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The Vietnam War – Ann Benson Rudolph – Growing up in Chicago

Ann (Benson) Rudolph lives in Olivia, but began life in Chicago, Illinois. She was born in August 1942, the eldest of three children of Dorothy (Sutherland) Benson and Clarence Benson. Ann’s younger siblings, Clark and Dean, were born in 1947 and 1951. Ann’s parents met at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Her mother graduated from St. Olaf, but her father transferred to the University of Minnesota for senior year. Ann’s mom began teaching home economics in Danube, while her father began working in the family business in Chicago. The two, young college grads married and began their ...

Ask a Trooper

Question: I was just talking with someone the other day and they mentioned there is an age requirement for operating an “e-bike.” Can you get me more information on this? Answer: When it comes to E-bikes, a driver’s license or permit is not required. However, the minimum operator age is 15 years old. E-bikes are primarily regulated in the same manner as bicycles and nearly all bicycle laws apply. Riding a bike, walking or using a wheelchair on your neighborhood sidewalks can be a safe and convenient way to get around, but only if everyone follows the laws. Whether you are on ...

The relapse problem

Anyone who works in a helping profession will deal with success that often is followed by the person being helped sliding back into his or her old ways. The setback then needs to be addressed and dealt with. Their self-defeating behaviors have to stop if success is to be maintained When a person initially stops the problem behavior for a brief period of time we say that the person is in remission. Remission is an initial period during which there is no recurrence of the problem behavior. Relapse, however, is any return or recurrence of the problem behavior. A slip is different. A ...

Dairy Month delights

Legend has it that an urban congressman decided to visit a dairy farm. “How often do you milk your cows?” asked the congressman. “Twice a day,” replied the dairyman. “So, ten times a week,” said the congressman. “No, twice a day.” “That’s what I said. There are five days in a week, so that’s ten times a week.” “No, twice a day,” insisted the dairyman. The discussion continued in this vein for some minutes. Shaking his head, the dairyman finally turned to his wife and quipped, “Good news, Helen. It sounds like the ...

Wisps of concern

I can’t tell you exactly when I started to notice how our summers have changed, but it was likely while fishing a bunch in that summer of 2021, while wrapping up the trend of social distancing, which looking back here in the more crotchety years of late middle age, was pretty nice. Since that time, there have been few weeks between June 1 and Sept. 1 that the slightest hint of dystopia in the sky and the smell of burning in the air hasn’t impacted or been the backdrop for something I’ve done outdoors, be it boating, fishing, running or hiking. Some days, the smoke that has ...

Yes, it really looks nice

Have you noticed how often things really look nice? Did you take time to fully appreciate whatever it was that caught your attention? Many of us were very fortunate to grow up enveloped in the arms of a loving family. Unfortunately, not everyone has been so lucky, and those scars of the past may never go away. I was one of the fortunate ones. Through my growing up years, one of the firmest foundation blocks supporting me was my father. We worked silently, side by side, while completing the many and varied tasks that needed to be done to keep the farm in shape. From planting crops, ...