Part one of a series Maybe on the bank of a river, smaller stream or a slough (rhyming with flew), there was the thrill of the pursuit and the later savoring of the flavor. It could involve a family, a couple of buddies or just one person. When growing up on a farm in the 1940s and 1950s, fishing was one of the few enjoyable activities for which there was time and also … [Read more...]
How firm a foundation…
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) A long time ago I was doing some work at the old church in Lenora. As many of you know, the historic Lenora Church has been a labor of love for me over the years. While working in the yard, my shovel struck a buried rock about a foot under the ground. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Bayonet threat: “Say you’re a Yankee!”
Horses needed rest after about 10 miles of pulling a stagecoach. In Houston County, the Lorette House was either the first or the last stop for a stream of stagecoaches traveling between La Crosse and St. Paul, following what later became County Highway 25. When white settlers arrived in the mid-1900s, a stagecoach was the only public transportation and safer than traveling … [Read more...]
The way, and the truth, and the life
Rev. Peter J. Haugen St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church On the night when our Lord Jesus was betrayed, the hearts of His disciples were troubled. He had been explaining to them yet again that it was necessary for their own sakes that He depart from them, and that they themselves knew the way to where He was going. But the hearts of the disciples were troubled. So an … [Read more...]
I’m no Latin scholar — mea culpa isn’t my fault
I’d turn pro if there was an apologetic league. I can say “I’m sorry” with the best of them. I can say “I was wrong,” but it takes more effort. My difficulty is nothing compared to politicians who refuse to admit being wrong even when provided with irrefutable proof of their errors (there’s no bottom to politics) or from economists who claim to have been right even when … [Read more...]
Fresh off the farm – The most important thing about your trip around the sun
The most important thing about your trip around the sun Yesterday, I completed another 584 million-mile trip around the sun. If you’re like me, my brain can’t comprehend that many miles. In order to travel that many miles in a year, Google tells me that’s 67,000 mph or 18.5 miles per second, which is like running a marathon in 1.4 seconds. Traveling that fast would be like … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Putting more water into an already full cup
Part two They walked from the ridge down through the woods into a valley below. Their intention was sure - while swinging wooden bats, to challenge the yet unseen adversary. It was school year 1949-1950 in Houston County when two country grade school teachers had arranged for their one-room school students to meet for a picnic and softball game. It was a highly unusual and … [Read more...]
Cowboy’s “Code of the West”
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish - United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley For about the last 15 years, our parish church in Cherry Grove has hosted a Cowboy Church Service at 6 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. Musicians from around the area come to share their vocal and instrumental music talents and all are welcome … [Read more...]
Life can be a slippery slope, but it’s a fantabulous ride
We were as young as we’d ever be. It was a major celebration. Nobody can throw a wingding like a small town. There were class reunions, a dance, a car show, a parade and a bocce ball tournament. The same team wins the bocce ball tournament each year. They’re the Atlanta Braves of bocce ball. I had the pleasure of selling used books as a fundraiser for the library. How do we … [Read more...]
I wonder what a garbage disposal’s least favorite food is
I was eating one of the few things Joey Chestnut hadn’t yet devoured. I ate a pickled egg while accompanied by the “Ewwww” sounds made by those assembled to eat other things. I’m as young as I’ll ever be, so please don’t yuck my yum. I’d been walking early that morning. I was wearing closed-toe sandals and a tiny pebble found its way inside a sandal and with each step, it … [Read more...]