Many residents of Houston County in 2021 are descended from settlers who arrived in the middle-to-late 19th century (1800s). Annual Syttende Mai (Norwegian Independence Day) celebrations in Spring Grove honor the area’s Norwegian heritage. There are approximately four and half million Norwegian Americans, the 10th largest European ancestry group in the United States. Most live … [Read more...]
Rock, paper, scissors and rust on two wheels
Humans are always bucking a headwind. We teeter precariously on the edge of the world. We not only don’t know things, we don’t know most things. Our talents lie in suspecting things. There are three kinds of people; those who can count and those who can’t. Most of us can count to three on our fingers. I find the rule of three is important in my life. A list of three … [Read more...]
The Working Mom “2.0” Is that me complaining?
Is that me complaining? Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who seems to dwell on the last worst thing that happened? If you have and, like me, are trying to figure a way out of the conversation, it can be a challenge! I was visiting with a couple of good friends this past weekend and decided we were at a point in our lives where we need to keep each other in … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Horsepower, cornhusking and the Houston County Matrimonial Bureau
Fifth of a series Portland Prairie had the first 4-H club in Houston County, organized in 1923 by Gladys Lapham, said one of the charter members, Elmer Thies. His 4-H project that first year was a heifer calf named Nancy. At the county fair, young Elmer and Nancy won a trip to the state fair, but as it turned out, young Elmer was too young. “I was only nine years-old. One … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Listening to the groaning
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist We have all been shaking our heads recently about our weather, haven’t we? It is as if, because we are already dealing with a society in upheaval, the earth itself has decided to groan with us. Which does have biblical precedence. When I read chapter eight of the book of Romans, I often wonder what environmental chaos … [Read more...]
Minnesota Police Piper honors law enforcement in Preston
The Minnesota Police Pipe Band (MPPB) is a nationally recognized competition and performance bagpipe band based in the Twin Cities. The band was established in 1963 and is affiliated with both the Emerald Society of Minnesota and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association. In addition to numerous performances and competitions, throughout the country and internationally, … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Measuring cornfields with bicycle wheels and five-foot protractors
Part four of a series “My father sold a load of old sows. He didn’t get enough money to pay the hauler and had nothing for the pigs,” recalled lifelong Caledonia resident Leona (Burg) Weichert, about growing up in the 1930s. “That doesn’t seem real!” Today, the word “depression” is most often associated with the psychiatric condition of emotional sadness. There was … [Read more...]
I do all my own stunts
I’m just browsing. That’s what I’d say if I ever surprised a grizzly bear that was carrying an assault rifle, right after it bumped its painful bruin bunion against a birch stump. Fortunately, I’ve never surprised a grizzly bear that was carrying an assault rifle, right after it had bumped its painful bruin bunion against a birch stump. I’m a chronic walker. Not Walker, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Moving forward
Aw spring! Time to exhale for the season of warming weather and nature coming back to life is upon us. As flowers bloom and animals are born, we are reminded of the innocence and beauty that exist in this wonderful world we live in. There is nothing that puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart more than driving down the road and seeing the baby calves dotting the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The word that best describes the Class of 2021
Adaptable. The Class of 2020 unexpectedly ended their school year apart, with the pandemic crashing the party like a giant wrecking ball in motion. For the Class of 2021, it wasn’t going to get any easier. But, for this group of seniors, it was all about adaptability. They had to learn from home, interacting with their classmates and teachers online. Then there … [Read more...]