Throughout the years of writing this column, I have always tried to find humor in everyday life and the small things that each of us do. The day that we quit finding humor in the small things is the day we become crochety, dusty, and participate in those empty and lackluster kind of conversations. My husband and I have been talking on and off about how life is good and how we … [Read more...]
2020-The worst year ever?
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston As we look toward 2021, many regard 2020 as the worst year ever. Pandemics, wild fires, economic collapse, closing of schools, and the disruption of daily routines definitely place 2020 in the category of “not what I expected.” However it should place it in the category of “just what I needed.” As a pastor, I have … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County A winter landscape
When this beautiful picture was taken 128 years ago, in 1893... It was just a mere six years before the letters from Dr. William J. Mayo and Aaron H. H. Dayton, from my last column were sent! Great poetry was being written and spectacular photographs were also being created by our good friend Aaron L. Sleyster and all the while the Brothers Mayo were getting the groundwork in … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Moonshiners – Moonshiners, lawmen and hide-n-seek with illicit liquor
It can be difficult to enforce a law that a good portion of the populace wishes to violate. So it was when the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited the production, importation, transportation and sale of liquor. Caledonia journalist and commentator Perk Steffen noted that the eastern part of Houston County “did not turn its back upon prohibition… It faced … [Read more...]
Living in this country’s frozen food section
January is the perfect time to get a good deal on a Christmas tree. January is when we realize Canada’s major exports are cold fronts. I have a favorite cereal bowl. It’s plain in color. It might be beige. It has no cartoon characters on it. I like bowls better than bowl games. Here’s a tip for you, never order a plate of soup. I’d just polished off a bowl of oatmeal when a … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Am I just a bad test taker?
By Abby Zutz I have recently found that in my classes, especially while I am online, I am doing really badly on tests and quizzes. I don’t know how I do so poorly on these tests when I do great throughout the chapter and don’t have a problem getting 100% on the assignments. Is it really possible that I just stink at taking tests? It turns out I am not the only one with this … [Read more...]
Real Bites – Shari’s Sports Saloon & Lanes
At the newspaper, many of us wear multiple hats. Paul Trende is our sports coverage guru along with some other reporting, and he also makes sure all of the newspapers make it to each post office location in our coverage area. When the newspaper grows beyond a certain page count, we have to haul over 5,000 pounds of newspapers in two one-ton vans to get the newspapers … [Read more...]
There is one thing I can say…
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist The church I serve, Chatfield United Methodist, has been organizing a Soup Supper and Silent Auction for the Eagles Cancer Telethon for many, many years. Like many of the ministries we do, we do it with such passion and faithfulness because we have been touched by the problem we are trying to alleviate. Hunger, lack … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: New Year’s Day: “If you had not seen us crash, we may have all died.”
“It was like the Lord told him to do it now – you have an important job to do tomorrow,” wrote Glenn Buxengard, referring to neighbor George Wiemerslage, whose tractor had run out of gas the night before – New Year’s Eve. It was dark and time for chores, so Wiemerslage was going to leave gassing up until tomorrow. But he didn’t wait. So, when Buxengard phoned him the next … [Read more...]
How I love you, how I love you, my dear old Swami
I opened the door and a robed visitor accompanied by sitar music walked in out of the dimming twilight. The renowned mystic from the Far East part of the township, the fabled soothsayer, the seventh son of the seventh son of the seventh son, the oracle from just down the road; Swami Davis, Jr. stopped by to give me his predictions for 2021. He knows little but suspects a lot. … [Read more...]