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Minnesota: 50 things to like about the North Star State

In recent weeks Minnesota has made national headlines, and it’s caused negative impressions among many people who’ve never visited our state. I want to respond by listing everything I can think of that’s good about it. I can’t do that because it would take the entire editorial page. I’ll settle for listing 50 of the most famous things. For starters we have Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves and Lynx. We have the Mayo Clinic, Fort Snelling, Minnehaha Falls, and the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Then there’s Red Wing Shoes, the Watkins spice factory in Winona, and the Schwan Food ...

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 County on Jan. 28, 1921: County Attorney R.D. Houdersheldt returned the latter part of the last week from St. Paul, where he attended the state convention of county auditors. A canned fruit and vegetable “shower” will be tendered Mrs. A.J. Gag at her home Friday afternoon by the members of ...

Country School Kids – Verlane Willard Ross and Lois Willard Giles – Social life with extended family and church

We have been learning about Verlane and Lois Willard growing up with their three sisters on their farm in Sodus Township, Lyon County. The Willards had extended family in the area and paternal grandparents who lived with them, so the girls grew up with many, special family members in their lives. (Lois) “We had a lot of cousins and aunts and uncles. (Verlane) We practically grew up with Aunt Leone and Uncle Porter because our dads worked together and they lived just north of us. (Lois) Aunt Josie would come by and Uncle Ingman and Aunt Marge would come from Hendricks. (Verlane) We ...

What’s missing from ICE conversation? Dialogue

Right now, Minnesota is in the national spotlight, and not for good reasons. First, because our state government failed to stop massive fraud. Then because federal immigration enforcement drew national attention, protests, and tragedy. These operations removed dangerous criminals from our streets, including people convicted of violent crimes who were in the country illegally. They also resulted in the death of Renee Good. Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear two very different stories. Some say Good acted on a moral obligation to oppose federal actions. Others say an ICE officer ...

Rogue items in the recycling

Every now and then, I check in with our recycling hauler to uncover the rogue items sneaking into recycling carts or drop-off spots, where they absolutely do not belong. The top five offenders currently crashing the recycling party are: general trash, wood scraps, Styrofoam, random steel bits, and plastic bags. Avoid these recycling faux pas at all costs. Trash belongs in the trash bin, plain and simple. If your trash can is overflowing, call your trash hauler for backup or take it to the landfill yourself. Plastic bags, like those pesky shopping bags, should either cozy up with ...

Methodical mentorships

Rough weather weekends in January which keep me off the ice often have me planning out adventures for the months to come, but they also give me an opportunity to look ahead for those times I can share the outdoors not only with my kids, but the next generation of hunters and anglers who might not otherwise get the opportunity to get out there in pursuit of fish or game. While such an endeavor can seem monumental, when kept incremental or done with the help of other experienced anglers, shooters or hunters, the mentoring process can come with greater ease, especially once you’ve got a ...