Frank Lee

Minnesota

Published film critic.✍️ Pop culture consumer.🍽️ #FreePress defender.🦸‍♂️ Watching films and things on TV, eating popcorn, repeat.🍿 https://t.co/vM2B9Dym2H

Articles

Leading the way at 99, Roger Folkestad named June Jubilee parade grand marshal

2 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — Don’t call him “Mr. Wadena.”Roger Folkestad is one of the city’s oldest residents at age 99 and has lived long enough to earn the moniker he mentioned. But the genteel nonagenarian shrugs off any such honorific. “I’m not making any claims to that,” Folkestad said as he laughed from the comfort of his living room chair in his Wadena home.
Deborah "Debbie" Yglesias

2 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee |Nicole Stracek

Deborah “Debbie” Faye (Plautz) Yglesias, age 69, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at her home under the loving care of her family and Hospice of the Red River Valley. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Wadena V.F.W., Wadena, Minnesota. Deborah Faye Plautz was born on October 19, 1955, in Wadena, Minnesota to Louis and Leota (Schroedl) Plautz.
Wadena Area Community Band kicks off ‘Music in BN Park’ series

2 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — The second annual “Music in BN Park” summer concert series returns to Burlington Northern Park beginning with the Wadena Area Community Band. The free outdoor concert series organized by the Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce includes a total of five concerts — the first at 6 p.m. on June 12 by the band and the last by Monroe Crossing on July 27.
Former Wadena mayor retires from M State after more than 30 years

3 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — When Wayne Wolden retired last month from M State in Wadena after more than three decades, he knew it was time. The 62-year-old was mayor during the 2010 tornado and was instrumental in the creation of the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center almost a decade ago. But it was only recently that Wolden ended his employment as director of business services at the Wadena campus. “I just loved the job,” Wolden said of his start as business manager at what became M State.
Library summer reading program kicks off with ‘The Wizard of Oz’

3 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — They were off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.Children and their parents were transported to the fictional land of Oz during a reenactment of “The Wizard of Oz” on Monday, June 2, at the Wadena City Library. The Oz Bros. cosplayers kicked off the library’s summer reading program with audience participation in the guided play.
Employee becomes new owner of Steve’s Alignment and Auto Repair

4 weeks ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — The new owner of Steve’s Alignment and Auto Repair's is a familiar face. Mechanic Ryan Booen took over the downtown automotive service and repair business in April, which Steve and his wife Robin Wegscheid opened in 2009. “I’ve been working here at least 10 years or more,” said Booen, a 40-year-old Wadena resident. “I like it because it's close. I mean, I only live a few blocks away.” The Wegscheids will retire but will work part time until July 1.
Wadena's downtown 1776 Clothing Co. to close due to lack of sales

1 month ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — The 1776 Clothing Co. was intended to be revolutionary in fashion. But the Wadena apparel retailer has not made as much noise as she hoped as shoppers buy more online. Owner Paulette Ohm was the only one at her downtown clothing boutique one recent weekday afternoon earlier this month and cited sluggish sales for her difficult decision to close soon.
Wadena's downtown 1776 Clothing Co. to close due to lack of sales

1 month ago | parkrapidsenterprise.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — The 1776 Clothing Co. was intended to be revolutionary in fashion. But the Wadena apparel retailer has not made as much noise as she hoped as shoppers buy more online. Owner Paulette Ohm was the only one at her downtown clothing boutique one recent weekday afternoon earlier this month and cited sluggish sales for her difficult decision to close soon.
This N That N More offers 3D printing in downtown Wadena

1 month ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — The sky’s the limit for married Air Force veterans Lyndon and Robyne Mincey. The Verndale couple recently opened their new 3D printing business in downtown Wadena called This N That N More, which reflects the anything-goes ethos behind the entrepreneurs. “But we just really took to the 3D printing stuff. That's our primary bread and butter, I think,” Robyne said after they opened May 5.
WDC School Board views new fundraising gym video board

1 month ago | wadenapj.com | Frank Lee

WADENA — Seeing is believing. And the Wadena-Deer Creek School Board got an eyeful and earful from Norm Gallant. The WDC Middle/High School activities director presented to the board on Monday, May 19, a new $184,000 digital video board by Daktronics in the gym that local businesses would sponsor. “Just a huge thank-you first and foremost to Jeff Browne of Wadena State Bank ,” Gallant told the board of the bank president. “We started talking about this three or four years ago.