Opinion
- By Lori Sorenson, editorNovember 15, 2023The October calendar had barely turned to November when I noticed my first twinge of holiday angst — the realization that I haven’t recovered from July and here we are on the cusp of another holiday season. It doesn’t help that I’m getting older and time is indeed flying faster. It doesn’t help that news deadlines hurtle us perpetually toward the next big holiday. (I requested second-grade…
By RIck Peterson, general managerNovember 15, 2023I misplaced my phone the other day, and you won’t believe where I found it. I’ll give you a couple of hints. I was using the phone as a flashlight, so think dark space … or in this case, a dimly lighted space. Hint No. 2: I was working in the back garage at the office. Hint No. 3: I had completely covered up the phone so you couldn’t see it without uncovering it. Hint No. 4: After covering up…- November 08, 2023Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. This year Veterans Day is on Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s a holiday honoring all service members. Nov. 11, 1918, was considered the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” and was called Armistice Day. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterNovember 08, 2023Several times I’ve watched Chelsie Hermsen’s YouTube videos. I’ve learned she is funny, poignant and a realist. Never mind she uses a wheelchair and her cerebral palsy slows her speech. The spunky 38-year-old started her own channel in March, regularly producing and posting videos. Her goal: To reach 300 subscribers. She currently has 65. I don’t know Chelsie personally and only became aware…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 08, 2023Question: What is the difference between careless or reckless driving? What about “exhibition driving”? Answer: In general, the difference between reckless and careless is that “reckless” is generally “intentional” or the driver “should know” that the driving behavior could injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless driving - This involves a motorist who’s aware of…- November 01, 2023As weather turns cold, homeowners and renters can take steps now to save money, save energy and stay warm. The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers resources for home weatherization and energy efficiency. There are easy steps to weatherize and make your home more energy-efficient. Among the low-cost, simple steps for saving energy you could do: Insulate: •Add plastic film over windows…
By Brenda Winter, columnistNovember 01, 2023With eyes big as saucers, our granddaughters surveyed the scene before them. We were at The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, about an hour from where the girls live. Grandpa and I had set aside time for this very adventure – a day trip to this “one-of-a-kind theme park attraction that showcases a full-size replica of Noah's Ark, the vessel that saved his family and all the animals…
By Rick Peterson, general managerNovember 01, 2023So on most Monday mornings around our office, conversation usually starts with “Did you have a nice weekend?” Oftentimes the response is based on the weekend weather or maybe how the Vikings did. This past weekend the weather wasn’t all that great, and while the Vikings won, they lost their quarterback for the season. My weekend, however, based on weather and football was nothing short of…- October 18, 2023Last week families and volunteers “Painted the Prairie Purple” for Dementia Awareness Week, which culminated with a Dementia Walk Saturday in Luverne City Park. The efforts are dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of dementia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. Dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from disorders affecting the brain.…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterOctober 18, 2023Members of the S7 Wellness Group (which includes me) have been challenged this month to get more individuals signed up for our virtual health group. For each new member we attract, we’ll receive $100 — that we can split with the new member. I thought I would give the challenge a try and completed the required Facebook posts about my own wellness journey that began a year ago. At that time, I…
By Rick Peterson, general managerOctober 18, 2023It’s funny how everything has changed. Some things you thought would never change – yet they did. Case in point, the pumpkin. Used to be one color choice – orange. Then the white pumpkin crept into the fold, and now you have a regular buffet of pumpkin colors to choose from. While I am not an expert of pumpkins, I am not sure if all the pumpkins on our front porch ARE pumpkins or if they’re…- By Sara Wahl, Southwest Crisis Center executive directorOctober 11, 2023Domestic violence affects millions of individuals, families and children — of every race, religion, culture and status every year. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use of the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they…
By Brenda Winter, columnistOctober 11, 2023After Mom’s passing last November, we were left with the massive garden she’d always tended. Dad had even added four new raised beds to the garden in the summer of 2022. So there we were last spring with lots of garden and no gardener. Dad and I adopted the family motto when facing a challenge – “How hard can it be?” – and decided to fill the raised beds. We’d plant one bag of potatoes. One “…- By Sue Abderholden, Director, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessOctober 04, 2023The first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. While we need to learn and talk about mental illnesses all year round, this week is dedicated to raising awareness, fighting discrimination, and connecting people to resources. This year’s theme is “Together We Care. Together We Share.” The U.S. Surgeon General released a report earlier this year on loneliness. In it he wrote, “People…
By Lori Sorenson, editorOctober 04, 2023Hiking the Grand Canyon has long been on my bucket list. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the canyon is a spectacular feat of nature. It’s not the steepest or the longest canyon in the world, but it’s recognized as a natural wonder because of its collective scale and size combined with breathtaking color variations in its walls. It is 217 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile…
By RIck Peterson, general managerOctober 04, 2023If you follow the H-BC football team, you know they are pretty darn good and have been for some time. From what Mary and I observed recently, they are a polite group of young men, with a little help from the coach. The week before last we were coming home from Redwood Falls where we had watched our grandson’s football game. (By the way, the Redwood Valley Cardinals beat the Pipestone Arrows so I…
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