We have been exploring what happened during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic with a focus on its impacts in our region. One cannot help but consider this information through our own experience of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic plaguing our world, nation, and region. Comparing these pandemics ...

Many Americans either have or will soon be receiving some free money. Splendid simoleons! Cool cash! Marvelous moolah! The concept of getting money for nothing is something that’s imprinted on us from an early age. It begins with our birthdays. When you’re a little kid, celebrating a ...

When you purchase homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you’ll make a number of decisions. One of the most important is the amount of homeowners or renters coverage that best meets your needs. Understanding your options will help you make an informed choice that safeguards your real ...

I have been disappointed, not been disappointed and have disappointed. Probably sounds like a lot of us, doesn’t it? The best answer I can give you to all those disappointing moments in life is to say that’s life! Welcome to being a human being. None of us are perfect and, therefore, ...

As anglers, we proudly display our passions on our sleeves, quite literally. Sweatshirts emblazoned with Rapala, Vexilar, Huk and Humminbird logos are as standard issue amongst our ranks as camouflage is within the armed forces. Whether it’s due to brand loyalty or just some clothing picked ...

For so many people who love to travel, it’s been a tough 12 months since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccines give us hope that the crisis will ease, traveling today still requires careful planning. COVID-19 is a factor in booking flights and making other travel arrangements. ...

Beginning in the mid 1800s, woman suffrage supporters fought for women to gain the right to vote. In 1878, the amendment was first introduced in Congress. Decades later, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote. The amendment was ratified on August ...

We have been learning about the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic from its origins in Kansas; its spread across the nation, aided by the movement of troops during WWI; its mutation into a more deadly form over the summer; and its reaching our region in the fall of 1918. October 1918 was an awful ...

Generally speaking, it is about now that we can begin to gather our equipment and start planting seeds in doors for the growing season. The most important thing to do is to make sure to follow the packet guidelines to help ensure that you know how exactly each individual seed likes to be ...

So often the topic or theme for this column comes from some newspaper, magazine, or book. Departing from that trend, today’s “Oh, Fiddlesticks!” column was inspired by that vast, often-empty entertainment venue: Television. And what do we find in abundance on television? Sports? ...

Well, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I expect we could hear people responding to that day in many ways including, but not limited to: “So what?”, “Who cares?”, Wahoo! Let’s celebrate!” and the favorite response of many, “Let’s party!”. A very close friend of mine is ...

With this weekend’s news of the North Dakota state walleye record falling, and the conditions aligning for early angling opportunities, it is a picture-perfect time to catch some huge spring fish. If you plan to take some photos of your angling success this spring or any time during the ...

Learn what goes into the decision and what your options are. If your car has been damaged and the potential repair costs exceed the value of the car, it is considered a total loss. Here are answers to common questions that spring up when your vehicle has been declared totaled. Why was my ...

Like many fairytales, mine began with a jolt of misfortune. Once upon a time, I was a young dairyman who was living the life of a Norwegian bachelor farmer. As glamorous as that might sound, there were significant downsides to this lifestyle. The unhappiest of them was loneliness. After ...

Green Valley was established when the Wilmar & Sioux Falls Railway laid tracks there in 1888. The Willmar and Sioux Falls Railway ran between Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Willmar, Minnesota. The railroad was built by E. A. Sherman and John M. Spicer of Willmar, under the direction of ...

We have been learning about the 1918-19 influenza pandemic from its origins in Kansas; its spread across the nation, aided by the movement of troops during World War II; its mutation into a more deadly form over the summer; and its reaching our region in the fall of 1918. October 1918 was an ...

We are all at home looking for things to do while we wait out this virus. There are a few gardening things that you can do in your own home to bring a little spring in and help us all with an activity that is positive. I want to lead parents to the Minnesota Extension webpages, not only for ...

When visiting any store, it’s always interesting to look at the top shelf. Why is this interesting? Well, part of it is marketing and part of it is that it’s easier to see since the item is at about eye level. But, that’s only segments of the answer. Positioning a product on the ...

Learn the difference between the replacement cost and market value coverage type. When you purchase homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you’ll make a number of decisions. One of the most important is the amount of homeowners or renters coveragethat best meets your needs. Understanding ...

It turns out that my wife and I and Dolly Parton have a couple of things in common. They aren’t what you’re thinking. Not only do we all know the lyrics of the song “Jolene,” but we all recently received our first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We had been looking forward to ...