Aim is to continue technology solutions for students, staff From Chip Rankin, Superintendent Minnewaska Area Schools I am writing to our supportive community today about an important initiative that will significantly impact the educational experience of our students — the proposed renewal and increase of the current technology levy for Minnewaska Area Schools. Technology plays… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone My current reading project is working through a four-book biography of George C. Marshall by Forrest Pogue. When I started it looked like almost too much, but a third of the way into it I’ve been amazed about the man and his leadership skills. It is hard not to contrast… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist Editors Note: This column was written before Oct. 14 The pheasant hunting season officially kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 14, and by all metrics the forecast looks to be a pretty good one. The DNR roadside counts came in with big increases and overall, some areas were up more… Read More

View From The Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist Recently I had a chance to spend a weekend with my sister, Grace, who lives in Steilacoom, Wash. She lives by herself in that suburb of Seattle, right along the lovely Puget Sound. Her whole family (her son, wife and three high school kids) lives in Daniel Island, near… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator I have gotten many, many questions regarding tree pruning this week. The weather is lovely, gardens have been put to bed and people are eager to get the rest of the garden chores done. If you’ve got a pruning saw and loppers in hand, STOP, and put them right… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist Despite Israel/Palestine being called the Holy Land, there seems to be no end to the conflict there. It is easy for me, an elderly white woman sitting in an old, but comfortable house in the midst of the peaceful prairie in West-Central Minnesota, to criticize and offer advice… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist Fall is the season kids get back to school, adults clean the yard, put on the storm windows (for those of us with older homes), start baking and cooking fall meals like casseroles and stews, winterize and store the boat and take out the dock. We become industrious again… Read More

What’s on the Horizon for Public Health by Maggie Johnson, Health Educator Horizon Public Health During the month often associated with pumpkin drinks, and sweet treats, it’s also worth noting that October is designated as Dental Hygiene Month. Did you know that tooth decay is the second most common disease in the United States? It’s never too… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune I was reading a neighboring newspaper, the Lakes Area Review in New London-Spicer when a story caught my eye.  Editor Brett Blocker did a story about a New London woman who helped co-author a book with Patty Wetterling. The book, titled “Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey… Read More

Stop removing ‘God’ from proceedings From Inga Mae B. Urke, Starbuck I fear that many folks are unaware that the Democrats are attempting to remove God in numerous ways, but that as soon as they gained power, liberals in a key House Committee erased the words “so help me God” from the sacred oath given… Read More