Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher

The 36th annual Lefse Dagen (Lefse Day) celebration is set to take place this Saturday, May 17, at the historic Starbuck Depot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. The event coincides with Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day, and is open to the public with no admission fee.

Festivities will kick off with entertainment from Myron’s Polka Datters, performing from 10 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m., followed by the Cheese Bots, who will take the stage from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Attendees will also have the chance to roll their own lefse, a traditional Norwegian flatbread, with packages available for purchase.

A Scandinavian-style lunch will be offered, featuring lefse, rømmegrøt, varmpølse, and sloppy joes.

Visitors can explore the historic Depot, Caboose, and additional buildings filled with memorabilia that reflect the early days of rail and life in Starbuck. The event also includes the Lefse Hall of Fame and a replica of a Viking long boat.

Organizers encourage families to bring the kids and enjoy a day of heritage, food, and fun.

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The fire threat in most of Western Minnesota is real.

Multiple wildfires were burning across Minnesota on Sunday as much of the state is under a red flag warning.

High winds and low humidity are creating dangerous conditions for the state, it was reported.  A large wildfire moved through the Minnesota River Valley just northeast of Granite Falls .

Granite Falls fire officials say more than a dozen agencies were called just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday for a brush fire near Highway 167 in Yellow Medicine County. While no injuries were reported in the 146-acre fire, officials add multiple hunting stands were burned, as well as power poles and several fence posts.

Although foul play or intentional open burning are not suspected, the cause of the fire is still being investigated. A total of 23 grass rigs, two helicopters and dozens of tankers and engines had to be brought into Chippewa and Yellow Medicine Counties on Sunday.