Five Caledonia High School students were celebrated with a dance in their honor, and the next day as they headed to the train station, they were accompanied by a throng of citizens with music provided by the community band. Why? Just five days earlier, on April 7, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson had signed a resolution of Congress, declaring war between the United States and … [Read more...]
Eat Well, Be Well, Have Fun
“Real soup is to the body, what Peace is to the soul” – Isabel Allende Some days around here it seems like Ground Hog Day. Tomatoes and peppers continue to pour out of the garden. So, sticking with my latest F=fall harvest theme I want to share a couple of the things I’ve been doing and making in our kitchen. First and foremost, I have been canning up a storm. You … [Read more...]
Where Did You Get Your Driver’s License – in a Box of Cracker Jack?
“Where did you get your driver’s license - in a box of Cracker Jack?” When I first got my driver’s license, I noticed that not all the other drivers were the perfect driver I was. When I saw a case of numbskullery behind a steering wheel, here’s what I’d say: “Where did you get your driver’s license - in a box of Cracker Jack?” One of my prized possessions in my junk … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Where Does The Road Lead?
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Recently on a cool, pleasant evening I went for a walk on a quiet country road. There was a gentle breeze and the evening was peaceful with colorful wildflowers and the songs of roadside birds. As I walked along, I got to thinking … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The Parade-Leading Blacksmith and the Last-Paying Passenger
Third of a three-part series “He formed everything from door hinges to implements required to clear the land, plow, seed and cultivate the fields and fashion the tools used during the harvest.” Houston County researcher Josephine Hefte thus characterized Thomas Abbotts, originally from England, who arrived in Caledonia in 1856, establishing a blacksmith shop, and later a … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Change of Pace
Isn’t it nice when you take a break for a change of pace? That is just what we did. The pattern of summer’s rainy weather this year made farming a challenge. Getting work done was frustrating. Yet, finally the work did get done enough so that we could have a getaway. We traveled to our cabin in northern Wisconsin. Although a short visit, it became a much needed … [Read more...]
I Used a Slide Rule to Calculate How Many Years We’d Been Married
My honey-do list had become a year longer. It was our anniversary, so we ate inside the fast-food restaurant. My wife deserved the royal treatment. I’ve seen people do some insanely courageous things. My wife has done them throughout our married life. She’s an excellent cook. I wasn’t born to cook. I was born to express my gratitude to those who cook for me. She even … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) A few days ago, I ran across a picture of Snoopy sitting in the grass with a big smile on his face and the caption, “Be the reason someone smiles today.” The expression on Snoopy’s face was one of sheer joy and happiness and it made me … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm – What Needs to Go?
Have you ever written a list of what you did not want your family to look like? What would make your list? Cluttered home? Hurried? Impatient? Overworked? Overbooked? Over committed? Tired? Fighting parents? Sassy kids? What would you not want? I recently attended an online homeschool planning boot camp in which we wrote down our family vision, non-negotiables, and the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Grain, Trains, Torrents of Rain Rise and Fall of Railroads in Caledonia
Second of a series Shipping “King Wheat” to market was the primary reason railroad service into the interior of the new state of Minnesota was so critical during the 1860s. Since the late 1850s, wheat had been the major cash crop in an agrarian economy. Ironically, wheat production began to wane by the late 1870s when railroad service finally reached the Houston County seat … [Read more...]