Fairmont Ford turns 100

In the middle of uncertain economic times and an especially challenging moment for the U.S. auto industry, we were pleased to see a celebration - and the local turnout - for Fairmont Ford's 100th anniversary this week. One hundred years in business is truly a remarkable accomplishment.

Congratulations to the Kloeckner family that has owned the business since 1927, when Klaus Kloeckner took charge. We wish them and Ford good luck in the century to come.

Ledyard marks big day

Speaking of anniversaries, it's not every day that a town in our area turns 125, so we send our best wishes to Ledyard, Iowa, which is marking the occasion with a festival this weekend.

Volunteers from Ledyard and the area are pitching in to make sure things go smoothly. They deserve credit for the hard work of organizing, running errands and putting in time at events like the kiddie tractor pull and bingo.

If you're in the vicinity, stop in and let the folks in Ledyard know that they're great neighbors.

Ethanol plant on line

It hasn't been the smoothest start-up we've ever seen, but it's good to see the Valero ethanol plant finally go on line in Welcome.

The plant sat idle for nearly a year as its previous owner, VeraSun Energy, tried to work its way out of a financial crisis and find a buyer.

Valero stepped forward and produced its first batch of ethanol the first week of July. The plant employs 60 and is capable of making 100 million gallons of ethanol annually.

Blue Earth goes 'green'

Blue Earth followed up the recent 30th birthday of its Green Giant statue by unveiling a Green Giant Memorabilia Museum last week at the site of the former fire hall at 113 S. Nicollet St. We congratulate the town on the new attraction, which more than 100 people visited during the grand opening.

The museum is more than a fun collection of Green Giant items. It offers a look back at the history of a packing plant where many worked. The tradition continues at the Seneca plant today.

We encourage area residents to check out the museum the next time they visit Blue Earth.