Lots of things have changed since the pandemic started. Alcohol sales have gone up 141%. Online sales of pajamas have gone up 143% . Sales of bras and long pants have gone way down. You can draw your own conclusions from this information. Having plenty of time at home, I made this list to get myself organized before the world opens up again. To Do List 1. Organize my … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Yankees, candlelight, one tragic snowy night at Portland Prairie
An appetite and maybe a covered dish are appropriate for a picnic on the grounds following the only summer worship service. The Christmas Eve service requires bulky attire, since there is no heat or electricity. Spots of once-dripping wax can be found on hymnal pages, since carols are sung by the light of hand-held candles. It is not possible to light the six surviving kerosene … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… So many talented people
In this week’s issue of the Fillmore County Journal, our readers will notice a full page recognizing every member of our recently expanded team. And, as you scan that page, you’ll probably recognize a few familiar faces -- all local people serving local people. That’s right, our team (and company Christmas party) just got a little bigger. We gained all of this talent when … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County “Main Street, looking south, Fountain, Minnesota,” at least 100 years ago.
By Dianne Ruud Leaving Preston and traveling north on 52, we arrive at the idyllic town of Fountain, Minn. Isn’t it fun when looking at these old photographs, that in spite of the fact that most of the buildings are gone, enough of them remain, enabling us to know exactly where we are and what we are seeing! There’s so much to take in as we study each one. The one entitled, … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Four different “dead guys” delivered brief, breathless performances
PART 2 of summer musicals in Spring Grove Ye Olde Gray Barn, for the past 41 Spring Grove summers, has been the venue for annual musical theatre productions. Don Vesterse performed in the first 16 shows, the first of 80 lifetime performances in three states. He christened the barn (as a stage) with a bottle of champagne in 1979. There have been approximately 166 barn … [Read more...]