We have been learning about Verlane and Lois Willard growing up with their three sisters on their farm in Sodus Township, Lyon County. The Willards had extended family in the area and paternal grandparents who lived with them, so the girls grew up with many, special family members in their ...
The social news or gossip columns in the old newspapers are always fascinating to read. A special section in the newspaper was devoted to the social media of the day. The whereabouts of local people and events were often featured in these columns. Here are a few from The News Messenger of Lyon ...
In recent weeks Minnesota has made national headlines, and it’s caused negative impressions among many people who’ve never visited our state. I want to respond by listing everything I can think of that’s good about it. I can’t do that because it would take the entire editorial page. ...
The early 20th century baseball star Rogers Hornsby was asked what he did in the off season. “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” As winter drags on, we can all appreciate Hornsby’s ...
Every now and then, I check in with our recycling hauler to uncover the rogue items sneaking into recycling carts or drop-off spots, where they absolutely do not belong. The top five offenders currently crashing the recycling party are: general trash, wood scraps, Styrofoam, random steel ...
Right now, Minnesota is in the national spotlight, and not for good reasons. First, because our state government failed to stop massive fraud. Then because federal immigration enforcement drew national attention, protests, and tragedy. These operations removed dangerous criminals from our ...