By Angela Denstad Summer’s coming, and time and again so many of us are fortunate in having something to celebrate: birthdays, graduations, public holidays, family gatherings, good weather, life in general. And throughout human history, bakers have offered cakes as their contribution to celebratory events, some of them grand enough to be the celebration itself. But cake … [Read more...]
Soil Testing for Lawns and Gardens
By Katie Drewitz As you look at your spring to-do list, one of the first things should be getting a soil test done, if you have not done one in the past three years. Understanding your soil is important for a successful lawn or garden. Soil analysis can help to determine the current state of the soil. You will also receive recommendations for best performance. This time of … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback “The Whispering Cup”
By Cheryl Boyum Eaton Peterson Station Museum Board Vice President Mabel Seeley wrote her third murder mystery in January 1940. It was published by Doubleday & Company of New York City and distributed nationally by the Crime Book Club. The setting for this novel was a place called Cup. In the novel, its main character, Solveig, has just returned to Cup after living and … [Read more...]
Passwords Just Want to be Remembered
If you find a quiet place, lean in and listen hard, you’ll hear a reverberating sound. It’s produced by multitudes clicking on “Forgot your password?” A friend said, “I used to be able to remember all my passwords.” He was a friend, so I didn’t reply, “That’s because you had no passwords to remember in your used-to-be days.” He griped that each time he changed a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Heyday and Final Days of Scenic Lake Como
Part two of a two-part series Boys sold minnows to fishermen, but most profitable was what John Kelly called their “little show.” At the waterfalls, Kelly and friends dived from a high bank into the deep pool. Meanwhile, another boy was passing a hat among spectators. Around 1900, decades-old, man-made Lake Como in Hokah had become a recreation destination. It was an … [Read more...]
Garage Sales
By Pastor Marke Geselle Valley Christian Center “As I walked into our church today, I walked into a maze of STUFF! You name it and it was probably in our foyer and fellowship hall. The ladies are preparing for a church garage sale to help provide ministry funds to use for our church’s women’s retreat at the end of the month and for other ministry endeavors. Stuff here, … [Read more...]
The 2025-2026 Edition of Visit Bluff County Magazine has Arrived!
Get ready to explore the scenic beauty and small-town charm of Historic Bluff Country with the release of the 2025-26 Visit Bluff Country magazine. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip, an overnight stay, or a weekend adventure, this guide is your must-have resource. Packed with stunning photography, travel inspiration, and fan favorites, the magazine is your companion … [Read more...]
You Might Change the World or You Might Change its Diaper
Graduates remember everything a speaker says as, “Blah, blah, blah.” I was at a graduation ceremony during a high school’s last roundup. The institution was down to its final three graduates. The salutatorian gave a talk before the valedictorian did her spiel. The one I was there to see grab a diploma didn’t give a speech. I knew where his class ranking was – last. He … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Lake Como – the Early Days and the Heyday
Part one of a two-part series Tourists arrived for a day or for a vacation from not only nearby towns and Winona but also from Austin and even Chicago. They came first by horse and buggy and later on passenger excursion railroad cars as well as on steamboats and ferries from La Crosse. The destination was the tourist town of Hokah, Houston County, Minnesota. The … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – Walk with Legends
I remember doing dumb things. The worst part is, at the time, they all seemed like great ideas! I don’t know if it’s true for most teenagers, but it seems that the majority of head-shaking ideas come from overly excited boys in the midst of development. One of my all-time favorite memes is of two young boys taking turns hitting each other in the forehead with a garbage can … [Read more...]