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...]
One Moment, Please… So many talented people
In this week’s issue of the Fillmore County Journal, our readers will notice a full page recognizing every member of our recently expanded team. And, as you scan that page, you’ll probably recognize a few familiar faces -- all local people serving local people. That’s right, our team (and company Christmas party) just got a little bigger. We gained all of this talent when … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County “Main Street, looking south, Fountain, Minnesota,” at least 100 years ago.
Leaving Preston and traveling north on 52, we arrive at the idyllic town of Fountain, Minn. Isn’t it fun when looking at these old photographs, that in spite of the fact that most of the buildings are gone, enough of them remain, enabling us to know exactly where we are and what we are seeing! There’s so much to take in as we study each one. The one entitled, “MAIN STREET, … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past: Four different “dead guys” delivered brief, breathless performances
PART 2 of summer musicals in Spring Grove Ye Olde Gray Barn, for the past 41 Spring Grove summers, has been the venue for annual musical theatre productions. Don Vesterse performed in the first 16 shows, the first of 80 lifetime performances in three states. He christened the barn (as a stage) with a bottle of champagne in 1979. There have been approximately 166 barn … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County A very famous preacher once visited an old Preston Church
Continuing on, (decades ago), my siblings and I have almost reached the Preston Elementary School! At the intersection of Fillmore and Pleasant Streets, two beautiful churches sat on opposite corners. We walked on the north side of the street allowing us to pass by a splendid red brick building, the glorious Preston Presbyterian Church. Even at a young age we were struck by its … [Read more...]