Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Sunday, September 17, 2006

Visitors take a spin at Applefest event

By JOAN KENT / La Crosse Tribune

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — One thing has led to another for Kimberly Czechowicz.

First she and her family bought a farm on South Ridge in La Crescent, where they raise sheep and goats.

Then she wanted to make something of all that wool they sheared from the sheep.

Then a friend, who raises alpacas, took spinning lessons, and Czechowicz joined her.

So Saturday, she demonstrated spinning during an Applefest event at the La Crescent Area Historical Society’s new location in the former home of the owner of W. Smith Grubber Co.

The next step, Czechowicz said, as she fed the wool into her spinner, will be to learn to knit so she can make items from the yarn she has spun.

Nearby, Elaine Hunter demonstrated the art of tatting, showing visitors items with tatting, including an antique

thimble holder made on a wishbone.

“I was on vacation 20 years ago when my mother was learning,” she said. “In those two weeks, I learned. It takes a lot of practice because you have to pull one thread tight and let the other loop.”

In the entry, Donna Huegel signed copies of her new book, “Stealing the Mississippi River ... Fascinating History of the

La Crescent Minnesota Area.”

It’s 60 funny, sad and interesting stories about the area, she said, explaining that the title stems from founder Peter Cameron’s plan to dig a canal to change the course of the Mississippi so it would flow past La Crescent rather than La Crosse.

He actually began digging the canal but died before it was finished, Huegel said, reporting that hunters say they can still see remnants of it.

The historical society’s new home, at 328 S. Third St., is part of the city’s history, she said. Nearby were the W. Grubber Co. buildings, where equipment to remove stumps was made. According to a 1950s history, the buildings, some of which were stone, are buried under the highway and traffic signal.

Ellen Poeschel crowned 2006 Applefest queen

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Ellen Poeschel was crowned the 2006 Applefest queen during the annual coronation Saturday evening at the La Crescent-Hokah High School auditorium. Katie Curran was selected first princess and Katie O’Reilly was named second princess. All are students at La Crescent-Hokah High School.

Gary Weaver and Lois Hund were named 2006 La Crescent man and woman of the year.

Today

7 a.m. to noon: The Lions Club pancake breakfast at the high school cafeteria; diabetic education and screening

8 a.m.: Flea market at the elementary school

9 a.m.: Arts and crafts show at elementary school

Noon: Carnival opens; apple display; refreshment center opens

1 p.m.: The King Apple Parade

3:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Apple Annies perform in the King Apple Tent

7 to 11 p.m.: Trouble Shooter

Joan Kent can be reached at (608) 791-8221 or jkent@lacrossetribune.com.