In recent weeks our good friend, poet and photographer, Aaron L. Sleyster, has taken us to the small towns of Forestville and Canton and entertained us with interesting poems about these very old towns. Today we have arrived in Fillmore County’s Seat, beautiful Preston, Minnesota, the poet’s town of residence for the very few years he lived in Minnesota before returning to … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Summer days Summer days bring much work on the farm. Lately, we have been baling hay. For that we need sunshine to dry the hay in the field. Some frequent rains can make the job frustrating. We make small square bales which used to be popular. On a farm adorned with gently rolling hills, small tractors and equipment do the job well. Our method for making hay bales … [Read more...]
Real Bites
Racks Bar & Grill I happened to be in Spring Valley, Minn., over the lunch hour, and Racks Bar & Grill has always been a great place to dine. This past Tuesday, I stopped by and ordered the daily lunch special. I just couldn’t say no to the beef brisket French dip with a choice of French fries or tater tots. The inner-child in me went with tater tots. I … [Read more...]
A conversation about rural mental health in youth
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate ATV training, grain bin safety, rural resilience… These were a few topics discussed during the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) virtual expo last week. One topic was more frequently discussed than any other, however: mental health. Stress levels on the farm are higher than ever. Those of us … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Skeletons and gold characterize colorful yore of Yucatan
Skeletons, corn whiskey, Indian mounds and rumors of gold are colorful images of the past for a hamlet with a curious name. More recently known for a popular supper club, the village of Yucatan is on Highway 4 between Houston and Spring Grove in the picturesque Yucatan Valley below wooded bluffs and hills in Yucatan Township of western Houston County. Today in 2020, there … [Read more...]
A rural perspective
“Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” I grew up in the 1960s inspired by these words from the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet, I am heartsick that today, over 50 years later, racial injustice continues to be a stain on our national character and a strain on our national unity. Recent tragedies have highlighted how far we have yet to travel … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County More information regarding… Aaron L. Sleyster’s poem, “The Canton Mystery”
As most of my readers already probably know, one of my biggest passions is researching the history of all of the small towns that make up our beautiful Fillmore County, Minn.! And then having … [Read more...]
It drowned out the sounds of many clarinets
“You live in the middle of nowhere.” The visitor who said that was from a big city. That caused me to reply in the traditional way, “Not really, but I can see nowhere from here.” I live not far from St. Aidan Catholic Cemetery. It’s near Bath, Minn., which falls in the category of a ghost town. The population is zero, but has 100% response to the Census. I visit there … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Big Spring, Black Maria, Great Depression led to valley becoming state park
In the 1890s, Farmer Oseth made a daily trek from his homeplace down into the valley with a yoke and pails of milk and cream to the what became known as the Big Spring, where his wooden tank was used as a cooling system. Others, who came by horse-drawn vehicles down a rocky road, began using the tank to cool their butter, melons and beverages. The water of Big Spring maintains … [Read more...]
Agriculture literacy in our communities
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate Think about the last time you filled up at the pump. What fuel did you use? Why? Thinkabout the labels on the food you buy. What do they mean? Think about the news stories you hear. What do we do to keep our water clean and the environment healthy? How do trade agreements impact our communities? Why do we see healthy livestock … [Read more...]