Progress 2012

201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012201220122012

Produced and Published by The TIMES

PAGE 2 • February 14, 2012 • The Times • Progress

BY PER KVALSTENStaff Writer

An Owatonna company that was started out of a passion for sports and athletics has grown by leaps and bounds.

Two Owatonna men, Jim Pofahl and Malcolm Stephenson, started Gopher Sport on April 1, 1947. Both were athletes and together they came up with the idea of visiting local schools and selling them sporting equipment.

“They would sell the equipment and then go back home and try to purchase what they sold to bring to the customers,” Gopher Sport Senior Vice President Dan Gorman said. “It continued to grow from there.”

HISTORYPofahl and Stephenson owned and op-

erated Gopher Sport for the next 28 years. “When the company expanded into

putting out catalogs business began to boom,” Gorman said. “The company was and is very proud of its catalogs.”

When they were first introduced, the catalogs consisted of just 24 pages. Today, the newest edition to hit the market con-tains 450 pages offering more than 8,500 products, – 5,000 of which are stocked and ready to ship from Owatonna to anywhere in the world. Today, Gopher Sport produc-es and distributes 1 million catalogs a year.

“The only products that are not kept on location are the bigger items like treadmills and playground equipment,” Gorman said.

This is because it saves the customers and Gopher Sport money to order directly from the manufacturer and have the large equipment shipped to the customer.

Other than athletic equipment for schools, the company briefly dabbled in

silk screening. This allowed them to put numbers and names on shirts and uni-forms, and eventually grew into providing clothing for department store chains such as Shopko and Target.

“We got out of the silk screening busi-ness in the 1990s,” Gorman said. “We de-cided we wanted to concentrate on physi-cal education and sporting goods.”

Gopher Sport offers everything from basketballs to dry line markers and even lockers. Everything and anything that can be or is used in elementary and high

school physical education classes is avail-able through Gopher Sport.

A direct marketing company, the firm doesn’t manufacture any of the products it sells. Instead, it brings all of the products customers would want together and adds an industry leading unconditional 100 per-cent satisfaction guarantee

.“The only thing we make here at Go-pher Sport is happy customers,” Gorman joked.

OWNERSHIPThe company started out privately-

owned and local, and continues to be that way today. Pofahl and Stephenson sold the company in 1975 and current owner Joel Jennings purchased it in 1979.

SPIN-OFF SUCCESSGopher Sport has started two other

spin-off companies in the last 20 years and both have been as successful as the origi-nal firm.

In the early 1990s, Play with a Purpose was created, focusing on products for day-cares and preschools. Five years ago, Go-pher Performance was introduced, concen-trating on high school and college athletic training and fitness.

All three companies are located at Go-pher Sport headquarters.

EXPANSION: NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

Just three years ago, the company moved into a new 180,000 square foot corporate headquarters and distribution center.

“We simply grew out of the old facil-ity,” Gorman said. “The new building is designed with the future in mind. We have an entire second floor empty and waiting for future growth.”

The facility features 30,000 square feet of office space and 150,000 square feet for shipping and inventory. From its humble beginnings, Gopher Sport now employs 125 people.

Looking to the future, Gorman said the company is excited to continue its growth and to serve its customers with the best possible service.

“Our goal is to be the easiest company to do business with. From customer ser-vice to delivery time, we want to be there for our customers with the top quality

From two employees to 125Gopher Sport has grown by leaps and bounds

Katie Starman of Owatonna and Laura Knudson of Blooming Prairie pack-age sporting goods for shipping in the distribution center at Gopher Sport in Owatonna. From its humble beginnings in 1947 to today, the company has grown dramatically over the years to become one of the nation’s leading distributors of athletic equipment.

COVER PHOTO: “Wind Towers at Sunset” by Jon Flatland

of Blooming Prairie

401 4th St. S.E.Blooming Prairie, MN

583-6699www.bgclubroch.org

745 State Ave.Owatonna, MN

507-451-8712 • Toll Free: 888-233-2688Email: owatonna@ budgethostmn.com

www.budget-hostmn.com

Reservations: 1-800-BUD-HOST

Progress • The Times • February 14, 2012 • PAGE 3

You Are Looking at a Revolution In...

Water Conditioners

No Electricty, No Time Clock, No ComputerJust clean, soft water. 24 hours a day...automatically!

Call today!Authorized Independent Kinetico Dealer

Garlickʻs Water Conditioning(507) 526-3616 or Toll Free 1-800-722-1282

www.garlickswater.comwww.garlickswater.com

Sales • Service • Rentals • Leasing

Free in-home water analysis!

BY LEMAR NELSONStaff Writer

In an era of shrinking school popula-tions, the Blooming Prairie School District has kept a fairly stable number of students over the last six years.

Current en-rollment figures showed a total school population of 742 students – up from 716 stu-dents when the 2011-12 school year began last fall.

There has been some fluctuation in enrollment in the intervening years, with a low of 691 stu-dents in 2010-11, 694 in 2007-08, and 699 in 2009-10, but all other years have shown a school population of at least 710 students.

The smallest elementary grades in terms of enrollment are Grade 5 and Grade 6, with 49 and 47 students, respectively. However,

this year’s Kindergarten class boasts 65 stu-dents and Grade 1 has an enrollment of 57 children.

At the high school, Grade 8 and Grade 10 are currently small at 46 students, but there are 64 students in Grade 7 and 59 seniors

are slated to graduate this spring.

According to Supt. Barry Olson, projections show the district’s enroll-ment should stay very steady for the next several years. Those numbers indicate fu-ture grades will be closer in numbers to the present Kinder-

garten enrollment, which bodes well for the district.

“The projected enrollment figures we used before the 2005 first bond issue were just about right on the mark,” said Olson. “Actually, they have been very close to the original projections.”

While many school districts around the state are dealing with shrinking enrollments, the Blooming Prairie Public Schools have kept a fairly stable number of students over the last six years. According to Supt. Barry Olson, projections indicate the school district should maintain that trend for the next several years. There are currently 742 students enrolled in the Bloom-ing Prairie high school and elementary school.

Enrollment holding steady at Blooming Prairie schools

BY THE NUMBERS

2008-2009 Enrollment .....7102009-2010 Enrollment .....6992010-2011 Enrollment .....6942011-2012 Enrollment .....742


Jensen Heating & PlumbingIn Business since 1978 - Locally owned & operated

104 Central Ave. NGeneva, MN 56035

507-256-4712

Austin Area Chamber of Commerce focuses on membersBY SANDY FORSTNER

Executive DirectorThe Austin Area Chamber of Commerce

is a business organization that represents about 400 members; collectively, they em-ploy more than 10,000 people. Our purpose is to “improve our area’s business climate, and thereby enhance the quality of life of all residents.”

And we do so in a variety of ways. We serve as the “voice of business” in

government affairs, advocating for policies that enhance our business climate.

We organize events that draw people to our community, and generate economic ac-tivity.

And we promote our members and our com-munity as a great place to live, work and shop.

Our focus is on our members, and creating an environment that is conducive to business success. Members are showcased through our

website and printed materials, such as the “Welcome to Austin” relocation packet that is distributed to new residents.

Two of our major marketing efforts are Buy Mower/Grow Mower and Cham-ber Bucks. Buy Mower/Grow Mower is

an effort to raise public awareness as to the value and benefi ts of shopping locally. Since launched in 2008, taxable retail sales have increased more than $50 million per year in Austin. Chamber Bucks are money vouchers, good for products and services at participating member businesses. Nearly $500,000 are purchased and redeemed in member stores each year.

The Chamber organizes two major com-munity events, each year, Freedom Fest and Christmas in the City. Both are designed to showcase the community and spur eco-

nomic activity. We partner with Riverland Community

College to provide a community leadership training program called Leadership Austin.

We are also part of a community-wide effort to identify and complete 10 commu-nity projects that enhance the quality of life for everyone called Vision 2020.

For more information about the Cham-ber, its members and programs, visit our website at www.austincoc.com or stop by our offi ce in downtown Austin, 329 North Main Street.

FORSTNER

Buy Mower/Grow Mower Program

The Buy Mower/Grow Mower program is a major marketing effort by the Austin Area Chamber

of Commerce aimed to raise awareness as to the value and bene�its of shopping locally in Austin.

Since its launch in 2008, taxable retail sales have increased more than $50 million per year

within the community.

TheBAKERY

Tuesday - Friday - 6 a.m. - 5 p.m.Saturday - 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Main Street • Blooming Prairie583-4433

THANK YOU FOR LETTING US TO SERVE YOU!

