Pedal Pushers Cafe Do you ever have one of those days when you get so busy that you forget to eat? And then long after lunch time, your stomach reminds you that you’re running on empty. This past week, I had one of those busy days. And, I had some traveling to do. So, I called Pedal Pushers Cafe for a carryout order. They’re one of our family’s favorite stops. There … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
CONFESSION: I am a wimp when it comes to vegetable gardening. I fought the weather, rabbits, weeds and blight; they won. So imagine my delight when my good friend, Gwen Nelson, dropped off a basket of fresh produce on my back steps. It contained broccoli, green beans, eggplant, cabbage, and my favorite TOMATOES! I grudgingly shared the tomatoes with my husband. My family … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County: The history of Drury’s in Fountain, Minnesota, is an interesting one!
In last week’s column I invited you to take a short trip north on Highway 52 and encouraged you to visit the spectacular Fillmore County History Center in beautiful Fountain, Minn. Hopefully, many of you took the time to visit the awesome museum and enjoyed seeing the painting done by Aaron L. Sleyster – “The Dam Over The Root River,” which was located on the Root River in … [Read more...]
A neighbor votes for whoever he dislikes the least
Sanctimonious senators! It’s that time again. I’m taking a break from a life of unbridled ecstasy to make this important announcement. If you’re the kind who notices things, and I’ll bet you are, you know an election is coming. I lost my mood ring, so I don’t know how I feel about that. Everyone already at the top wants to go even higher. The election started about four years … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: County commitment, caring couple create home, family for unfortunate
Last of two-part series This farmhouse was a residence to which few aspired. However, many unfortunate citizens were indeed fortunate to find a “home and family for 45 years” with Cyrilla and Valentine Esch at the Houston County Poor Farm. In 1901, the county decided to replace a condemned “poor house” near Hokah with a spacious replacement near Caledonia — built in 1903 with … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
A beaver tale In the dusky moments at the end of the day when the hush of evening descends, the loon’s song echoes through the forested lake land of northern Wisconsin. Besides the call of the loon, the whippoorwill serenades the northland’s listening ears. Yet these birds are not the only creatures taking advantage of the transition of day to night. A beaver family … [Read more...]
Fabulous fair foods
By Wanda Hanson The pandemic has caused virtually all of our small town celebrations and fairs to be cancelled; we’ve had to give up a lot of our usual summer activities, but there’s one part of those fairs you can still enjoy! Make your own fair food! I’ve been choosing a different food to make each week. Here are a few of my favorites. Cream puffs are versatile and easy to … [Read more...]
He almost traded a boat for a fiancée
It was a beautiful day for a morning. I was sauntering down a gravel road when a pickup truck towing a boat pulled up. The brakes squeaked in protest. The driver turned off the engine of his dented and duct-taped vehicle. It dieseled for a minute before ending in a loud backfire. The driver of that rusty steed was my neighbor Crandall, who said through an open window … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past; 1901: Houston County steps up, provides for the unfortunate
First of two parts “The present county poor-house is a very poor house indeed... a rickety old affair” said the Caledonia newspaper in 1892. Eighty-nine years later, the Houston County Poorhouse was described as a “model of beauty and utility” when nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. In between those two assessments, the county had decided to replace the … [Read more...]
Historic memories of Fillmore County: A treasured painting resides in Fountain, Minn.
As promised, from last week’s column regarding your having a chance to see at least one of the treasures from Aaron L. Sleyster’s Studio located in Preston, Minn., well over 125 years ago – it actually awaits you just a few miles away, up the road from Preston on Highway 52! Please take a trip soon to the Fillmore County Historical Center in beautiful Fountain, Minnesota and … [Read more...]