NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

If you notice a lot of activity on the south end of town, next to
County road 9, this summer. You will see much dirt being moved, as a
new housing development is in the works. I have confidence this one
will move forward quite quickly ! Phase one of the project will
include about 20 houses on nice sized lots.

take care and stay sharp
Mike

New Business in Town

John Kulla has opened 9-17 Auto Repair on the corner of County Road 9
&17, John also sells cars there and it's one of those really rare gas
stations today, a full service gas station, can you remember when
someone pumps the gas for you? The topper is he doesn't charge extra
for that full service. Welcome John !

New School Superintendent

Holdingford Schools has
a new superintendent. John Haas will replace Roger Carlson, who is
retiring after 11 years, Haas, is in his 4th year as elementary
principal at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City schools.He has a master's degree and principal and superintendent licenses
from St. Cloud State University. He and his wife, Jane, have two
children. Welcome Mr. Haas and family.

Initiative Foundation Award

To kick-off its 20th anniversary, the
Initiative Foundation announced the six winners of its annual/Awards
for Outstanding Community Initiative, which recognizes outstanding
volunteerism and community service in central Minnesota. The awards
presentation will occur April 7th at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud,Mn.

Holdingford is proud to learn that one of the recipents is Two Rivers
Enterprises of Holdingford as

2006 Outstanding Enterprise of the year for Central Minnesota.
Two Rivers Enterprises, a manufacturer of stainless
steel restaurant equipment, opened its doors in 2001 with three
employees, including owners Dan and Bob Warzecha. By 2005, it had
grown its workforce to 45 and had become a cornerstone employer paying
living wages and benefits in the community of Holdingford. The
Initiative Foundation helped finance the company’s start-up and a
10,000 square-foot expansion in 2005.

Being on the tourism committee, how about a quick statement.

--VISIT HOLDINGFORD--

do ya think we need to do some more work on this ?

Holdingford applied for and was accepted in the Initiative Foundation's, Healthy Communities Partnership program along with a $10,000 grant to help implement our visions in 2005. There has been a core group of citizens who went to training sessions last summer . We had a well-attended public Visioning session in the fall, which helped focus the city and township on goals for the future. The committee has set up task forces to began to implement these dreams, with focus groups on economic development, comprehensive plan, social and tourism.

Holdingford's new maintenance shed built this spring. A big improvement from the old one.

What used to be Mary's Restaurant on Main St.is now T.K.'s Restaurant & Lounge. The new owner is converting the back room into a Lounge while the front will be a no smoking family restaurant.

The lake Wobegon Trail section from Holdingford to Albany is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sections of the trail system. It follows a path of canopied trees and open farm land. The Lake Wobegon Trail was extended 3 miles to the Morrison County line this fall. As I understand it it's name changes to the 'Soo Trail' there and next year will be extended to the east side of the Misissippi River. A beautiful rest area is almost complete on the trail in Holdingford. I will post pictures soon.
Note the links articles about 'Lake Wobegon' one is from the New York Times and the other article by the national Geographic.

A fact not even many people in Holdingford are aware of is that 'The soldiers memorial' across the street from St. Hedwig's Church. Was the first world War II memorial created in the United States, build in 1943. Under the direction of the village priest at the time, Father Kromolicki, it was designed by Rev. Gilbert Winkelman dean of architecture at St. John's University.