Rain barrel puts resource to use
MAKING USE — Several rain gutter downspouts are redirected into a 1,060-gallon tank where the water is collected and used for watering newly planted grass at Hawkeye Food Service in Fairmont.
FAIRMONT — “Every one of those ran to an underground tile,” said Scott Akers at Hawkeye Food Service, pointing to the rain gutters now directed into a translucent 1,060-gallon barrel.
Akers, vice president and general manager of the Fairmont facility, learned about Martin Soil & Water Conservation District’s rain barrel program several weeks ago and decided to apply the concept at Hawkeye.
“I’m not a tree hugger,” he said. ... “It’s a responsible thing to save your rain water. I grew up on a farm, and we did it. ... Now we’re all going back to things we did 50 years ago.”
The local conservation district has sold nearly 150 of the 50-gallon rain barrels since the program began earlier this year. According to information from SWCD, more than 700 gallons of water will run off a typical roof with an inch of rain from a moderate storm. That’s enough water to fill 14 bathtubs — and more than enough to fill the huge rain barrel at Hawkeye.
BEA students clean up their communities
BLUE EARTH — About 300 students were seen throughout the communities of Blue Earth, Winnebago, Frost, Delavan and near Bricelyn Wednesday.
» Full StoryStudents to walk into city’s past
FAIRMONT — On Friday, area fifth-graders will get a rare opportunity to speak with men from days gone by, men whose names they may be familiar with, such as Frank Day, Frank Wade and Henry Rippe — or at least the actors who will portray them.
» Full StoryScholarships increasing from Dollars for Scholars
FAIRMONT — When the Fairmont Dollars for Scholars chapter was formed in 1974, it had 32 scholarships worth $9,600 combined.
Wednesday evening at Fairmont Area High School, 132 students were awarded scholarships totaling $134,000.
School awaits word on safety funding
FAIRMONT — In February, Fairmont Area Schools determined that many of the maintenance items included in last November’s failed referendum were too important to let go any longer.
» Full StoryLiterary Circle marks 125 years
BLUE EARTH — The year was 1883 and all across America, literary circles were springing up — including in Blue Earth — as part of New York’s Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.
» Full StoryLocal News Poll
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