"safety first, be on time"

Blooming Prairie Bus Co.

BY JON FLATLANDManaging Editor

Providing quality products and above-average customer service is the foundation on which a Geneva locker plant operates. It’s also what has helped Geneva Meats & Processing continue to grow and even ex-pand during trying economic times.

Paul Smith, who manages the business, purchased Geneva Meats & Processing with a small group of local investors about fi ve years ago.

Today, it not only serves Geneva and the surrounding area, but has branched out to supply businesses across the region, in-cluding grocery stores, locker plants, res-taurants and even convenience stores from Rochester to Nerstrand and all points in-between.

“Our core business is processing,” said Smith. “We slaughter cattle, hogs, lambs and more. We also process a large number of deer each fall.”

The business operates under a policy that all animals processed at the facility are born and raised locally from family farms. The small number of providers of animals are personally known and validate their raising and method to Geneva Meats & Processing.

The plant is a USDA-approved facility, meaning it is required to meet stringent standards, including daily federal inspec-tions. The business employs 14 people, including six full-time meat cutters, three full-time wrappers and a host of part-time help for clean-up, delivery and other tasks.

“I’m extremely proud of the people we employ. We’ve got a great team that works very well together. They are a huge part of the success we’ve enjoyed because they produce top-quality products on a daily basis and make sure our customers are happy and getting exactly what they want, how they want it,” explained Smith.

Last year, Geneva Meats got back into the venison sausage business, bringing Dean “Weiner” Anderson on board to han-dle production.

A veteran of the meat industry for more than 22 years, Anderson has several tri-state and national awards for his products. He has received a national grand champion award for summer sausage and twice was involved in winning the Clarence Knebal Award, which honors the best of the best on a national level.

Anderson also boasts several grand champion and best of show awards within the tri-state area and is well established in

the meat and sausage industry.With his addition to the team, sausage

sales at Geneva Meats & Processing have soared, becoming one of the businesses top money-makers.

Besides its meat, Smith feels the best part of the business is its customers, and the company tries to support community projects whenever it can.

“We’ve got happy customers and we want to keep them that way. And it’s im-portant to us that we support Geneva and other communities in the area, that’s why we belong to several chambers of com-merce and remain active in projects here and in other towns.”

Geneva Meats & Processing is a gen-erous contributor to area fi re department fundraisers, school projects and an annual cancer auction in Geneva. The company also donates to other worthy causes across the region.

“We donate to causes we believe in be-cause we want to support the communities and people who support us,” Smith said. “It’s also one small way we can thank our customers, and we’re happy to do it.”

The company can be found online at www.genevameatsprocessinginc.com.


Quality, service are the foundation for Geneva locker plant

Paul Smith is the general manager of Geneva Meats & Processing and heads a group of investors that purchased the business about fi ve years ago. The plant is a USDA-ap-proved facility, meaning it is required to meet stringent standards, includ-ing daily federal inspections.

z Since 2010 x

218 Offsale LiquorBlooming Prairie583-2874

z Since 2005 x

Boys & Girls ClubBlooming Prairie583-6699

z Since 2004 x

Darrick’sPreferred Auto

Blooming Prairie583-9994

z Since 2011 x

Integrity Real Estate

Austin(507) 433-4663

z Since 2012 x

Oak Glen Windfarm

Blooming Prairie Townsip

z Since 2009 x

Studio J ImagesPhotography


z Since 2005 x

T & T MotorcycleBlooming Prairie

507-456-4694

z Since 2001 x

Bio PlasticSolutions, LLC


Parade of Progress



Headquartered in Blooming Prairie, Minimizer manufactures poly truck fend-ers, poly toolboxes, customized mud flaps, and bracket kits.

Family owned and operated for nearly three generations, Minimizer parent com-pany Spray Control Systems, Inc., was founded in 1983 by Dick Kruckeberg. Dick was a truck driver and was consis-tently disappointed with his metal fend-ers bending, cracking and breaking. He invented his own solution: The Minimizer poly fender.

Now, 27 years later, Minimizer has over 50 employees and goes to market via an international distribution network making its products available locally on a global level throughout North America.

The product and the Minimizer lifetime guarantee are the foundation of the com-pany’s success. Minimizer fenders never need paint, never fade, never rust, never crack and never need polishing. They are “Tested and Tortured” before they go on over-the-road trucks to make sure they can withstand any challenge.

MINIMIZER LAUNCHES CHROME POLY

2011 brought considerable change and innovation at Minimizer.

For over four years, Minimizer’s re-search and development team had been working on a new concept: Minimizer Chrome Poly. The goal was to provide the shiny look of chrome metal in a durable poly fender.

The new fender was launched at The Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas on August 25, 2011. Industry repre-sentatives, distributors, vendors, end-users and the media were all on hand for the product kick-off.

“We finally did it. The chrome poly fender is shiny like no other, it’s got the gleam of traditional chrome metal, but with the Minimizer poly features, unique-ness and durability our customers have always depended on,” said Craig Krucke-berg, Minimizer’s Owner, CEO and Chief Visionary.

Minimizer Chrome Poly has already garnered significant industry attention and awards.

In September, at the 2011 Thermoform-ing Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois, Minimizer Chrome Poly was a Silver Medalist in the Heavy Gauge Vacuum Forming Parts Competition.

And Minimizer Chrome Poly also shined in The Great American Truck-ing Show Pride and Polish Truck Beauty Competition.

Scott Rud of Scott Rud Trucking of By-ron, entered his rig, a 2000 Peterbilt 379 complete with Minimizer chrome poly

fenders. Scott took first place in the Work-ing Bobtail – First Show class.

A SENATOR VISITSOn June 14, 2011, Minimizer hosted a

visit from Senator Mike Parry. The Sena-tor’s visit was in response to Minimizer’s request for economic development support for rural manufacturers.

Minimizer is expanding and adding em-ployees. The company requires enhanced infrastructure such as roads, utilities and technological bandwidth to continue to ad-vance while staying in Blooming Prairie, something the management team is com-mitted to doing.

During his visit, Senator Parry noted, “For starters, I was impressed by a grow-ing business like Minimizer in a small community and that it was all started by a trucker with a unique idea. It’s a great example of old-fashioned ingenuity and someone saying ‘there’s got to be a better way.’”

Kruckeberg said of the visit, “It’s al-ways good to have dialogue with our legis-

lative leaders. I was really pleased to have Senator Parry visit our plant and discuss the many challenges and opportunities we have and how we might partner with the state to continue our successful trends.”

MANUFACTURING AND SALES IMPROVEMENTS

Throughout the last year, Minimizer’s research and development department re-sponded to market trends by creating new products for key markets, improving engi-neering of existing products and enhanc-ing several fender styles.

Adding a second shift at the plant in-creased manufacturing capacity by 50 percent, and a new production calendar increased capacity by 25 percent.

In addition, the company added nearly 20 positions.

On the sales front, the new headquar-ters building facilitated a more focused, synergistic sales team. The company pur-sued a more targeted sales approach uti-lizing function, channel and distribution. The guaranteed for life warranty was more

prominently marketed and the company pursued promotion of fuel efficiencies, cost savings and green initiatives by prod-uct.

Also in 2011, Minimizer enhanced its tradeshow presence and advertising to dis-tributors and end-user audiences.

The company joined an industry group called HDA/Truck Pride and expanded its presence with VIPAR, another industry trade group.

As Minimizer moves forward, it is committed to providing innovative prod-ucts manufactured to the highest standards in the Blooming Prairie community, and employing quality people from our region.

That’s what has always made Minimiz-er great.

For more information about Minimizer and Minimizer products, call (800) 248-3855 or visit www.minimizer.com.

Innovation, growth defines 2011 for Minimizer

Launched in 2011, the Minimizer Chrome Poly was the result of more than four years of research and development aimed toward providing a shiny look of chrome metal in a durable poly truck fender. The new product has already garnered significant industry attention and awards, including a silver medal in the Heavy Gauge Vacuum Forming Parts Competition at last year’s Thermoforming Conference. A truck equipped with the chrome poly fenders also claimed second place in the Working Bobtail – First Show class at the Great American Trucking Show Pride and Police Truck Beauty competition.


Landscape Services…

We are a family owned and operate full service landscape company. We have been in business since 2000. We are located in Ellendale, MN. Just off I35 between Owatonna and Albert Lea. We love what we do and work hard to create functional & beautiful landscapes. We serve both residential and commercial clients.

