By Angela Denstad Time and again a new year dawns and we’re urged to identify areas in which we might improve ourselves. And just as quickly, we’re presented with grim statistics of how few of us reach our goals. “Quitter’s Day” was last Friday and, if you failed to observe it, good for you! But are the majority of us just lazy and uninspired? I choose to believe … [Read more...]
Walsh/Gatzke Family Wraps Up Christmas Dinner Tradition
It all started with Ellen Scheevel, Jo Fitzgerald, and Lois Barlow. The three friends talked about the idea of hosting a community Christmas dinner for a few years before deciding to go for it in 1998. That first year, they held it in the basement of St. Columban’s Catholic Church in Preston with an attendance of between 30 and 40 people. Over the next few years, the numbers … [Read more...]
Local Food Shelves Busy During Holiday Season
It’s the biggest time of year for many charities and other helping organizations as the holiday spirit encourages giving and an outward focus. That holds true for the Semcac food shelves in Preston, Caledonia and Rushford, as well as for other area food shelves. The holiday season is the biggest time of year for donations. Local businesses, churches, and even schools across … [Read more...]
The Messy Apron Chronicles – It’s Nice to Meet You
Cooking is fundamentally about connections between people. Food possesses a unique power that transcends cultural boundaries, allowing individuals to gather and share moments together. As Guy Fieri eloquently stated, “Food is maybe the only thing that really has the power to bring everyone together.” He truly captures the essence of how universal and meaningful food can be; … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – “It’s Not Santa’s Job”
Excerpts from a play by Wenda Grabau©2014 Santa: “What a night! What a job! Everybody wants something from Santa Claus. Some kids are just out-right greedy. Some freeze when they get here and say nothing. Still others need a lot more than what they are asking for. (Sighs loudly and shakes his head.) I wish I could do more or those kids. I can say Santa will help, but he … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm – Prepare Him Room?
I do not want to write this article. I mean … usually I do … but not today. Today is much too busy, with more “to-dos” than I can count. I’ll probably even add more things to the list as I’m doing them throughout the day so I can bask in the twisted mental high of running my pen through those burdensome beasts. (I know I’m not the only one who does this!) Trouble is, I … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
My kids have already been counting down the days until Christmas for several months. There’s nothing quite like the allure of Christmas. Everything gets a new flavor! The music is different, houses change their appearance, the kitchen emits a festive smell, desserts are plentiful, and everyone is remembering the best Christmases “from long long ago.” It’s the most wonderful … [Read more...]
Keep the Wheels Turning for Meals on Wheels
Volunteers are essential to Meals on Wheels – without them, those wheels would screech to a halt and many deserving senior citizens would be left without a nutritious meal option and might not be able to stay in their own homes as long. According to Carolyn Freese, lead program coordinator of senior nutrition at Semcac, people aren’t volunteering like they used to. Meals on … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – Discovering “Cat-ness”
Heritage Farm is home to (as my husband says) too many cats. With the birth of two new litters this summer, the population has grown. We like to have them around to keep the number of rodents down… provided they hunt. The younger cats and kittens are a delight to the young children who visit us at the farm. They like to hold them close and pet the kittens. So you can … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm – The Joy Dare
I stopped in my tracks as I read the sobering words; “It’s habits that can imprison you and it’s habits that can free you,” declared author Ann Voskamp. Which is it for me, I wondered. Both options are pretty extreme in my opinion. Imprisonment or freedom? And the choice lies within my habits? Could it be true? During my 12-year-old family Christmas, my 19-year-old cousin … [Read more...]