We have begun learning about Gordon Labat who was born in Marshall in 1947, Minnesota to Emerence “Rose” (DeVos) and Henry Labat. Gordon and his siblings grew up on the family farm just east of Marshall. The Labat’s sent their kids to Holy Redeemer School. Gordon continued his ...

I received some sad news on Wednesday. A type of news I’ve been getting more often in the past several years. One of my social studies teachers, Gary Grabau, died earlier in the week. My source, a friend I’ve known since my undergraduate days at Southwest Minnesota State University, heard ...

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 June, I went to certify my acres at the Farm Service Agency. It’s an annual task after planting. As I drove to town, a foreboding line of dark clouds hung over Sleepy Eye, like a wall cloud on steroids. As I stepped into the office, you could see the blackening sky out the north windows. ...

I have never been accused of being a neatnik — my desk resembles the aftermath of a tornado — but I have lately found great pleasure in tidying things up. A good example would be my newly rebuilt old farm shop. It has taken more than a year, but I’ve finally gotten the shop to the point ...

It often surprises people that in our region water is a limited resource, something that needs to be conserved. We’re part of Minnesota. It’s known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and the Land of Sky Blue Waters. It creates a perception that water is abundant all throughout the state. Our ...