Ole Pappy

Barb's tasty treats

Barb’s tasty treats If you make it to our Christmas Open House on Thursday, you are in store for a treat. We searched the world over for the best homemade cookies in the world and guess where we found them — in Taunton, MN.

There they are at the home of Barb Guttormsson. I remember one year when Barb baked our cookies she had this little cookie shaped like a mouse with whiskers and everything. She’s known to create platters and platters of great tasting, and good looking morsels.

I’ve asked her husband Jon how he’s able to keep from eating all of great things his wife bakes. He says it’s easy ... “She won’t let me touch them.”

So Jon has to come down to the Mascot during our open house to get his fill of the delicious cookies his wife makes.

Barb also hosts our Christmas Party for the Mascot staff. You’d think this would be a hassle for her.

Maybe it would be ... but she constantly says, “I enjoy it so much.” I love people who enjoy what they’re doing.

But when you enjoy making the most delicious things your mouth has ever tasted, well, that’s a special treat.

Barb doesn’t limit her talents to baking, either. Take a good look at the windows at the Minneota Public Library.

Yes, that’s right — they are Barb Guttormsson’s creation as well.

I just want to say, “Thank You Barb, for creating the great Taste of Christmas.”

Speaking of Guttormssons, we are running a story this week about the family’s new adventure, owning and running, “Clarkfield Outdoors.”

This is a real special event for me. I was in Clarkfield when Berdette Schoep opened Clarkfield Outdoors for the first time.

I saw him built it and wean it, until it became a very good business. Now, he’s sold it and Eric Guttormsson of Taunton is running it.

I feel very close to this story because I’ve been around for the life of Clarkfield Outdoors, have known Berdette for all these years and now have the privilege of knowing Eric Guttormsson, whose roots in the Mascot, is running the business.

It appears as though Clarkfield Outdoors has a lot of room for growth — so we may see changes in the business in the coming years. What a fabulous opportunity for Eric Guttormsson and his family.

Clarkfield is a nice town and the Outdoors business is one of the largest employers in the community. And the nicest part is that Berdette will be around for awhile to help Eric and crew get their feet on the ground.

One thing I know about Berdette Schoep ... He built this business with his own two hands, meticulously helped it grow — went through some tough years, but came out on the other side with a product the Guttormssons can take to another level.

Congratulations Guttormssons — and Good Luck on your new venture!

LAUGH A LITTLE: Missed that one! I was driving when I first saw the flash of a traffic camera.

I figured that my picture had been taken for speeding, even though I knew I wasn’t. Just to be sure, I went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly. But again the camera flashed.

Thinking this was pretty funny, I drove past even slower three more times, laughing as the camera snapped away each time I drove by at a snail’s pace.

Two weeks later, I got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seatbelt.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As My Ole Pappy used to say, “What is the most limited Natural Resource in the world?” Ole Pappy’s Answer: “Common Sense!

” Ole Pappy always said you couldn’t have too much Common Sense. Thanks Ole Pappy!

Byron Higgin

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492