United States of America - 250 Years Young By Jeffrey Ellingson Spring Grove, MN On July 4th we will celebrate our country turning 250 years old. While 250 years sounds like a long time, let’s put this in perspective. My grandfather was born in 1906. He died in 1999. His life spanned nearly 40% of our country’s history! I was born in 1955. To date, I have witnessed … [Read more...]
United States of America – 250 Years Young
America the Beautiful Shines On
– By Rose Korabek
America the Beautiful Shines On By Rose Korabek Houston, MN During America’s 250th Anniversary, pause to reflect on how the “Great Experiment” has evolved. The Founding Fathers envisioned a new country with liberty and self-governance separate from the monarchy of Great Britain, high taxation and forced religion. Patrick Henry famously declared, “I know not what … [Read more...]
USA! USA!
– By Carolyn Goree
USA! USA! By Carolyn Goree Caledonia, MN I love the saying, USA USA! I was raised as an Army brat, so freedom is very much in my blood. As a small business owner, freedom to do what I loved meant a lot to me. Freedom to do what brings joy to me in every job I held. So freedom of choice and speech is on the top on my list. Being born in 1963, MLK, and JFK are my … [Read more...]
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect pets from serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats because they guard against illnesses that are common, highly contagious, or pose a risk to public health. These diseases can cause severe illness and, in some cases, can be fatal. For dogs, … [Read more...]
What Happens If an Issue Comes Up During a Home Inspection?
In Minnesota, the Home Inspection Contingency is a buyer’s contingency and paid for by the buyer. The contract provides a specified number of days to complete inspections and review the results with their inspector and REALTOR®. After reviewing the inspection report, the buyer may: 1) find the report acceptable and release the inspection contingency, 2) cancel the purchase … [Read more...]
What type of gas should I use?
There are often many different types of gas available at the pump. Octane rating or grade rating typically falls under three categories. Regular - usually 87, mid-grade - usually 89-90 and premium - usually 91-93. The higher the number, the more stable the gas is when it burns inside your engine. Some engines are designed to only run-on high-octane fuel, while others … [Read more...]
How can I take air purification with me on my cruise or vacation?
You have your perfect vacation planned. The last thing you want is to get sick! When you are in close quarters, the risk is real. Did you know there is a lightweight portable air purifier you can easily pack in your suitcase? It is not much larger than a cell phone. Use it on the airplane first, then whenever you go to dinner, place it on your table. This purifier actively … [Read more...]
AI in personal finance: The promise and the limits
Imagine this: Your budgeting app flags unusual spending and suggests a transfer. Later, a robo-advisor rebalances your portfolio. Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence — or AI — in personal finance. AI tools can track spending, forecast bills and offer advice via text. They can monitor credit scores, suggest budget tweaks and even negotiate lower bills. Meanwhile, … [Read more...]
My dog hates loud noises like fireworks, can training help?
Yes, training can help many dogs become less fearful of loud noises like fireworks, but it takes patience and consistency. The most effective approach is desensitization and counterconditioning. This involves playing recordings of fireworks at a very low volume while rewarding your dog with treats, praise, or play. As your dog becomes comfortable, you can gradually increase … [Read more...]
How do I help people I love make better choices?
Usually, when we want to share what has helped us, the motivation is love. We found something that made a difference in our lives, and we want the people we care about to benefit too. The challenge is, good intentions and good experiences aren’t always the same thing. What feels like caring guidance to one person can feel like pressure to another. There’s a difference … [Read more...]