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By Mavis Fodness, reporterMarch 21, 2016There’s one sure sign that spring has arrived at my house. A bucket may not be as exciting as watching geese fly north or the winter wind having a little less bite. In my house the large container on the kitchen counter signifies spring is here. Along with the bucket, a rubber nipple and a two-quart plastic bottle often join the clutter. Their appearance means a newborn farm animal needs human…
By Brenda Winter, columnistMarch 14, 2016My attempt to contain or reverse cancer with alternative methods has ended. It’s been 20 months since I was diagnosed with anal cancer in June of 2014. I’ve eaten a lot of broccoli since then. I’ve travelled to foreign countries and seen alternative practicioners in three states. I’ve sat in saunas, lost weight, tried to connect with my inner child and consumed copious amounts of fresh vegetable…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistMarch 14, 2016As we transition from winter to spring, we have to anticipate some variability in our weather and temperatures. A couple of really warm days and some folks are ready to plant potatoes. But the calendar is a better indicator than our emotions. None of us has the crystal ball, but the law of averages is what it is, so be reasonable about your expectations. I talked last week about getting our…
By Lori Sorenson, editorMarch 08, 2016We have a young driver in training in our family, and these are exciting and challenging times. For both the learner and the mentors. It’s exciting for the young driving student who can just about taste his freedom. And it’s exciting for the grown-up drivers who look forward to the kid driving himself to and from practice and other activities. It’s challenging for the learner to be so smart about…
By Betty Mann, President, Rock County Historical SocietyMarch 08, 2016The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on January 18, 1924: FARMERS TO BE PROVIDED WITH HITCHING PLACES Home Automotive Co. Tenders Use of Vacant Lots for This Purpose to Luverne Commercial Club Accepting the offer of the Home Automotive Co., to donate the use of the vacant lots at the corner of Lincoln and McKenzie streets as a hitching place for the teams of farmers, the Luverne…
By George BonnemaMarch 07, 2016I have finished my hibernation! It amazes me that when we finally get to see the sun in the morning after weeks of cloudy weather, we realize that our daylight hours have increased dramatically. That mean it’s time for gardeners to get to work ... that means me, and I’m loving it! If you have houseplants that need repotting, the next 8 weeks is the best time to get that accomplished. I know that…
By Brenda WinterFebruary 22, 2016Our cat is sick. And I am not a cat person. I grew up on a farm where the average life expectancy of a cat was about three years. Causes of death among farm cats include the milk truck, a tractor, a car, a dog, a trap, hypothermia, a horse, a cow, another cat — and of course, disease. Sad but true — life on the farm can be brutal. But ours is not a farm cat. Ours is a house cat. He’s old and now…- By Martha Fick, Good Samaritan, Mission EffectivenessFebruary 15, 2016“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 Sven was riding the city bus to town. When he reached his stop, it looked like rain and without thinking he picked up the umbrella belonging to the man sitting next to him. “Stop, thief,” Lars yelled. “Stop dat man. He took my umbrella.” Sven apologized profusely. “I vas not thinking vhen I picked it up. I tought it vas my umbrella. I must haf…
By Rick Peterson, Tollefson Publishing General ManagerFebruary 15, 2016It’s been a couple of weeks since the youngest Peterson grandson took the ice for his first mini-mite tournament. Tournament maybe isn’t the right word because they didn’t keep score; there was no goalie in the net because there was no net. Come to find out that for the mini-mites instead of nets they use a wooden box with holes at each end that the kids try and shoot the puck into for a goal.…
By Lori Sorenson, editorFebruary 15, 2016For Christmas we gave Matt wireless headphones to listen to the TV without interference from, well, us, essentially. Carson can practice percussion or play the piano and I can be on the phone or clattering dishes and the xBox downstairs can play at full volume without interfering with Matt’s hockey game. It was the best gift ever. He can hear; we don’t have to “keep it down.” But I’ve also…- By Martha Fick, Good Samaritan, Mission EffectivenessFebruary 09, 2016And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:29 ESV) An elderly woman walked into a local country church. A friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. “Where would you like to sit today?” he asked politely. “I vould like to sit in de front row please,” she replied. “Are you sure you want to do that?” the…
By Betty Mann, President, Rock County Historical SocietyFebruary 02, 2016The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on December 28, 1923: SHORTAGE OF GOOD HOME GROWN SEED IS INDICATED County Agent Roske Seeks to Locate Good Local Grown Seed for Distribution In County In consideration of the great shortage this year of good, clean, home-grown seed of many varieties of farm grains, County Agent M. P. Roske is endeavoring to locate and get a distribution, in…-
By Betty Mann, President, Rock County Historical SocietyFebruary 02, 2016The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on December 28, 1923: SHORTAGE OF GOOD HOME GROWN SEED IS INDICATED County Agent Roske Seeks to Locate Good Local Grown Seed for Distribution In County In consideration of the great shortage this year of good, clean, home-grown seed of many varieties of farm grains, County Agent M. P. Roske is endeavoring to locate and get a distribution, in…
By Lori Sorenson, editorJanuary 25, 2016Newspaper offices were at one time fascinating places to visit — with noisy presses, oversized rolls of paper and ink by the barrel. In my time at the Star Herald, we’ve never printed on our own presses, but there were lots of other interesting things to see and do. Tourists were photographed at the door and then led to the darkroom to learn how film (remember film?) is developed and prints are…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterJanuary 18, 2016My last consumption of a can of pop was 687 days ago. That’s one year, 10 months, 16 days — or since March 5, 2014. A month prior to that day I had my first (and hopefully last) experience with a kidney stone. Doctors cited pop as the culprit for the mineral buildup and gave me the advice to give up drinking the super sugary stuff or possibly suffer through another round of excruciating pain. (…
By Rick Peterson, Tollefson Publishing General ManagerJanuary 18, 2016Did you notice the funds in your checking account seem to be coming up short this month? Sure, the depleted checking account might be the result of overzealous Christmas shopping, but in my case, and for many of you that I talked to, shortages of $250 to $500 seem to be the norm due to the new premiums of the unaffordable health care act. I know ISIS and immigration are the hot topics of the…
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