Design | Plant | Hardscape

Paver Walks, Patios & Driveways Retaining Wall Design & Installation

Site Work, Grading & Drainage Pond Installation & Maintenance

MN Hardy Trees & Shrubs - Natural Stone Permeable Pavers - Sod & Seeding

Outdoor Living Kits - Edging - Planters Mulch & Decorative Rock

Outdoor Structures -Egress Windows-Fencing Trimming - Landscape Maintenance

Water Features - DNR Shoreline Winter Services ~sanding & snow removal

507-688-1251 www.sequoialandscape.net Ellendale, MN

We believe in furthering our education and experiences to provide our customers with the best ideas & services possible. We are an Outdoor Living Expert Company. We have 2 MNLA Certified Professionals on staff, an ICPI Certified Paver Installer & an NCMA Certified Segmental Retaining Wall Installer. We work with great products to ensure a beautiful finish. Furthermore, we are excited to see how we can help you accomplish your landscaping needs!

D E S I G N Services…


We offer CAD & 3D designs to our landscape clients. Are you interested in updating your landscape and want to complete the install yourself? We will provide the design service. OR...are you looking to create that backyard retreat you've been dreaming of and need a thoughtful design & an experienced landscape crew for the install?

Why hire a designer... *Comprehensive knowledge of plants so that you get the right plant that grows to the right size for the right place in your garden. *Professional landscape designers are also aware of our natural environment and promote sustainable practices whenever possible. *Designers trained and qualified in the principles of garden design and horticulture can help their clients avoid costly mistakes. -Assc. Of Professional Landscape Designers

Whatever your needs - we are here to help. By working with our MNLA Certi-fied Professional designers, you will be enjoying a landscape that balances the ecological, technical & aesthetic needs of your outdoor space. We design land-scapes that will be enjoyed throughout the years and in all seasons. We will work closely with you to create & maintain your landscape. Contact us for a consultation with an experienced member of our team!

D E S I G N Services…


We offer CAD & 3D designs to our landscape clients. Are you interested in updating your landscape and want to complete the install yourself? We will provide the design service. OR...are you looking to create that backyard retreat you've been dreaming of and need a thoughtful design & an experienced landscape crew for the install?

Why hire a designer... *Comprehensive knowledge of plants so that you get the right plant that grows to the right size for the right place in your garden. *Professional landscape designers are also aware of our natural environment and promote sustainable practices whenever possible. *Designers trained and qualified in the principles of garden design and horticulture can help their clients avoid costly mistakes. -Assc. Of Professional Landscape Designers

Whatever your needs - we are here to help. By working with our MNLA Certi-fied Professional designers, you will be enjoying a landscape that balances the ecological, technical & aesthetic needs of your outdoor space. We design land-scapes that will be enjoyed throughout the years and in all seasons. We will work closely with you to create & maintain your landscape. Contact us for a consultation with an experienced member of our team!

Yo

u c

an c

on

tac

t u

s at

: 507

-688

-125

1o

r y

ou

can

fin

d u

s at

:w

ww

.seq

uo

iala

nd

scap

e.n

et

Open six days a week and two evenings. Call for an appointment

WE WELCOME NEW PATIENTS!

Blooming Prairie 405 E. Main St.

507-583-2141 • Fax: 507-583-7574

Owatonna1170 East Frontrage Rd.

507-455-1000 • Fax: 507-444-9423Rochester

3110 Wellner Drive NE (507) 536-7700 • Fax: 507-536-7700

New Richland 132 Broadway Ave. N.

(507) 463-0502 Fax: 507-463-0769

www.mainstreetdentalclinics.com


The Cedar River Watershed District has a busy year planned, and most of its efforts are geared toward improving water quality in the river and its adjoining creeks.

A $91,000 state grant was approved to support the construction of water and sedi-ment control basins in high-priority areas of the Cedar River watershed, upstream from the city of Austin.

In addition, the state approved a third year of Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment funds for projects aimed at helping reduce fl ooding and improving wa-ter quality in the watershed, as well as in subwatersheds of Dobbins, Wolf and Rob-erts creeks.

Construction is expected to begin this fall on an upper Cedar watershed runoff re-duction project that involves building water and sediment basins, or earthen embank-ments, in the upper Cedar River watershed. The $122,000 project covers 50,000 acres, half of which are in the Dobbins Creek sub-watershed.

Fox said about $30,000 of the cost for the two-year project will be covered by the CRWD.

“The sediment control basins will form small ponds during heavy rains,” said

Cody Fox, whatershed technician. “Instead of allowing heavy farm fi eld runoff to go directly into streams, the ponds will trap soil while clean water is channeled through small tile and released.”

Agricultural producers are asked to sign a contract to maintain the practice for 10 years, which is the lifespan of the basins.

According to Bev Nordby, CRWD ad-ministrator, the project’s approach assures that water treatment starts on the top end and progressively works its way down-stream while using best management prac-tices.

She added the district recognizes that water quality and fl ood damage reduction goals can’t be accomplished without taking the battle to the source.

“This initiative needs to start with fl ow reduction and a targeted approach to the upper-most reaches of the watershed dis-trict’s most critical waterways.”

The project will add to the Cedar River Watershed District’s on-going efforts to address issue areas of the Dobbins Creek subwatershed, where the state’s water-quality standards for turbidity, or dirty water, are consistently exceeded. Those is-sues include the south and north branches that converge near Austin, making the area prone to fl ash fl ooding.

CRWD busy tackling new projects

1701 22nd Ave. SWAustin, MN

PrimroseRetirement.com

®

No Maintenance RequiredRetirement Without the WorryNo yard work and no home maintenance. At Primrose, we’ll take care of the responsibilities so you’ll have time for the more important things in life: family and friends!

Relax. Retirement is meant to be enjoyed. Primrose is where it happens!

Call Laura at 507-434-0600 for more information and comesee why we say…

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Independent & Assisted Living


Welcome to Blooming Prairie

Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce

The Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce is a

very important part of our community. The chamber sponsors all sorts of

events, including but not limited to the City Wide Garage Sale, B.P.

Tour of Homes, Gopher 50 Race, Crazy Days, Holiday Dazzle,

Old Fashioned 4th of July, and more.

MISSION STATEMENTTo provide a framework for com-

munity growth and development by encouraging financial investment, coordinating business activities,

promoting commerce and fostering a sense of community pride.

Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce

138 Highway Ave. SouthBlooming Prairie, MN 55917

Phone: (507) 583-4472www.bloomingprairie.com

BY BECKY NOBLEExecutive Director

The Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce is made up of a group of people who own a business, previously owned a business, or who just deeply care about their community.

The organization’s mission state-ment reads: To provide a framework for community growth and development by encouraging fi nancial investment, coor-dinating business activities, promoting commerce and fostering a sense of com-munity pride.

Take note of the two words – AREA and COMMUNITY. When referring to AREA and COMMUNITY, the Chamber of Commerce is talking about more than just Main Street in Blooming Prairie, the Highway 218 corridor or even Highway 30 and the city’s industrial park.

These words refer to all businesses and people within the area who care about the Blooming Prairie COMMU-NITY and wish to see it thrive and grow.

Businesses in the AREA are not just retail, manufacturing, banking or insur-ance. Blooming Prairie is an agricultural COMMUNITY and is surrounded and

supported by agricultural businesses. It take all of these businesses to build a COMMUNITY. And it takes a COMMU-NITY to support a business.

Each year, the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce organizes a large Fourth of July celebration, which is not a big fundraiser for the community, but rather, a way to show the surrounding AREA what the community has to offer to those who live around it.

The Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce is not only involved in fes-tivals and events that show off the COM-MUNITY, it also assists in economic development efforts to help bring new businesses to the AREA and to sustsain growth and prosperity in the businesses that currently exist.

The Chamber of Commerce is very proud of the COMMUNITY, its people, and all that it offers – including both business and recreation.

For more information about the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Com-merce, or to become a member, contact the chamber offi ce by calling 507-583-4472.

Blooming Prairie Area Chamber encompasses more than Main St.

Walsh GarbageResidential & Business Hauling

319 2nd St. SW • Blooming Prairie 583-7562

Thank you for your years of business!From,

Bill & Jennifer Walsh

Blooming Prairie(507)583-6688245 E. Main St.

Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Austin(507)437-3253

607 N. Main StreetAustin, MN 55912

www.fmbankmn.comYour farming operation is a staple of our community.

You demand stability and experience from your lender as well. Our officers are rooted in he community and we’ll be here tomorrow.

Stop in and see Jim, Bruce, Kent and Adam for all your farm lending needs.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank

Customer Service is our #1 priority and has been for 100 years. There are very few companies in this world that can boast 100 years of service and we are very proud of that . However, we could not have accomplished that goal without our loyal cus-tomers. Each and every one is important to us.

