×

Community Voices

Books and Beyond

Ann Patchett was an author of the book The Dutch House, which I wrote about for Books & Beyond in 2020. I’m always brought into her books the way she writes about life. Early in These Precious Days, c 2021, she shares with her readers what books mean for her: Books were not just ...

Of foam and fur

Ahead of the firearms deer season, I pondered over my nature. An excitable guy, subject to the throes of adrenaline and emotion, fidgety and talkative, it’s a wonder I ever got into deer hunting at all, especially the kind I now enjoy most. After a couple seasons of walking hunting, a ...

Supporting our first responders

Last montgh, Hurricanes Milton and Helene devastated parts of the southern United States. As families evacuated and started to rebuild, firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel were a constant presence including the Minnesota National Guard who went down to help. This is what our ...

Corn harvest memories

I recently took an exciting ride in a spendy vehicle, the kind that comes with a price tag well into the six figures. A Bently? A Rolls? A Dragon spaceship? Nope. It was my neighbor’s combine. Modern combines are a marvel of high technology. Their cabs feature multiple touch screens, ...

With 3 new veterans homes in one year, MN stepping up to support veterans

As a 24-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard, I know that when you raise your hand to serve, you’re not just sacrificing your time. You’re sacrificing your health, safety, personal freedoms, and time with family in service to your country. Minnesota is home to more than 285,000 ...

It’s open enrollment season — here’s what to know

As sure as colorful leaves and football games, open enrollment season happens each fall. Don’t miss this chance to ensure you have health insurance coverage for 2025. Open enrollment on the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 15 for first-of-the-year coverage. ...