Meadow View Manor: Continued from page 3
Meadow View Manor: Continued from page 3
SHEILA MCCOY / MORRISON COUNTY RECORD Guests can enjoy the farm-style kitchen while staying at Meadow View Manor in Little Falls.
Meadow View Manor was founded by Milton Milo Williams, who lived there with his wife, Florence.
A prominent man, Williams worked on railroad construction with the Northern Pacific Railroad. In the late 1800s, when the Little Falls and Dakota Railway was being built, he saw the potential for water power on the Mississippi River.
According to the Morrison County Historical Society, Williams and other investors organized the Little Falls Water Power Company for the purpose of building a dam and a powerplant. The result was the Little Falls Dam and was the“ third at that location,( but) the first to cover the full width of the falls.”
“ As the dam and its power were key selling points to industries that chose to locate in Little Falls, such as the Pine Tree Lumber Company and Hennepin Paper Mill, Williams and his fellow investors were credited with transforming the city from a mere village into a prosperous manufacturing and industrial center,” according to the Morrison County Historical Society.
Williams was also co-owner of the Transcript Publishing Company and helped organize the First National Bank of Little Falls in 1889. He was also president of the bank at the time of his death in 1926.
Mueller said Williams did a lot for Little Falls that led to where Little Falls is today. As he also serve don the State Forest Board, he was instrumental in preserving the white pines in Pine Grove Park. He donated the land to the city, as well, which today is the home of the Pine Grove Zoo, she said.
March 23 & April 13, 2024 • www. mcrecord. com • Morrison County Record • Spring Home & Garden Page 11
Aeration breathes new life into lawns
METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Regular maintenance is necessary when caring for a lawn, and various strategies translate into thicker, greener and healthier grass. Much like car owners routinely get an oil change or tire rotation on their vehicles, homeowners should recognize that certain lawn care strategies are periodically necessary to keep a property looking its best. Aeration is one task that can complement other lawn care strategies throughout the growing season.
What is lawn aeration?
The Home Depot says that aeration involves making holes in the lawn to loosen the soil underneath. Over time, the lawn and soil can become compacted, creating a layer of thatch that forms between the soil and the grass in the lawn. Thatch can prevent air, water and fertilizer from reaching the roots of the grass, eventually stifling growth. The holes made during aeration allow oxygen, water and nutrients to reach the lawn’ s roots.
When to aerate
Aeration can be good for a lawn, but it can cause stress to the grass if timed improperly, advise the lawn care experts at Pennington. Cool-season grasses common in northern lawns should be aerated in the early fall or early spring.
Warm-season grasses should be aerated in the late spring or very early summer. Aeration should be done right before the grass reaches peak time for natural growth.
How to aerate a lawn
Homeowners can use different aeration equipment, including manual and automated machinery. Some homeowners wear spiked aerator“ sandals” strapped to shoes to walk across the lawn. These may be useful on a small scale, but not on larger properties.
Slicing aerators have rotating blades that slice through grass and thatch into the soil. Core or plug aerators often are preferential for lawn professionals. Hollow tines remove plugs of soil from the lawn and deposit them on top where they break down.
What’ s next?
According to The Spruce, it is necessary to water the grass every two to three days after a lawn has been aerated. This also is the time to perform overseeding. Apply a quality, slow-release fertilizer to revitalize the lawn. Wait at least a month before mowing, and avoid heavy traffic on the lawn after aerating to prevent grass damage.
Aeration is an important step to maintain lawn health. While aerating can be labor-intensive, the end result of a lush lawn can be worth the extra effort.
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