Columns

Question: If you are 15 years old and have a farm permit to drive a farm truck, how late at night can you drive? Answer: A Minnesota Farm Work license allows a 15-year-old to drive alone only to perform farm work for his or her parent during daylight hours, within 20 miles of the farmhouse, and in cities with populations of less than 100,000. The parent must complete a Farm Work License affidavit…

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on October 14, 1943.   This may sound funny, but Mrs. Anna Varah, Hardwick, swears it’s the truth. She owes her life to maple syrup water. Born in…

About 15 years ago I hit a deer on the road and totaled my old Chevy Blazer. No one (except the deer) was hurt, but it shook me up and stressed me out. It meant an insurance claim, finding a different low-budget vehicle, and time-consuming paperwork for a single working mother with no spare time. My own mother often encouraged us to tackle problems by considering how important they’ll be five…

My last column was about my upcoming fishing trip. Well, been there, done that, and here is my takeaway from the trip. First and foremost, no injuries for me this time. If you recall, I broke my big toe the last trip racing another camper to the showers. The fishing was fantastic, the weather was like always, hot, cold, windy … and this year, for a change of pace, heavy Canadian smoke cut out the…

By Betty Mann, Rock County Historian The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on October 14, 1943.   John Welzenbach, Luverne…was Early Day Cigar Maker (continued)   He liked Luverne the minute…

I have a good friend and co-worker who’s hurting. You’d never know there’s something wrong or amiss about Lori as she continues to handle editor duties without missing an issue. Except I see the occasional cracks in her strong facade and the forced smiles of someone who’s grieving. It breaks my heart because I wish I could do more to ease her pain. When Lori decided to take a little time off this…

The biggest outdoor day of the year in Minnesota was May 13. The fishing opener, to many, is better than any of the other holidays when you don’t have to go to work. Minnesota sells more fishing licenses than any other state per capita. There will have been long lines at many boat ramps across the state and especially at the most popular walleye lakes in the state. There will be a larger than…

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on October 14, 1943.   John Welzenbach, Luverne…was Early Day Cigar Maker                Old time cigar smokers well remember the famous “Brown Beauty”…

Forty-two years ago this spring, I ̶ 18-year-old sage that I was  ̶ gave the student address to the Class of 1981. There were two speakers. I don’t remember who the other speaker was, and I doubt we made lasting impressions on our classmates. As a matter of fact, I doubt we made any impression on our classmates. Advice is like that. The inspiration for my address was a young, lost blackbird that…

In recent weeks I have been planning for an upcoming fishing trip. For years my two fishing buddies, Leroy and Dan, and I — and yes, I have fishing buddies … I also have hunting buddies, side-by-side buddies, and I even have a group of Power Ball buddies, not to mention my coffee buddies — anyway, my fishing buddies and I get together for a four-day trip to the waters of the Missouri River. Due…

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on September 30, 1943.   Christian Boisen, Luverne, Owned Luverne’s First “Juke” Box (Continued from last week.) Snow was so deep in the streets of…

Once upon a time there was a little blond boy who grew up near Luverne between the Rock River and Blue Mounds State Park. He was made of “snips and snails and puppy dogs’ tails,” with boundless energy and an effervescent love for life. Behind his blue eyes sparks of mischief and brilliance. He’d leap out of bed at sunrise and grab his bicycle and pole to go fishing in Hallett’s Pond on…

Once upon a time there was a little blond boy who grew up near Luverne between the Rock River and Blue Mounds State Park. He was made of “snips and snails and puppy dogs’ tails,” with boundless energy and an effervescent love for life. Behind his blue eyes sparks of mischief and brilliance. He’d leap out of bed at sunrise and grab his bicycle and pole to go fishing in Hallett’s Pond on Darling’s…

Which way is the wind going to blow today? There is little doubt why southwest Minnesota is covered up with wind towers. Worthington has been the site for the National Wind Surfing Regatta several times over the past 10 years with Lake Okabena, considered the second windiest place over water in the state, right in the town of Worthington. Almost everything I do in April and May is affected by the…

Christian Boisen, Luverne, Owned Luverne’s First “Juke” Box             Although there is no sworn statement on file, it is believed that Chris Boisen, Luverne, had Luverne’s first “juke” box. Before going any farther, it might be well to explain that the “nickelodeon” brought here by Mr. Boisen could hardly be compared with the gaily colored coin phonographs of today, but it cost as much,…

Each day in May I’m walking at least 9,000 steps, and walking more than four miles a day allows for a lot of thinking. A recent New York Times article with the headline, “Lean into negative emotions. It’s the healthy thing to do,” has me thinking differently. It appears when we experience a bad feeling, we don’t have to love the feeling. We just have to try to feel neutral about it. The study…