Award-winning celebrity chef and cookbook author Michael Chiarello has created some delicious seasonal dishes that make the most of autumn’s bounty and make it easy to entertain.

“If you want to create beautiful food for your friends and family, the most important thing you can do is start your recipes with the best possible ingredients,” says Chiarello. “Progresso makes it easy to fill your pantry with the very finest ingredients.” Using Progresso 100% natural broth and panko bread crumbs, Chiarello has created dishes with exceptional flavor and paired them with the award-winning wines of the Cavit Collection.

Find more seasonal recipes at www.progressofoods.com and www.cavitcollection.com.

Turkey Scallopini and Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter

Makes 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Start to Finish: 30 minutes

8          portions boneless turkey breast (4 ounces each)

1/4       cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4       cup all-purpose flour

2          eggs, beaten

2          cups Progresso plain panko crispy bread crumbs

1          stick (8 tablespoons)

unsalted butter

1          package (18 ounces)

frozen squash ravioli

1/4       cup finely chopped fresh sage or 2 teaspoons dried sage

1 1/2    cups fresh cranberries

3          tablespoons dark molasses

1/4       cup balsamic vinegar

1          cup Progresso chicken broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth

Salt and pepper

Bring 4 quarts lightly salted water to a boil in a large pot.

Between two sheets of plastic wrap, pound turkey breast pieces to an even 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet. If you don’t have a meat mallet, the back of a frying pan will work fine. You can do this a day ahead and leave them stored in the plastic wrap, folded over on each other. You can also ask a good butcher to cut and pound the turkey for you.

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat turkey pieces with flour, and pat off excess; dip in beaten eggs and then dredge in bread crumbs. When oil is hot and bubbling, add turkey pieces. Do not crowd the pan. Let brown about 1 minute, then turn to cook the second side, another 30 seconds. The turkey will cook very quickly and will dry out if overcooked. When done, remove to a baking sheet or platter and keep warm. Do not wash sauté pan!

To make the sauce, add butter to sauté pan and place over medium-high heat. At the same time, drop ravioli into the boiling water. When butter begins to turn light brown, add fresh sage. Stir for a few seconds; then add cranberries, and sauté until skins begin to burst. Add molasses, balsamic vinegar and broth, scraping bottom of the pan to pick up all the flavor of the turkey. Simmer until cranberries are soft and the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Be sure to taste sauce for seasoning before you pour it over the turkey.

Test ravioli for doneness in about 3 minutes — pinch edges of dough; it should be tender. Drain. Divide ravioli among hot plates and layer a piece of turkey over the ravioli. Spoon sauce over them.

Tip: The sauce must be put together very quickly, so have all the ingredients premeasured and ready at the side of the stove.

Enjoy with Cavit Riesling or Pinot Noir.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Start to Finish: 60 minutes

Roasted Winter Squash

2          tablespoons butter

2          cups diced (3/4-inch) raw winter squash (butternut, hubbard, acorn)

Salt and pepper

Soup

2          tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2       cup diced onion

1/4       cup diced celery

1/4       cup diced carrot

1          cinnamon stick

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1          carton (32 ounces) Progresso chicken broth (4 cups)

1/2       teaspoon ground toasted coriander, if desired

1 1/2    cups Roasted Winter Squash

1/2       cup half-and-half, if desired

2          tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds

1/2       cup Progresso plain panko crispy bread crumbs, toasted light brown in sauté pan over medium heat

To make roasted winter squash: Heat oven to 375°F. Heat butter over medium-high heat in an ovenproof sauté pan; add diced squash, salt and pepper. When squash begins to brown, place pan in oven. Roast for 15 minutes or until medium-brown on all sides. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Pureé in food processor, or mash with potato masher or ricer. Measure 1 1/2 cups squash; reserve.

To make soup: Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add onion, celery, carrot and cinnamon stick; sauté until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add broth and coriander; bring to a boil. Simmer for several minutes. Stir in reserved squash until smooth; simmer gently to let flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick.

Pureé soup using an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. (The soup can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for several days or frozen for about 1 month. It will thicken as it cools and may need thinning with broth or water when reheating.)

Return soup to pan and reheat gently. Add half-and-half. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Top each serving with pumpkin seeds and toasted bread crumbs.

Tip: Depending on how rich you want it, or how cold it is outside, you can use cream, yogurt or mascarpone instead of half-and-half.

Enjoy with Cavit Chardonnay.

