• 80% of all dogs, and 70% of all cats will have a form of dental disease by the time they are 3 years old! Small and toy breed dogs, and all pets with “short noses/flat faces” are at an even more increased risk.
• Just like in humans, the best preventative measure for dental disease is routine brushing (yes, we mean daily!), as well as routine veterinary dental cleanings.
• There are many supplements and additives that can be used to help maintain a healthy pet mouth including dental treats/chews, dental wipes for the teeth, and food and water additives that help prevent bacteria from adhering to your pets teeth.
All of these supplements, when used in conjunction with tooth brushing and dental cleanings, will help ensure your pet’s mouth remains healthy and clean!

When considering making a move, start with your monthly housing expenses comfort level. Focus on the payment, not the interest rate. When rates drop significantly you may have the option to refinance to a lower rate. Buying now protects you from the rates going up and not missing the opportunity to buy the property you want.

Connect with a seasoned professional in real estate and lender to guide you through the process as they will explain the options that are available. Your Realtor will be able to show you current listings and share sales history of other properties in the area.

Professional guidance makes your move smoother and less stressful, reach out with your real estate questions to: Roxannejohnson@remax.net – Roxanne Johnson, Harmony, MN – Ph: 507-458-6110

There can be a lot of opinions on this. You may have heard 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000 miles, or you may have been told to ignore the miles and go off the vehicle’s oil life percentage or maintenance light. All of these could be correct, it depends on your vehicle and driving habits!

Every manufacturer has guidelines for each specific model, it’s always best to consult your owner’s manual regarding any maintenance interval. In general, 5,000 miles has been an accepted industry average for many vehicles running on synthetic oil. As engine and oil technologies advance, many manufacturers have begun to lengthen their recommended maintenance intervals.

Above all, the most important thing is to maintain your vehicle at or before the manufacture recommendations using the recommended type and viscosity of oil and a high-quality oil filter. Remember, the best practice is to check your engine oil and other fluid levels every 3rd or 4th time you put gas on to ensure you don’t miss a problem before it becomes serious.

This content was provided by James Hagen at Total Care Care located in rural Preston, MN. For more information, call or text 507-322-4057 or visit www.yourtotalcarcare.com.

Germs are concentrated in small spaces. The Guardian printed an article December 12, 2025 stating aircraft remain relatively polluted with ultrafine particles while passengers are boarding and planes are taxiing. This polluted air was gradually flushed from the cabin once airborne but increased again on approach to landing. The levels of pollution were far above those defined as high by the World Health Organization.

“Mobile on the go” purifier protects you while you are flying, giving you peace of mind and reducing risk of illness from passengers who are coughing and sneezing in the enclosed cabin. Then use it at your accommodations to purify the air and surfaces like bedding and carpet. Third-party studies validate reducing infectious contaminants up to 99.99%.

For your breath of fresh air, contact Clavonne today at 507-254-1121. Website drivetohealth.com Email: drivetohealth@gmail.com

It’s that time of year when tax refunds go out. If you get a refund this year, how can you make the best use of it?

For starters, you could use your refund to help fund your IRA. You still have until April 15 to contribute to your IRA for the 2025 tax year, but if you’ve already put in the full amount, you can begin on 2026 contributions.

If you have children or grandchildren, you could use some of your refund to help fund a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan.

Another possibility is to use the refund to pay down some of your debts. You could try to pay off the smallest debts as soon as possible or, alternatively, tackle the debts that carry the highest interest rates.

It’s not often that you receive a financial windfall like a tax refund, so think carefully about how you can maximize its benefits.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Maggie Schoepski, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 507-867-1460. Member SIPC

Congratulations—that’s such an exciting season! Preparing your dog early will make the transition smoother for everyone.

Start by gradually adjusting routines now. If walk times, feeding schedules, or sleeping arrangements will change once baby arrives, implement those shifts in advance so your dog doesn’t associate the change with the baby. Reinforce solid obedience skills—place, leash manners, impulse control, and calm greetings are especially important. Reward relaxation so your dog learns that calm behavior pays off.

Desensitize your dog to baby-related sights and sounds. Play recordings of crying at low volume, set up baby gear, and practice moving around the house carrying a doll so these changes feel normal. Establish boundaries ahead of time, such as no jumping on furniture that will be used for feeding.

Most importantly, continue meeting your dog’s physical and mental needs. A fulfilled dog adjusts far better than a stressed one. Thoughtful preparation now builds confidence, safety, and harmony once baby comes home.