~ James J. Fiebiger, President



A study by the University of Minne-sota’s Center for Urban and Regional Af-fairs recently ranked the city of Owatonna among the top 10 trade centers among Greater Minnesota cities.

The research, compiled by William J. Craig and Bruce W. Schwartau, ranks 48 Greater Minnesota cities into a “trade center” hierarchy from largest to smallest based on the sales of goods and services in each community. Craig and Schwartau

used statistics from the Department of Revenue to measure the activity of trade centers outside the seven-county metro area from 1990 to 2009.

According to their report, the city of Owatonna had $239 million in taxable re-tail and service sales in 2009, an increase of 65 percent from $145 million reported in 1990. Those statistics earned the city the number 10 spot on the hierarchy.

Brad Meier, president and CEO of the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, said the report only reinforc-

es the belief of community leaders that Owatonna is a great place to live and do business.

“We’re continuing to grow because we have the businesses, industries, services and attractions that people want. Owa-tonna also draws shoppers from around the region because our city and our retail merchants, particularly those along I-35, are easy to access.”

He noted the expansion of Highway 14, which is expected to be complete by the end of the summer, provides the opportu-nity for more development and even bet-ter access to the city in the future.

Troy Klecker, Owatonna’s community development director, said the commu-nity’s rapid retail growth during the years the study compared can be attributed to the city’s proactive approach to retail de-velopment and its ability to take advan-tage of several new opportunities.

Target opened a store in Owatonna in 1996 and Cabela’s followed in 1997. Four years later, Wal-Mart relocated into a larger building, and between 2002 and 2006 the city became home to Mills Fleet Farm, Lowe’s and Kohl’s stores.

Klecker believes the city’s growth will continue into the future as long as the city

remains proactive, keeps its pro-growth mentality, and can take advantage of op-portunities to attract new businesses.

Study ranks Owatonna as ‘Top 10’ trade center“We’re continuing to

grow because we have the businesses, industries,

services and attractions that people want.

Owatonna also draws shoppers from around the region because our

city and our retail merchants, particularly

those along I-35, are easy to access.”

- Brad Meier,President/CEO,

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commmerce

FRANKHENEFIELD

Attorney at Law

415 East Main Street • Blooming Prairie583-6663

General Practice Includes:• Estate Planning, Wills, and Trusts • Probate and Probate

Avoidance • Elder Law • Real Estate

It’s never too early to consider the advantages of long-term care insurance.

To learn how LTCI can fi t into your plan for the future, contact:

HOLMAN INSURANCE 507•583•7294

Our specialist will work with you to fi nd the right Company and tailor a plan that is best for you.

The Blooming Prairie Public Utili-ties began generating electricity to their customers on April 29, 1931. The initial startup costs of the power plant,generators and distribution sys-tem was about $80,000. There were 297 residential custom-

ers and 30 commercial customers in this first year. The 327 customers used just over 200,000 kwh’s of electricity. The utility was able to show a profit of $9533.35 for their first year of opera-tion.Today your Blooming Prairie Public

Utilities serves about 825 residential customers and 195 commercial/indus-trial accounts. Today’s customers con-sume almost 25,000,000 kwh’s hours of electricity. That amounts to around $2.5m in revenue, with an estimated

profit of $150-200k annually. With the addition of the Industrial

Park Substation and Generator along with a large number of distribution im-provements and 2 additional backup units for emergency generation, BPPU has re-invested about $4m in it’s elec-tric system to try to ensure safe, secure and reliable service to their wonderful customers.In the past 3 years over $100,000 was

returned to BPPU customers in the form of rebates for energy saving bulbs, ap-pliances and other equipment.

Thanks for growing with us for these 81 years.

Blooming Prairie Public Utilities

Serving Their Customers for 81 years

146 3rd Ave. S.E. • Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 • 583-6683


Tim Wacek, owner of Floor Tech in Blooming Prairie, is opening a second location in Albert Lea. Floor Tech has been a mainstay on Blooming Prairie’s Main Street for the past 25 years.

Floor Tech expanding; new store opening in Albert Lea


Tim Wacek, owner of Floor Tech in Blooming Prairie, knows a good opportu-nity when he sees one.

So when Floorcrafters announced it was closing its store in Albert Lea, leaving that city without a full-service fl oor cov-ering shop, Wacek decided it was time to expand.

“We have talked about expansion be-fore but no opportunity presented itself like this one did,” he said. “Floorcrafters closing opened the door. I think it’s going to be a good fi t for us, sort of a natural pro-gression.”

Floor Tech was started by Wacek and Duane Reichel and has been a mainstay on Blooming Prairie’s Main Street for 25 years, selling and installing fl ooring of all

kinds in area homes and businesses.Reichel left the business several years

ago, but now his son, Derek, is getting in-volved. An employee of Floorcrafters for the past 10 years, he’s signed on to man-age Floor Tech’s Albert Lea store. Wacek will be splitting his time between the two locations.

The new Albert Lea location will be a “mirror image” of the Blooming Prairie store, carrying the same brands and prod-uct lines. It is located in a former Mexican restaurant at 2201 East Main St.and should be open by the end of March or early April.

“We’re grateful for the wonderful sup-port we’ve had in Blooming Prairie over the years and we’re looking forward to providing people in the Albert Lea area the same quality products and service.”

WESTSALES

Medgaarden’sSOUTH 1608 12th St. S.W. • Austin, MN

437-1316

“Quality Used Cars For Less!”www.swsalesinc.com

Northst rBODY SHOP

25446 US Hwy 218 N • Austin, MN

Collision & Paint WorkFrame Machine

Alignments & Tires507-433-4609

TRANNYTRANNYTRANNYTheTRANNYTheTRANNYTRANNYTRANNYTRANNYTheTRANNYTRANNYTRANNYThe ShopShop

of Austin

501 1st Ave. SW Austin MNService & Rebuild All Domestic

Automatic Tranmissions

507-437-0037

(507) 583-6671237 Highway Ave .S

Blooming Prairie

Check it out:Our $1 Section


NEED EMPLOYEES?We are the answerTemporary & Permanent Placement

SpecialityPersonnel Services, Inc.

507-433-5570 • Austin800-889-0515 • Owatonna

• 24 Hour Emergency Service• Pipe Thawing• Ice Dam Removal

Thaw GuysSewer & Drain Cleaning

583-0111Fully Insured

www.thawguys.comApold Music• Acoustic & Electric Guitars • Band & Orchestra

Accesories • Keyboards & Digital Pianos • Music Books & Sheet Music

• Rentals & Repairs

106 West Oakland Ave.Austin, MN • 437-7217

Over 30 years serving the Austin area & beyond.

GENEVA MEATSEveryone Welcome!

Special!Ground Beef - $3.25/lb

Good thru Feb. 15-Feb. 22, 2012

75 E. Main •Geneva MN• 256-7214

Beef Bundle • Half Hogs • Plus much, much, much, more!



Greg Peterson grew up around vehi-cles. His father, owned a repairable car business in Blooming Prairie while Peter-son was growing up.

“I loved the atmosphere of the shop,” Peterson said.

Today, Peterson is in business himself in Blooming Prairie, as the owner of a successful powder coating company.

The road to Extreme Powder Coat-ings began in 1982 while he was racing in California.

“At that time, I was racing go-carts in Sacramento and I saw powder coating,” Peterson said. “I put it in the back of my mind.”

In 2000, Peterson was back in Bloom-ing Prairie and ready to open his own powder coating company.

“I was 40 years old and knew there was a need for this business,” he said. “I wanted to powder coat racecars initially. But, I found out that I needed to expand to run a successful business.”

Peterson opened Extreme Powder Coating at what is now Darrick’s Pre-ferred Auto on the south side of town. For the next seven years, Extreme Powder

Coating gave customers superior products and grew a loyal clientel that remains to-day.

“We have loyal, happy customers that have remained with us for the last 11 years,” Peterson said.

His company has served local custom-ers like Metal Services, Todd Manufactur-ing and Minimizer for many years.

But, the customers aren’t all local. In fact, Peterson has done projects for cus-tomers all over the country.

Work that has come through Extreme Powder Coating includes two projects for Target Field, as well as a ceramic exhaust for the 2011 Ridler Award-winning 1956 Ford in Detroit.

Peterson still does many racecars throughout the year. In fact, his firm pow-der-coated about 100 of them in 2011.

It only took seven years for Extreme Powder Coating to outgrow its first facil-ity. Peterson then built a 12,500-square-foot full-service facility with a commit-ment to excellence for its customers.

