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Wait for it

Like most of us, I've been told many times to “wait for it.” Sometimes that was standing at the end of our farm's lane and waiting for the school bus to arrive. Some of those very cold winters made that wait very uncomfortable. What couldn't the bus be on time? I'm the one suffering! Well, I guess the lesson that waiting is a part of life was finally learned because … wait a minute … I still don't like to wait. What has been learned is that there can be goodness found in waiting. For instance... When sipping a wine, it's a positive to wait. Wait for what? The taste of the ...

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 ...

Decluttering tips

April and May are traditionally regarded as the ideal months for spring cleaning. However, adopting a consistent decluttering habit throughout the year proves to be far more effective in reducing clutter and alleviating stress. We encourage residents to regularly assess items you may no longer want or need, rather than postponing their removal. By planning to eliminate these items throughout the year, you can maintain a more organized living space. Regularly removing unneeded items not only simplifies your environment but also enhances the ability of recipients to process these ...

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 ...

A Vesta Boy – Dave Hansvick – Vesta’s businesses and public school

We have been learning about David Hansvick, who grew up in the small town of Vesta during the 1950s and ‘60s. He described Vesta’s businesses during those years. “Vesta had a lively downtown. We had three (automobile) garages. Main Street had two hardware stores; Marquardt’s ...

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 ...