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A fun summer Saturday

If you can’t find something fun to do on a summer Saturday you probably aren’t trying. A good example would be how I spent a recent July Saturday. The Brookings Summer Arts Festival took place just a dozen miles from our house. But I opted to kick off the day with a combination of airplanes and pancakes. South Dakota State University’s Flying Jacks Aviation Club held a fly-in and breakfast at our local airport. Flapjacks, sausage and eggs were served up by smiling, fresh-faced students. Few things are more enjoyable than a hearty breakfast in a hanger that’s brimming with ...

Former teachers who’ve passed away bring back memories

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 about it from another retired teacher. Gary joins a growing list of former teachers of mine who’ve passed away. From Marshall High School it includes Gerald Sletten, Greg Van Hee, Lee Conyers, Esther Johnson, Dean Jorgensen, Elmer Sorensen and Bob Reimler. I don’t think I’ve forgotten ...

Vietnam War – Gordon Labat — farming, the draft, and Army basic training

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 education there with the Central Catholic High School class of 1965. He explained that high school activities were not in the cards for him. “Dad said, ‘That is for the city kids. You guys are coming home and going to work.’ My school books? I threw them on top of the refrigerator at night and I ...

On the Porch

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 ...

Addicted to humor

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 said to the staff, “That’s a scary looking sky out there. It could be a sign of the apocalypse. Do I really need to certify my acres if the world comes to an end?” It got something between a chuckle and a smile. It was the kind of goofy thing I regularly say. Why do I say goofy ...

A shipshape shop

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 where I feel that it’s exactly the way I want it. This has been a long but fulfilling process, one that involved the acquisition of tools that I deemed essential. Sometimes this meant buying a new item while at other times a used piece of equipment proved to be just the thing. I hate to admit ...