Mama Chiarello’s Stuffed Eggplant

Makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Start to Finish: 1 hour 20 minutes

1          large eggplant

3          tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2       teaspoon grey sea salt

1/4       teaspoon black pepper

1/2       pound ground beef

1          onion, diced small (about 1 cup)

1          red bell pepper, diced small (about 1 cup)

3          cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2       cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2       cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1 1/4    cups grated pecorino Romano cheese

1/2       cup Progresso plain panko crispy bread crumbs

1          whole egg

2          chopped tomatoes

Heat oven to 350°F.

Cut eggplant in half and scoop out center, leaving enough meat ins­­ide the skin so that it holds its shape when baked. Chop eggplant that has been scooped out of the inside; place in saucepan, cover with water and boil until very soft, 10 to 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Salt and pepper the beef. Add seasoned ground beef to pan, and sauté until all of its liquid is evaporated and beef begins to brown slightly. Let cool briefly, and chop cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat. In another medium sauté pan over medium heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sauté the onion, pepper and garlic together in oil.

In bowl, mix together cooked eggplant, vegetables, beef, herbs, 1 cup cheese, 1/4 cup bread crumbs and egg. Fill scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly between the two halves.

Top with chopped tomatoes, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs, and season with salt and pepper. Place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes. Let cool briefly; slice widthwise and serve.

Enjoy with Cavit Pinot Noir, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.



Dunham’s 20 employees have been preparing the sporting goods store for over five weeks, which is when the first truck arrived to deliver merchandise to the 34,000 square foot store located in the former JC Penny wing of the Westridge Mall.

The employees of Dunham’s stood proudly behind Eddie Wessel, the manager of the store in Fergus Falls, as he cut the grand opening ribbon.

Lisa Workman, Executive Director of the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce, presented Wessel the store’s first dollar of profit in the form of a plaque. “It’s a destination store,” Workman said, “It’s very exciting to see Dunham’s here.”

Harold Stanislawski, Executive Director of the Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission (FFEIC) presented Wessel with a pin as well.

After the store’s grand opening ceremony, Wessel, the store’s manager, told Fergus Forum that “We’re very excited to be here.”

Nearly $1 million was put into the Westridge Mall in renovation for Dunham’s, as well. Westridge Mall owners committed $200,000 in equity for the project. The Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission (also known as FFEIC), as well as the City of Fergus Falls both provided a $150,000 loan for the project. Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation, which is based in Detroit Lakes, Minn., has also fronted a $400,000 loan, which is tied to a tax abatement for upwards of 20 years.

During the month of June, Dunham’s had multiple job fairs where they accepted applications for employment, and held interviews with potential employees.

Dunham’s Sports currently operates over 160 stores in twelve Midwest and Northeast states, and the Fergus Falls store is an addition to Dunham’s continued growth in Minnesota.

Dunham’s Sports was founded in 1937 as Dunham’s Bait & Tackle, in Waterford, Michigan, located just outside of Detroit.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the controversy started when Target made the choice to donate to MN Forward, a business organization, that is backing candidate Tom Emmer, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, for governor. After the contribution was made public, Target faced complaints from employees and calls for a national boycott by several liberal groups.

Rea Sasseville, a participant in Saturday’s protest in Fergus Falls, said “We want them (Target) to stop using money to fund political candidates when thousands of Americans are unemployed”. Sasseville pointed out that Target’s $150,000 donation could easy hire three full-time employees, in a time when many jobs are being transferred overseas.

Target’s chief executive officer, Gregg Steinhafel, apologized last week, and assured the public that contributions in the future would be closely reviewed by Target’s board of directors.

Target is now in talks with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest gay-rights advocacy group about a possible donation. HRC has given Target high ratings in the past for being “model employers” for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered workers, however amongst the controversy, the HRC is planning on updating their “corporate equality index”.

“It’s often said by Fergus Falls residents that we get to live and work in a vacation-land.” said Jean Bowman, Executive Director of the Fergus Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re asking people to put that perspective to work for our community and share photographs that will entice others to consider a vacation here.”

If a photo is worth a thousand words, then what better way to show potential tourists the local treasures Fergus Falls has to offer? “We will use the photos in our promotional publications, including the visitors guide, our web site and other printed pieces. We allow (and even prefer) digital photography as well as 35 mm photos to be submitted.” Each photographer may submit up to 10 photographs.

Entries must be submitted by Monday, September 27. Photographs specifically depicting tourist-related activities like festivals, sports, shopping, recreation and dining are most likely to win prizes. Prizes awarded are: $100 for the best overall photograph, and five $50 honorable mentions. Entries will be judged by an independent party. Winning photos will exhibit quality in color, composition, clarity and creativity as well as their ability to tell a story about our area.

