It all started in high school when Paul Klockeman’s shop and industrial arts teacher, Richard Wildgrube inspired him to develop an interest in woodworking through a class called Building Trade. Truthfully though, it was probably already in his blood. Although he never met him, Klockeman believes his grandfather was a carpenter as well. His father did some woodworking and a … [Read more...]

I have been looking for an interesting recipe to share with you this month.  Since I happen to live on a farm that has been in our family since 1856, I have several historic assets in which to look.  I spent time yesterday looking at a bunch of recipe books I inherited from our parents and, perhaps, our grandparents.  They range from how to cure bacon to making liver cakes, … [Read more...]

I was playing the part of me. I’d spoken at a thing in Alaska. My wife had accompanied me. I’d had a swell time. We flew home and landed at MSP Airport at a reasonable time. I remembered where our car was parked and we headed home. Because we’d been gone for a spell, my wife said we needed things. We stopped at a large mall in the Twin Cities because they had things … [Read more...]

Part four of a series The song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” written during the Civil War in 1863, was instantly and widely popular, sung in both the north and south as well as in England.       When Johnny comes marching home again Hurrah! Hurrah! We’ll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys will … [Read more...]

Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the Fear of the LORD” (Psalm 34:11). The Fear of the Lord is an Awesome thing. When we fear the Lord, His Love is enkindled within us as we are drawn to love those around us, whether they agree with us or not, whether they are easy to be around or not, whether they … [Read more...]

From the outside, the farm off a long gravel road looks just like any other. But inside a shed on the property, you’ll find something incredible. A collection of nearly 600 farm toys, including semi trucks, collector cars, and other farm paraphernalia. It’s hard to imagine that a collection of this size only took a few years to grow. Don Redalen and his wife Penny say this … [Read more...]

The horticultural industry has a saying: “Right plant, right location.”  How does one know what the right location is? Start by looking at the plant tag.  Besides the plant name in both English and Latin, the tag should include some growing information. Zones: The USDA came up with a way to determine a plant’s hardiness based on the coldest winter temps. Most of Bluff Country … [Read more...]