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Nothing like harvest time

We are in the middle of harvest. Taking time to write this and drink coffee is a great luxury. There is a grease gun calling my name right now. “Sheesh, I’ll be right out. Can’t a guy have a break?” The answer to that is no, unless it’s raining or you’re broke down. I did take a day to attend a funeral and a wedding. None of the participants were farmers. So, their lack of timing can be forgiven. There are about a half million farmers in the United States who grow corn. Many of them are in the fields now, bringing the crop in. Add spouses in support roles, elevator ...

Homecoming visit reflects changes in SMSU campus life

Last week I decided to do something extra to celebrate the Southwest Minnesota State University homecoming. I went out to campus on Friday to just walk around and see a typical class day. I went to the Natural History Museum, the greenhouse, the alumni heritage gallery and the campus store. I enjoyed a large sized cup of coffee. I attended SMSU as an undergraduate from 1986 to 1990, earning English and history majors with a Spanish minor. I later completed graduate school, a master’s of business administration, from 2004 to 2007. I wore my alumni sweatshirt when I visited campus ...

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 Oct. 19, 1917: Of those who took the civil service examination at the Marshall Post-office, for stenographer and typewriter service, the following have received papers showing that they have passed: Maude Regnier, Genevieve Blanchette, M.E. Clendenning, Anna Lynch, Gleva Fortin and ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – Life in Vietnam and end of tour

We have been following Marland Burckhardt, a Russell High School graduate who served in the Army in Italy before returning to college, marrying his sweetheart, and graduating with an Army commission. The couple served a year in Germany before returning so Marland could complete Counterintelligence School and the Special Forces Officer Course. He deployed to Vietnam in January 1970 to help assess enemy activity in the southern half of South Vietnam for 5th Special Forces Group at Nha Trang, Vietnam. He later moved north to Danang. While in Nha Trang Marland had an unexpected ...

‘Purple for a purpose: Standing against domestic violence’

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to honor survivors, remember the lives lost, and stand together to break the cycle of abuse. Domestic violence is not an isolated issue; it touches individuals, families, and entire communities. This month calls us to act with urgency: to raise awareness, believe survivors, and work toward a future where safety and healing are possible for all. The impacts of domestic violence extend far beyond the home. Children who witness abuse carry invisible scars, families are torn apart, and communities feel the strain in schools, workplaces, ...

An embarrassment of riches

It was somewhat embarrassing. Not as mortifying as being elbowed by your wife because you were snoring in church, but still. This fall, our garden yielded an embarrassment of riches. Last winter, when I was pining for summer, I begged the garden gods to grant me just a few pumpkins and gourds. A mischievous garden god must have grinned and said, “Hold my beer.” I lost the crop about five times, which is typical for most growing seasons. First it was too warm and dry, then it became too cold and wet. This just proves the timeworn farmer’s adage that there are only five kinds ...