We’ve had a few breweries pop up in the Fillmore County area in the past five years, which is quite a draw for tourists and locals alike. One in Chatfield, Fountain, Preston, and Lanesboro. In the 2020-2021 Visit Bluff Country Magazine, there was even a brewery, distillery, and wine tour map dedicated to promoting these venues. In Preston, Minn., they are fortunate to … [Read more...]
Naturally
I heard a bird singing merrily on high. It was a crow. It was 30 years ago. I still played basketball. After a hard-fought battle on the hardwood, I stopped at a supermarket to make my shopping list happy. There was a stack of heated dog dishes by the door. They were not big sellers as they’d been reduced to $2. I bought one as any big spender would have. I should have bought … [Read more...]
You, too, can be a machinist in your own home
Are you looking for a hobby to take your mind off COVID-19? Relieve stress? Create an additional source of income? Hobbies not only relieve stress, but they can also promote good stress, known as eustress. “Eustress is a positive type of stress that makes you excited about what you’re doing. The excitement you feel translates to your life in general.” Check out … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County – Dr. William J. Mayo makes a house call in Fillmore County via a horse and buggy, in 1896!
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...]