Don Hodgman was lead foreman for a drainage contractor in West Concord when he set out on his own in 1982.
Thirty-five years later, his business dream has expanded into a large, thriving venture in Dodge Center.

Adam Fredericksen was 18 and riding high during his senior year at Kasson-Mantorville High School.
Kaitlyn Hansen was a smiley 16-year-old “drama queen” at Fillmore Central High School in Harmony.
But an impaired driver slammed into Fredericksen’s vehicle in Kasson on Feb. 7, 2004, leaving him hospitalized for four months.

Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School fourth-graders participated this month in a pre-Thanksgiving “Grateful Challenge.”
A paper chain link indicated what they’re grateful for as the big day rolls around.
Mom. My Daddy. Hugs. Books.
“I’m thankful for my friends, because they’re supportive and really nice,” Ava Richardson said.
“For my teacher and my family, and mostly everything I have,” Ella Thronson said.

Triton schools officials say the district may have to make difficult cuts since voters denied an increase in the 2018 operational levy.
Rory Ginder is having none of that.
The Dodge Center resident decided to chip in funds from her own savings account to try and help the district.
“I don’t care about myself. I care about other people,” she said. “When something bad happens, I’ll donate it.”

Kasson-Mantorville Middle School students were out and about Tuesday, helping out with various community service projects during an advisory community service day.
They were seen raking at the Dodge County Courthouse Annex in Mantorville, and packaging items for people in need at Just Like Home Child Care in Kasson.
The kids in Mantorville, some 40 strong, joyously tossed around nearly as many leaves as they raked.

Kasson-Mantorville High School celebrated Homecoming Week in style this past week, with dress-up days, all sorts of contests, a coronation ceremony, parade and pep fest.
Eli Herbst and Kaitlyn McNeil were crowned King and Queen before the big Homecoming parade on Oct. 6.