve hadthat question,” Wold saidMonday afternoon, “but wedon’t have any record of him(attending school in Litch-field).”Yanney, 20, died Aug. 18when a roadside bomb explod-ed near Argahndab in Kanda-har province.

LITCHFIELD

Orthodontistoffice opensJohnson opens satelliteoffice in Litchfield � 7A

A need for speed16-year-old driver’s racingcareer is on track � 9A

AUGUST 27, 2009

SINCE 1876

$1

Favoring family farmsFour county farms honored as Century Farms � 1B


STAFF PHOTOS BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Sparboe Farms vice president of operations Ross Sharp explains the packaging process to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar,

D-Minn., during a tour of the Litchfield complex on U.S. Highway 12.

Fallen soldier hadties to Litchfield


Giving blood saves lives.For a St. Cloud man, that factalone is worth an hour drive.After 40 years of consistentgiving, John Schenk celebrat-ed giving his 27th gallon ofblood during a visit Aug. 20 atFirst Lutheran Church inLitchfield.“I started giving when I was

18, right after high school,”Schenk said. “Both of my par-ents gave while I was growingup, and I thought it was a neatthing to do.”For the first two years,Schenk said he wasn’t seriousabout sticking to a schedule onblood donation because of be-ing in the military, but afterthat, he has been consistentabout giving every eightweeks.

“It’s an easy way to savelives and just kind of a re-warding feeling,” Schenk said.“And it’s kind of like a mini-physical every eight weeks,


As 2009 area high schoolgraduates get ready to startcollege, a report from ACT

said Minnesota students areahead of the game in terms ofcollege preparation. Nationally, the averagecomposite score on the ACT, anational college admissionand placement examination,was 21.1 on a 36-point scale.Minnesota’s average com-posite score was 22.7. In addi-tion, scores in English, math-ematics, reading, and sciencewere 1.4 to 1.7 points higherthan the national averages.

Area students tested well.Litchfield’s results wereslightly below the state aver-age, but stayed close to the na-tional average with mathscores residing just 0.1 pointlower than the national aver-age.Dassel-Cokato scores wereat or above the state average,with math scores 0.6 pointlower than the state average,according to D-C Superinten-dent Jeff Powers.

“We actually did reallywell... Reading, science andcomposite we were above thestate average. We were at thestate average in English,which we’re really happyabout,” Powers said. Atwater-Cosmos-GroveCity came in slightly underthe state average, but Super-intendent Sherri Broderiussaid the district performed“about as well as we usuallydo.”

More than half of the ACGCclass of 2009 took the exam,which Broderius said wasgreat for a small school. Eden Valley-Watkins Su-perintendent Larry Petersonwas impressed with the full-point increase in the district’saverage composite score, butsaid the district isn’t ready torest quite yet. “I like the improvement, Ithink we can do better, butoverall I’m pleased that we’re

improving,” Petersonsaid. “I’d like to see usat 22 or higher.” S t a t e w i d e ,the average

ACT scorerose 0.1p o i n t ,makingM i n -nesotathe top

Man’s blood donation:27 gallons and counting


It may have been a brief stop on the way to another

meeting for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, but for Spar-

boe Farms’ management team, the senator’s visit

Monday afternoon was significant.“Legislation before the Senate today will have a direct ef-

fect on our business,” said Ken Klippen, Sparboe’s executivedirector of government relationsand animal welfare. “The keylegislation is the cap-and-tradeclimate change legislation.”Believing that the best way toillustrate just how much cap-and-trade — and other legisla-tion — might affect SparboeCos. was to show one of its egg-laying facilities to a member ofCongress, Klippen invited Min-nesota’s Klobuchar to Litchfieldearlier this year.Late last week, Klobucharcalled to say she would accept,scheduling a tour of Sparboe’sLitchfield facility Monday after-noon. It was a brief stop, about45 minutes, but Sparboe’s man-

agers packed as much information into the tour as possible.

Included was a rare opportunity for Klobuchar — dressed in

biohazard suit to prevent the introduction of virus to the

flock — to step inside one of the egg-laying areas.“It gave me a better idea of what happens here,” Klobuchar

said following the tour. “I was impressed by how clean and

how careful they were with all of their health and safety

processes. And to see the chickens and how clean it was — it

was a lot different than most people would think. It gave me

a better sense of this industry.”That’s exactly what Klippen was hoping for when he en-

couraged Klobuchar to visit. It’s especially important now,

he said, as the Senate will take up the cap-and-trade debate

when it returns from its August recess.The House of Representative narrowly approved cap-and-

trade legislation in June. Cap-and-trade is a system designed to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions. By “capping” the emissions for each industry,

the bill would cut overall emissions to 17 percent below 2005

levels by 2020, and by 80 percent below 2005 levels by the

Hatching a message

KLOBUCHAR VISITS SPARBOE COS. IN LITCHFIELD

STAFF PHOTO BY AMBER THOMPSON

John Schenk, 58, of St. Cloud, relaxes while his 216th pint ofdonated blood is drawn Aug. 20 at First Lutheran Church inLitchfield. In 40 years, Schenk has donated 27 gallons of blood.

MYSPACE.COM Pfc.JonathanYanney

BACK THEN 6BBULLETIN BOARD 5BBUSINESS 7A CLASSIFIEDS 15A

COMMUNITY 1BCROSSWORD 6BFAITH4BFOR THE RECORD 6A

KIDS CORNER 6BLOCAL3AOBITUARIES 5AOPINION 4A

PEOPLE2BPUBLIC NOTICES 11ARURAL LIVING 3BSPORTS 9A

WHAT’S INSIDE :

HOW TO REACH USE-mail: [email protected]@independentreview.net

Telephone: (320) 693-3266Fax: (320) 693-9177

St. Cloud man visitsLitchfield’s blooddrive to stay on track

See BLOOD on Page 5A

Sparboe Farmsmanagers try

to give U.S. Sen.Amy Klobuchar a better idea ofhow legislation

might affect theLitchfield

company duringher visit Monday.

See KLOBUCHAR on Page 6A

ACT test resultsshow students’ readiness for college

Roadside bomb killsYanney on his firsttour in Afghanistan

See YANNEY on Page 5A

Sparboe Chief Executive Officer Beth Schnell, Litchfieldcomplex manager Mark Kellen and Ken Klippen, executivedirector of government relations and animal welfare, ex-plain company operations to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Minnesota, local students better prepared for college than some

See ACT on Page 6A

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