By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Editors Note: As 2024 comes to an end, the news cycle begins to slow down. However, this is also a time to sit back on the news this year and the moments that defined Northfield. Instead of the regular newscasts for today, December 27th, 30th, and 31st, we will be taking a look back at the headlines from 2024; the moments, the people, and the events that defined Northfield this year.
I wish you all the best time this holiday season.
See you in the new year,
– Logan
Northfield Represented At The Turkey Pardoning
Just over a month ago a Northfield family traveled to Washington D.C. for the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning:
“And I’d like you to meet Peach and Blossom…applause.” – Grant Zimmerman from Northfield, Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
That’s Grant Zimmerman from Northfield, the son of National Turkey Federation chairman John Zimmerman. John says preparing the presidential birds has taken a lot of special care:
“Grant and some other kids from our neighborhood, some of ’em who could join us here today, have done an amazing job helping raise these turkeys to feel comfortable and ready for the big event at the White House.” – John Zimmerman from Northfield, Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
Grant is currently a student at Spring Creek Elementary. This was the second year in a row that turkeys from the Northfield area were selected for the pardoning ceremony.
“Born this past July at the Zimmerman family farm, raised by the…gobble, gobble. Ya, I hear ya, Peach wants to speak a little bit here. Raised by the family with the help of neighborhood children who helped the turkey get ready for this very moment.” … “Based on your temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hear by pardon Peach and Blossom…applause.” – President Joe Biden, Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
The story gained national attention, see additional stories from around the nation about it:
- KSTP News Story About Raising the Turkeys
- This American Life episode with the Zimmerman family. (starts at apx. 48 minutes)
Full video of the event:
Memorial Day 2024
After rain and storms forced a venue change, the Northfield Community gathered in Skoglund Athletic Center at St. Olaf for the annual Memorial Day service hosted by the Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4393 and American Legion Post 84. Music for the service was provided by the 34th Infantry Division Woodwind Quintet. The Memorial Address was given by Jodi Greene, a Northfield native, a veteran, and Former Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy and Air Force. The ceremony ended by recognizing all of the Northfield area veterans who have passed away in the last year.
(left) Rev. Dr. Brent Klein giving the invocation and Prayer for the Navy Dead (right) VFW Post 4393 Commander Tracy Closson, giving the Commander Address. Pictures from Logan Wells/KYMN News
(left) VFW & American Legion Color Guard (right) Wreaths honoring the veterans of each of the wars and conflicts. Pictures from Logan Wells/KYMN News
You can find KYMN’s recording of the event here
Defeat of Jesse James Days 2024
Of course, Northfield’s biggest event of the year, the Defeat of Jesse James Days, happened again this year. Minnesota’s third-largest celebration, from its starts on Wednesday with the memorial service for Joseph Lee Heywood, includes 3 rodeos, a horseshoe hunt, 28 hours of Bridge Square Bingo, countless different deep-fried foods, 8 Bank Raid Reenactments, a soup box derby race, a Grand Parade and a Rubber Duck Race to name just a few of the many different events.
The annual Defeat of Jesse James Days Horseshoe Hunt this year was a special one for hunt organizer Tim Freeland and for many in the community.
Freeland said he had the clues and the spot where he would hide the horseshoe all set in his mind, until his friend, and the man who established KYMN radio and several time DJJD General Chair, passed away on August 17th. Freeland said when he heard, he decided to tear up the original clues and dedicate the entire hunt to Wayne. Each clue, he said, has something to do with Wayne.
“If only he knew! If only he knew that I was going to do this. Wayne would be tickled pink to find out that the whole hunt was featuring Wayne Eddy. He could talk about when he played Frank James for 25 years. All of the work he did. It ties in perfectly with the clues.” – Tim Freeland, Horseshow Hunt Organizer on the KYMN Morning Show
The horseshoe was found on the Sunday of the hunt, about an hour after the clue was given. Several teams of people were in the general area of the horseshoe Sunday morning when it was found by a team of 4 including Mike Nowak, Josh Ellingson, Ed Brodie, and Todd Pitman; they had registered their buttons and will receive the prize of $2,000. The horseshoe was found along the future Mill Town State Trail behind Huron Court and Lia Drive along the Spring Creek corridor.
(left) map to where the horseshoe was hidden (Right) hunt organizer Tim Freeland with two of the people who found the horseshoe. Pictures from Tim Freeland/DJJD
Despite a light amount of rain Friday afternoon, the weather for Defeat Days 2024 was overall sunny, but not warm, and a beautiful event.
(left) The Northfield Rescue Squad Rubber Duck Race at the end of Sunday (right), a raider reenactor ran into the raid. Pictures from Logan Wells/KYMN News
Additional Stories:
- DJJD 2024 Photo Gallery
- Steve Grove Makes Special Appearance in the Bank Reenactment on Saturday
- DJJD Event Through the Weekend Summary
- Local Non-Profits Host Fundraisers During DJJD
- Watch the 2024 Duck Race: Facebook
- Tim Freeland and the DJJD Horseshoe Hunt
- DJJD Horseshoe Found on Sunday
Honorable Mention: Northern Lights in Northfield
Again, it is hard to narrow down just a few moments and events from the year, but one that seemed extra unique and special was this fall when the Northern Lights were visible in Northfield. On the night of October 10th at around 8:45pm, people could see the northern lights in town. It was a special moment that we all had the opportunity to share together.
