Westerheim, Nordland join forces ahead of 4-H Week

With National 4-H Week beginning on Monday, Oct. 3, the two local 4-H clubs, Westerheim Flashing Stars and Nordland Top Notchers, made news by deciding to join forces on Sunday during a meeting.
"We will be coming up with a new name and will determine that at the end of the month," said Westerheim club leader Ronni Vlaminck.
Vlaminck reached out to Nordland club co-leader Cindy VanKeulen to see if she was possibly interested in combining the two local clubs into one bigger club.
"(Cindy) was excited about the idea," Vlaminck said. "Each club voted that we were in agreement to join. The energy was really positive and everyone seemed excited about it."The club members of each 4-H group, along with their parents, will brainstorm and come up with ideas for a new club name, with the decision being made at the next meeting late October.
"Westerheim is a fairly young club, while Nordland has a lot of older kids," Vlaminck said.
"I thought it would be nice to combine and work together since the kids are all from Minneota."
Westerheim and Nordland were named long ago after area townships.

Photo cutlines: Nordland Photo: Front row, left to right: Landon Neyens, Nolan Van Keulen, Harmon Van Keulen, Derek Fier. Back row, left to right: Cole Swedzinski, Garrett Peterson, Brock Fier, Gus VanHecke, Zack Fier, Shelby Neyens, Ella Moorse, Destin Fier. Not pictured, Drew Fier, Becca Roberts, Cael Fier, Talia Fier, Titan Fier, Morgan Moorse, Violet Elskamp. Westerheim Photo: Front row, left to right: Mary DeVos, Nola DeVos, Olivia DeVos, Avery Knutson. Second row, left to right: Axel Gossen, Jules Gossen, Sierra Gossen, Violet Vlaminck, Addyson Pohlen, Adrian Hennen. Jasper Knutson. Third row, left to right: Kaitlyn Ludwikowski, Wyatt Pohlen, Landon Pohlen, Padraic Moriarty, Henry Buysse, Winston Strand, Louis Devos. Fourth row, left to right: August Buysse, Jents Knutson. Not pictured, Imogen Moriarty, Kinsey Moorse, Lilly Moorse, Wyatt Moorse.