By Rodney Bernu Special to the Dispatch New York Mills, a small town located in central Minnesota with a population of some 650-people had ballooned to eight hundred or more for the 1936 Fourth of July celebration. The town’s main highway and streets were lined with horses and Buggies, Model A Fords, and shiny new Chevrolets.  At… Read More

Imagine representing an entire statewide organization and working with thousands of people from every part of Minnesota as a teenager.  This year, Nathan Blashack and Madison Pesek have earned that opportunity. Blashack and Pesek are two of 29 outstanding youths who were selected to serve as Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors, an over 50-year tradition of Minnesota… Read More

Contributed photos Above: The New York Mills Class of 1961 recently met at Finn Creek Museum for their 62nd class reunion. Sitting: Margaret (Guck) Van Erp, Alice (Bentley) Anderson. Second Row: Kathy (Maunumaki) Loween, Kathleen (Muckala) Foreman, Mary (Peterson) Anderson, Kathy (Oman) Pernula, Mary Ann (Braukmann) Jorgensen. Back Row: Jerry Blom, Judy (Erickson) Hackling, James… Read More

Guitarist to host concert, worshop on September 30 By Tucker Henderson Reporter Ben Ranson, will be back in New York Mills for a guitar workshop and concert at the NY Mills Regional Cultural Center on Saturday, Sept. 30. Ranson explains that he is a nylon-string, finger-style guitarist, guitar teacher and singer-songwriter of humorous songs. He is… Read More

Event to be held Oct. 14 at ballroom By Tucker Henderson Reporter As Oktoberfest celebrations are being held around the world, a local celebration is returning to the New York Mills area after a long hiatus. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the NY Mills City Hall Ballroom and is being… Read More

First meeting held on Sept. 20 in NYM By Tucker Henderson Reporter The Welcoming Communities Initiative Program kicked off its first meeting in New York Mills on Wednesday, Sept. 20 as the program begins its 8-9 month journey to assist NY Mills in becoming a more welcoming community. The program is sponsored by the University of Minnesota… Read More

Nelson shares vision for success at gathering in FF By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent Renowned businessman Kenny Nelson of Perham shared his vision for success as an inspirational speaker in Fergus Falls Wednesday evening at A Center for the Arts. He is widely known for his success in the candy and pet food business. Nelson also is a community leader… Read More

40,000 square-foot, $32 million facility first-of-its-kind The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum held a ceremonial groundbreaking on its new site at Camp Ripley in Little Falls on Sunday, Sept. 17. Located on more than 30 acres just off Highway 371, and adjacent to the Little Falls State Veterans Cemetery, the future site of the Museum will… Read More

Dancing Loons vineyard is located near North Turtle Lake By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The spirit of Bryan Severson was with grape pickers under sunny skies Sept. 13 when friends joined Vicki Severson, east of Underwood, at the Severson’s Dancing Loons vineyard.  This was again part of the annual tradition at the 4-acre vineyard. For several years… Read More

Vergas an example of adopting the same for cities By Robert Williams Editor The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved moving forward with the Cannabis Public Use Ordinance on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Public Health Director Jody Lien discussed the Health and Wellness committee’s discussions in creating an Aug. 8 draft ordinance and an Aug. 27 updated… Read More