Contest rules and entry forms are available in the lobby of City Hall and at www.visitfergusfalls.com.

Dewey had been in hospice care the past few weeks, and family as well as friends were doing as much as they could to make sure his comfortable during his final days. According to an anonymous post on the Caringbridge website set up for Dewey, he passed away at 10:33AM, peacefully.

Dewey was shot on February 18th, 2009, after responding to a report of a drunken driver in Mahnomen. The next day, Dewey underwent extensive surgery for brain and liver injuries. A few weeks after surgery, he was transported to a rehabilitation center in Colorado, where further medical setbacks and surgeries occurring.

On July 3rd of this year, Dewey was hospitalized for an infection, and was given Botox injects to help reduce pain. After a lung collapsed from a Botox injection, he was placed under hospice care on July 15th.

Thomas Lee Fairbanks, of Anoka, Minn., who is accused of shooting Dewey, is currently facing numerous charges, including first-degree attempted murder. According to Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, those charges will soon be upgraded in light of Dewey’s tragic death.

A Facebook group has been set up for Dewey on Facebook, titled “Prayers for Deputy Chris Dewey”, as of late Monday night, just over 14,000 Facebook users had joined the group. To join the group on Facebook, simply go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51587721452

Dunham’s carries a wide variety of name brand sporting goods, shoes, and outerwear. Dunham’s will feature a wide variety of merchandise by makers such as Nike, Under Armor, Levis, Callaway, Taylor Made, among others.

In addition to providing a large selection in sporting goods and apparel, Dunham’s also has technicians trained in racket stringing, bowling ball drilling, mounting gun sites, as well as bow/arrow repair.

Palmer also told Fergus Forum that Dunham’s is confident that they will provide the community the best value for a wide variety of sporting goods, and apparel items.

This is no-doubt exiting news for residents of the area. Dunham’s will be occupying the former JC Penny section of the mall, which has been vacant since 2000 when they closed.

Nearly $1 million was put into the Westridge Mall in renovation for Dunham’s, as well. Westridge Mall owners committed $200,000 in equity for the project. The Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission (also known as FFEIC), as well as the City of Fergus Falls both provided a $150,000 loan for the project. Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation, which is based in Detroit Lakes, Minn., has also fronted a $400,000 loan, which is tied to a tax abatement for upwards of 20 years.

During the month of June, Dunham’s had multiple job fairs where they accepted applications for employment, and held interviews. Dunham’s will have roughly 50 employees working that the Fergus Falls location.

Dunham’s Sports currently operates 164 in twelve Midwest and Northeast states, and the Fergus Falls store will add to Dunham’s continued growth in Minnesota.

Dunham’s Sports was founded in 1937 as Dunham’s Bait & Tackle, in Waterford, Michigan, located just outside of Detroit.

Community and business leaders joined Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the grand opening.

The new store now employs approximately 300 associates, including approximately 150 positions added by the expansion. Upwards of 50 associates have worked for Walmart for longer than 10 years, and sixteen of those have worked at the store since it opened in 1991.

Lisa Workman, executive director of the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are thrilled to see our local Walmart expanding, and we know this is a sign of more good things to come. We anticipate that the larger store will draw more people into our community, and the additional shopping traffic is sure to benefit everyone.”

As part of the festivities, store associates announced grants totaling $4,000. Recipients included the Lake Region Halfway Home, West Central Area Education Foundation, Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee, Kaddatz Gallery, Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf, Lakeland Hospice, as well as the Fergus Falls College Foundation.

According to Tim Bosworth, the store manager of the Fergus Falls Walmart Supercenter, last year alone local organizations received upwards of $13,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation. In addition, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to U.S. hunger relief efforts through 2015.

The Fergus Falls Walmart now incorporates bounds of environmentally friendly features, as well. As part of the renovations, Walmart installed a back-up power generator at the store to reduce long-term energy costs. LED lighting has been incorporated throughout the store as well, which operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Low-flow toilets and faucets have also been installed in the bathrooms which reduces water consumption.

As part of the renovation project, Walmart added an additional 50,000 square feet, which allowed for the addition of a full line of groceries. The store now offers a wide variety of fresh produce, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, as well as organic items. For those on-the-go, the deli will offer hot rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, and a wide variety of meats, cheeses, and freshly prepared foods. Customers will also be able to pick up cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. The Fergus Falls Walmart store also has expanded its selection of wine and cold beer.

Among the changes, Wlamart has combined the Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo processing center into a single area near the courtesy desk at the front of the store. Walmart also completely renovated the pharmacy with an open design. The new pharmacy, including health and beauty items, is located across from the stores grocery section. The store also boasts a SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon, an arcade, and Walmart Wireless, which is a company-owned telecommunications store.

