×

Local Columns

You can fund your children’s college education and retirement simultaneously

Many parents face the challenge of saving for their children’s college education while also building a nest egg for retirement. Funding both priorities simultaneously can feel like a juggling act — and the stress can intensify as high school graduation and retirement dates draw nearer, ...

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 ...

The Vietnam War – Leon Mortland – Unusual days and end of tour

We have been learning about Ruthton’s Leon Mortland, who grew up on the family farm and graduated from Tyler High School in 1964. He attended college at Mankato State and Winona State. He met Augustana College student Marilyn Hokenson and they married in August 1968. She began teaching in ...

Movement

The uphill slant of the final mile of the half marathon bore a similar feel to the steep climb up and over the grassy rise to the truck at the end of my grouse hunt the day before, but somehow it came a bit easier than a few previous runs this summer. My pace dropped by only a couple of seconds ...

A bit of goodness

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s all around you. There are times when it is difficult to discern — like at this time in our nation’s history. It can be very personal or found in a pleasing sense of community. What is this ‘it’? Goodness! I am certainly not a goody two shoe ...

A report from the frontlines

It’s time for another dispatch from the frontlines of my war with tonsil cancer. I’ve learned that a guy can learn a lot of things when dealing with such a stubborn enemy. For instance, when both your oncologist and your radiologist utter the phrase, “This is going to be rough,” you ...