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The Key: a place that provided plenty of Marshall area fun

The Key on Minnesota Highway 19 near the Marshall airport is gone, but it will never be forgotten. I have great memories of both the roller rink and the bowling alley at The Key. Its history corresponds to my years of growing up in Marshall. Ewald Pagel operated The Key from 1975 until the mid 1990s. He reopened the business for a short time after the millennium. An entire generation of pre teens and teenagers enjoyed it as a place to gather with friends. It’s where I learned to bowl, never scoring more than about 160. The nice thing about bowling is that you never totally lose ...

Lynd parents, students deserve answers

Editor’s Note: This letter read to the Lynd School Board was submitted as a letter to the editor. Because of its length it’s being published as an op-ed The last time I was in front of this school board was shortly before my son finished his eighth grade year here in Lynd. He read a statement to the board asking them to consider adding a high school option even if it had to be an online learning environment. Never did I think I would be standing here again while watching Lynd School be torn apart. I chose Lynd even though the bus came at 6:40 a.m. I chose Lynd because Caren ...

Roaming the Ye olde renaissance fest

A dragon holding a silver ball in its terrifying teeth was perched next to the gate. It was the first hint that we were in for a day of weirdness and wonder. My wife and I recently attended the Siouxland Renaissance Festival. While we waited in line to buy tickets a guy dressed as a medieval raggedy man sashayed through the crowd, hawking his “scented programs.” Whenever someone took him up on his offer, he’d say, “OK, I just have to add the scent.” He then rubbed the paper program on his armpit. “We’re all gonna smell like that by the end of the day!” the raggedy man ...

Summer reading remains important for both children and adults

Summer is the season for lots of things like swimming, boating, baseball, ice cream, picnics, parades and outdoor fun. It’s also a perfect time to read. Someone can read on a beach, in the shade or at home with the air conditioning. The Marshall-Lyon County Library kicked off its 2026 summer reading season on Wednesday. Entertainment was provided by a string band called The Skally Line. They performed songs and told stories that focus on Minnesota. In an age when many people fixate on electronics, it’s good to know that reading is alive and well. I hope kids still enjoy library ...

Something’s Bloom(ing) in downtown Marshall

Sometimes the well runs dry for a columnist. That happens every so often when I did reporting in Barstow, California. When that happened, I would take a stroll in the downtown area. Besides checking out businesses that might be closing or opening up, I’d talk to homeless people with ...

Addressing the Sons of Norway

I was recently asked to speak at a meeting of a secret society. I was surprised when they invited me as it’s widely known that I can’t keep a secret. My wife and I went to an innocuous building located in the midst of a sleepy college town. We descended a set of concrete stairs that led ...