It is Monday morning with October fast coming to a close – and I heard an awesome quote from a visitor who happened to be in Ortonville for Friday’s Harvest Madness – Treat Street. Quote:  “This is just like a Hallmark Movie” The quote is from Marcee who is a friend of Rachelle Hasslen.  Marcee has always lived in larger cities and is not familiar with our Minnesota rural!  Well, not until Rachelle!   🙂 Wow.  I took the time last night to think on that statement.  We get so busy with work, volunteering, extended family and friends that I don’t think we really take the time to step back and take in the ‘big picture’.  So I thought I’d gather a few highlights starting with the festivities that earned that quote. Harvest Madness – Treat Street started at 4:30.  The kickoff was organized to start at Northside Medical Clinic (part of Ortonville Area Health Services-OAHS) for treats and to pick up a bag which they then took downtown where the Main Street businesses were ready …

It is a special year at First English Lutheran Church, here in Ortonville – the 45th Annual Scandinavian Food Fair! When:  November 3rd Time:   12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy Scandinavian food and shopping It is a Scandinavian Coffee Party! Link to the official Facebook Event Page Event Flyer This event has been enjoyed by so many over the years, we thought it would be fun to share a little history – Enjoy!!           – Thank you to Ethel Swenson! 45th Annual Scandinavian Food Fair On December 1, 1973, the First English Lutheran Church Women staged their first Annual Scandinavian  Christmas Food Fair in the church basement.  The event was termed a great success and a fun project.  It was a project that was even profitable — $1,000.00 after expenses, which was earmarked for new “curtains”.  Forty-five years ago they “gladly did it” – they had a vision, a vision that started it all. Spending hours in their kitchens, the women provided some of the following for their event (as taken from their …