This delightful poem was authored by our good friend Aaron L. Sleyster, and he prefaced it with the following introduction: “Written after a day’s work with bad customers. The strain of trying to please, produced the severe attack of blues so strongly set forth in thistle lines...” … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The engineer and the fireman jumped out in time to save their lives
A century, a decade, a year and almost a month ago, the big news in Houston County was a train wreck between Spring Grove and Caledonia. One newspaper noted how Spring Grove station agent Mr. Beerman was “somewhat surprised” to see only the engine of No. 425 arrive on Tuesday evening, January 11, 1910. Conductor Merwin explained that he had left both cars and the passengers in … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Behold I am doing a new thing; can you not see it?
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free There is a softness to the sky in the dawning of a new day, have you seen it? Moments like these can feel far away and fleeting. Even in the morning calm so often gnawing at our hearts are all the broken pieces of life. Life is hard. This past year has driven many people to depths never experienced before with … [Read more...]
We kitchen tabled everything
The wind gained speed as it blew through the cracks of the old house. My upstairs bedroom was called the freezer. I was the only one who called it that, but that means it was called that. My science teacher told me that hot air rises. I was convinced cold air did, too. Our house had a furnace in the basement which provided rumors of heat. The furnace could have been in … [Read more...]
Rustic wood
Rich Sather has always enjoyed getting out in the woods and cutting wood. Since farming practices changed on his farm, the side hills in back of his house have been overgrown with thousands of trees that are considered “weed” trees, including box elder, buckthorn, and aromatic cedar. Originally, his plan was to merely cut down and burn all those trees; however, after seeing and … [Read more...]
Smoked meats and horseradish — yum!
Dale Brand of Rushford has an unusual “man cave.” While he has a big screen TV, a popcorn machine, and a fridge for his beer, he also has a stainless steel sausage filler, a stainless steel processing table, a dehydrator, several food/meat grinders, and some woodworking machines! In the adjoining garage, he has a pellet grill smoker and another smoker where he can adjust air … [Read more...]
They cut off heads at the drugstore
I couldn’t find a short pier as someone had suggested I do. But I went for a long walk anyway. I’m a chronic walker and often put my camera on a leash for company. I take photos of birds because I’m a birder and of wintry things like snow and more snow. I fell in love with photos because of Ansel Adams, the iconic American nature photographer known for his striking black and … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: A future with hope
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger “Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Six hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Jewish people in the Holy Land faced one of their darkest times. The northern … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Why modern cartoons are gay
By Zenessa Anderson When you think of cartoons, you probably picture the “Looney Toons,” “Mickey Mouse,” or “Tom and Jerry.” These classics had an episodic structure that could be picked up at any episode. No matter what season the show was on, you would know everything you needed to to understand the plot. Some modern cartoons are like this as well, such as “The Amazing … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – You could see four churches from there
“You can see four churches from here,” observed Paul Klinski decades ago from his farm in Union Township, Houston County, according to David Klinski, son of Paul and fourth-generation resident of that family farm. Two of the four church buildings still stand on or near Highway 44 north of Caledonia. Pioneer congregations faced considerable challenges: finding a meeting place, … [Read more...]