It all started with a phone call from my daughter. “Can we come visit? I need to leave the kids with you so I can keep an appointment.” Now this kind of news generally comes to me with particular delight. I enjoy having my children and grandchildren at the farm. “Of course, honey. When will you be here?” I responded. “I really won’t be there much. I will have to leave … [Read more...]
Playing football against the Steel Beams
There are two kinds of people — those who were born in March and those who wish they had been. My birthday is on St. Urho’s Day every year. Making another trip around the sun gives me cause to reflect upon what I’ve learned during this wonderful life. Goals are adjusted. Life is a series of things you didn’t expect. Back in the used to be when I was as smart as I’d ever be, … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Samuel McPhail’s boiled eggs and butter clinch county seat election
First of a two-part series He named his daughter Minnesota, his dog Santa Anna, his town Caledonia and his county Houston. Capt. Samuel McPhail founded the towns of Caledonia and Redwood Falls. He was a soldier, an attorney, a businessman, an Indian fighter, a tree scientist and one of the most colorful pioneers in Houston County – unforgettable to all who heard his squeaky … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
So many people are returning to gardening or starting out for the first time. One of the groups that I am a member of has over 3,000 new members! Plant people are always excited and happy to share knowledge. Instead of writing a typical column this month, I decided to reach out to one of many gardening groups for some inspiration. The question asked was: If you were to give a … [Read more...]
I stay by the cart
My wife asked me to put ketchup on the shopping list. Her wish was my command. Now I can’t read anything on the list. I’m a stay-by-the-cart guy. That’s my job when I go shopping with my wife. My wife goes this way and that way driven by a shopping list. I stay by the cart. I’ve gone years without once saying, “I’m going shopping,” but sometimes I need to purchase … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Soldier, pioneer, hotelier handled “Wild Kate,” founded village of Houston
The founder of the city of Houston, William George McSpadden, Jr., was one of the most influential early settlers in what became Houston County. Often on the move, he came west after one war, led Houston County soldiers throughout another war and later served in the state legislature. He was born in 1825 or 1826 in Ireland, during his Scottish parents’ two-year stopover on … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Silent victims
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist Here in Chatfield the Commercial Club is lifting up the many women owned businesses during Women’s History Month. There are many, many women-owned businesses in our entire area including in our faith communities. Women leadership in our small towns is very valuable and very necessary. In the Christian Scriptures, women … [Read more...]
Hobby – Mabel resident, Lonnie Morken, started collecting sports cards as a young boy
It is not surprising that Lonnie Morken, athletic director and coach at Mabel-Canton School, collects trading cards – basketball, baseball, football, and boxing. His favorite is basketball. He is also eager to share what he has learned with others. Morken started off the interview by describing his collection. “At one point, I had close to 250,000 cards but have flipped my … [Read more...]
A Little of this a Little of That
The mail is usually the same: bills, catalogs, money requests, and assorted junk mail. How boring. Then one day a while ago, the mail was exciting! I had received an actual greeting card from an old teaching colleague. It had a stamp and had been sent through “snail mail.” I love cards and greetings that come through “snail mail.” An e-invite, an e-thank you note or an … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Presidents, Mexican War heroes had Houston County namesakes
Presidents, founding fathers and especially military heroes were memorialized in Houston County with village namesakes, such as Hamilton, Jefferson, Reno, Houston, Winfield and San Jacinto. Only Houston, Reno, and with a name change, Hamilton survived. Although Mexican War heroes figured most prominently when choosing village names, two founding fathers were also remembered. … [Read more...]