Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery This past weekend, a collection of relatives gathered at Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery, just outside of Spring Valley, Minn. We celebrated Randy Reiter’s 50th birthday, a little earlier than usual, because the weather was perfect. This is my wife’s brother. We selected Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery because we’ve all agreed … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
I’ve got plants in tough places... We all have it; the frustrating spot in the garden where nothing seems to want to grow. Many gardeners respond by planting tough plants. Hosta for shade, even though the deer eat it. Iris for full sun, even though the bloom time is so short. Some plants, although challenging to find, are great candidates for tough spaces in the landscape. The … [Read more...]
Real Bites- Good Times Restaurant and Bar
I had a meeting scheduled in Caledonia, Minn., recently, and Good Times Restaurant and Bar was the place of choice. Over the past decade, our family has spent quite a bit of time in Caledonia, attending basketball games for our daughter and son. So, we have become quite familiar with Good Times. Restaurant owner Sarah Glasrud runs a fine establishment. Caledonia has quite … [Read more...]
Real Bites – Shari’s Sports Saloon & Lanes
At the newspaper, many of us wear multiple hats. Paul Trende is our sports coverage guru along with some other reporting, and he also makes sure all of the newspapers make it to each post office location in our coverage area. When the newspaper grows beyond a certain page count, we have to haul over 5,000 pounds of newspapers in two one-ton vans to get the newspapers … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
Well, it is about time to take down the old Christmas tree. Some years I have been the lone decorator. At other times I have been delighted by a surprise when my family put up the tree and donned it with lights, garlands and ornaments. Our first Christmas tree filled our apartment with the typical refreshing scent of pine. As a young married couple, our budget did not allow … [Read more...]
Real Bites – Trout City Brewing
We’ve had a few breweries pop up in the Fillmore County area in the past five years, which is quite a draw for tourists and locals alike. One in Chatfield, Fountain, Preston, and Lanesboro. In the 2020-2021 Visit Bluff Country Magazine, there was even a brewery, distillery, and wine tour map dedicated to promoting these venues. In Preston, Minn., they are fortunate to … [Read more...]
Real Bites – Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar
Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar Within the past couple weeks, I was blessed with a couple of great opportunities in Rushford, Minn. First, I was looking forward to my dental check-up at Rushford Dental Clinic. I was seriously excited about going to the dentist. My teeth always feel so good after they’ve been cleaned. And, I think it is important to be aware of the … [Read more...]
A Little of This a Little of That
The adults were whispering, and when I entered the room, they were silent. That’s when children (whose parents swear that they are hard of hearing) really start to listen. Being exceptionally nosy and very good at hearing behind a closed door, I decided to investigate. The adults were talking about my Grandma Ruth, the matriarch of the family. What had my sainted … [Read more...]
November Stroll
I made my way this morning to my rural mailbox to send a gift to a friend. Its blistered paint reminded me that it needs some tender loving care. Mild temperatures called out and lured me to stroll around this old farm. I noticed the sights and sounds today that I have so long neglected. Horizon to horizon stretched a canopy of varied shades of gray. Naked tree … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
Growing up in a large family, dinner was always an important topic of discussion. Every week, each of us four kids would give a meal suggestion. My brother’s pick was typically overruled because he always wanted steak. The oldest sibling asked for spaghetti every week. The youngest was easily pleased with macaroni and cheese or chicken nuggets. I fall somewhere in the middle, … [Read more...]