By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches On the morning I wrote this, the thermometer read 4º when I got up. Brr! Something compelled me, though, so I put on several layers, covering all but my eyes, and headed out the door for my morning walk. It was cold, but as a true Minnesotan, I knew it could be worse! I walked west for a bit, then … [Read more...]
Hobby: Tina’s treats
A preconceived idea that some people have is that gluten free food is bland, gritty, and/or just plain unappetizing. Tina Darr can definitely prove that conception wrong! Tina shared gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, lemon bars, rolled out sugar cookies, cheese cake, and coconut custard pie with me and all of them were absolutely fabulous! Tina … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County To My Muse
Aaron L. Sleyster’s photo studio stocked within its walls a myriad of items for sale. We can only imagine what it was like to have had the privilege of purchasing merchandise from him. The list would have been truly extraordinary and included: books of poetry, paintings, cabinet photographs of adults, children, babies, landscapes, cityscapes, buildings, bridges; and … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Several states enlisted Houston County volunteers
Part one Even before the Civil War began, some in Houston County were organizing for combat. In February of 1861, while many were still pursuing a peaceful solution, Caledonia’s Col. Sam McPhail, a Mexican War veteran, sought to form a regiment. Having lived in the South, he “appreciated the temper of the fire-eaters and knew that if resisted, they would fight.” Fifteen … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Health – gift and task
By Pastor Mark Docken Chatfield Lutheran Church Root Prairie Lutherand Church Gift: We fail to notice the marvel of how much health we have and the mystery of how much health goes on around us and within us. Powerful industries keep us so focused on what could be wrong with us that we fail to notice the gift of how well our bodies and spirits function. Ours is an age of … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
In movies, books and even in real life, opposites attract. You understand the science behind magnets, right? Enough said. My question is does this attraction of opposites last when the novelty wears off? This is the true story of two ordinary high school students growing up in tiny towns in the Midwest. Let’s call them J. and K. They are both juniors in high school and … [Read more...]
Smelling the dairy air
I’ll admit it, I’ve never milked almonds. I’ve never milked soybeans, rice, oats, hemp, flax, coconuts or cashews either. Apparently, milk comes from everything but milkweed. “Were you born in a barn?” I’m often asked when failing to close a door. I hadn’t been, but I took field trips to the dairy barn each day. It was a nice place to visit but I didn’t want to live there. … [Read more...]
Rural Spring Grove resident, Kristi Knutson, sews sweater mittens at 4:30 a.m. before heading to work
Passion, a compelling emotion, is a common thread that seems to run through every person that takes up a hobby in their spare time for pleasure or relaxation. They enjoy continuously learning about their hobbies, and it is common for them to have more than one hobby. Spring Grove resident Kristi Knutson mentioned over and over throughout the interview how much she loves her … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County – To the Public
This little poem was printed on a circular, which was used as an advertisement for “Howard Gray and Other Poems.” It sets forth admirably the tender feeling of a young artist, Aaron L. Sleyster, for his first production. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – One room, one dipper, one wash dish, one clean towel each week
“We had one tin wash dish and one clean towel each week,” recalled 87-year-old Bridgette M. (O’Brien) Hennessy while reflecting on more than four decades of teaching (about 1908 to 1956) at Vinegar Hill School between Money Creek and Rushford before retiring at age 70. “The water was carried from a neighbor’s house, and we all drank from the same dipper. There was never an … [Read more...]