News

BAKED GOODS - To celebrate America's 250th birthday, Mackenzie Johnson of Owatonna, her four daughters and mother, and her sourdough stand, "Baked on 15th" attended the Waseca Farmers Market on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Baked on 15th makes its debut at Waseca Farmers' Market

Mackenzie Johnson, the proprietor of “Baked on 15th” set up a booth at the Waseca Farmers’ Market for the first time the morning of July 4. Johnson, 28, sells sourdough and baked treats from a stand located along 15th Street NE in Owatonna. “We stock it three Fridays a month at 2 p.m.,” she...

UNFURLING HONOR - It took 32 people to support the 48-star flag owned by the Waseca County Historical Society when it was opened to its full size the morning of Monday, June 29. The flag was measured to be 36 feet long and 19 feet high. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Opening giant flag requires 32 pairs of hands

About 20 Waseca area veterans gathered on the county fairgrounds June 29 for an unusual type of honor guard. The group had volunteered to unroll, measure, and assess the gigantic 48-star flag discovered by the Waseca County Historical Society (WCHS). Society leaders wanted to know if there...

HUFF AND PUFF - The Waseca Community Education Children's Summer Theater's production of "Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother" happened at the Waseca High School's Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, June 26 & 27, 2026. Pioneer photo by Juniper Revermann

Despite confusion, Cinderella play provides happy ending

The Waseca Community Education Children’s Summer Theater, in conjunction with the Waseca Drama Department presented Waseca’s Little Rascals in “Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother” on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27. This play was directed by teacher/advisor Karen Pfarr Anderson...

Variety, energy draw crowds to Elysian

According to event leader Pat Nusbaum, the City of Elysian’s Fourth of July Celebration set for Wednesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 5 brings in as many as 20,000 visitors while always keeping its small-town hospitality. Nusbaum mentions a group of golf cart owners, including herself, who...

Scot Dahms

Trapping historian chooses Herter as subject for 2026 book

Scot Dahms, author of nine books to date about trapping and trapping history, says he decided to produce his most recent work, Furious George, while doing research for another book, The Lost Conibear Letters: How One Canadian and the Animal Trap Company Revolutionized Trapping. Reading...

Furious George provides fascinating deep dive

This summary and review shares opinions and personal observations regarding Scot Dahms’ book Furious George, published this year. The book can be ordered online at Dahms’ website, Adirondackdick.com. As a 1977 graduate of Waseca High School, I come from a time frame which allows me to...

NEW BREWS - Caribou Coffee in Waseca is located along North State Street across from Kwik Trip and Oscar’s All American Food and Drinks. It is in the building that was previously Taco John’s. Pioneer photo by Alex Revermann

Caribou Coffee now serving Waseca

The Caribou Coffee along Waseca’s North State Street opened its doors to customers on Tuesday, June 29. The new coffeehouse is located across from Kwik Trip and Oscar’s All American Food and Drinks in the building which once housed Taco John’s. The full-service coffeehouse will be open...

Exchange Club recognized for CARE effort

At their June 23 meeting, members of the Waseca Exchange Club was recognized with a national-level Child Abuse Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) award for the third year in a row. Club president Mikhail Rostislavovich told club members, “We’re the only club in the nation’s history to have done that and...

QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION, CUPS OF JOE - Coffee with Representative Tom Sexton took place on Friday, June 19. Pictured from left, Carl Sonnenberg, Brad Milbrath, Jon Froke, Jessica Rollins, Representative Tom Sexton, President of Exchange Club Mikhail Rostislavovich, Carl Boerboom and Linda Born. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Sexton glad to have extended entity tax

Coffee with Tom Sexton took place at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 19 over the noon hour. Waseca City Planner Carl Sonnenberg asked Representative Sexton, “Any thoughts on what might break the log jam on local sales tax opportunities?” Sexton replied, “A lot of...

YUMMY TIPS - Jess and Angie Brandt were being treated to the finer points of pancake stirring thanks to Twila Schmidt at the Grace Lutheran Church's pancake breakfast on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Grace Lutheran breakfast centers around bicycles

More than 100 people attended Grace Lutheran Church’s “Pancakes for Pastor’s Pedal” breakfast the morning of Sunday, June 28. “We had every table full this morning,” commented Robin Dulas as she looked around the dining room. She was standing next to Pastor Jillene Gallatin who added, “We...