Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the Fear of the LORD” (Psalm 34:11). The Fear of the Lord is an Awesome thing. When we fear the Lord, His Love is enkindled within us as we are drawn to love those around us, whether they agree with us or not, whether they are easy to be around or not, whether they … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County In loving memory of Dianne Ruud… her final chapter
By Jenn Strack It has taken me a considerable amount of time, to really think about the message that I came here to write today, knowing that I am attempting to fill very large shoes. So, please forgive me if I don’t quite measure up to the weekly column you have all looked forward to reading week after week. One of my mom’s greatest accomplishments in life was to be the … [Read more...]
Hobby: Medical diagnosis brings about farm toy collection
From the outside, the farm off a long gravel road looks just like any other. But inside a shed on the property, you’ll find something incredible. A collection of nearly 600 farm toys, including semi trucks, collector cars, and other farm paraphernalia. It’s hard to imagine that a collection of this size only took a few years to grow. Don Redalen and his wife Penny say this … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady: Lower garden maintenance with the correct plant
The horticultural industry has a saying: “Right plant, right location.” How does one know what the right location is? Start by looking at the plant tag. Besides the plant name in both English and Latin, the tag should include some growing information. Zones: The USDA came up with a way to determine a plant’s hardiness based on the coldest winter temps. Most of Bluff Country … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Yucatan man guarded body of Abraham Lincoln
Part three of a series A soldier from Houston County, Gundar Knutson of Yucatan, was on duty guarding the body of President Abraham Lincoln as it was lying in state in Washington, D.C. in April of 1865. It is possible that honor went to battle-ready men in brand new uniforms, clothing not yet soiled or torn on the battlefield. Knutson was one of 75 Houston County men who had … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Greetings Fillmore County Journal readers
By Pastor Nissa Peterson Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches My name is Pastor Nissa Peterson. I serve at Chatfield Lutheran Church and Root Prairie Lutheran Church, in Chatfield and rural Fountain, respectively. I am happy to get this chance to share scripture and prayer with you! I wanted to share with you a reflection on a scripture reading from 1 Timothy … [Read more...]
Potty mouth outside the post office
He wouldn’t set his long underwear on fire to keep others warm. But he’s a good guy. He’d risen early because he’s an early riser. The morning’s brain fog and darkness had caused him to look for his cell phone by using the flashlight on his cell phone. That sounds goofy, but who among us hasn’t done something similar? He told me the tale of his tomfoolery outside the post … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County What fate awaited you 111 years ago if you ended up being a fugitive of the law, in beautiful Fillmore County, Minn.???
Today we have before us a postcard sized “WANTED” bulletin for the arrest of a Mr. Helmer Leander Johnson! While there is little information at all to indicate the exact offenses of which Mr. Johnson could be guilty, of one thing is certain, Sheriff E. K. Blexrud provided the public with an in-depth physical description of Mr. Johnson plus an intriguingly, delightful image of … [Read more...]
The Pontiac had an oldometer
My father was the last owner of every car titled in his name. Each automobile went directly from our shed with the big sliding doors to the junkyard. The auto salvage place paid $1 per year for a used-too-much car with more rust than miles if it could roll down the drive in a faked appearance of being operational. A car towed to the junkyard’s driveway could be given a push … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past To escape conscription, they took their oxen to Idaho
Part two of a series A jail sentence was threatened for members of the Houston County Military Committee after they ignored the first three draft calls. As the Civil War dragged on longer than anticipated, the United States was finally forced to initiate its first military draft in March of 1863, almost a year after the Confederacy’s first conscription. The county quota had … [Read more...]