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Terms you need to know for 2025 open enrollment

Open enrollment season is just around the corner. For most, this is the only time of year when you have a chance to make changes to your employee benefits package, including your health insurance. (The exception is if you experience a qualifying event, including but not limited to marriage, divorce, having a baby, etc.). To ensure you’re maximizing your benefits, it’s important to understand the different terms and acronyms you are likely to encounter as you review your health insurance options. Here is an overview of some of the most common enrollment terms. Premiums. Any form of ...

On the Porch

The First National Bank of Marshall opened its doors on Sept. 8, 1891. The original capital stock of $50,000 was owned by H.M. Langland, G.W. Pitts, M.W. Harden, R.M. Addison, C.F. Johnson, Olof Pehrson, F.E. Parsons, and Andrew Nelson. These men also served in management of the bank as the first officers and directors. At the end of the first year’s business, deposits totaled around $50,000. The original building was located between 2nd (now East College Drive) and 3rd on the north side of Main Street. In 1916, the original structure was replaced with a new building on the same ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – Growing up in rural Russell

Marland Burckhardt was born on March 22, 1941, the first of three sons of Katie (Wixon) Burckhardt and Edward Burckhardt. He was born in his Grandma Wixon’s residence in Florence. Marland commented on his birth. “I wouldn’t be surprised if my Grandma Wixon assisted in my birth as she had a lot of experience with babies. The doctor came by the next day to check out me and my mother and sign the birth certificate.” Marland explained his Grandma Wixon was a strong woman with an interesting background. “My grandma’s parents divorced and she was adopted by a Smith. Her ...

Town celebrations reflect the history of immigration

Every summer our community celebrations prove that we’re a nation composed mostly of immigrants. We have the Danish Aebleskiver Days in Tyler, Belgian American Days in Ghent, and Polska Kielbasa Days in Ivanhoe. Events with an ethnic element conclude in September with Boxelder Bug Days in Minneota. The opera hall above the library opens its doors to the public as part of the celebration. It’s filled with displays that highlight the city’s Icelandic heritage. The town celebrations that aren’t ethnic still reflect local history. People look back at how pioneers founded their ...

It’s everywhere

It’s taken me this long to finally notice the obvious. Many writings have passed through my hands over the years. I’ve experienced numerous adventures, videos, films and other viewing pleasures that have tried to make me see, feel, and understand the same message. It’s kind of weird that we miss the obvious connecting element during our journeys. What is that connecting element? The essence of teamwork. Let’s discuss nature and teamwork. I’m sure many of us have planted an item in Mother Earth or in a pot. OK, that’s done, now what? Well, the sun and water along ...

Focused (for now)

Between running some pre-season arrows through my bow, setting my sights on a lofted orange disc, and tossing a few flies and jigs for crappies, the past week has reminded me that the outdoors allows us to train our focus — or lack thereof — on so many different things, especially this time of year and as summer drifts into autumn. My outdoor life is pulled in so many different directions and these unique viewpoints come together to create a fuller picture of what’s going on. With both hunting and fishing, I’m free to focus on what strikes my fancy in the given season, be it ...