By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston Have you noticed how much Jesus prays? Throughout the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus pray when he is baptized, lonely or tired, and making important decisions. One of the prayers Christians recite most often is the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught this prayer after being asked by a disciple for Jesus to teach him … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – “Famous-er” Than Taylor Swift
I recently heard one of my daughters tell someone; “You’re famous-er than Taylor Swift!” What a crazy thought! It got me thinking about fame and things in my life that are most important. How would I act if I were to spend a day with someone who I admired and who was most famous to me? Sometimes we like to imagine what it would be like to host a famous person for a day. How … [Read more...]
Have a Good Nice Day and a Nice Good Day
“There were no flies on Frank that morning.” A popular nonsensical poem titled “No Flies on Frank” starts that way in John Lennon’s book, “In His Own Write.” Frank didn’t have a good day, even without flies. I heard a store clerk, ringing up a purchase, ask a customer, “How’s it going?” “I’m having a little problem with my ears.” “Good to hear,” said the clerk. The clerk, … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – The Obesity Epidemic
By Davian Koren The obesity epidemic is a significant public health concern that affects millions of people around the world. According to the CDC, 73.6% of Americans over the age of 20 are either overweight or obese.¹ Being overweight leads to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and even stroke. It can even make you more at risk of developing certain … [Read more...]
2025 Century and Sesquicentennial Farm Applications
By Katie Drewitz The 2025 Minnesota Century Farm recognition program and 2025 Minnesota Sesquicentennial Farm recognition program applications are now open! The annual application deadline is the first Monday in March (March 3, 2025), and must be received by the sponsoring organization by that date (this is not a postmark deadline). Qualified applications received after … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – It Finally Caught Up With Me
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Even since the days of the pandemic, I have been very careful with taking needed precautions with regard to COVID-19. Well...it finally caught up with me early in January 2025. I was fully vaccinated so I am thankful the symptoms were mild. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Playing Ball Betwixt the Walls
Walls, a wood stove and even spectators were hazards; you might run or dribble into one – or someone. But it was too cold to play outside when high school basketball was first witnessed in Caledonia. The year was 1907; the venue was the Hundt Opera House, which built on North Badger Street, was originally intended to provide an indoor roller-skating rink. But that rolling … [Read more...]
Eat Well, Be Well, Have Fun
“You learn to cook so that you don’t have to be a slave to recipes” – Julia Child I am a combination of a man of a certain age, self-employed for 20 some years, and kind of retired. Together over the years it has allowed me to do a lot more cooking. Moving from the Twin Cities some 20 years ago, and living in the country without a new fun and interesting ethnic … [Read more...]
The Hospital Said My Wallet Had to Come Out
Finders, keepers. Losers, weepers. I don’t believe that idiom. I’ve found lost wallets, purses, a laptop computer, a tablet, cellphones, a camera, a spotting scope, car keys, dogs, used bubble gum and a class ring. I turned them all over to the proper authorities and trust they were reunited with their owners. I was telling stories in Illinois when I found a thick wallet … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Checking Your Resolutions
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches How is 2025 going for you so far? A new year often signifies a fresh start for many people but, more often than not, resolutions set on December 31 are abandoned a few weeks into January. Practiced in most parts of the world, people set goals for a new year which revolve around continuing good … [Read more...]