By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches Advent always falls at the darkest time of the year. In this part of the world, it is typically fully dark by supper time. Because of the darkness of night that arrives so early in Advent, a primary symbol of the season of Advent is LIGHT! We light Advent candles and talk about the coming of Christ, the … [Read more...]
Real Bites
Stellar 181 Taphouse There’s something pretty special happening in downtown Spring Valley, Minn. Stellar 181 Taphouse. But that’s not all. This has been years in the making. It started with a hair salon and spa, then a clothing boutique, then a dessert and cake specialty store... and then a restaurant. Chateau de Chic Salon & Spa, Chic by Chateau, Some Like It Hot, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion: Family, food, and funds
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches How many of us sat down around our Thanksgiving table recently and professed to be thankful for our families? We ARE thankful for family, but where do we go from there? Thankfulness is a good start, but Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” when confronted by the crowd of people … [Read more...]
From mud pies to oatmeal within an eyeblink
It must have been the oatmeal that kept him going. A friend died recently. He was 101. He’d had a good run. I stayed at his place when I was a young fellow working around the Twin Cities. He and his wife were the kindest of our species. Breakfast was the same each morning. We’d sit at the kitchen table, surrounded by windows so we could watch the birds eat breakfast as we … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady: A magical vacation up north
As landscapers and flower farmers, folks are often curious as to what we do all winter long. Honestly, there is a lot of resting and healing our bodies. A vacation is often in order, especially if we have an exceptionally good year. While we typically travel south towards the warm weather, a few years back we were invited to a cooler destination to visit the North Pole. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Wolf scalps worth more than a bushel of wheat
Part two Houston County and Fillmore County were established, broken off from Wabasha County by the territorial legislature, in 1854. An 1882 history of Houston County reviewed some news-worthy events in the county during its first three decades. The following is quoted with the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation from that large volume. These entries are most, … [Read more...]
I’ll let the moon shine down my throat
That’s what I’ll do if I ever get hungry again after Thanksgiving. Instead of eating, I’ll let the moon shine down my throat. I hope the Doppler weather radar gave you perfect Thanksgiving meteorological conditions for someone to guard the food while the rest gave thanks. Hope looks to the future, gratitude to the past. My mother was up early before anyone in a house of early … [Read more...]
Why MY marriage needs help, and why YOU are being lied to.
BY Liz Gerdes “Great Marriages Don’t Just Happen”... I read the understatement of the century. Well, thanks, Captain Obvious! You’ve simultaneously discouraged me and insulted my intelligence in five words. Of course great things take work. You’ve said nothing profound, Captain O. I know if I want a weedless garden, it must be weeded. A house must be cleaned. Windows … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Imported sheep, a fiery death and fine trout fishing
Part one of a short series. An 1882 history of Houston County included a collection of occurrences that would reflect life in the county during its first three decades. One typographical error has been corrected for clarity, but the rest of the following text is quoted with the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation from that large hardbound volume. These entries … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – An attitude of gratitude
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley The late Rudyard Kipling was an author of poetry and of several classic books, including the Jungle Book. During his lifetime, his writings made him both famous and wealthy. A newspaper reporter came up to him once and said, “Mr. Kipling, I just read that … [Read more...]