South news briefs: Northfield fetes Maggie Lee

City fetes Maggie LeeNorthfield is celebrating its town icon, Maggie Lee, who retired in June after working 68 years for the same newspaper, a state record. Star Tribune sports writer Sid Hartman is a close second for newspaper longevity.

Lee, 91, had a fall in early June and moved into the Three Links Care Center. She is a former reporter, managing editor and, in semi-retirement, a weekly columnist for the Northfield News.

She loved wearing purple and she loved cats. She displayed thousands of cat curios around her home.

Thursday is "Wear Purple for Maggie Lee Day," and the Prairie's Edge Humane Society will be having "Meows for Maggie" cat adoptions from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northfield News Building where Lee worked. Free purple catnip pillows will be distributed and purple cat collars, harnesses and leashes will be for sale.

Lee helped found the Northfield Historical Society and long promoted Cannon River beautification, which led to the Riverwalk, a section of which is dedicated to her.

Ferris wheel debuts at Scott County fairThe 97th annual Scott County Fair starts today with its own Ferris wheel.

Fair board member Dick Ames, who runs a major construction firm and lives south of Jordan, has purchased and donated a 1930s vintage Ferris wheel restored by his own workers.

But this one won't travel: It will be a permanent installation.

The fair runs through Sunday.

To learn more about the week's offerings, go to www. scottcountyfair.com.

Parks director retires after quarter centuryApple Valley celebrated Randy Johnson Day last Friday, the day he retired as Parks and Recreation director after nearly 25 years with the city.

"Randy's been an excellent parks director," said Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland. She said the city will retain Brimeyer Fursman Executive Search to help the City Council choose a replacement.

Experts will do the actual work later, but for now the goal is advice on "site content and usability" from people whose own skills range from neophyte to advanced.

The city says it has heard from many advanced users already and is seeking in particular more casual users for sessions that will take place around a half dozen times in the coming months.

If you're interested, there's an online form at www.surveymonkey.com/s/7ZJ3WGC and paper copies at City Hall. The deadline is Tuesday, and those selected will hear back in August.

No one wanting later to do paid work on the project may serve at this stage.

Free applications for vets, militaryMilitary vets and members of the armed services can apply for free to Inver Hills Community College.

The numbers of both groups, veterans and active duty, have skyrocketed, officials say, amid support services, scholarships and other benefits.

The school's veteran services coordinator is Sue Flannigan. Contact her at 651-450-3862 or sflanni@inverhills.edu.