The company has seven employees, including Peterson’s daughter Tiffany, and his mother, Barb. Other employees include Dain Schultz, Gary Harris, Daryl Bouwman, Bryan Hernandez and Robert Arnold.

“I own the place, but Tiffany and my mom are the bosses,” he joked.

EXTREME POWDER COATINGContinued on Page 18

Bryan Hernandez, an employee at Extreme Powder Coating in Blooming Prairie, prepares the body of a race car for powder coating.

Powder coating gets extreme at BP business

Senior ApartmentPrairie Villa II

Blooming PrairieOne Bedroom apartment for elderly or disabled persons

Rent is based on 30% of net income.Secured entry and convenient lift to second floor.

A USDA Rural Housing ProjectCall Baldus Properties LLC(507) 437-2074


z Since 1993 x

B to Z HardwareBlooming Prairie583-4469

z Since 2000 x

Central ValleyCo-op


z Since 2000 x

Home Sellers of Minnesota, Inc.


z Since 1994 x

Mike O’Conner Seeds


z Since 1997 x

R & R InsuranceBlooming Prairie583-7971

z Since 2000 x

Sequoia Landscape507-688-1251

z Since 1995 x

SportstitchBlooming Prairie583-7001

z Since 1996 x

The BakeryBlooming Prairie583-4433

z Since 1988 x

Endres Window Cleaning

Austin507-437-3633

z Since 1988 x

Johnson Construction & Tree Service


z Since 1989 x

Krejci FordBlooming Prairie583-2046

z Since 1989 x

South Minnesota SalesBlooming Prairie583-4585

z Since 1985 x

Holman InsuranceBlooming Prairie583-7294

z Since 1984 x

MinimizerBlooming Prairie From 1 idea to

Minimiser Worldwide

z Since 1984 x

New York LifeInsuranceBlooming Prairie583-2200

z Since 1983 x

Servicemen’s ClubBlooming Prairie583-7884


z Since 1998 x

Bishop Excavation, Inc


z Since 1998 x

Dairy QueenBlooming Prairie

507-583-2296

z Since 1997 x

Johnson & Doerhoefer, PA

Blooming Prairie507-583-7528

z Since 2000 x

Vern’s Bikes & Trikes


z Since 1993 x

Budget HostOwatonna

507-451-8712

z Since 1989 x

Cedar TravelOwatonna

507-455-1170

z Since 1986 x

Daybreak Building Company

Owatonna507-451-7254

[email protected]

z Since 1986 x

Floor TechBlooming Prairie583-2276

z Since 1986 x

J & H LiquorBlooming Prairie583-7557

z Since 1988 x

Plaza MorenaOwatonna

507-413-0819or 507-446-0844

z Since 1993 x

Vandals Super ValuBlooming Prairie

(507) 583-6671

z Since 1990 x

Worlein Funeral Home


z Since 1978 x

Anderson Auto Center


z Since 1982 x

Hodgman DrainageClaremont, MN

507-528-2225

z Since 1980 x

Main Street DentalBlooming Prairie583-2141

z Since 1979 x

Prairie Plumbing & Heating



From home to storefront, photography studio flourishesBY RICK BUSSLER

PublisherA local photography studio may have

only moved from one end of Blooming Prairie’s Main Street to the other, but it’s a move that has paid off in a big way.

Jamie Bodenstab started Studio J Im-ages in her home nearly four years ago. She converted the entire main floor of their house located near downtown along Main Street into a studio.

She soon figured out running a studio in a house with a family wasn’t the best idea.

“It didn’t work out very well,” Boden-stab admits. “Space for my family was a big issue. I wanted my family to have their home back so we decided to separate the two,” she said.

Besides the family concerns, Bodenstab had another pleasant problem on her hands. She was quickly running out of space in the home studio. “I was growing too rapidly that I needed additional space to accom-modate more equipment and bigger sets,” she said.

In November 2010, Bodenstab moved into the business district less than a mile away from her home and opened a studio in an office building at 415 E. Main St.

The local photographer is happy to have

a hand in helping to revitalize Main Street as the building she moved into had previ-ously been empty for five years.

“It helps the strength of our town to have more small businesses,” said Boden-stab, who operates the only photography studio in Blooming Prairie. “This has been a great business opportunity for me.”

Prior to opening the studio, Bodenstab had her work cut out for her. She spent two months renovating the building to turn it into a functioning studio. She changed col-ors throughout the building and added new lighting and flooring among other changes.

“Most people are shocked to see what I have done when they walk in here,” Bodenstab said.

Making the big move into the Main Street studio has increased sales by more than 40 percent, according to Bodenstab. She has seen a dramatic increase in busi-ness from Blooming Prairie residents since opening the downtown studio. She also serves clients from many other areas, in-cluding Hayfield, Austin, Owatonna and Albert Lea.

Blooming Prairie photographer Jamie Bodenstab moved her business, Stu-dio J Images, from her home to a Main Street location in November 2010.

STUDIO J IMAGESContinued on Page 19

Daybreak Building Company

Siding & Windows • Kitchens & Bathrooms • Basement Finishes

Handicap update and additions.All phases in construction and remodeling.

1940 S. Cedar Ave. • Owatonna, MN 507-451-7254

Rich Bromley cell# 507 456-8866


ExtinguisherSERVICES

Available to meet your needs!

• We meet StateFire Marshal Codes!• Certified & Insured

Heidi & Mike Hartle455-0388 or 456-8521

if no answer call456-8519 or 456-8521 Mike

Don’t get caught with yours not inspected!

Michelin • B.F. Goodrich • Firestone870 32 Ave. NW, Owatonna • 455-0388

Emergency or on the farm repair

507-455-0388(After hours 507-455-0483)

Sales & Repair

Mike’s REPAIR

Ag & Truck Tire


Now in its sixth year of offi cial opera-tion, the Blooming Prairie Boys and Girls Club is more active than ever and contin-ues to provide a community service each day for children in the community.

Almost 40 school-age children attend the club daily and participate in a variety of activities and programs of fi ve main areas – character and leadership develop-ment; education and career development; health and life skills; sports, fi tness and recreation; and the arts.

Every member spends the fi rst hour of each school day in “power hour,” a period of time in which homework and curricu-lar assignments are completed. Following that, they go into classes offering a variety of learning experiences on one of many different topics.

Snacks are offered each day, and both meals and snacks are served in the summer months.

A competent staff of trained profession-als supervises the activities of the mem-bers, all under the direction of the Branch Director Mary Sherman-Ahrens. Two full-time staff members, three part-time personnel, and several volunteers keep the operation running smoothly, and the club

itself is guided by a board of directors. The Blooming Prairie club is a branch of the Rochester parent club, and those clubs are the only such clubs in the entire south-eastern part of Minnesota.

In the six years of operation, more than 400 boys and girls, ages 6 to 18, are or have been members of the club. Cur-rently the club has 132 members, a large majority of whom attend almost every day

of service. As many as 47 children attend each month and the club is a safe haven for youth 5 days a week, 12 months a year.

The Blooming Prairie Boys & Girls Club is a community-based organization that provides young people with a fun, safe, and constructive environment when they are not at home or at school. It of-fers programs and services designed to build character and strengthen life skills. Through a system of informal guidance, club staff form strong bonds with young people and help them make smart choices in life.

For many club members, the staff is the most infl uential positive adult role models in their lives.

The club mission is to empower all young people, especially those who need mentoring the most to realize their full po-tential as productive, responsible and car-ing community members.

The club mission is to empower all young people, especially those who need mentoring the most to realize their full po-tential as productive, responsible and car-ing community members.

In its sixth year, Blooming Prairie Boys & Girls Club is going strong

Children at the Blooming Prairie Boys & Girls Club enjoy snack time during the after-school program. The club is one of only two Boys & Girls Clubs operating in southeastern Minnesota.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBContinued on Page 22


The new building is located in the in-dustrial park in Blooming Prairie. Peter-son designed it to be industrial and func-tional.

“I want the customer to walk in and say this company can do my powder coating,” Peterson said.

Powder Coating is the newest surface fi nishing technique around. First used four decades ago in Australia, the process has seen many changes and improvements.

This dry process includes fi nely ground particles of pigment and resin that are elec-trostatically charged and sprayed onto an object.

The selected item is grounded, causing the particles to adhere to the part, which them moves to an oven, where the fi nish is baked on permanently.

It has been said that powder coating is the fi nish of the future. Almost anything metal can be powder coated, but the pro-cess also works on wood and some other materials. With over 10,000 colors to choose from, there is something for every customer.

