Small towns are having a difficult time surviving, let alone thriving. Young people graduate and move away because there are no jobs. Dwindling populations cause stores to close so people drive to big box stores out of town to shop. This causes more stores to close. It is a vicious cycle. If a town loses a school, it might make matters even worse. County seats are … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Restoration and degradation As cars pull in full of people dressed in sensible shoes and long sleeves, the annual wildflower walk of the Harmony Garden Club is about to commence. A warm, sunny morning welcomes us as the first tinge of green is visible in the surrounding forests. Our hosts, members of the group, welcome us to their several-hundred acre property. Everyone is … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I am ALMOST positive that spring (the season without snow but with green grass and flowers will arrive) just like it always has. Spring will be followed by summer and that great American Tradition: a vacation which entails sponging on your relatives for a cheap getaway. Just buy a summer lake cabin or a time share or move to an exotic location and relatives that you have … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Winter grumpiness prevails; spring bliss to appear soon By the time my dear readers see this article in mid-April, I hope and pray that warmth and thawing have returned. However, at the time of this writing in early April, there is massive grumpiness throughout the land. Snow and cold weather haunted us with a vengeance in March and April. We barely dodged two winter storm … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Wounded woods “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his business, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of death in a community that believes … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I may have been watching too many episodes of “Ancient Aliens.” I am wondering what humans will be like in the far, far distant future. I predict that humans will no longer have voice boxes. Instead they will have a texting device installed in their hand at birth. Fingers will be elongated and pointed at the tips, better to text with other humans. Many are bemoaning the … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
To those seeking homes in the west Like many of my retired compatriots, I find myself in a the process of decluttering our household. Boxes, shelves, closets and filing cabinets hold the precious stories of our lives, along with reams of useless paper that is better sent off for recycling. I am not one to “just toss it all,” as my husband encourages, but I am game to go … [Read more...]
A View From The Woods
Book club I assess our new local heritage pork supply in the freezer, fresh kohlrabi stored in the basement, refrigerator potatoes stashed in a cool closet. Between cookbooks, a messy stack of clipped recipes and and online cooking sites, I select a menu and plan out a timetable. Fresh ham roast with maple syrup and balsamic sauce, cranberry walnut slaw, mashed sweet potatoes … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
The woman two aisles over from me who was also checking out of the store seemed to have captured everyone’s attention. Since her back was to me, I was trying to figure out why other customers were staring at her. She was of medium height, medium build with short brown hair. Maybe she was some celebrity. Maybe she was robbing the store. No, the cashier was smiling and … [Read more...]
Recycling 101
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator After a long break from this article, Recycling 101 is back with a new author. LaVerne Paulson has officially retired and we want to wish him the best with his retirement and thank him for his service to Fillmore County! Having grown up adjacent to Fillmore County in Olmsted, I have been trying to figure out where to start with … [Read more...]