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Spring in Southwest Minnesota — a season of renewal and community impact

As spring arrives in southwest Minnesota, it brings a welcome sense of renewal — and a moment to reflect on the work that strengthens our communities. Each year, United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) takes this season to thank our Community Partners and look ahead to the opportunities the next Community Impact Grant cycle will bring. UWSWMN’s community impact grants support programs that expand youth opportunities, build healthy communities, promote financial security, and strengthen community resilience. We extend our sincere appreciation to our 2025–26 community partners, ...

Spring cleaning

Last week’s warmth brought with it what I can only hope is the final melt of the season, despite knowing that Mother Nature always has a few wintry tricks up her sleeves, even well into May. For that reason, the Minnesota fishing opener always serves as the “safe point” on my calendar ...

Let’s work together and bring forth peace

We never seem to learn. During our nation's history, there have been quite a few times when war was chosen over peace. Of course, there are those wars that were needed to preserve the overall peace of the world, and to not allow one nation or one man to cover the world with revenge or hatred. World Wars 1 and 2 along with the American Civil War are examples of needed warfare. Naturally, they led to inhuman killings and untold trauma. What have we learned from those awful historical events? Looking at what's happening today in the Near East, I would say we still haven't learned to ...

I like words

When you write an occasional column, you think about words. I like words. I try to find the right ones whether I’m talking or writing. Sometimes I succeed. In my last piece, there was this line. “It is fast time our nation binds our wounds and heals.” The day it came out, a friend said there was a misprint. She thought it was supposed to be “It is past time.” No, I meant “It is fast time.” The nearest equivalent to saying, “It is fast time for something to happen” is “It is high time for that to happen.” In other words, it is due. That is slightly different ...

Humble pennies had value that’s now a distant memory

If we had a conversation about things that get no respect, one of the first items that should be mentioned is the good old copper penny. Federal officials recently announced that they’ll no longer issue new pennies. We’ll just use the ones that are already in circulation. Eventually they’re likely to fade away. We’ve reached a point where the penny is almost worthless. Someone who works for minimum wage makes hundreds of pennies every hour. Many people don’t even pick up a penny if they see one on a sidewalk or in a parking lot. It’s almost insult to tell someone the ...