Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Another cool, wet spring has led to a recurring problem with maple trees. Blotchy black leaves and unusual bumps abound, and samples are flooding my desk from residents concerned that their tree may be dying. If you are noticing unusual looking leaves on your maples you might be seeing… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist Last week I shared what a dog owner needs to be prepared to start a formal obedience training program. If you missed that column, try to look back and read that one first. If you can’t find it reach out to me and I will send it to you…. Read More

What’s on the Horizon for Public Health By Marcia Schroeder, RN There is a billboard east of Hoffman that has a picture of a human brain. The caption reads: ”If you have one of these, you have mental health.”  At some time in our lives, we will all experience an incident or a disaster that will tax… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist The idea of fatherhood has changed partly due to the way society has evolved. No longer do huge numbers of workers toil away in industrial factories while women spend time gardening and canning, dusting, sewing clothing and making meals for the family. The modern role of fathers has changed… Read More

Notes from the Capitol By Representative Paul Anderson Our legislative session ended rather quietly this past Sunday, minus the last-minute rush of bills to be passed before the midnight deadline. Only one of the major supplemental budget bills – the one dealing with agriculture, drought relief and broadband – made it to the governor’s desk to become… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone My first reaction on May 23 when I woke up and found out that the Minnesota Legislature had not resolved nearly $8 billion in proposed spending was “who snookered who?” Remember this is a non-budget year so major monetary issues didn’t need to be resolved. On the other hand, the… Read More

Will we do something this time to stop the slaughter in schools? From Jim Thoreen, Glenwood As I draft this letter, I am watching network TV news coverage of the massacre of 18 people (maybe more) in the community of Uvalde, TX.  My God. How can we, who claim to be a civilized, peaceful society,… Read More

Minnewaska Musings By Paul Gremmels I helped to bury my 4th grade teacher the other day. The circumstances that brought me to the cemetery were that we are both veterans. He, of the Navy, and me, of the Marine Corps. He was buried with full military honors, and I carried the American flag for our local… Read More

Collaborative Corner: On the Move By Jeannie Pederson, Pope County Initiative Coordinator Question Persuade Refer, or QPR, is a 1.5-hour training for any community member to learn basic skills to assist someone at risk for suicide. By asking a simple question, you can save a life. Community members are free to attend one of two trainings on… Read More

View from a Prairie Home By Hege Herfindahl, Columnist I am standing here in our guest bedroom. Ironing. Many people might think this is an avoidable chore, but I like ironing. It is a meditative time for me. My mind wanders as my iron strokes the white damask napkins. Worn thin with wear. At the edge of… Read More