Good news for Hayfield

There is good news for Hayfield residents this week as Jim Baldus, owner of Ryan’s Foods in the community, has said he is speaking with a potential buyer for the grocery.
Baldus announced earlier this month he would be closing the store because of problems with the building. Specifically, the roof is in need of repair. He said he had tried to find funding for the repairs needed and also looked for a new location but nothing had worked out.
After the closing was announced a potential buyer apparently surfaced and discussions are continuing.
Hayfield is a small community with one grocery store and its closing would mean residents would have to travel to buy groceries, likely either to Austin or Dodge Center. A Dollar General opened in the city last year and the Casey’s sells some food items, but they would not provide everything residents need.
Baldus said he hoped there would be further news later this week.
There is also good news for those area residents who love lutefisk. Yes, St. John’s Lutefisk Dinner has returned this year and today, Thursday, is the day. Sorry, but there are no walk-in dinners available this year as all the dining room seatings are sold out.
I’m Danish, not Norwegian, and I have always used that as my reason for not being a lutefisk fan. However, I do like all the other things on the menu so yes, I will give lutefisk another chance this year.
Halloween isn’t until next Tuesday, but you have an opportunity to celebrate it locally this Saturday. Mantorville’s Fall Festival will have plenty to keep you entertained all day Saturday starting with the Haunted Hustle 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. The 5k starts at 9 a.m., the Fun Run at 10 a.m. with all the other events following.
The weather is projected to turn cooler by Saturday so you may want to wear a jacket. The high for the day is only expected to be 38 degrees.
If you are in the West Concord area on Saturday, stop by the 4th Annual Halloween Hootenanny. There is a full day of activity planned in that community as well.
With Halloween here and gone in just a few days, we will then turn our attention to the next holiday — Christmas. In fact, I think the Christmas season already is here. A couple weeks ago I was at a store in Owatonna and the Christmas Toy Shop had opened, right next to the Halloween decorations and candy.
Which leads me to ask a question — what happened to Thanksgiving?