Extreme Powder Coating showcases a 19-foot by 34-foot oven in its shop that is capable of handling. just about anything a customer has at any size.

“I put that oven in to never be locked in to a size,” Peterson said. “We can do an item that is 40 feet long, if needed.”

Even with its success over the past decade, Peterson’s daughter has been working with social networking sites like Facebook to help grow Extreme Powder Coating even more.

“That’s my goal, to keep the company growing and to continue giving our cus-tomers the best possible service and prod-ucts,” said Peterson. “We like happy cus-tomers here.”

EXTREME POWDER COATINGContinued from Page 13

POWDER COATING

Powder coating is a dry process involving fi nely ground particles

of pigment and resin that are electrostatically charged and

sprayed onto an object.The selected item is grounded, causing the particles to adhere to the part, which them moves to an oven, where the fi nish is

baked on permanently.

YourBlooming Prairie School

CalendarFeb. 20 – No School, Presidents’ Holiday March 6 – High School/Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:30 PM-8 PM March 23 - End of 3rd quarter, students dis missed at 12:45 PM, Teacher In-Service March 26 - Teacher In-Service, no school for students March 27 – Start of 4th Quarter April 6, 9 - No School, Easter Break April 10 - Teacher In-Service, no school for students May 28 - No School, Memorial Day May 30 - Last day for seniors May 31 – Last day of school, end of 4th Quarter, students dismissed at 12:45 PM, Teacher In-Service June 3 - Graduation

Blossoming into Learners and Leaders

FEATURING NEW LINE OF FARM PRODUCTS

RICHIE WATERS • CULIVATOR SWEEPSHouse • Additions • Pole Buildings

7 Inch Nickle Sweep For Diggers

HAYFIELD LUMBER CO.

you can learn a lot from the Newspaper!

Subscriptions

$35 for one year

Steele, Mower, Freeborn, Dodge

Counties.

$38 for Minnesota

$40out of state

The Times Features:National & State Award-winning news coverage, Expanded County News, Official Legal Notices from Steele County, Mortgage Foreclosures, Sheriff’s Column, Police & Public Safety News, Steele County Traffic Court, Weekly Feature Page, Public Record of Births, Deaths, Marriages & Dissolutions

Serving Blooming Prairie and the Four-County AreaSteele County’s Only Community Weekly Newspaper

TheT imes


60731 120th Avenue • Claremont, MN 55924 Ph: 507.528.2225 • Toll Free: 877.528.2225

[email protected] LICA Contractor #00.062.1000

Chevy • Buick

M-F 8-6 • Sat. til 4 p.m.451-6934 • Owatonna • 800-433-2618

www.hurshmotors.com

“I did not envision the business growing as much as it has,” she said. “It has proven to be a positive thing for me to have a store front.”

Bodenstab is bucking a trend amongst the photography industry. There are fewer studio storefronts throughout the country as many photographers work outside the traditional studio. But she sees that trend changing in the years to come.

As a photographer, Bodenstab special-izes in senior photos, newborn photos and family and children photos. She does not

do weddings. “I love to interact with children of all

ages. I not only get to take their photos, but I also develop relationships with my clients.”

She especially enjoys working with graduating seniors on their photos. “When seniors walk in the door, they are num-ber one. Everything is catered to them,” Bodenstab said.

“I want to make it as comfortable and stress-free as possible for them.”

Bodenstab doesn’t always stay within

the walls of the studio when it comes time to take photos. She utilizes a variety of out-door settings. She has even shot a kid on the back of a speed boat.

About fi ve years ago Bodenstab went back to college for graphic design. She had every intention of going into design work, but a family helped point her in the direc-tion she ended up today.

“I had a family come to me wanting me to take their senior photos,” she said. “I didn’t realize I could combine being cre-ative and artistic into a photograph until I

took my fi rst photos. I realized this fi t me better than graphic design.”

The studio operator has no regrets of moving from her house to a building on Main Street.

And yes, Bodenstab’s family is happy once again. They have been able to reclaim their home as it has been converted from a studio back into a house.

STUDIO J IMAGESContinued from Page 16

ROD & TESS KOSTER, OwnersBus: 507-583-2018 • Fax: 507-583-2317

Hwy. 218 • Blooming Prairiewww.kostercarkorner.com

ALL VEHICLES UNDER BOOK

Austin’s Hospitality Headquarters

AustinConference

Center

507-433-1000SPORTS PUB AND GRILL


Ag curriculum, programs thriving at BP high school


Thanks to current agriculture teacher and FFA advisor William Rinkenberger, the agriculture curriculum at Blooming Prairie High School is growing and flour-ishing. The once dormant curriculum has had a rebirth under Rinkenberger’s tute-lage and local residents – especially those still actively farming – are grateful.

Approximately 60-75 students are en-rolled in the agriculture curriculum, and Rinkenberger holds an average of five classes each day. He sees some of his stu-dents multiple times daily, and enthusiasm is one of the watchwords of the program.

“I would like to think that my biggest accomplishment is bringing some cred-ibility and stability to a program that had almost disappeared from the curriculum,” Rinkenberger said.

Most students would agree. In addition to the regular classes,

Rinkenberger is the FFA advisor, a pro-gram that now boasts 40 members – up from a low of 15 when he joined the high school faculty. Since then, several judging teams are again competing on a high level

in region and state contests. For example, this year the general live-

stock judging team will compete at the state FFA convention, plus two individuals will vie for honors as dairy handlers.

The FFA’s dairy foods team entered state competition last year, and Jenna Krell and Emma Pittman have competed state-wide in the Creed and Public Speaking contests, respectively.

Rinkenberger joined the school staff in 2003, took one year off to be a teaching as-sistant at the Midwest Dairy Association in North Dakota, and then returned to Bloom-ing Prairie, where he is in his eighth year. A graduate of Fosston High School and the University of Minnesota-Crookston, he worked in the dairy industry before pursu-ing a teaching career.

“One thing I have tried to do is to continue to grow the program and keep some stability in the curriculum. We’ve increased our enrollment in ag-related courses each year, and I am proud of that. Success breeds success, and that continues to be my goal,” he said.

It’s a new day in real estate!Introducing…

1405 15th Ave NW Austin, MNRight off I-90 and HWY 218 Across from the Super 8!

Another choice for all your real estate needs! Integrity Real Estate is locally owned and operated full service real estate company. Three Blooming Prairie and Austin area experienced agents specializing in superior customer service focused on your specific

real estate needs.

507-433-HOME (4663) We will go beyond the contracts and the sign:Full pre-list home consultation – includes all the detail you need to get your home in its best possible show condition from day one on the market. From clean up to organizing

and staging your home. We will even physically help you get in that condition!We can help you with all of these areas in real estate:

At Integrity…Real Estate is our Passion. Integrity is our Mission.Please stop by and say hello anytime with any question you may have.

•Buyer Representation •Building Sites•Seller Representation •New Home Construction•Foreclosures •Investment Properties

Kris OhmOffice Manager/Sales Executive507-475-0572

Casey HatchBroker/Owner507-438-3342

Karen BaldridgeSales Executive507-438-3082

Bob RemkerSales Executive507.363.9275

Mary MoremHome Consultant

507.438.5646



Steele County offi cials are confi dent the county will be switching to the ARM-ER radio system by the spring of this year.

The FCC mandated emergency per-sonnel like police, fi re and ambulance to switch to an 800 MHZ frequency by Jan. 1, 2013.

“The biggest and most important rea-son the switch to 800 MHZ is the interop-erability,” Steele County Deputy Chad Forystek said. “Being able to communi-cate with other agencies is crucial. Plus, it is digital, not analogue, allowing much clearer sound.”

Steele County began to analyze the current radio system in 2008. The system in place has been around since the early 90s.

“The county board decided it wanted to go with ARMER,” Forystek said.

ARMER stands for “Allied Radio Ma-trix for Emergency Response.” It is the state of Minnesota’s radio system and was designed to address communication fail-ures such as those which occurred in New York City on 9/11.

“This system has been used by coun-ties in the Metro for many years,” Forys-tek said. “It was utilized during the 35W bridge collapse and passed with fl ying

colors. Every agency sent to the site of the bridge easily and effectively commu-nicated with each other.”

Counties are not required to join ARM-ER, but need to be 800 MHZ compliant by the deadline. In Southeastern Minnesota, Waseca and Mower Counties have already switched to their own 800 MHZ system.

“We are working with these counties to fi nd ways to communicate easily between the systems,” Forystek said.

The perks of having this new system are more channels to speak to each other and smarter communications. It will al-low offi cers to speak with other offi cerrs without interrupting other agencies. For example, a “talk group” could be used for one-on-one conversations between offi -cers assisting in a major incident.

