CLEARWATER COUNTY

Ruth Halvorson named 46th First Lady of Clearwater County

Pamela French / Special to the Pioneer — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:13:11 GMT

LEONARD — Ruth Halvorson was named the 46th First Lady of Clearwater County on May 3 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Leonard.

Nearly 50 women were in attendance at the event, which was filled with music and history.

After the opening remarks, Clearwater County Historical Society staff member Denise Hogenson read the names of former first ladies. Jazmyn Smith recounted the history of the First Lady event and the importance of educating people about the significant roles women have played in the history of our country.

2024 First Lady Eileen Vorderbruggen then shared changes she has seen in her lifetime.

Tamara Edevold, executive director of the Clearwater County Historical Society, was the emcee and keynote speaker for the event, presenting "Women of Courage, Compassion and Commitment."

Her program focused on 11 women from Clearwater County over the years, their life experiences, and how they embodied these values.

"Our mission at the historical society is to make certain that everyone is remembered for as long as possible," said Edevold.

Following the program, Halvorson was inducted as the 2025 First Lady of Clearwater County. She was nominated for being a true caregiver who helps others during times of illness and adversity.

Halvorson spent her career as a nurse, from the time she graduated high school until she retired in 2012. Starting as a nurse's aide, she went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1979 at the Clearwater County Hospital. She also worked at the Clearwater County Nursing Services.

She is involved in many acts of community care, always willing to drive someone to an appointment, make brownies for Legion bingo, fill in at the senior center or sell poppies for a fundraiser.

At the Bagley Senior Center, she volunteers with meals on wheels, works in the thrift shop and helps with the many fundraisers they have held over the years.

Halvorson is also a member of the Bagley American Legion Auxiliary and volunteers for the Bingo concession booth, the Memorial Day program and the Ride for the Stones event. She makes lap quilts for veterans and for those in nursing homes.

Additionally, she helps with programming at her church, from suppers to weddings and funerals.

Halvorson is a lifelong resident of Clearwater County. She is the oldest of three children born to Floyd and Alice Nelson. In 1965, Ruth married James "Jim" Halvorson. The couple had three sons: Marlyn, Steve and Jason. Ruth has nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

"We pray, in her humble way and never wanting to be the center of attention, that she will accept this honor extended to her," a community member wrote in their nomination letter on behalf of Halvorson. "We are truly grateful to her and for her; she makes a difference in the lives of many and is a true visiting angel."

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Living Local Women to hold DIY household product workshop

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:45:00 GMT

CLEARBROOK — Living Local Women is set to hold a do-it-yourself household product workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 17, at the Clearbrook City Classroom, 200 Elm Street.

"This workshop focuses on how to make clean and safe natural household products to use at home," a release said. "(The workshop aims to) provide natural products that can easily be made at home, with equal or better effectiveness than their store-bought counterparts, while also providing a significant cost savings with ingredients you already have in your pantry."

Living Local Women workshops are free to attend and supported by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Women’s Fund.

Those with questions can contact livinglocalwomen@gmail.com.

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Living Local Women to hold clean household products workshop

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 02 May 2025 21:00:00 GMT

CLEARBROOK — Living Local Women is set to hold a clean household products workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 10, at the Clearbrook City Classroom, 200 Elm Street.

"Join us as we share recipes, tips and tricks on how and why it is important to pay attention to what we use in our homes," a release said. "We will share the science, the processes and the how-tos."

Living Local Women workshops are free to attend and supported by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Women’s Fund.

Those with questions can contact livinglocalwomen@gmail.com.

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'The File' record-keeping workshop set for April 23

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:22:14 GMT

CLEARBROOK — As part of the ongoing Workshop Series for Older Adults, the Clearbrook-Leonard Senior Center is set to hold an informational session on "The File" from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the center.

Hosted by the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging and Legal Services of Northwest, "The File" is an important record-keeping system for financial information, investment, and insurance and legal documents.

This record provides the format in order to begin planning and having discussions with loved ones in the event of an emergency or death, a release said.

"As we grow older, we do not always find the time or desire to put 'our affairs in order,'" the release noted. "This workshop will help do just that. Join us for a conversation on proven ways to collect and organize this information."

Attendees have the opportunity to come early and enjoy a free lunch with guest speakers at 11 a.m.

This event is limited to the first 50 reservations, the release said. Reservations required by Monday, April 21. Call and leave a message at (218) 776-3154 to reserve a spot.

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Living Local Women to hold herbs workshop April 19

Pioneer Staff Report — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:36:04 GMT

CLEARBROOK — Living Local Women is set to hold an herbs workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 19, at the Clearbrook City Classroom, 200 Elm Street.

At the event, Master Gardener Dawn from Dawn Wann's Nursery, located south of Bagley, will present on everything herbs.

"The weather is finally warming, and many are excited, looking forward to getting back into the gardens," a release said. "Maybe you’re thinking about starting a garden for the first time, after some brutally cold months and thumbing through gardening magazines and seed catalogs that appeared in the mail."

Living Local Women workshops are free to attend and supported by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Women’s Fund.

Attendees should use the east entrance to City Hall for the most direct access.

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Clearwater County woodland owners wanted for DNR forest inventory program

Pioneer Staff Report — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:20:10 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking private woodland owners from Clearwater County to apply for its forest inventory program. Program funding includes dollars from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and is of no cost to the applicant.

"(The program is) aimed at developing a broader understanding of Minnesota’s forests across all landscapes," a release explained. "Minnesotans responded enthusiastically, with more than 800 private landowners signing up within six months, but more are needed to help complete the work."

Data collected will be used to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest management and plan for the long-term health and resilience of woodlands across the state.

“This data helps us understand the structure and composition of our forests and how they are changing. It also provides clues about their overall health," said Keb Guralski, a DNR forestry inventory scientist.

Data collected will aid both the DNR and the landowner.

"Participants will work with professional foresters and receive high-resolution maps and a report detailing the information collected on their woods, all at no cost," the release said. "This information can help participants better understand their woodlands and guide forest management decisions to improve wildlife habitat, trails or timber on their property."

The state's woodlands are split roughly 50-50 between public and private ownership. All public woodlands have participated in the program, leaving just private land left to be researched. Many plots are still needed to develop a robust inventory representing the whole of Minnesota.

Clearwater County is a priority county, meaning any application from the county will be placed atop the list alongside other priority counties. Signing up does not guarantee the land will be used in the data collection, however.

The DNR is also seeking applicants from Otter Tail, Todd, Kittson, Winona, Houston, Fillmore and Goodhue Counties.

Landowners with two or more acres of land qualify for the program and can apply via the DNR website.

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