It's another day Goal achieved. I enjoy going places and seeing things. That was part of the reason I went out onto the deck of our home, but the primary reason was to fill the birdbath with water. I do that faithfully. Before I could pour any water, a northern house wren, a tiny bird whose name is bigger than it is, yelled at me. I don't believe he was shouting … [Read more...]
The Para-Normal Cotton Ball Mystery
Have you ever had a mystery take place in your own household? For me it happened just the other day. I have been using cotton balls twice daily. I used up the last few, so we got some from the grocery store to restock my collection. One night, I left the whole new package of 100 cotton balls on top of the bathroom vanity. The next morning, I looked for them … they had … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Coin-Collecting Monkeys and an Elephant on an Urgent Errand
Imagine traveling alone on a lonely, shadow-darkened, uphill road and suddenly coming toward you - is an elephant in a hurry. It was no rogue elephant intentionally terrorizing rural residents. To the contrary, it was a perfectly respectable, performing pachyderm, which often pushed wagons in between performing sites. That day in 1907, it was surely the only elephant in … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – The Gift of Gathering
Christ Lutheran Church, Preston “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) Recently I went to the library to check out a book. I found it easily enough, but along the way I noticed the displays: staff picks, new books, summer reads. Before I left, I had chosen a second book and enjoyed a conversation with the librarian. It was a … [Read more...]
I Was Within Walking Distance of a Parade
I'm trying to train the fridge to hum a happy tune. It's not going well. Its morose humming was wearing on me, and I wish to make its droning a bit more upbeat. I hope it learns the song, "I Love a Parade." Find the nearest table or desk and start marching around it. Everybody sing along in the key of off. "I love a parade, the tramping of feet. I love every beat I hear … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback – The Viking Battalion World War II
By Cheryl Boyum Eaton Peterson Museum Board Member On October 5, 2025, Olaf Minge and Kyle Ward came to Peterson, Minnesota, to talk about the Viking Battalion. They had previously visited the Peterson Station Museum, where volunteer Gail Boyum pointed out the World War II uniform of Earl Highum who had served in this battalion - noted by the Viking ship patch on his uniform … [Read more...]
Let the Good Times Roll in Canton
Canton Day Off returns August 14-16 with three days of food, music, games, family activities and community tradition in downtown Canton. Don your purple, green and gold attire and get ready for some fun. Organized by the Canton Community Association, the 147th annual celebration brings together longtime residents, former students and surrounding communities for the town’s … [Read more...]
Growing a Better Garden, One Season at a Time
Summer has always been my favorite season. I love the feeling of warm sunshine, fresh air, and endless days spent outside. Whether I’m playing fetch with our dog, hammocking on the deck, or working away in my garden, there’s just something magical about this time of year. The garden is, without a doubt, my happy place. Each year my husband and I try to make our garden a bit … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Nobody Knew Where the Border Was
The southern border of Houston County and Fillmore County is the Iowa state line. When settlers arrived in southeast Minnesota Territory in 1852, Iowa had been a state for six years. But the border was only a line on a map. On the ground, nobody knew where the Iowa border was. When the territories of Minnesota and Iowa could not agree on a boundary, Congress intervened. … [Read more...]
Just Having Fun!!! Laughter, Giggles, And Orange Hair!!!
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) Just having fun! Here’s a picture of two of my granddaughters having fun with grandpa! How do you like my new hairstyle? We were having a happy and fun time together during the week of the Fillmore County Fair. There was a lot of … [Read more...]