Paul Dale is lucky to be alive. And he wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the efforts of his wife, Laura and the emergency responders in Blooming Prairie.

Over the years I have come across people who have expressed difficulties in finding good work experience and have gaping holes in their resumes. 

Blooming Prairie’s Taylor Hagen finished her career as an Awesome Blossom last weekend with a fourth-place state finish in shot put. 

Guys at Medford School showed off their talents, looks and speaking skills during the annual Mr. Medford Pageant last Tuesday, May 26 in honor of Student Appreciation Day. 
This year marked the third year of the competition and it is organized by the student council. 
Senior Lucas Cronin, one of the main organizers of the event, says the winner of the competition “earns major bragging rights.” 

Students at McKinley Elementary School now have the opportunity to learn the curriculum in an outdoor classroom setting centered in the middle of a prairie garden that was designed and built by them. 
This is McKinley’s third and final year receiving a grant from the PAINT initiative (Perpich Arts Integration Network of Teachers), which focuses on standards based in art integration. 

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 along with appetizers, cocktails, desserts and a wall of wine. 

The agriculture community will see a savings of 5 cents per kilowatt-hour by going solar, according to Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric General Manager Syd Briggs.
The co-op has constructed a 250-panel community solar garden. Steele-Waseca member-owners may subscribe to a portion of the solar garden and receive renewable energy credits on their account. 

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.’  

Yes, the June 9 Referendum for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva School District is finally upon those in the school district. 
And it is an important vote for the school district, because it will determine what will become of the Ellendale and New Richland facilities in the coming years.
A vote against the referendum could mean the patrons are satisfied with what the buildings are like now.