The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist With a break from the rains, I was willing to venture outside a bunch this past week. My rain gauge in Nobles County had 15.2 inches of rain over the past few weeks. The grass is tall and the mosquitos are as big as fighter jets and there are… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator This year, many Minnesota gardens have experienced significant flooding damage, which can be harmful to produce. Flooding introduces chemical and microbial risks to produce, potentially causing human illness if consumed. Here’s what you need to know about produce safety after flooding. Understanding Food Safety Risks The FDA defines flooding… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist After we got our cabin thirty years ago, it became a natural gathering spot for our family. And when our children all got married and moved away, they would always return around the Fourth, so it became our designated family reunion. Our eight grandchildren, who were born in… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist Does this happen to you? When I hear a familiar tune I might recall a heart-throbbing teenage romance or remember slow dancing at Lakeside ballroom with the spinning silver ball overhead. Certain smells like lilacs remind me of graduation; popcorn kernels popping remind me of the Glenwood theater; chocolate… Read More

Committee invites participation in Waterama pontoon parade From the 2024 Pontoon Parade Committee: Robbie and Emily Hyland, Bryan and Becky Taffe, Kristal and Adam Wendt We’re writing to invite all area businesses, organizations, and family and friends to become a part of the upcoming 68th annual Waterama lighted pontoon parade on July 27th. Deck out… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone I missed the start and the early parts of the recent presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. That was probably OK since when I did catch up with the debate I could only watch about 15 minutes of it. I knew if I watched… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist There is nothing else to talk about in Southwest Minnesota except flooding.  I have lived in this part of the state for 50 years and have only seen it this bad a few other times. Lives are changed and fortunes ruined. The only light at the end of this… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator This cool summer brings challenges to our gardens, with excess water, insufficient sunlight, fungal diseases and numerous pests. Colorado potato beetles, aphids, leaf hoppers and cucumber beetles are particularly active, prompting many homeowners to turn to insecticides for relief. Identifying Pests Before using insecticides, accurately identify the pests in… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist Most mornings, I just sit and stare at the birds and the trees, at the flowers, at the sky. And how the branches of the trees and shrubs seem to dance in the breeze. My mind is empty and I am at peace. God’s world does that to… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist My neighborhood on Lake Minnetonka’s Casco Point is a perfect Norman Rockwell scene on the Fourth of July. Celebrating America’s independence makes me nostalgic for the small town Americana life I knew growing up. Kids celebrated each and every day of summer on Lake Minnewaska sunning on old bath… Read More