Hometown Living

This year’s Power of the Purse silent and live auction is slated for 6-8:30 p.m. on June 16, at the Owatonna Country Club.

Power of the Purse helps put books in children’s hands

Come June 16 the Owatonna Country Club will be packed with women and purses. The second annual Power of the Purse fundraiser raises funds for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The event, which is put on by the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, will feature both a silent and live auction...

The Hat Chic not only sells hats, but has expanded to include t-shirts, sweatshirts, headbands, jewelry, bows, scarves, quilts, bridal and other special occasion apparel.

Local businesswoman finds niche for moms and daughters

Tanya Henson, owner of The Hat Chic in Owatonna, never knew that she would become known as ‘The Hat Chic’, ‘The Hat lady’ or ‘The Hat Girl.’ Henson, originally from New Mexico, attended New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in fashion merchandising and textile science. However,...

Kid’s Korner Educare students Paige McGrath and Ryan Cornell work on some art projects during the ‘school day.’ Both McGrath and Cornell are future students of the Kinder Prep program.

Kids Korner Educare to offer new program in fall

Many times parents with children whose birthdays fall within June through November have to make the decision of whether or not to send their children to kindergarten or to wait a year. However, this fall parents have another option. Kid’s Korner Educare in Owatonna is launching a new program,...

Long-time store associate Kathy Krueger (left) and store manager Jennifer Anderson stand in front of a display at the Medford Outlet Center’s Dressbarn. The store celebrated its 20th year of being located at the center in March.

Dressbarn celebrates 20 years

Even though store manager Jennifer Anderson has only been at the Dressbarn in the Medford Outlet Center for three years, she hopes to still be at the store for the 40-year celebration. In March, the store celebrated being located at the Outlet Center for 20 years. “I so believe in the mission...

Triton High School junior Jack Crowson hangs up decorations on the gym walls Friday, April 24. Triton’s was the first prom of the season.

Prom season’s back in full swing

With prom season in full swing, dress shops are picked over, hair and nail salons are booked, restaurants are booked and juniors and seniors are ready to dance and create a memory they will never forget. Blooming Prairie Blooming Prairie High School’s prom will be Saturday, May 2, with a frozen...

Friends Callan Paffrath and Michael Wurdeman, of Owatonna, are one of the eight couples competing in the Dancing With Our Steele County Stars on Saturday, April 25, at the Medford High School Auditorium. The two will perform a Lindy Hop to the song “Getting in the Mood” by the Brian Setzer Orchestra and have two flips in their routine.

Steele residents to test dancing skills

Eight couples from around Steele County will show off their newly found dancing skills with hopes of impressing both the judges and the audience at the fifth annual Dancing With Our Steele County Stars event this Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the Medford High School Auditorium. The event raises...

Viracon employee tends to his duties at the company’s factory in Owatonna.

A SCORE FOR STEELE COUNTY

A giant glass castle is taking shape as the new home of the Minnesota Vikings. Featured prominently throughout the $1 billion stadium will be glass manufactured in Steele County. Within the past few months, glass panels for the stadium began rolling off the production lines at Viracon’s sprawling...

Dave Beaver, manager of the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, wants the public to join airport staffers for an open house Tuesday, April 14. Officials plan to unveil the airport’s 20-year master plan.

Owatonna’s airport set to unveil master plan soon

Owatonna’s Degner Regional Airport is flying at great heights to plan for its future. Information and display boards will be set up for residents to review. Officials will address topics such as airport inventory, airport forecasts, facility recommendations and alternatives analyzed. The airport’s...

At a boat and water safety class at West Hills in Owatonna last Saturday, DNR officer Chris Hoe teaches students the importance of boat safety and how to use flotation devices in case of an emergency. Below, a boy floats placidly in the class.

Owatonna DNR teaches water safety

Boys and girls attempting to sink canoes and boats might usually be frowned upon, but not when it comes to education. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. last Saturday at West Hills in Owatonna, DNR officers jumped in the pool with students 12 and up to teach boat and water safety. The class was broken into two...

Above: Sophomore Rachel Bluhm plays Strawberry’s mother, and sophomore Cassie Larson plays Strawberry. In this scene, Strawberry’s mother sings to Strawberry and tells her that she is special just the way she is.

Standing out in a crowd

Whether it is glasses, braces, red hair or freckles, Medford students performed the musical “Freckleface Strawberry” to show kids that they are special just the way they are. The musical is based on a bestselling children’s book series by actress Julianne Moore. The story centers around a 7-year-...