The 53rd annual Peanut Butter & Milk Festival will begin this weekend in Meeker County with the arrival of 6 residents of Hartford, Alabama – Litchfield’s sister city. One of the first things on the agenda for the group will be Dairy Day on February 3rd – learning about Meeker County’s dairy industry.
Karen Becker is coordinating Dairy Day and says the Hartford group will start that day with breakfast at Swan’s Café – sponsored by Swan’s Cafe and Manannah Valley Farm. She says they will go to Schiefelbein Farms by Kimball, and then they will tour the robotic Ahlgren Dairy by Dassel.
Becker says the Southern guests will tour Jomas Hill Winery and eat lunch there, then they will have a tour of First District Association in Litchfield with Ashley Warren Nelson. She says they will finish their afternoon with a tour of Ru-Be Dairy – south of Grove City.
Becker says the public is welcome to the Chili/Soup Supper on February 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Forest City Threshers Building. Freewill donations will be accepted. She says the public is also welcome to the Potluck Banquet and Silent Auction on February 6th with social half-hour at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 at the St. Philip’s Church Social Hall. Bring a dish to share.
The Litchfield School Board has approved of the purchase of new dishwashers for both the Middle School and High School. Culinex had the low bid for the dishwashers for a total cost of $77,037.10.
The Litchfield School Board has approved of the Read Act memorandum of understanding with the Litchfield Education union.
The Litchfield School Board approved of a resolution last night accepting donations including $10,000 from Felling Trailers for a horizontal band saw for Litchfield High School, $1,500 from the American Legion for new volleyball standards for Litchfield High School, and $200 from the Presbyterian Women’s Group and $150 from the Litchfield Methodist Women – both for Lake Ripley Elementary School for supplies for students in need.
On morning at 3:17, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house fire in the 31000 block of CSAH 2 in Forest City Township. Meeker County Deputies, Litchfield Fire Department, Eden Valley Fire Department, Dassel Fire Department, Litchfield Rescue, and Mayo Ambulance all responded to the scene. Upon arriving, deputies saw the house, garage, and a nearby shed were engulfed in fire. Deputies learned three adults, 24-year-old Shelby Holder of Litchfield, 24-year-old Alexis Karie of Litchfield, and 25-year-old James Loehrer of Litchfield, and four juveniles were in the house at the time fire. Deputies learned the house did not have smoke detectors; however, one of the occupants awoke to discover the fire. All individuals inside got out of the house without injury. The house is a total loss. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants. It is believed the fire was due to a wood-burning stove in the garage.
Litchfield Community Theatre will present “Almost Maine” on February 14th and 15th at 7 p.m. and February 16th at 2 p.m. in the Bernie Aaker Auditorium. Tickets are available in advance at litchfieldcommunitytheatre.com.
Matt Hegdahl is directing “Almost Maine” which is a comedic collection of short plays. He says all of the scenes are set in the imaginary town of Almost, Maine on the same evening and love is the main theme so it’s appropriate for the Valentine’s weekend.
Hegdahl says there is a cast of 12 people and about 20 characters, so some of the actors play more than one role. He says he’s attended Litchfield Community Theatre productions in the past, but this is his first time being involved. He has done lots of theater in Willmar both on stage and behind the scenes – directing, doing lighting, building sets, etc. For more information about “Almost Maine,” call Litchfield Community Education at 693-2354.