By Joanne Hall Preston Historical Society In 1965, LaVern Knoepke, who worked at Jerry’s Body Shop in Preston, was approached by the Preston Booster Club with the idea of making a “clown car” for parades. There were several of the same type of “clown cars” at that time, so they were looking for something a little different. It is not clear who suggested the idea of a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Wild Hay at Root River Bottom
Trees could be both a blessing and a curse for the first white settlers in 1850s and 1860s southeast Minnesota. Firewood for heat and cooking were necessities for both farmers and the few town dwellers. Large trees provided lumber for buildings or rail fences. “Raising a house” was the term used for putting logs in place, one in top of another until the structure was high … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Gratitude in the Psalms
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches My social media feeds in the month of November is often full of friends doing a “30 days of thankfulness challenge” where they post one thing they’re thankful for each day in November. Social media is already often a place where people show off a perfect-seeming version of their lives, and this focus … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm – I Need Your Help
Do you have a definition for success in your motherhood? Do we even have an answer for this question? Especially during the holidays. Think about it. Successful motherhood is ... Home cooked meals? Maybe any meal at all? Is it clean clothes? Maybe folded laundry that actually gets put away? Lots of presents? Swept floors? A day with no yelling? Or maybe: No one … [Read more...]
$67.50 for a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
I made myself a mug of steaming hot tea because I’m a wizard in the culinary arts. I set the mug on my desk and promptly forgot about it until I took a sip and discovered the tea had cooled. Move over Aristotle. That happened because I’m a wizard at becoming distracted. The unexpected lukewarm tea caused me to fall prey to the elevens — that pair of wrinkles that form on my … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Family Resemblance
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Before the sun rose in the east, before the land began to stir before others were awake and before His day of ministering, traveling, and teaching began to dominate the minutes and moments Jesus woke and went to the mountain to pray. What it must have been like to be one with the Father living in heaven and now … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – His Birthday Present
I married a man who has self-discipline and enjoys his work. In the early years, I learned many things from him and his parents. Their practical knowledge opened my eyes to a new side of life that I had not known – farming. Besides farm life, one thing that was new to me was car care. I had never owned a car, so caring for one was brand new to me. My husband changed the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Avoid High Speeds When the Car is New
In the late summer of 1931, Joe Von Moos purchased a new Model A Ford Tudor Sedan from the Ender Ford dealership in Hokah, Minn., for $460 (roughly equivalent to $9,800 in 2025). Frugal as he was, he bought the car with yellow wheels but without the matching yellow body stripe. Living eight miles from town on a South Ridge, La Crescent Township, Houston County farm with his … [Read more...]
I Was One of the Things Going Bump in the Night
I was in the back of beyond. Even though I was somewhere between the tiny towns of Two Bits and North Burlap, I knew I’d find a cemetery or graveyard. Those places that claim they aren’t nowhere, yet can see nowhere from there without using binoculars, often have burial grounds. A graveyard is typically a smaller burial ground associated with a church, while a cemetery is … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Our Stories, Our Lives
By Rev. Anders Nelson Mabel-Henrytown Tri-Point Parish - Mabel First Lutheran Church, Scheie Lutheran Church and Henrytown Lutheran Church Body: In the mainline protestant tradition, the first Sunday in November is All Saints Sunday, the Sunday immediately following All Saints Day, the day in which we remember those who’ve died both in the immediately preceding year, as … [Read more...]