To be honest with you I think this is probably the most exciting, unbelievable, title for any column that I have ever been a part of – thrilling, to say the least! Once again, we have none other than Flip Huggenvik to thank for this historic treasure! If he had not shared this extraordinary narrative and the images accompanying it, none of us would have ever been able to … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – RFD delivers mail, eliminates most Houston County post offices
A new postal rural route out of Spring Grove, to be established in October of 1905, would discontinue the post office in Yucatan, according to the September 8, 1905, edition of the Winona Republican-Herald. An additional route from Rushford would cross the county line and service Money Creek. The post office at Money Creek (established in 1856) was discontinued in August of … [Read more...]
The best gift of all
Hopefully this finds all of you plowed out and sidewalks shoveled so you can have friends and family over for Christmas. The weekend is fast approaching and, if you haven’t taken the time to be good yet this year, you barely have time to squeeze in a good deed or two so… hurry up! If you have been reminiscing as you put up the tree this year and hung the lights, my hope is … [Read more...]
Real Bites – Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar
Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar Within the past couple weeks, I was blessed with a couple of great opportunities in Rushford, Minn. First, I was looking forward to my dental check-up at Rushford Dental Clinic. I was seriously excited about going to the dentist. My teeth always feel so good after they’ve been cleaned. And, I think it is important to be aware of the … [Read more...]
It isn’t fake-effect snow
What’s your favorite part of living where you do? How would you describe where you live in a single sentence? Did you mention the weather in your second answer but not the first? Someone from southern Alabama called and offered me a writing gig. He asked about the weather. That’s obligatory. I told him I was putting the skis on my rocking chair. A caller from … [Read more...]
Noticing more
Kristi Danielson-Vreeman notices more and sees more than she used to — not because of glasses or surgery — but because she’s a photographer! Small details that might have previously gone unnoticed now become subjects of her photographs; close-ups of spiderwebs become crystal creations. Kristi’s dad bought her a 110 flash camera when she was 12 years old, thus nurturing a … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – Eating together is feminist art
By Maddy Bergey Ever since I can remember, I have indulged in my grandma’s cooking. This came from a place of being a hungry child whose days at her grandparents’ revolved around holding a spelling bee, watching “Days Of Our Lives”, sketching runway-worthy outfits, and especially admiring Grandma’s large collection of cookbooks. These cookbooks were planned, created, and … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Changing that inner voice
Many individuals, young and old, struggle with inner conflicts. It is a daily struggle for many people that can last for years or decades if there is not a shift in one’s inner critic. This is not a slow and easy process for anyone; like anything else, changing this inner voice takes time, patience, and practice. Recently, I went on a women’s retreat with my mother. This is … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County The Daniel Dayton family – The Ravine House… A pioneer life in Big Spring, Minn., Part V – the final segment!
By Dianne Ruud Today’s column marks the fifth and final segment of the fabulous “Daniel Dayton Family Story,” authored by my good friend “Flip” (Brian) Huggenvik! Last week we enjoyed seeing family pictures of Aaron and Rosalie Dayton and their children, Emily and John. We left off as Flip was giving many details of the Dayton family members lives as they matured and moved … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Railroad cars afloat on the river; stagecoaches replaced
With the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, transcontinental stagecoach traffic ended. The arrival of railroads in southeast Minnesota in the 1860s and ‘70s signaled the demise of stagecoach passenger service. By 1880, most of Minnesota was accessible by railroad. And it would not be long before automobiles replaced stagecoaches in the delivery of mail. In … [Read more...]