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No garbage found on this trip — just smiles

Community Voices

We spent a weekend in the Cities in December. Pam’s family was celebrating Christmas at her niece’s house. We found a VRBO in Bloomington where we stayed. It was an apartment we rented in a larger building with mostly permanent residents. We had two evenings and mornings to lounge about. There was a large central area where people came and went. There were cookies and coffee available. We were in and out often, so I had a lot of those little experiences crossing paths with other people. I enjoy those small connections. I smile and engage in short conversations. I hold a door ...

Country School Kids — Verlane Willard Ross and Lois Willard Giles — ‘Growing Up in Sodus Township’

Community Voices

This series arises from a February 2025 interview with two Willard sisters, Verlane and Lois, and a subsequent visit to their former country school. Lois passed away recently, so we dedicate this series to her memory, grateful for her and her sister’s generosity in sharing their early life with us. Verlane (Willard) Ross was born to Bertha (Hendrickson) and William Vernon Willard in Tracy, Minnesota on March 14, 1939. Her younger sister, Lois (Willard) Giles, was born in Tracy on August 12, 1942. Verlane was the second and Lois the fourth of five daughters born to Bertha and William. ...

Longer mortgages wouldn’t pay off in the long run

Community Voices

We all know that housing has become less affordable in recent years, and there’s no easy answer for changing it. President Trump’s proposal for 50-year mortgages shows how there’s no easy answer. It sounds great because of the potential for lower monthly payments. It’s important, however, to consider all the ways it could negatively affect the housing market. For one thing, I wouldn’t bet the farm on the idea that buyers would choose lower payments. They’d have more purchasing power. They might decide to just pay more for a newer or bigger house. Even if they opt for ...

What is happening to our America?

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: When I was in high school and college, I remember reading about the KGB breaking into the homes of Russian families in the middle of the night, guns drawn, ransacking possessions, and terrorizing families. I remember being horrified when I read that a parent could be violently dragged off by armed KGB officers while the children of that parent screamed and cried. I remember reading that many of those children never saw or heard from that parent again. I remember being enraged when I read that KGB officers would go into workplaces and arrest people who had dared to speak ...

Show up to Republican caucuses to stand up and be heard

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Republicans across Minnesota will be gathering in their neighborhoods for precinct caucuses. The future of our Party and the nation belongs to those who show up. If you wish to see a change in our party or our candidates, precinct caucuses are your chance to stand up and be heard. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference. Attend your caucuses: • Grace Life Church in Marshall 7 p.m.: Clifton, Coon Creek, Cottonwood, Fairview, Lake Marshall, Lucas, Lynd, Lynd Township, Lyons, Marshall W-1, W- 2 and W-3, Russell, Sodus, Stanley •Tracy Public ...

Trump not putting America first

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: Donald Trump ran for president of the U.S. saying he was not going to get the U.S. into anymore endless wars. In 2025 alone, U.S. military forces have carried out 622 air and drone strikes across seven countries, including Syria, Yemen, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan. Now the latest, an unprovoked attack against Venezuela, which he authorized the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife. Maduro might be a bad guy, but so is Putin and Trump rolled out the red carpet for him. Now Trump says the U.S. is going to govern Venezuela. How many American troops are ...