Barbie Porter

Detroit Lakes

Reporter at Perham Focus

Multimedia Reporter at Detroit Lakes Tribune

Articles

Community effort in Ottertail to nurture the future breaks ground in July

2 days ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

OTTER TAIL COUNTY — Groundbreaking for the new day care facilities in Ottertail is tentatively set for Monday, July 7, at 10 a.m. at the project site, which is located along South Maple Avenue. Community Development Director Amy Baldwin relayed the news during the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, June 24. The project was initially discussed during a March board meeting, in which Baldwin shared details of the project.
Otter Tail County Board greenlights solar panel project on Rose Lake

2 days ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — A ground-mounted solar collection system with 200 panels on Rose Lake was approved by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, June 24. The Mark and Karman Rheault Trust applied for the conditional use permit application to construct two ground-mounted photovoltaic systems at 36333 Rose Lake Drive, Frazee. Photovoltaic refers to the process the system uses to convert light into electricity.
Artist with local ties becomes AI educator

4 days ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Artificial Intelligence has moved beyond folklore in futurist movies and become a potential personal assistant for those online. Knowing how to utilize the wealth of knowledge compiled in Chat GTP or Microsoft Co-Pilot is a skill to be learned. Teaching it is James Holmberg. The 56-year-old Minneapolis resident grew up on Little Pine Lake in Perham during the summer months of his childhood.
Teen raises funds for Perham Fire Department at Turtle Fest

4 days ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Perham Firefighters were flipping flapjacks and chatting with community members on Saturday, June 21, for the annual Turtle Fest breakfast fundraiser. Little did they know a teen from a neighboring community was also holding a fundraiser on their behalf. Brooklyn Coufal was a vendor at the Turtle Fest street fair, with her booth, “Beads by Brooklyn.” With each hand-made beaded item she sold, a portion was put into the fire department donation pool.
Perham's Turtle Fest 'shell-ebrates' in style

5 days ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — The Perham Turtle Fest Parade on Friday, June 20, provided hours of fun for spectators. The event got underway around 6:30 p.m., just as the day’s heat began to fade. Still, many people lining the boulevards took cover under the shade of trees or umbrellas. Dirk Currier, a Perham resident, noted the parade has grown through the years, and always offers a lot for all ages.
Turtle Fest vendors showcase resilience amid stormy Perham weather

1 week ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Turtle Fest in Perham had a stormy end to a full day of fun on Friday, June 20. As a storm with high winds, thunder and rain passed through the area, several street fair vendors lost their tents or left early due to the storm. Michelle Coufal explained she and her daughter Brooklyn spent part of Friday evening taking down their tent and storing their wares, which included handmade jewelry. “It took about 45 minutes, so it was minimal work and not a big deal,” she said.
Family finds hidden Turtle Fest Medallion in just an hour

1 week ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — It took super sleuth Gwen Voll and her family about an hour to find the Turtle Fest Medallion, shortly after the first clue was presented. The Deerwood, Minn. resident comes to the Perham area every summer to enjoy lake life at the family cabin. She explained hunting for the medallion is an annual event for her family, but the last time they found it was about a decade ago. Voll explained the first clue quickly set their feet in motion.
7-year-old is 'shell-shocked' over victory at Perham's Turtle Fest

1 week ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Friday’s turtle races in Perham drew 280 racers vying for the championship title. In the end, Thea Cavazos and her turtle stood victorious. The 7-year-old grand champion wanted to race for several years, but the timing was never right. She explained the races are typically on Wednesdays throughout the summer, which hasn’t coincided with weekend visits with her grandmother, Rose Mader.
Perham elementary school celebrates enrollment surge and academic milestones

1 week ago | perhamfocus.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Heart of the Lakes Elementary is celebrating significant achievements, marked by increased enrollment and remarkable academic successes, particularly in early literacy programs. During the monthly Perham School Board meeting on Wednesday, June 18, Heart of the Lakes Elementary Principal Mike Kunza said initial kindergarten enrollment has already surpassed enrollment projections, which anticipated 95 students. "We've already had 108 register," he said.
Perham's Turtle Fest races into summer with fun

1 week ago | dl-online.com | Barbie Porter

PERHAM — Perham's Turtle Fest is back, offering fun events for all ages. The annual citywide celebration starts Wednesday, June 18, and concludes Sunday, June 22. The Medallion Hunt sends the festival on its way. People hear clues and are put to the task of finding the hidden medallion, which is located on public property and doesn’t require digging. The first hint is given at noon on Lakes 99.5 and on Perham.com . Clues will be given daily at noon until the medallion is found.