In Steele County alone, 332 radios have been purchased. There are no spe-cifi c numbers to how much this switch is costing the county, but offi cials are saying that the costs are well worth the results.

Law Enforcement will be switched fi rst in the spring and fi re and ambulance to follow.

“We are very close to making the switch,” Forystek said. “We are just wait-ing on fi nal approval from the FCC for a license to transmit from the water tower on 26th Street.”

New emergency radio system coming Donʻt Compromise Qualityfor Convenience!

Come & See Us for All Your Seed Needs!

Agronomy Products & ServiceBlooming Prairie 583-6661

Owatonna 451-6706 • Ellendale 684-3530Hayfi eld 477-2251 • Austin 433-2644

GAS, FUEL, L.P.Owatonna 451-1230Ellendale 684-3530

www.centralvalleycoop.com


We understand!

Darrick Schewe, Owner507-583-9994

Located in NAPA Auto Parts Building

Check out our website for updated specialswww.darrickspreferredauto.com

The vision is to give every child access to a safe, nurturing, educational environ-ment that positively impacts their lives.

Area organizations and companies often donate tickets to events and special materi-als to the club membership. Twins and Tim-berwolves, circus, and hockey tickets were provided last year.

Visits to farms, zoos, and camps also kept members occupied with new and excit-ing opportunities.

Aside from the nominal membership

fees, funding for the club and its programs comes from businesses, grants, and individ-ual donations. Some money-making activi-ties, such as bake sales, provide some funds, but the one big fund-raising event held by the club is the Annual Gala, which is held in February.

Hours of operation at the Blooming Prai-rie Boys & Girls Club are from 3 to 6 p.m. five days a week during the school year and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week in the summer.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBSContinued from Page 17


The Toquam family has been farm-ing in the Blooming Prairie area for five generations and remains, to this day, very much a family affair.

The first Toquams to come to the Blooming Prairie area arrived in the fall of 1939 with the first crops planted in the spring of 1940.

“At that time my dad, Clifford, had 560 acres of land,” Orlo Toquam said. “Only 45 of those acres were actually ready to be farmed.”

The farmland northeast of Blooming Prairie where the Toquams are farming to-day was, at one point, mostly grass.

With the use of drainage, Clifford and his father, Odin, who came in 1950, began to turn the land into tillable farmland, and eventually all of the 560 acres became pro-ductive farmland.

Oddly enough, the land the Toquam

family farms is located at the highest el-evation of the Ripley Watershed.

CATTLE DRIVES

In the 1930s, during the Dust Bowl pe-riod., the federal government stepped in to help the starving cattle. Railroad cars

brought cattle from North and South Da-kota to Claremont and Bixby. Cowboys drove the cattle over six miles to the green prairie grass area named “Greenvalley.” Greenvalley is the area where Clifford, in 1940, chose to bring his family to start farming.

Orlo remembers his father and grandfa-ther talking of this time.

ORLO TAKES OVERIn 1965, Orlo and his late wife, Carole,

purchased the farm and land from his fa-ther. Orlo continued to put tile in the fields to ensure proper drainage and allow for maximum yields.

At that same time, a turning point hap-pened for the Toquam family that remains today. Orlo attended an adult farm man-agement class with rural Blooming Prai-rie’s Gene Francis.

“That was the best farming decision we ever made,” Toquam said.

“We took what was more of a tradition of families farming to making farming a profitable business.”

Improving the land for future generationsToquam family has been farming in area since 1940

Five generations of the Toquam family of rural Blooming Prairie have been farming in the area since 1940. Pictured, l-r, are Orlo Toquam, his son Roger Toquam and Roger’s son Brennen Toquam. Not pictured are Roger’s other two sons, Josh and Isaiah, who are also involved in the family farming op-eration.

TOQUAM FARMSContinued on Page 23

B to Z Hardware, Inc.

For All Your Hardware Needs

321 E. Main • Blooming Prairie

583-4469


“We took what was more of a tradition of families farming to making farming a prof-itable business. We looked at the financial side of everything and made decisions based on what made money and what didn’t.”

In 1967, he converted a dairy cow barn into a hog barn and raised hogs.

They continued to raise grain, but instead of small grains, they planted row crops.

ROGER’S TURNIn 1983, Roger entered the business and

married Rhonda in 1987. Right away they focused on the hog side of the farm.

“Raising hogs is consistent,” Roger said. “The hog prices don’t change very much throughout the years. This is completely different than crops.”

Because of this, Roger built a 400-foot barn and retired the old barn Orlo built. This brought his hog count from 220 to 2,000.

Over the years, Roger has slowly added acreage and in 1998 built a second hog barn. He currently has just fewer than 4,000 hogs.

“We treat our pigs very well, supplying them with plenty of water, food and a safe environment,” Roger noted.

The pigs are checked twice each day by someone entering the barn and making sure the air quality inside it is fresh and the tem-perature is set where the pigs are comfort-

able. The barns are temperature controlled

year-round to make their living environ-ment as comfortable as possible.

The family grows corn and soybeans, as well as sweet corn and peas for a local can-ning company. The majority of their corn goes to a local ethanol plant, which Orlo helped found in 1993.

“Every generation of Toquams that has farmed has had the same philosophy: We don’t own the land; we borrow it from our grandkids,” Roger said.

BRENNEN, JOSH AND ISAIAHRoger and Rhonda’s three sons have

since begun their farming careers. All three have been helping out on the family farm since a young age. This hard work and love of agriculture helped the three grow their own businesses.

Brennen, the eldest son, farms land and owns some equipment. Josh farms land and has his own semi-truck and other equip-ment. Isaiah, the youngest and a Blooming Prairie High School senior, owns a semi-truck and farms as well.

The close-knit family credits faith in God, each other and love for the land as rea-sons why the Toquam farm is five genera-tions strong.

TOQUAM FARMSContinued from Page 22

Businesses continue to invest inOwatonna Chamber of Commerce

BY BRAD MEIERPresident/CEO

What are the results of your investment in the Owatonna Chamber?

It’s an investment 600 businesses make each year for various reasons, to market, network, support the business community, for economic development or public policy work. The chamber’s mission is, ‘dedicated to the prosperity of our member businesses and the vitality of the area.’ What are the tangible results of the work of the business organization?

Membership – the number of members has grown back to over 600 members giv-ing the Chamber a stronger voice on busi-ness policy issues, and generating a larger network for you to connect and do business. In addition, the Owatonna Chamber has one of the largest market penetration rates in the nation, meaning there is a high level of par-ticipation by the business community.

Advocacy – obtaining $10,000 for Lean process initiatives at City Hall was a posi-tive accomplishment. In addition, the poli-cy committee advocated for more transpar-ency and clarity in its work with the City of

Owatonna. Model Chamber – We are very excited

to have received the 5-star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This is an achievement that puts the Owatonna Chamber among the top 1 percent of cham-bers nationwide and an elite honor only one other chamber in the state of MN has achieved.

Economic Development – We’ve as-sisted 33 new and growing businesses year to date. The Chamber also facilitates the Owatonna Partners for Economic Develop-ment (OPED) which is a partnership with the City, County, Incubator, Utilities, and Chamber. Our promotions committee also hosts a variety of community events.

Tourism – has seen the lodging occu-pancy grow by 4 percent in 2011 vs. 2010. Owatonna was also awarded the National Trappers Convention for 2012, an event that will attract close to 8,500 attendees. Group tours-bus tours increased by 50 percent from 2010 numbers.

Community – continue to direct com-munity members to chamber member busi-nesses through phone calls and walk ins.

February


We offer many superior products & services:• Welding Repair• Welding• Pipe & Tube Bending• Metal Fabrication•Special Projects

605 5th St. NE • Blooming Prairie

[email protected]

583-7448

521 Industrial Drive NE Blooming Prairie

Services Included:Sandblasting • Exhaust Coating

Custom Car Coating

Your opportunity to ‘turn the corner’ is just around the corner

Fountain Centers provides outpatient chemical dependency treatment programs that accommodate your family and work schedule:

n Evening treatment programs available in Albert Lea, Fairmont, Faribault, Mankato, Owatonna, Rochester and Waseca

n Day treatment programs in Fairmont Faribault, Mankato, and Rochester

n Intensive day treatment and residential programs in Albert Lea

Albert Lea800-533-1616

Fairmont507-238-4382

Rochester507-252-0818

Faribault507-334-6413

Mankato507-625-3372

Waseca507-835-4342

Owatonna507-451-0511

For more information, a free screening or intervention services, call 800-533-1616 or visit our website at www.fountaincenters.org

Our Newest Location160 26th St. NE, Owatonna.

