Thursday, July 29, 2021
This year's Corky's Early Bird Softball Classic, which begins Thursday, will feature about 200 teams. Most teams come from the Midwest, but some come from as far away as California and Texas. In addition to playing softball and reuniting with friends, the tournament also raises $50,000 for a different charity each year. Submitted photo
Ready for some softball?
Corky’s Early Bird Softball Classic, which is already the largest tournament in Minnesota, keeps bigger and bigger, and this year is no different.
Howard Lestrud, right, is shown with his best friend, Ed Vervaecke. They reunited recently after 55 years. The two served together in the U.S. Army.
REFLECTIONS
It's true. The past 55 years just whizzed by.
Harvey Farr and daughter Whitney led a group of motorcyclists and collector cars for the 2021 BOB (Bikers of Blooming) Ride last Saturday. The ride benefited Toys for Tots in Steele County. Harvey and Nancy Farr have led the fund drives in Blooming Prairie and have been the top fundraisers for Toys for Tots in Steele County. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
BP Bike ride nets $14K for Toys for Tots
Fifty-five riders participated in the 22nd annual Toys for Tots BOB (Bikers of Blooming) Ride on Saturday, July 24.
Ken Esplan of Blooming Prairie looks at a shadow box display his wife Judy has made, containing his Purple Heart and other medals he received for his service in the Vietnam War. He was wounded in action on April 10, 1970; BP is working on designation as a Purple Heart City. STAFF PHOTO BY KAY FATE
‘Kenny, you got hit’
When Ken Esplan landed in Quang TrI province in Vietnam in July 1969, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Community members and kids cheer following a ribbon-cutting for the newly finished inclusive playground and Miracle Field located at Manthey Park in Owatonna. Missy Ahrens, center left, and Amanda Gislason, center right, spearheaded the grassroots effort that made their dream for the new playground and field a reality. STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS BALDWIN
Playing Together
Cars lined the parking lot and spilled over into the street as kids and families poured into Manthey Park last Monday to play together.
With a big smile and a firm grip on the halter, Jacey Herron, 8, of Owatonna, walks her calf around the yard during the annual Cow Camp at Clover Glen Farms near Claremont on July 20. Several other kids are in the background leading their calves to get familiar with them.
Cow Camp produces teens seeking ag careers
Glenn Johnson will be the first to admit he thought his wife was nuts when she suggested they host a Cow Camp for children on their Steele County dairy farm.
This year's Corky's Early Bird Softball Classic, which begins Thursday, will feature about 200 teams. Most teams come from the Midwest, but some come from as far away as California and Texas. In addition to playing softball and reuniting with friends, the tournament also raises $50,000 for a different charity each year. Submitted photo
Howard Lestrud, right, is shown with his best friend, Ed Vervaecke. They reunited recently after 55 years. The two served together in the U.S. Army.
Harvey Farr and daughter Whitney led a group of motorcyclists and collector cars for the 2021 BOB (Bikers of Blooming) Ride last Saturday. The ride benefited Toys for Tots in Steele County. Harvey and Nancy Farr have led the fund drives in Blooming Prairie and have been the top fundraisers for Toys for Tots in Steele County. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Ken Esplan of Blooming Prairie looks at a shadow box display his wife Judy has made, containing his Purple Heart and other medals he received for his service in the Vietnam War. He was wounded in action on April 10, 1970; BP is working on designation as a Purple Heart City. STAFF PHOTO BY KAY FATE
Community members and kids cheer following a ribbon-cutting for the newly finished inclusive playground and Miracle Field located at Manthey Park in Owatonna. Missy Ahrens, center left, and Amanda Gislason, center right, spearheaded the grassroots effort that made their dream for the new playground and field a reality. STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS BALDWIN
With a big smile and a firm grip on the halter, Jacey Herron, 8, of Owatonna, walks her calf around the yard during the annual Cow Camp at Clover Glen Farms near Claremont on July 20. Several other kids are in the background leading their calves to get familiar with them.
This year's Corky's Early Bird Softball Classic, which begins Thursday, will feature about 200 teams. Most teams come from the Midwest, but some come from as far away as California and Texas. In addition to playing softball and reuniting with friends, the tournament also raises $50,000 for a different charity each year. Submitted photo

Ready for some softball?

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:28pm
Corky’s Early Bird Softball Classic, which is already the largest tournament in Minnesota, keeps bigger and bigger, and this year is no different. This year a women's bracket is being added to this weekend's festivities, which kicks off...
Howard Lestrud, right, is shown with his best friend, Ed Vervaecke. They reunited recently after 55 years. The two served together in the U.S. Army.

REFLECTIONS

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:22pm
It's true. The past 55 years just whizzed by. Some say I am older than dirt. Others, including my only daughter, have urged me never to say I am getting old. What does it mean to be getting old anyway? It means that one is eligible for...

HOT PURSUIT

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:18pm
An unprecedented bill is currently being considered in U.S. Congress that will not only help bail out the ailing newspaper industry, but everyone else who values local journalism. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act allows individual...
Harvey Farr and daughter Whitney led a group of motorcyclists and collector cars for the 2021 BOB (Bikers of Blooming) Ride last Saturday. The ride benefited Toys for Tots in Steele County. Harvey and Nancy Farr have led the fund drives in Blooming Prairie and have been the top fundraisers for Toys for Tots in Steele County. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud

BP Bike ride nets $14K for Toys for Tots

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:15pm
Fifty-five riders participated in the 22nd annual Toys for Tots BOB (Bikers of Blooming) Ride on Saturday, July 24. Motorcycles and a variety of muscle cars and recent vintage cars were driven in the BOB Ride. Riders came from Blooming...

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Steele County Times

Steele County Times
411 E. Main St.
P.O. Box 247
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
507-583-4431

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