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May I suggest

There are some suggestions you should accept, and there are some you should respectfully leave alone. Knowing the difference usually makes for a smoother sailing through life's waters. Having had my share of suggestions offered to me over the years, permit me to offer some suggestion based on my experiences. May I suggest we always keep moving forward? Yes, life throws a curve ball at us when we are expecting a fast ball, but we learn, get up off the mental floor and keep on going. Just keep moving forward. As we Northerners know, Old Man Winter occasionally dumps a load of snow ...

Lifting largemouth from summer docks

On the hookset, I knew the bass at the other end was big. It was the first cast of the night, and by the time I steadied myself on the stern of my brother’s boat, the line was tight and the largemouth was off and running, likely weaving my Fireline through the various posts of the first dock ...

Celebrating 145 years of farming

Gilbert Nelson left Norway in 1864 and settled in Ettrick, Wisconsin. He then joined the Wisconsin Regulars and served in the Civil War. By 1881, Gilbert and his wife, Anna, had five sons and a daughter. Hoping to carve out a new life in Dakota Territory, the Nelsons loaded everything they ...

On the Porch

Summer in southwest Minnesota has a different meaning for everyone, but most people this summer will consume ice cream, which is especially tasty on hot summer days. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice ...

Immigrants old and new should practice old country customs

These days it seems that the nationwide controversy over immigration will never end, that it will continue at least until President Trump leaves office. I’m surprised that in 2026 we have national leaders (Trump, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, and others) who make negative comments about ...