From the archives of the dodge county independent

50 years ago

December 6, 1972

Folmer Carlsen, Publisher

14-point buck

Robert Olson of rural Kasson shot a 14 point buck just before Minnesota’s deer season came to a close last week.  Olson estimated that the buck weighed 260 lbs. and stated that he had seen it around his farm for a number of years.

30 years ago

December 2, 1992

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

Christmas tree crop is much improved this year

The Christmas tree crop is much improved this year. Just ask the customers! Bruce Houston of Houston’s Greenhouse in Kasson said the trees are looking much better this season, as compared to last year. The all-around quality of the trees is way up. Ell and Judy Heusinkveld, owners of Riverside Acres Tree Farm 2.6 miles east of the Hubbell House, said this year there is better overall quality. Last year was the first time they started selling off their tree farm and that was the year of the October ice storm. Ice buildup on trees made it difficult for consumers to get a good selection. In spite of the ice, the Huesinkveld’s still sold 100 of the “U-Cut” trees. This year they have about 1,000 on the farm, of which 400 are good enough to be cut for this year’s Christmas tree shoppers. Houston indicated the extremely poor late fall, with the early ice, is the biggest reason for a less than ideal crop last year. This holiday season has been a different story for the 500-plus trees the greenhouse had shipped in. Consumers can look forward to prices that are comparable to last year. What traditional buyers can also expect is a better quality tree.

20 years ago

December 4, 2002

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

Lynette Nash up to her elbows in chocolate

Christmas means many different things to many people. For Lynette Nash at the Chocolate Shoppe in Mantorville, Christmas is a time where she is typically up to her elbows in chocolate. No, the temptation is not there to even lick a finger. It would not be sanitary and, besides, after you have been doing this as long as Lynette has, the temptation is not even a faint thought. The Mantorville Chocolate Shoppe sells many varieties of candy but when it comes to Christmas and giving, chocolate is still number one in this store. Chocolate is a “universal” gift said Nash, who recently finished up 15 gift tins of chocolate for an area employer. “Chocolate has no gender base. Males and females like it and very few people don’t like chocolate,” added Nash. Through the Christmas holiday season the Chocolate Shoppe will go through 800 pounds of milk chocolate alone. The chocolate is formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. There is also colored chocolate and new molds for making specialized shapes that can give chocolate more character. Lynette has been making chocolate for the holidays the last 18 years. They will do many Christmas trays and gift boxes with chocolate as the featured item. The one aspect of this business that has not changed is that people still appreciate quality chocolate as a holiday gift.

10 years ago

December 5, 2012

Randy Carlsen, Publisher

Mantorville plans for zero levy increase

Drops in property values, state budget troubles, and low interest rates on investments have all contributed to revenue reductions for Minnesota cities, counties, and school districts in recent years. But next year, city council members won’t ask Mantorville residents to shoulder another property tax levy increase for the city, at least. At their meeting November 26, 2012, council members agreed to keep the 2013 levy the same as 2012. “This didn’t happen overnight,” said Mayor Luke Nash, “The council has had to hold the line on spending.” City Clerk/Treasurer Cami Reber remarked that future councils must also ‘hold the line’ until the city wastewater treatment issues are settled and the project is, “…off the ground.” Reber was referring to the city’s need for an upgraded or new wastewater treatment plant or, alternatively, pumping city waste water to the Kasson treatment plant. The project will cost the city at least several hundred thousand dollars, no matter which alternative is chosen. In recent weeks, representatives from Mantorville and Kasson have discussed options and soon, a meeting will be scheduled between the two city councils to discuss, as member Chuck Bradford phrased it, “Shall we go forward [with the partnership between the two cities] or are we too far apart?” In other business, resident Rich Balcome asked the council if he could have a continuance on the connection fee for his home for city sewer and water. He said when he purchased the property in 2005, the connection fee should have been paid because the purchase closed after the ordinance establishing the fees had been approved. Reber said she would consult the city attorney and get back to Balcome. Some council members thought the title company that completed the real estate transaction at the time might be liable for the fee. Public Works Supervisor Adam Hovden reported that the city snowplow truck is ready and the fire hydrant in the park is fixed. He said the city is trying out a new type of cold patch for potholes.