It may only be a rock, but then again it’s not just any ordinary rock.
It is a 9-foot boulder that carries an important message for all Americans. In addition, it is a thank you tribute to the nation’s veterans to honor their service. And it captures a history lesson of battles fought close to home and symbolizes Dodge County as well as other parts of Minnesota. 

Dwaine Dennis Dinse, age 57 of Owatonna, died on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester from complications of heart surgery.

Pamela “Pam” Ann Bowe, 68, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna. 
She was born on July 21, 1950, in Owatonna, the daughter of Alfred and Theodora (Valentyn) Wandrey. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1968. On July 24, 1983, she married John Bowe. 

Rachel A. Severance, 94, passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2018.  
She was born in Ashland, Wis., on May 25, 1924, to Rev. Stanley and Olive (Rogers) Williams. In 1942, she graduated from Balaton (Minn.) High School, then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings.  She married her high school sweetheart, Lewis Severance, prior to his deployment as a B-17 navigator during WWII.  

When firefighters like Jeff Laskowske from Albert Lea arrive at a fire, they are fully aware of the dangers they face from the flames and smoke. But Jeff, and millions of other firefighters like him, are exposing themselves to another deadly risk each time they show up to work—cancer.

It almost seems too good to be true.
In fact, that’s exactly what has some Dodge County officials thinking as they dig into a proposal that would potentially save taxpayers nearly $425,000 over the next seven years. But after they keep researching it, they are finding out that it’s not too good to be true.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new merry-go-round at Kasson’s West Park took place on Aug. 14.  
This city-owned park is located in front of Kasson Public Library. The effort to add a new merry-go-round was spearheaded by 11-year-old Grace Reed of Kasson who raised the entire amount of $7,500 necessary to purchase and install it.  

As excitement continues to build over a large wind farm coming to Dodge County, the owner of the project has set up a local shop to educate the public about wind energy.
NextEra Energy Resources is based in Florida, but the company has opened an office at 107 Main St. in downtown Kasson. 

The world is always changing and with that comes inventions that help make our everyday lives easier. Of course, to have those new innovations and technologies, someone has to have the foresight to come up with it. That type of creativity must come at an early age where simple ideas can turn out to be the next big thing.