B & B Bowl and Restaurant This past week, I was out restocking copies of the Visit Bluff Country Magazine at various locations. The B & B Bowl and Restaurant in Preston, Minn., is one of our busiest locations. They get a lot of traffic and therefore go through a lot of magazines. During my travels, hunger hit me right around the time I arrived at “The B & … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
Preston was not racially diverse in the 1960s when I was growing up. My sisters and I stood out because we had red hair! The entire community applauded when the Norwegian Lutheran Church and the German Lutheran Church joined together and built a new church. Anything different was suspect, like the way Elvis moved his pelvis and the Beatles’ long hair. I didn’t know that … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Epidemic of 2020 not the first to halt Houston County Fair
First of a two-part series. This summer of 2020 is not the first time for the Houston County Fair to be canceled. Health concerns have now caused three cancelations and a move to another city. The 1925 fair was not held due to a nationwide epidemic of infantile paralysis (polio), the same disease that caused cancelation in 1946. However, there were junior fairs held later … [Read more...]
The food supply chain: getting food from farm to fork
By Maddie Smith National FFA Officer Candidate Milk is expensive yet farmers are dumping it... How does this happen!? When we think about essential workers during the pandemic, we most often think about healthcare workers and grocery store workers. Looking at our grocery stores, however, there are plenty more heroes to add to that list. When we grab food off of the … [Read more...]
A swagger isn’t far from a limp
His ancient pickup had undergone more oil changes than any vehicle in Iowa. That’s what legends are made of. I knew him because his son and I had gone to different schools in adjacent states together. He was a leaning man due to a limp and wore bib overalls as his garb of contentment. “How’s your good self?” I asked. He took it from there. He was typically a man of few … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County: The Old Mill
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...]