“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save customers time as they shop for everyday necessities at unbeatable prices,” said Bosworth. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”

In an interview with Fergus Forum back in February, Bosworth said he’s excited that Walmart will continue to help maintain Fergus Falls’ status as a regional retail center, as well as assist with further growth of our community.

The Fergus Falls Walmart is located at 3300 Highway 210 W., which is across Mabel Murphy’s off of Interstate 94 exit 57, and is opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Their journey began in Alexandria, and from there, went to Little Falls, Pequot Lakes, Wadena, with their last pit stop being in Fergus Falls before ending again in Alexandria.

Anna Kucera, with the National MS Society, said “They’ve really rolled out the red carpet” when talking about Fergus Falls.

During their stay in Fergus Falls, the bicyclists enjoyed the weather; however that couldn’t be said about some of the other days on their tour. According to one of the riders, Dave, they had experienced “hot, wet, windy, and sunny” weather during the duration of the trip.

After hundreds of miles of training, the weather was the last thing that would have stopped the bicyclists, though.

The majority of the 1,000 riders that participated in the event had biked hundreds of miles in preparation of the event. Tess Hohman, a member of the team “Pirates in Tight Pants”, said her as well as other members of her team started training as early as March.

While rain, as well as hundreds of miles of training can wear a bicyclists down, James, a member of the team Revolutions Per MN, who has also participated in this event for 10 years explained, “The inconveniences (of riding) are trivial compared to what people with MS have to go through”.

The majority of participants in this year’s TRAM, as well as past TRAM events, have family and friends who have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). For the participants of TRAM, it’s a great way for them to be able to spread the word about MS and raise funds for research.

Funds raised through MS TRAM help support programs and services for the nearly 10,000 people living with MS in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and drive research for a cure.

Additional information about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is available at the MS Society’s website at http://www.mssociety.org.

The award was presented July 11 by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration (divisions of the U.S. Department of Transportation) and the American Planning Association at the Transportation Research Board meeting in Minneapolis.

“In developing this comprehensive state rail plan, we have created a map for commodity movement by rail as well as a passenger rail network of linked routes that will improve travel times, energy conservation, environmental impacts, and traveler convenience throughout the region,” said Tom Sorel, Mn/DOT commissioner.

Mn/DOT was one of 11 winners of the biennial award, which recognizes outstanding initiatives nationwide that develop, plan and implement innovative transportation planning practices. Ninety projects competed for the award.

The panel of judges noted the plan’s comprehensive and balanced nature, data-driven approach, vision for the future, and leadership and compliance in responding to emerging federal requirements and guidelines.

Using data and planning analysis from the state rail plan, Mn/DOT and its partners submitted grant applications for rail-related projects to the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. As a result, the state received funding for the completion of the St. Paul Union Depot. Minnesota also was awarded the only basic high-speed planning grant in the country from first round stimulus funding for development of the Chicago-Twin Cities corridor.

“We’re already seeing pay-offs from this comprehensive plan, and look forward to future achievements in the areas of freight and passenger rail for our state and the region,” Sorel said. “Mn/DOT shares this award with our partners and the transportation stakeholders who participated in this landmark planning effort.”

To view the 2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, visit Mn/DOT’s Web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan/.

For information about the Transportation Planning Excellence Award, see https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tpea/2010/.

Stavaas, of Battle Lake, was scheduled to make his first appearance in court Monday morning, however, neither Stavaas nor his attorney made it to court.

According to assistant county attorney, Heather Brandborg, the court wasted no time issuing a warrant for Stavaas’ arrest.

Stavaas has been accused of making a seven inch cut on the dog’s throat a month ago, and told authorities he did it because he could not stop the dog from chasing cars. Stavaas’ eight month old German Sheppard/Pit Bull mix survived, and is currently located in an animal foster home.

Stavaas is being charged with two felonies, two gross misdemeanors, as well as two misdemeanors related to incident.

Monday morning, upwards of 20 protesters gathered and demanded that Stavvas receive the maximum penalty allowed, which would be either two years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

The case against Stavaas has gained global attention, as well. Nearly 1,500 people have signed an online petition calling for Stavaas to receive the maximum penalty (to sign the petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Arrest-Benjamin-James-Stavaas-For-Attempted-Murder-Of-Star). A Facebook group has also been set up which is viewable by going to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133949789969364

To contact the courthouse regarding this case, send a letter to:

Otter Tail County Court Administration

121 West Junius Ave. No. 310

Fergus Falls, MN 56537