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Sharing tailgating tales

Community Voices

Time was when tailgating was universally frowned upon. Tailgating meant that an obnoxious motorist was following your vehicle so closely that he could read the care instructions on the tag of your T-shirt. Tailgating has since taken on another meaning. This term is now used to describe the pregame eating, drinking, and socializing that takes place in the parking lot of a sports venue. If your team is on a winning streak, it’s a pre-celebration celebration; if your team has been losing lately, you can commiserate with other fans and mutter, “Wait until next year!” I’ve lived ...

Food donations important for those in need

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The Lyon County Democrats wish to thank the Marshall community for their generous donations to the Lyon County Food Drive held on September 27. We collected over 1,300 pounds of food and over $1000 in cash donations for the Kitchen Table Food Shelf. Hunger is a growing concern in Marshall and the need increases monthly. Nearly 500 families per month rely on the food shelf to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this situation will likely get worse. Nearly 45,000 Minnesotans will lose food assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP) due ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – Germany, counterintelligence school, and the Special Forces Course

Local Columns

We have been following Marland Burckhardt, a Russell High School graduate who enlisted in the Army and served in Italy before returning to college, marrying his sweetheart, and graduating with an Army commission. Marland and Barb arrived in Germany for their first Army assignment in April 1968 “I was going to 3rd Division, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion of the 30th Infantry Regiment in Schweinfurt. A sponsor officer met us at the Frankfurt airport and drove us to Schweinfurt.” The couple began their Germany adventure by renting an apartment. “We rented the upstairs of a ...

On the Porch

Local Columns

Cabinet cards are photographs mounted on stiff pieces of cardboard. They were introduced in the 1860s and gradually replaced the smaller carte de visite format. The front of the card is often printed or embossed with the photographer’s details, and the back of the cabinet card is often printed with elaborate designs or left blank. The popularity of the cabinet card declined around the turn of the 20th century, particularly after the introduction of the photographic postcard, snapshots, and personal photography, especially after the invention of the Kodak camera in 1888. Cabinet cards ...

People skills: they’re important in any type of job

Community Voices

There’s a well known saying when it comes to career success that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. It’s true in both urban and rural areas. It’s true in any part of the United States. As far as I know, it’s the case throughout the world. When I was in my 20s I didn’t think it was fair. It was part of my idealism. I thought it was wrong if the most qualified applicant didn’t get a job, if someone else was chosen because of personal connections. I felt the merit system in the post office was the fairest way to go. If someone scores best on an exam or has the ...

Stacking up rocks or knocking them down

Community Voices

I walk or jog on Sleepy Eye’s Lake Trail. The trail has been a blessing. I used to run on the shoulder of Highway 14. That has become insanely busy. I was afraid of getting sucked into the wake of a semi-truck and ending up in Brookings. I mostly go on the quieter west side of the trail. In part of that, there is a field on one side and woods on the other. In the trees, there is a rock pile. There are rock piles all across the Corn Belt. Some of these are as old as when the first settlers came and began the work of turning prairie into cropland. The one we have in our grove is for ...