By Ben Bisbach Monday, June 10 was a beautiful sunny day.  I was looking forward to working in the garden that evening after I got done with work.  However when I checked my email that morning, I realized I would need to spend my evening doing something else.  Apparently, a few residents over in Harmony have taken deep offense to the fact that there are books about gay … [Read more...]

By Stan Gudmundson Peterson, MN About deficit spending, an economics advisor to Richard Nixon once said that if something can’t go on forever, it won’t go on forever.  Ayn Rand said, ‘We can ignore reality, but cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”’  Obviously.  Why then, do we put up with government’s deficit spending if it can’t go on forever?  Making … [Read more...]

To the Editor, When we had our spring time in February, I saw Bonita Underbakke picking up road trash along Highway #139 between the cemetery  south of Harmony and the cave road. This is no responsibility of hers, so I asked her why.  “Just to make driving along the road more beautiful,” was her reply.  She had picked up many, many bags full.  When I was still able, I did the … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Our youth are our greatest natural resource; yet 1 in 5 interviewed homeless youth in foster or shelter care were identified as victims of some sort of human trafficking*. How can this be? What needs to change? What can we do to help? The first step to change is becoming informed. My husband and I had the honor of attending a fundraiser recently for The … [Read more...]

By Kathleen Haynes Canton, MN Ronald Reagan made that famous in 1980.  Donald Trump has revived that same question. Unfortunately, 2020 was a very difficult time.  COVID was on the rampage.  Millions of people died, President Trump touted quack cures, ie. bleach injections. Studies have estimated 400,000 U.S. lives could have been saved with a better federal … [Read more...]

To the Editor, The Lanesboro City Council approved a policy to provide  women’s shelter contact information in the public restrooms in City buildings.  The information is on 8x11 posters with small tear-off strips at the bottom containing the Women’s Shelter phone number: (507) 285-1010 or 1 (800) 438-6439.  The posters have questions like: Does your partner hit, slap or … [Read more...]

by Stan Gudmundson In 1948, when Israel was established in a barren and desolate Palestine, today about the size of New Jersey, there were roughly 700,000 inhabitants.  About six million Jews and two million Arabs now live there.  The Jewish people who emigrated to Israel, came from widely diverse cultures and societies.  Somehow, they have created a modern and prosperous … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I was driving by the high school in Harmony this past Sunday and couldn’t help but notice all the cars. Volleyball!  The same thing was taking place in Preston. I just believe this is such a travesty. Kids and their parents deserve a day that is a break from the competition aspect of sports and all that entails. These events run all day. When are we … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota  Initiative Foundation As President of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), I have witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration. It is through partnering with other funders and organizations that we have been able to make transformative change in southern Minnesota. Additionally, as one of six Minnesota … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Durning Lent and now Holy Week I have been thinking a lot about how greed and hate can destroy at every level of society, and it exists at every level.  I know, as I have experienced it.  At least the hate has only been verbal, so I have not been afraid.  (Maybe being white and a male helps.)  I have also seen greed at a personal and local level.  Why … [Read more...]