Hometown Living

Medford students get chance to save lives

Medford students and staff members donated 61 pints of blood during last week’s American Red Cross blood drive sponsored by the National Honor Society. Those units have the potential to save up to 183 lives, as one pint can save up to three lives. Senior Matthew Anderson knows the importance of...

The title character in the play “Freckleface Strawberry,” played by sophomore Cassie Larson, gets teased by her peers for her red hair and freckles.

Medford High to put on ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ this weekend

Medford High School students are thinking back to when they were children in an attempt to to channel their inner kid for the upcoming spring musical “Freckleface Strawberry,” in which all play 7-year-olds. The musical is based on a bestselling children’s book series by actress Julianne Moore. The...

Callan Paffrath, co-owner of Paffrath Jewelers, helps customer Tiffany Bjorge custom-design an anniversary ring that will incorporate both of her children.

Life renewed at family business

A tragedy that would typically cause a store to close for good has had the opposite effect on the Paffrath family, owners of Paffrath Jewelers in Owatonna. They have pulled together to overcome an untimely death and are stronger than ever. Callan Paffrath represents the fourth generation to be...

OHS special education teacher Wendy Stephani is among 30 semifinalists for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year. This is Stephani’s 10th year teaching at OHS and before that she taught at the junior high for 16 years.

OHS educator in Teacher of the Year pool

Owatonna High School Teacher Wendy Stephani has been chosen as one of the 30 semifinalists for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year. A selection panel of 24 community leaders chose the semifinalists at the end of February from an initial field of 123 candidates from across the state. The...

OHS brings back the musical Guys and Dolls for its Winter Musical. Senior Thomas Donlon (left) plays Benny Southstreet, junior Matt Reinhard plays Nathan Detroit and junior Luke Berkley plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson. The show was last performed at OHS in 2004. This performance featured 55 cast members, 10 crew members and around 20 members in the pit orchestra.

‘Guys and Dolls’ take stage at OHS

Over the weekend Owatonna High School students took their audience back to the 1950s in New York City with three performances of the musical, ‘Guys and Dolls.’ This is not the first time OHS has taken on the production. “We decided to come back to it because it is a great show. It has been a...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

The Little Theatre of Owatonna’s “The 39 Steps” kicked off this past weekend, but what many people in the audience might not know is the fact that for every actor on stage there are at least seven people behind the scenes who make the show possible. From the lights, to the music, to the sounds, to...

With sunlight shining into her living room, Jean Farr works on yet another pair of slippers to show her appreciation for American veterans.

Slippers for vets

Her hands and fingers may not be as nimble as they once were, but that doesn’t keep Jean Farr from doing something she loves to do in the coziness of her own living room for the comfort of others. With many balls of yarn in various colors at her side, the Blooming Prairie woman puts her hands to...

Brant Hemingway, of Ellendale, has been a full-time photographer for 20 years and bought his first professional camera at age 13. He does weddings, engagement sessions, school pictures, sports team pictures, church confirmations, high school seniors and family portraits.

Eye see; therefore I shoot

Brant Hemingway, of Ellendale, has been taking pictures full time for the past 20 years, but the interest started long before that. Hemingway fell in love with photography at age 13, after he purchased his first professional camera with money he earned from working on the farm. “As a 13-year-old,...

Thea Farrington, Owner of Perfect Day Cakes, is not your average bakery owner. Farrignton was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 4 and ever since her daughter was born in 2005, she has been determined to prove to her that anyone can follow their dreams if they set their mind to it.

Baker doesn’t let diabetes hold her back

By SHANNON KINLEY County Staff Writer Diabetes and sugar do not mix; however, one baker in Owatonna is determined to prove that anyone can pursue their dream if they set their mind to it, despite the circumstances. Thea Farrington, owner of Perfect Day Cakes, is originally from Stacy, Minnesota...