By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Did you know that during his lifetime, Rev. Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 Christian hymns? He along with his brother Rev. John Wesley were major figures in the Methodist movement. Wesley’s hymns expressed some of the core beliefs … [Read more...]
The Best Time to Buy a Used Car is When it’s New
“You can keep the extra steering wheel.” I remember the car salesman saying that because it’s not something I hear every day. I was a whippersnapper buying a car that wasn’t secondhand. A few more hands than that were involved, but it hid its rust well, wasn’t haunted, and had an AM radio that could find WDGY and its pulsating rock and roll most days. The car didn’t run … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Time Flies When You’re Having Fun! Actually, Time Just Flies!
By Pastor Marke Geselle Valley Christian Center “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14 I guess so!!! I went to my high school class reunion on Saturday and there were a bunch of old people there! A get together to celebrate (if that’s the right term) 45 years. 45 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The Day the U. S. President Got Lost in Fillmore County
It probably wouldn’t happen in the 21st century, with GPS and cell phones. But it was common for motorists to stop and ask for directions during the 20th century – but usually not by someone driving two secret service agents – and the president of the United States! On September 12, 1938, about three weeks before his 75th birthday, Fred. C. Sandte, clad in his farm-work … [Read more...]
Thyme & Again – A Daily Dose of La Dolce Vita
By Angela Denstad Time and again we treasure summer as a season of ease and adventure: a relaxing of the routine, the runaround, the wardrobe — a time for embracing an easy, breezy bonhomie. I’ve been enjoying my summer vacation for weeks now … except for the fact that I haven’t had one. Not in the usual sense, anyway. I haven’t taken any time off from work, engaged in … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I see a lot of motorists pulling campers and trailers that don’t have experience or simply don’t know what they are doing. I see some crashes that I suspect are due to this. Can you talk about pulling campers and trailers? Answer: If you pull a camper or trailer with your vehicle, you must maintain at least 500 feet of following distance from other vehicles. When … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Did a U.S. President Ever Visit Houston County?
Did a United States president ever visit Houston County? The answer depends on the interpretation of the word “president.” Ulysses S. Grant visited Houston County several times, but it was before he led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War (1861-1865) and go on to become the 18th president, elected both in 1868 and 1872. It is thought no sitting president ever … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Grounded in Creation
By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston God continuously creates and there is much to enjoy in our natural world. During the summer I love the depths of green growing throughout the driftless region. I love the changing flow of the rivers as water rains down and fills them or dry weeks lessen their flow. I love the wildflowers blooming, the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback – The Rise and Fall of the Local Creamery
By Bretta Grabau Fillmore County Historical Society In the early years of Fillmore County, small family farms dominated the fabric of the resident’s way of life. Often these farms had a variety of animals - cattle, chickens, pigs, and horses - rather than only raising crops, cattle or pigs. However, farmers acquired bigger herds and oftentimes would need an entity that … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – There’s a Proverbial Lady in my Closet
Let me start by digging myself a hole. We’ve all heard the story of that lady (of course, no one I’ve ever known) who goes into her closet full of clothes and bemoans with a sigh, “I have NOTHING to wear!” Ok ok, we can make an excuse for her, like “those are winter clothes” or “I’m not feeling like that color today,” or “the laundry bin has taken my favorite shirt hostage.” … [Read more...]