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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
NRHEG Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher Kelly Delacruz will be among the presenters at a statewide gathering of FACS teachers who either already have or are interested in beginning a “Pro-Start” program for their students.
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By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Copy Editor
Gwen Reiss recently received a 2023 Preservation Award from the Steele County Historical Society for her efforts in preserving the historic former bank building at 202 5th Ave. W. in Ellendale when she opened Two Doves Boutique in March 2020. Nestled among artistic lighting, high-end fashions, and lavish displays are features original to the bank: a painting on the old vault door that Reiss lacquered to ensure it wasn't harmed, a vintage desk from the same vault that Reiss painted in a sassy black and revitalized as a backdrop to an array of cosmetics, and a set of shelves that now tempts visitors with glitzy jewelry and purses.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“Our objective is the same every year,” says Waseca County Fair Board secretary treasurer Robin Dulas: “To put on the best fair we can.”
Although a lot of “clean-up” work remains, including not only actual cleaning, but also numerous summaries and reports, Dulas says the 15-member fair board has the perception that the 2023 fair went quite well.
Numbers were strong, with an estimated 20,000 or more people having attended the fair overall, and grandstand events having drawn well over 3,000 paid admissions to the bull riding, demolition derby and enduro racing competitions.
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By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Copy Editor
Gwen Reiss recently received a 2023 Preservation Award from the Steele County Historical Society for her efforts in preserving the historic former bank building at 202 5th Ave. W. in Ellendale when she opened Two Doves Boutique in March 2020. Nestled among artistic lighting, high-end fashions, and lavish displays are features original to the bank: a painting on the old vault door that Reiss lacquered to ensure it wasn't harmed, a vintage desk from the same vault that Reiss painted in a sassy black and revitalized as a backdrop to an array of cosmetics, and a set of shelves that now tempts visitors with glitzy jewelry and purses.
Reiss said it was her husband, Ed, who suggested she open a boutique. He also coined the name: Two Doves. Reiss had at one time operated a tea shop in Albert Lea, which she ultimately decided to close. Although people loved the tea shop and its well-known events, the location wasn't ideal. “It ended on a high note,” said Reiss, “and that's always good.” Reiss, too, had enjoyed the tea shop, so when her husband suggested a boutique, Reiss decided to take advantage of the dearth of clothing stores in the area.
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By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Copy Editor
The weather was fine and the vehicles beautiful at the 9th Annual Gus' Station Car Show that took place on Saturday, July 15 in Owatonna at the Steele County Historical Society (SCHS) from 8 a.m. - 12:30.
Proceeds from the event go toward funding a Service Bay to be constructed next to Gus' Station at the Village of Yesteryear.
One prominent feature of the Service Bay will be a collection of tools made by the Owatonna Tool Company (OTC), a business begun in 1925 by Godfrey Kaplan. Frank Menulty began collecting tools from OTC 20 years ago, because he felt there should be a display at the SCHS of the products made by what was once the largest employer in Owatonna, having at one time employed 1,600 people. Many individuals bring their hand-me-down tools to Menulty, having heard of his goal to create a display at SCHS. Menulty, who worked as a product manager for OTC for 30 years, plans to donate the collected tools for display at the hoped-for Service Bay.