This content was provided by Carla Ladd at Ladd K9 located in Preston, MN. For more information, contact 507-951-7398 or visit www.LaddK9.com.

What do you think?

Try this: bring to mind a stressful situation—either current, or one from the past. As you think about it, notice what happens in your body. Where do you feel the tension? Does your jaw tighten? Does your stomach turn? Do your shoulders creep up? Does your breathing get shallow, or your mind feel foggy?

Now take one slow breath in, and let your exhale be long—four to eight seconds. Notice what shifts.

That small exercise usually answers the question. We don’t experience stress outside of our bodies. Whether it’s financial strain, relationship tension, family chaos, or workplace pressure, we live it in a nervous system, muscles, breath, and digestion. The body is not separate from our life. It’s where our life is lived—and it remembers.

When stress isn’t processed or resolved, the body often speaks through tension, fatigue, pain, headaches, jaw clenching, sleep disruption, and more. These signals are not weakness—they’re information.

Listening early keeps the body from growing louder later.

This content was provided by Bethany Grace at Waniya Healing located in Lanesboro, MN. For more information, contact 612-790-7101 or visit www.waniyahealing.com.

Great question! There are some easy ways to get started. For many people the conversation you’ve already had is the hardest. So good for you, your siblings, and your Mom! My advice would be to start with free resources that are focused on explaining and educating you about preplanning. Many funeral homes, including Hoff, offer free preplanning guides. You should also look for free preplanning seminars to help educate and answer questions you, or Mom, may have. Seminars should be education focused…not sales focused. And finally, when everyone is ready, sit down with a Preplanning Specialists to really make sure you are all on the same page and most importantly, get Mom what she wants.

This content was provided by Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski at Hoff Funeral Home located in Lanesboro, MN. For more information, contact 855-687-4633.

Review the dealer’s reputation. Start by checking out reviews on Google and Facebook. This will give you a solid sense of how the dealer treats their customers and what you can expect from your experience.

Examine the vehicle history. Look at the Carfax or AutoCheck report to confirm the car has a clean title and to review any past maintenance or accidents. Knowing the vehicle’s history is crucial before making a decision.

Compare pricing. Research the market value of similar vehicles. While prices alone can be misleading, since you can’t fully judge a car’s condition online, it’s still helpful to get a general idea of what to expect.This content was provided by Josh Lewis at Top Gear Auto Sales located in LeRoy, MN.

For more information, contact 507-324-1800 or visit www.topgearautosalesllc.com.

Your HVAC system works year-round to keep your home comfortable, whether cooling in summer or heating in winter. Lennox equipment works quietly in the background. Rather than waiting for problems, preventive maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and reliably. A proactive maintenance plan reduces breakdowns, extends equipment lifespan, improves indoor air quality, & lowers energy costs & repair expenses.

One of the easiest and most effective steps is regularly changing your air filters—especially pleated filters. Filters trap dust, pollen & other airborne particles. Check them monthly and replace them at least every three months to maintain proper airflow and system performance. For even better indoor air quality, consider adding an air purification system like the Lennox PureAir system that works with your HVAC unit to remove contaminants and improve the air you breathe.

We service all HVAC brands and proudly recommend Lennox equipment for its reliability and performance. Contact us at 507-467-2240 or 507-886-2008 (Harmony) to learn more about our maintenance plans & keep your system operating at its best for years to come. Contented provided by VIS Plumbing & Heating of Lanesboro, MN.

If you live in our area, hard water is very common. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium that doesn’t rinse away cleanly. That’s what leaves white spots on dishes, buildup on faucets, and film on shower doors. It also makes soap less effective, so you end up using more detergent and still don’t get the results you expect.

Over time, those minerals can build up inside water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing — reducing efficiency and shortening equipment life.

The good news is hard water is treatable. A properly sized water softener removes hardness minerals before they reach your home’s fixtures and appliances.

If you’re unsure whether hardness is affecting your home, a simple water test can provide clarity.

This content was provided by Nate Van Loon at Culligan Water located in Winona, MN. For more information, contact 507-452-3600.

Starting a business is both exciting and challenging at the same time. It comes with great risk and reward.

When I was in college, one of my accounting professors said to never start a business unless you have a good accountant and marketing plan. You need to be able to manage cashflow to keep the business solvent and you need to have a marketing plan to generate sales. The accounting professor said never go into business unless you have a marketing plan. So, part of the budgeting process for any business should include an investment in marketing. There are quite a number of marketing options, so it will be a matter of prioritizing those marketing dollars for the best return on investment. I’ll discuss a variety of marketing options in the months to come.