Remember when Remember when we carried on with our lives without a care in the world about catching a virus? I remember being on a plane traveling for a work trip when a mother with three young children boarded and clogged the main aisle as she spent a good 10 minutes using Lysol wipes to clean the seats, arm rests, and flip down tables before she allowed her children to sit … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The things people say to each other on social media
While I believe there are some positive initiatives that have been launched from platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and the like, we cannot deny the negatives. A young man around 26 years old recently got into an argument with someone on Twitter. The person on the other end responded by tracking this young man down and shooting him in front of his family. The story … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Independence Day celebrated in Eitzen during three different centuries
As in many communities all over the United States, in the bicentennial year of 1976, there was a Fourth of July celebration in Eitzen, Minn. Most likely unbeknown to those gathering along the state line that day, it was more than a century after the first Independence Day celebration in the Eitzen area, and the 1976 commemoration would soon inspire a popular, annual, bistate … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County “A Trip to Forestville, October 26, 1895”
This week will see a change in our planned journey into exploring the history of Drury’s Furniture Store in Fountain, Minn. Don’t worry though, that story will be just around the corner! In light of the current world situation and the ongoing pandemic, many folks are planning to stay closer to home this summer, perhaps taking short day trips. We have an awesome, spectacular … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Garbau From one generation to another This year has been eventful and, as I write, it is only May. My dear mother passed away. My husband and daughter traveled out of the country for a mission trip. Briefly after their return, we all came down with COVID-19. We spent 35 days in quarantine. Now that our health has been restored, it is time for farm work. My … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
By Jessi Jablonski How much should I water? One of the most asked questions to gardeners is “How much water does the garden need?” The simple answer is about one inch of water per week. How you water is just as important as how much you water. There are many variables that go into determining each garden’s needs. Let us review some of the factors that can influence your … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Trespassing spelling pranks, late-night hijinks high above Houston
There was a morning when residents of Houston, Minn., looked up to see the word “HOKAH” in huge white letters on the hillside above town. Another morning, the letters spelled “TOOLBOX,” the nickname of a Houston schoolteacher. The lettering originally spelled “HOUSTON,” and most mornings it did. The 24-foot-high, 14-foot-wide letters were originally arranged with local surface … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County “Main Street, looking north, in Fountain, Minn., over 100 years ago!”
Last week found us looking south on Main Street in Fountain, Minn. We are still in town, have come to the end of the street, and are now heading back, traveling north. And oh what a view it is! The first building on the left, well I don’t pretend to know what was behind those doors so long ago. But I do know up until the time it closed in the 70s or 80s, it was the home of The … [Read more...]
A little of this, a little of that
Lots of things have changed since the pandemic started. Alcohol sales have gone up 141%. Online sales of pajamas have gone up 143% . Sales of bras and long pants have gone way down. You can draw your own conclusions from this information. Having plenty of time at home, I made this list to get myself organized before the world opens up again. To Do List 1. Organize my … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Yankees, candlelight, one tragic snowy night at Portland Prairie
An appetite and maybe a covered dish are appropriate for a picnic on the grounds following the only summer worship service. The Christmas Eve service requires bulky attire, since there is no heat or electricity. Spots of once-dripping wax can be found on hymnal pages, since carols are sung by the light of hand-held candles. It is not possible to light the six surviving kerosene … [Read more...]