I'm trying to train the fridge to hum a happy tune. It's not going well. Its morose humming was wearing on me, and I wish to make its droning a bit more upbeat. I hope it learns the song, "I Love a Parade." Find the nearest table or desk and start marching around it. Everybody sing along in the key of off. "I love a parade, the tramping of feet. I love every beat I hear … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback – The Viking Battalion World War II
By Cheryl Boyum Eaton Peterson Museum Board Member On October 5, 2025, Olaf Minge and Kyle Ward came to Peterson, Minnesota, to talk about the Viking Battalion. They had previously visited the Peterson Station Museum, where volunteer Gail Boyum pointed out the World War II uniform of Earl Highum who had served in this battalion - noted by the Viking ship patch on his uniform … [Read more...]
Let the Good Times Roll in Canton
Canton Day Off returns August 14-16 with three days of food, music, games, family activities and community tradition in downtown Canton. Don your purple, green and gold attire and get ready for some fun. Organized by the Canton Community Association, the 147th annual celebration brings together longtime residents, former students and surrounding communities for the town’s … [Read more...]
Growing a Better Garden, One Season at a Time
Summer has always been my favorite season. I love the feeling of warm sunshine, fresh air, and endless days spent outside. Whether I’m playing fetch with our dog, hammocking on the deck, or working away in my garden, there’s just something magical about this time of year. The garden is, without a doubt, my happy place. Each year my husband and I try to make our garden a bit … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Nobody Knew Where the Border Was
The southern border of Houston County and Fillmore County is the Iowa state line. When settlers arrived in southeast Minnesota Territory in 1852, Iowa had been a state for six years. But the border was only a line on a map. On the ground, nobody knew where the Iowa border was. When the territories of Minnesota and Iowa could not agree on a boundary, Congress intervened. … [Read more...]
Just Having Fun!!! Laughter, Giggles, And Orange Hair!!!
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Just having fun! Here’s a picture of two of my granddaughters having fun with grandpa! How do you like my new hairstyle? We were having a happy and fun time together during the week of the Fillmore County Fair. There was a lot of … [Read more...]
What is a Salad?
It’s peak picnic and barbecue season across the nation, and during the “dog days of summer,” chefs and home cooks alike seek to create delicious easy, no-cook salads. The Oxford Dictionary defines a salad as a cold dish of mixed ingredients, typically including raw vegetables, greens, or fruits, and often served with a dressing. The word originates from the Latin sal (meaning … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Farming, Exploring, Educating, Socializing and Jury Duty
Part two of a two-part series Eugene Marshall, an early surveyor in what became Houston County, was elected the first county surveyor in 1854. Massachusetts-born Marshall, at age 21, arrived in Minnesota Territory from Wisconsin as a farmer in 1853 before his surveying experience provided his main source of income. Letters to his sister provide a glimpse into those first … [Read more...]
At the End Of The Day … Ponderosa Sunset
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) As many of you know, I like to walk on my land lovingly nicknamed “The Ponderosa.” I like to walk in the woods, down the road and out in the field. A few nights ago in the cool of the evening ... (somewhat cooler than the scorching heat of … [Read more...]
Enter the Fairgrounds and Leave the Rest of the World Outside
Life was easier back when everything I ate went to my feet. Like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn to the fair – and not only as an innocent bystander. I've told stories on stage, answered questions about nature, helped presenters, served as a superintendent, pushed food, given away excellent yardsticks, acted as an emcee, represented organizations, been a vendor, shown animals, … [Read more...]