Mexican and American food full bar service.507-413-0819

Our Original Location 369 18th St. SE., Owatonna

Mexican and American food and bar service.507-446-0844

Purchase any meal & recieve $1 OFFNot vaild with any other coupons or discounts

Can be used at either restaurants

For insulation of asphalt commercial parking lots, residential driveways, walking & cart paths, tennis & basketball courts

We also have a wide variety of aggregate & decorative landscaping stone for pickup or delivery.

OVER 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

2400 Myers Rd., Albert Lea • 373-1960 • 433-1819 Austin


z Since 1971 x

Blooming Prairie Bus Co.

Blooming PrairieOver 40 years of Service

z Since 1974 x

Blooming Prairie AmbulanceBlooming Prairie583-7573

z Since 1931 x

Blooming Prairie Utilities


z Since 1972 x

Century Plastics500 2nd Ave S.W.

Hayfield, MN 55904507-438-7676

z Since 1974 x

Farmers & MerchantsState BankBlooming Prairie583-6688

z Since 1971 x

HenefieldLaw Office


z Since 1950 x

Hometown InsuranceBlooming Prairie583-6691

z Since 1978 x

Jensen Heating & PlumbingBlooming Prairie

507-256-4712

z Since 1972 x

Russ NelsonElectric


z Since 1973 x

State Farm AgencyBlooming Prairie583-7747

z Since 1965 x

Walsh Garbage Service


z Since 1957 x

Hursh MotorsOwatonna

507-451-6934

Parade of Progress


Several grants from the Austin Area Foundation, the Hormel Foundation, the Minnesota Historical Society and the Min-nesota Historical and Cultural Grants pro-gram are being used to further several new projects at the Mower County Historical Society in Austin.

One of the biggest is the preservation of historic government records.

Earlier this month, the organization be-gan a project that has taken two years to go from idea to reality – microfi lming the re-cords of 12 Mower County townships.

“This was one of the fi rst big projects I started working on when I joined the his-torical society and we’re so happy that it’s been given a green light. It took a while,

but it’s becoming a reality.”

The grant funds will be used to com-plete the microfi lm-ing process, create a set of microfi lm for each township, and to cover the salary of a coordinator to carry out the project, which is expected to be complete by June.

Heckman said township govern-ment is an important unit of government in rural areas, which is why the historical

society took on the microfi lming project.“If these records aren’t preserved, we’ll

lose some important information about the organization and settlement of rural Mower County,” he said.

Heckman plans to seek more grant funds to add more townships to the project in the future.

The project began after Heckman dis-covered some townships had lost records through fi res, fl oods, and other incidents. Microfi lm was chosen as an alternative for-mat because of its longevity.

The historical society will keep a copy of the records and make them available to the public and researchers, and each township will receive a copy of the records on mi-crofi lm to store as a backup to their actual records.

MCHS taking micro�ilming project from idea to reality

Elise Fitzgerald, township records microfi lming coordi-nator, looks over records at the Mower County Histori-cal Society.


Oak Glen Wind Farm Now Producing ElectricityMinnesota’s largest municipal-owned wind farm is now operational. The Oak Glen Wind Farm near Blooming Prairie, MN has begun producing renewable electricity.

“The wind farm of 24 turbines is producing electricity ahead of schedule and under budget,” said project general manager Oncu Er of Avant Energy. Er said Avant Energy is the project management firm on behalf of the wind farm’s developer -- Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA), comprised of eleven municipal utilities: Anoka, Arlington, Brownton, Buffalo, Chaska, East Grand Forks, Le Sueur, North St. Paul, Olivia, Shakopee and Winthrop.

The projected output of the roughly $90 million project is approximately 44 megawatts (MW), making it the largest municipally-owned wind farm in the state. Oak Glen Wind Farm began producing electricity at the end of October – a full two months ahead of schedule.

Production from the Oak Glen project is among the 326 MW of wind power added to the electrical grid from newly-constructed wind farms in Minnesota in 2011.

MMPA is excited to have the Oak Glen Wind Farm in Steele County. We will continue to work hard to be a good neighbor and look for-ward to becoming a bigger part of the Blooming Prairie community.

Community Update

Photograph Provided By Doug Hughes

BY RICK BUSSLERPublisher

The largest municipal-owned wind farm in Minnesota has blown its way into Steele County and now the area will begin reaping far-reaching economic and other benefi ts for years to come.

Oak Glen Wind Farm located a few miles outside of Blooming Prairie just began pro-ducing renewable electricity within the past few weeks. The farm sports 24 huge wind turbines with 126-foot blades.

“This is a phenomenal project for the area,” said Oncu Er, project general man-ager with Avant Energy, the Minneapolis based management fi rm for the farm. “It is a huge thing to produce electricity and power for the community.”

According to Er, there are many benefi ts coming out of the wind farm, which is lo-cated on 3,000 acres of mostly agricultural land in Blooming Prairie Township. This is the fi rst wind farm ever created in the county.

For starters, the project created more than 100 construction jobs beginning last May. “We tried to use a lot of local contrac-tors for this project,” said Er, noting con-struction took approximately six months.

Because of the construction, several township roads around the wind farm re-ceived some badly needed improvements, Er said. Many fi eld access roads were also improved during the building process. “The farmers in the area will be able to use the newly improved roads for years to come,” he pointed out.

Er estimates the wind farm will produce about $160,000 in production taxes each year. “This is a signifi cant amount of money that will benefi t the county,” he said.

The landowners whose property has been impacted by the wind turbines will reap payments each year for at least the next 15 years, Er said. He declined to reveal how much the farmers are receiving for the use of their land. After the 15 years, the land-owners will have the option to renew the lease.

Another huge benefi t of the wind farm is sustainable energy production in rural Min-nesota. “The electricity is produced right there and it is consumed right there,” Er said. He noted the turbines will be crank-ing out electricity for both the city and rural areas around Blooming Prairie.

The renewable power from Oak Glen will help the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA), which owns the farm, meet state requirements for 12 percent of its electrical energy to be generated from

renewable sources energy by 2012 and 25 percent by 2025.

Oak Glen is an important component of MMPA’s commitment to local, sustainable energy production and is expected to pro-vide approximately 10 percent of the agen-cy’s energy needs.

The capacity of the wind farm will equal 44-megawatts, generating enough electric-ity to power 14,000 homes.

From the project’s inception more than fi ve years ago, Avant and MMPA worked with local offi cials and the community to establish transparent and open communica-tions, contributing to widespread commu-nity support.

“We had a great relationship with every-one,” Er said. “It was much appreciated to have the cooperation.”

The project cost an estimated $90 mil-lion, which was about $10 million under budget.

Er said, “This is a long term investment for us.”


z Since 1900 x

Blooming Prairie Library


z Since 1867 x

Blooming Prairie Police Department


z Since 1870 x

First Lutheran Church


z Since 1900 x

FrontierCommunications


z Since 1893 x

The TimesBlooming Prairie

507-583-4431

z Since 1868 x

U.S. Post OfficeBlooming Prairie583-7527

z Since 1875 x

US BankBlooming Prairie583-7230

z Since 1906 x

Weber & Leth, PLC Attorneys

507-374-6355Oldest Countious Law Firm in Dodge

County Beginning 1906

Parade of Progress

Wind farm blows huge bene�its into the region

The Oak Glen Wind Farm, located a few miles north of Blooming Prairie, recently began producing renewable electricity. The farm includes 25 wind turbines bearing 126-fot blades. The wind farm is owned by the Minneso-ta Municipal Power Agency and man-aged by Avant Energy.


Plant with

Precision

• Reduced overlap

• Improved input costs

• Increased sprayer accuracy

• Optimized operator efficiency

• Greater land stewardship

• More economical chemical use

Reap additional benefits:

Cover more acres in less time—with an improved coverage map, enhanced precision and automatic section control, it’s easy to reduce overlap in broad-acre and row-crop applications.

John Deere Swath Control Pro™

for Planters

For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com/ag

Owatonna, MN2250 Austin Road(507) 451-4054

Waseca, MN Hwy 13 South

(507) 835-3880

Hollandale, MN West Hwy 251(507) 889-4221

Belle Plaine, MN 1051 Old Hwy 169 Blvd

(952) 873-2224

www.agpowerjd.com

AP10x110214BPT-4c

Progress 2012

Documents

gopher sport money

operated gopher sport

gopher sport produces

products customers

ownershipthe company

spinoff successgopher

direct marketing company

playground equipment