It was a gift, a wish, a promise and a prayer (maybe a bunch of those), that created “Sister Luv.” Add to all that a dose of colorful creativity, dogged determination and some pretty big dreams, and you have a four-sister vocal quartet from Spring Valley that’s entertaining people and touching hearts across southeast Minnesota. The name captures it. Four sisters — Xena (21), … [Read more...]
More than a name…it’s The Rutabaga Brothers!
What’s a rutabaga? It’s a vegetable, kind of like a potato. The name is funny. (It could be funnier. In some countries they’re called “neeps.”) What’s a Rutabaga Brother? That sounds funny, too. It’s actually the name of a band. A local band. A very good band. To learn more about them, how they got started, the music they play, and how they’re faring in the pandemic, I checked … [Read more...]
Matt and Brenda Stier: Sharing life — and the gift of music — together
Steve and Eydie. Sonny and Cher. Johnny and June. Let’s add John and Yoko, too. Who are these people and what do they have in common? Depending on your birthday and generation, you recognize them as married couples who became well-known for singing together. If you’re from Spring Valley, Harmony, Lanesboro, Preston, St. Charles, or Chatfield, anywhere in southeast Minnesota, … [Read more...]
Loving, writing and sharing music fills life of Canton man
Charlie Warner is a long-time resident of Canton, Minn. His wife Karla grew up there. Their daughter Megan is on the staff of the Fillmore County Journal. Charlie has been a member of Canton’s city council for the last dozen years. Those are all important to Charlie. What’s also hugely important to him is music. Charlie Warner loves music. He loves listening to it, playing it … [Read more...]
Ed Asner featured during film festival in Spring Grove
There were 50 films introduced, but at age 90, the main attraction to many was seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner. The acclaimed guest of honor flew halfway across the country for the first annual Spring Grove International Film Festival. The three-day event experienced rain during the mostly indoor showings on Friday and Saturday (September 11 and 12), but on Sunday, a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: County commitment, caring couple create home, family for unfortunate
Last of two-part series This farmhouse was a residence to which few aspired. However, many unfortunate citizens were indeed fortunate to find a “home and family for 45 years” with Cyrilla and Valentine Esch at the Houston County Poor Farm. In 1901, the county decided to replace a condemned “poor house” near Hokah with a spacious replacement near Caledonia — built in 1903 with … [Read more...]
Explore animal patterns in “Anthropocene” exhibition
Lanesboro Arts presents “Anthropocene,” an exhibition featuring artwork from ceramicist Glynnis Lessing. This show is open and runs through October 18, 2020. This gallery exhibition features ceramic works by Glynnis Lessing, exploring the artist’s perspectives on how animals adapt to an environment altered by the human species during the Anthropocene geological age (defined by … [Read more...]
A band called Trouble Shooter: Local kids, local band, make very good
It’s not unusual for junior high kids to play around with guitars and drums and to think about being musicians. Some even dream about forming their own band some day. If you didn’t do that yourself, you probably remember classmates who did. Fun stuff, kid stuff. What’s very unusual — “extraordinary” is more like it — is for a group of kids like that to actually pull it off. To … [Read more...]
Real Bites
Old Barn Resort The Old Barn Resort has it all: golfing, camping, dining, swimming, nature, sunshine. It’s a great place to escape work, technology, and projects at home. And owners Travis Dundore and Eric Brenna (along with their wives) have worked tirelessly to perfect each facet of their operations. They’ve continuously re-invested in every aspect of the business. … [Read more...]
Songs of Northwood History and Folklore from The Lost Forty at a live-streamed concert from Lanesboro Arts
Lanesboro Arts proudly presents The Lost Forty on Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. Tickets are not required for this event; however ticket donations are appreciated and can be purchased through Lanesboro Arts website. This concert will be available to all via Facebook Live on the Lanesboro Arts Facebook page. A native of the northern Minnesota town of … [Read more...]