My granddaughter was playing on the floor in front of me as I watched her from my armchair. She may have been about five at the time. Suddenly she stopped what she was doing and her expression became serious. She looked up and said “I care about you!” I don’t know what prompted her words but it was especially remarkable as we were separated by many miles and seldom were … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: Reflection of ourselves
By Leah Himlie If someone walked down every street of Minneapolis and counted the number of people of color, how many would that person see? If a survey of the entire state of Minnesota was conducted, how many people would check a box declaring their sexual orientation something other than straight? In the United States, how many would state their religion to be something … [Read more...]
Final 2020 tax levies for Chatfield and other areas
To the Editor, I believe that all of these percentages have been published in area newspapers. •City of Chatfield, 6.38% •City of Spring Valley, 5.45% •City of Lanesboro, 5% •City of Preston, 4.57% •City of Austin, 4% •Fillmore County, 3.49% •City of Rushford, 3.45% •Houston County, 3% •City of Plainview, 1.7% •City of Wykoff, no … [Read more...]
Vote!
To the Editor, So how important is the March 3 primary election? For Democrats, there is a choice of 15 candidates for the Presidential nomination. These 15 people have many different ideas about how the country should change for the better. Which one do you agree with most? For Republicans, it may seem like there is no choice – why go vote at all? But you do have a … [Read more...]
A crooked piece of time in America
To the Editor, At Trump rallies, he spews lies right in the faces of his supporters while they clap and cheer. Often, these seemingly mindless cult followers begin chanting, “Lock her up!” Hillary Clinton was investigated about Benghazi by the Republican Congress 22 times with no wrongdoing found. The FBI investigated the Hillary email issue and found no wrongdoing. Trump … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Let’s play movie trivia. I will give you clues, and you guess the name of the movie. What movie featured ruby slippers and flying monkeys? What movie had a dead horse’s head appear in a man’s bed? What movie had priests trying to rid a girl of the devil inside her who gave her the power to turn her head all the way around and spit green goop? The answers are The Wizard of … [Read more...]
Who benefits?
Two months ago, I argued that the existence of billionaires is just one of the many parts of our society that leads to suffering and frustration, and that we really shouldn’t allow one person to have a thousand million dollars while others are dying in the streets. One month ago, I backed up the idea that people with ridiculous amounts of money are a bad idea for the rest of us … [Read more...]
Leadership matters
At the time of the American Revolution, the future United States was a small, colonial backwater on the world stage. There were an estimated 2-3 million people living here. Yet it somehow produced an array of talented, creative thinkers and politicians — Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, Franklin, and others — who forged this republic we still inhabit. It’s … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Masters track and field: Give it a shot
By Kaycie Bellrichard If you thought your athletic passions had to end when you were young, think again. Did you know there are track and field meets for adults ages 30 and up all around the nation? Organizations such as USA Track and Field, State Games of America, and the National Senior Games offer track and field meets for older adults, often referred to as Masters track … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau February, though a short month, is known for several notable things. Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays are among them. Valentine’s Day, another occasion, is included in the mix of memorable dates, reminding us of special people to whom we can express our love. This year our shortest month of the year has an extra day, giving us another leap year. … [Read more...]