Elmore, MN

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Elmore on Tuesday, January 22, 2007 at Shiloh Lutheran Church from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

“Horizon’s” is a community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in small rural communities faced with economic decline and change.

Our vision is to build on our history and heritage.  We want Elmore to thrive and to become a great place to live for all ages.  We have been able to start several projects to realize this vision.

In MAY, a group of volunteers consisting of Bev & Lorman Jahnke, Sharon & Elton Rhoda, Linda & Dick VanRavenhorst, and Linda & Terry Weringa, built flower boxes and planted annuals along the highway.

JUNE brought replanting due to lack of rain and the planting of tubs decorated by youth from our community.  Thrivent Financial generously provided funds for the flowers in the tubs.

By JULY, a bike rodeo was organized and approximately 25 youth participated.  The  Elmore Police Department and Pat Coupanger donated 6 bike helments.

Adults and kids alike had a blast decorating for the Eromle Day Parade. Bev & Lorman Jahnke loaned a garden trellis and Sharon & Elton Rhoda loaned a hayrack. Approximately 25-30 persons showed up to decorate the “Beautify Elmore” float in Jahnke’s garage.

In AUGUST, we found property suitable for a bike track that the kids wanted, thanks to Dianne Nowak and Pat Coupanger. Randy Olson donated the use of his vacant lot by the elevator and Elton Rhoda delivered many loads of gravel and Norm Kolve leveled it. The youth prepared a list of rules and spent a whole Saturday shaping the bumps. 12-13 young men showed up for this activity armed with shovels and rakes. Yvonne Curtis donated 3 helmets for the bike track.

Bev Jahnke formed a garden club called the Lady Slippers. We meet the 3rd Monday of the month and everyone is invited!

The “Get To Know Your Neighbor” picnic was a success.  Seneca donated 600 ears of corn and Elmore Grocery provided ring bologna, ice cream, and chips.  Bubba Jahnke & Elton Rhoda cooked the dinner on cookers donated by the Elmore Fire Department.  Angie Cooke, Bev Jahnke, Edrys Viland, Linda Weringa, Clara Vereide, Mike & Pat Donnelly, and Dennis Hanson helped with the preparation and cleanup afterwards.

SEPTEMBER we got together briefly to discuss our strategy for getting donations for our “Visions” dinner.

On OCTOBER 9th, a group of volenteers went to St. James to learn about “blogging”.   Watch for our blogs at ELMORE COMMUNITY BLOGS.US  in the near future.

On OCTOBER 23rd, a Horizon’s “Visions” dinner serving 100 plus people was a success.   A speaker from Australia inspired many of us to join together and help our community thrive.

In NOVEMBER, 2 new committees were formed.  Many new and exciting ideas have been explored.

For DECEMBER, we have a “Santa Party” for the kids and ornament making for all ages.   With hot cocoa, cider and cookies  for refreshments.   Ornament making from 10:00am- 3:00pm at the Pioneer Bank.  SANTA will be there from 1:00- 3:00pm.  Come have your picture taken with SANTA and enjoy the fun!!!  

 We gave out lights to those persons who would like to be a part of the “Elmore Glows” lighting.  

 Remember to have your lights ON on Dec. 16th as they will be judged on that night!!

If you are interested in joining to help or present ideas for your community, please contact any member of Horizon’s or call Evelyn Ford at #507-943-3329.  We are looking for young, fresh ideas for our town!

Curbside recycling is every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.  Just set your red recycling bin out by the curb on those days.

Kans for Kids are at several locations around town.  The moneys redeemed from the sale of these cans will go toward projects for the kids in town.  In August a bike track was created on a vacant lot by the elevator (lot donated by Randy Olson).  Many thanks to Diane Nowak and Pat Coupanger for their help in finding the property.  Elton Rhoda delivered many loads of gravel and Norm Kolve leveled it.  Armed with shovels and rakes 12-13 young men spent an entire Saturday shaping the bumps for the course and developing the rules.  Yvonne Curtis donated 3 bike helmets for the track.  It is our hope to continue to help our youth develop projects like this.

The Elmore Academy gym will be open for walking Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

A new garden club has formed that meets the 3rd Monday of the month. Our next meeting is January21, 2008 @7pm @ the Library in Elmore.  Our subject is  “container planting”.

Everyone is invited!  Bring a friend and plan to join us!

Contact Bev Jahnke for more information. 507 -943-3360

Elmore Public Library offers many services - fax, copies, computers, Internet, and more.

The library is located at 302 East Willis Street.  Their phone number is 943-3150.  Or email them at elmorlib@bevcomm.net.  Nancy Ziegler is the librarian.

Their hours are:     Mondays:       3pm-5pm

                                 Tuesdays:       12pm-5pm

                                 Wednesdays:  12pm-5pm

                                Thursdays:      1pm-4pm

                                Fridays:           12pm-5pm

Our city council meets in regular session the second Monday evening of every month.  These meeting are open to the public.

Mayor:  Floyd Ford

Council Members:  Keven Sullivan, Edrys Viland, James Volz, and Pat Coupanger.