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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 ...

On the Porch

Florence was founded in 1888 on the northwest quarter of section 20 in Shelburne Township. When the Willmar and Sioux Falls Railroad (branch of the Great Northern) came through the area, it was announced that the station would be named Florence. It was named after the daughter of the founder, ...

Forged in frustration

None of this would have happened were it not for cable TV. Like many guys, I’m a skilled — one might even say professional — channel surfer. I’m not interested in what’s on so much as what else is on. Some years ago, during one of my surfing sessions, I stumbled across a show called “Forged in Fire.” The show immediately caught my attention, mainly because it involved fire. A quartet of blacksmiths take such things as a pound of steel ball bearings or random car parts and forge them into a type of blade that had been chosen by a trio of judges. I found the process ...

Direct connection

I’ve never been much for travel. Be it for fishing, hunting or family trips, I’m often content being within an hour’s drive of where I live. Sure, there’s new places to visit and new things to see in far flung regions of this country and the world, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve ...

Have patience

As I write this column, I'm reminded to have patience. Why? Well... Looking out the window, I can see about a block — maybe. Why? Because Old Man Winter sneezed and sent a blizzard to us. The snow is piling up. Visibility is minimal. The temperature is falling. Yes, it's still winter, but … oh, wait a moment! We hardy Northerners know patience is required at this time of the year, right? So, let Old Man Winter sneeze all he wants to. The Sirens of Spring will soon grace us. You know, we all have had to foster that sense of patience over the years. In good times and bad times, the ...