On the eve of Sunday, February 24, 2019, after I indulged in another snow-shoveling experience, I walked down the street in front of our house with my prized shovel on my shoulder.  I’m pretty sure that if Aunt Bee was peering out her picture window in Fountain, Minn., she would have mistaken my silhouette for that of a hobo (looking for shoveling relief). As I looked to my … [Read more...]

During the last full week in January of 2019, the Fillmore County Journal Creative Director Jana Boyum attended the 152nd annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention and Trade Show. As part of a three day event, Jana was able to partake in educational sessions with speakers and network with newspaper industry peers during round table discussions.  Attending these types … [Read more...]

I heard a great story this past week, and it not only coincides with Valentine’s Day but any special occasion. During my travels, I talk to a lot of people and hear a lot of stories. The one that sticks out in my mind from this past week was about a birthday celebration. I was chatting with a gentleman about the real life personal disconnect people have with each other … [Read more...]

There’s no doubt that Minnesotans are a different breed of humans. Ya sure, you betcha, we talk funny according to those who play “Duck, duck, goose.” But, there’s more to our being than long O’s and A’s in our pronunciations. This past week was a perfect example.  It was a snot-freezing -60ºF, with the windchill, and we just figured it would pass.  And, we know it … [Read more...]

I recently had a conversation with a parent who said their son, soon to be graduating from high school, wanted to be an entrepreneur some day. Their son had taken an interest in culinary arts, and had expressed interest in owning a restaurant.  At age 18, that’s a remarkable vision. I was enlisted for some advice, because I must have been deemed an entrepreneur by the … [Read more...]

Do you remember how excited you were when you heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?  Yeah, me neither.  But, HIPAA has impacted all of us in many ways we may not even realize. Companies had to become compliant with the HIPAA Security Rule by April 21, 2005.  That was nearly 14 years ago.  The whole reason HIPAA was introduced related … [Read more...]

January 19, 2019, is approaching fast. Unfortunately, we are just days away from the iconic Branding Iron of Preston, Minn., closing its doors. KAAL6 News recently broadcast a feature highlighting the dilemma of Baby Boomers wanting to retire from owning their business, but not able to do so because they can’t find a buyer. Our Preston Area Chamber of Commerce/Preston Area … [Read more...]

This past week, members of our newspaper staff attended a funeral at Root River Community Church in Rushford, Minn., to pay our respects to Peggi Redalen. Peggi worked in advertising sales for the Fillmore County Journal since way before my wife and I purchased the company in 2009. And, she had worked for the Rushford Tri-County Record for many years prior to joining the … [Read more...]

November 22, 2018, marked the 10-year anniversary of when it all began. Back in 2009, Jim Peters, Craig Britton, Jason Schwarz, Ross Kiehne, and myself scheduled Saturday morning runs on the bike trail.  We’d usually aim for running five miles each time.  We’d run at a talking pace, and it was a refreshing way to solve the world’s problems.  For me, running has always cleared … [Read more...]

Around 2001, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a concert to see the headlining band named Barenaked Ladies. Back in 1993, the Canadian-born Barenaked Ladies produced a hit song titled “If I Had a Million Dollars.” This song was iconic for several reasons.  The lyrics made it sound like what an average median household income person might do if they suddenly … [Read more...]

Please raise your hand if you are sick and tired of all of the political ads; especially the negative ones! “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all” apparently doesn’t apply to elections. Back to back political commercials flood the morning TV news channels.  Our mailboxes are heaping with piles of direct mail that fill our recycling bins.  And, most … [Read more...]

“I was very unhappy to see half the front page of Fillmore Journal dedicated to a Trump supporter.  I believe that rally was adequately followed in Rochester newspapers and television. It’s obvious to me where this newspaper leans.  So disappointed in my hometown newspaper,” said a reader from Lanesboro, Minn., in an e-mail to me on Monday, October 22, 2018. This was in … [Read more...]