The sparkle in the eyes of Melody Raveill – Spring Valley is a reflection of the joy she has when working on, then completing one of her diamond paintings.  A couple years ago,   a family member had gifted her a small kit and she knew this hobby was a keeper.  “I liked working with the small diamonds right away, finding it both challenging and relaxing.  I’ve finished many … [Read more...]

I met the day with the wonder of a Labrador puppy. I walked down the trail at Brookside Park. I was a happy camper after seeing a couple of yellow-crowned night herons, hearing barred owls calling and finding a debit card lost by someone named Laura. There were a couple of sheriff’s deputies pulling their boat out of the channel. I gave the lost card to them. I’d finished … [Read more...]

“I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan.  I am  woman, hear me ROAR,” sings Helen Ready in a song.  Before women learned to roar, they stayed home to take care of the kids and the house.  When mothers felt the need for adult conversation, they invited the  neighbors over for coffee and dessert. The dessert had to be homemade and fabulous. This was showing off … [Read more...]

The four-generation family farm of 316 acres was “well-endowed with improvements, not the least of which was the outhouse,” wrote Marie (Middendorf) Muenkel, born in Winnebago Township, about her childhood in 1930s Houston County. Yes, at one time, the outhouse was a modern improvement, especially when considering the options before one was available. By definition, it did not … [Read more...]

By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches As the coronavirus vaccines rolled out across the country, I began to have hope that eventually we would all be able to get together again without fear!  Now that my family is all vaccinated, I have enjoyed hugging people again – my 86-year-old father, my daughter who visited from out-of-state, my … [Read more...]

When a high school student, one of my least favorite duties in English class was the oral book report.  First, I had to read a book.  Second, I would have to write a paper summarizing what I read.  Lastly, I was required to give a report on the book orally to the entire class.  To stand up before a crowd and to present the idea given in the book repulsed me.  Rather than … [Read more...]

What’s all the yellowing about? It’s about American goldfinches. They are turning a brilliant yellow. Dandelions are spring to some folks. The yellowing of spring. Is a group of dandelions called a pride? Mark Twain said, “In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” It’s good to see turkey vultures back and checking the expiration … [Read more...]

By Pastor Mark Docken Chatfield Lutheran Church Root Prairie Lutherand Church Even though we are well beyond Easter Sunday, there are some of us who are still at Good Friday. All the fanfare of Easter felt like just another entertainment show, because in the depths of your soul you’re not buying it. Like Mary, you came just to anoint the body. She walked to the tomb from a … [Read more...]

Part three of a series “Hello, central?” and “Number please,” were commonly heard during the first half of the 1900s as telephone callers spoke with central switchboard operators, who would connect their calls. There was a personal touch to every call. Operators were required for anything other than calling other telephones on a shared party line. Caledonia received its first … [Read more...]

Gardening for the senses Gardening is certainly a hands-on activity.  From gently patting seeds into the soil to pulling weeds out, your hands are constantly involved.  Looking around the garden, we see shades of every color. The fragrance of scented flowers floats through the air.  Using all five of your senses can heighten your gardening experience, and even take you back … [Read more...]