Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone Recently the Social Security Administration said that the system is likely able to pay benefits for its major program OASI (Old Age and Survivors Insurance) through 2033. After the expenses of that program will exceed the income. Actually, the expenses of the program exceed the income now. Benefits are now… Read More

Cyber Moment  By Mike Pfeiffer, CyberFyfe LLC The festive season is upon us!  It’s a time for joy, generosity, decking the halls, and unfortunately, dodging the Scrooges of the cyber world.  Yes, while you’re busy spreading holiday cheer, cyber grinches are scheming up new ways to spoil your celebrations with seasonal scams.  From bogus charity drives… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist With less than 10 days before the big Christmas holiday, I supposed I should start to think about those on my Christmas list. I never fail in this department but I won’t fight the crowds on Black Friday or any weekend end day for the most part. I really… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Each winter, bird enthusiasts across the Americas take part in a cherished tradition that blends science, conservation, and community: the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). What started over a century ago as a conservation initiative is now one of the most significant citizen science projects in the world. The Origins… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist Looking out the window to the bare trees and the grass, frozen with a barely a trace of snow, my mind wanders back to my childhood. When we always had snow for Christmas. When the world of Christmas was one of magic. When we celebrated the birth of… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist Winter mornings when I walk out to the mailbox for the morning paper, I look up and see stars blazing in the clear, black sky. Though I can’t name all the constellations on display, they’re up there performing their magic on my senses. It is a beautiful sight! By… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglas, Publisher Two of my boys and one grandson joined 67,000 Vikings fans at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday to watch the Vikings get a win over the Atlanta Falcons, led by former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. The game was a tight one until the fourth quarter when the Vikings, on the arm… Read More

Thanks to those who carry on a great tradition From Steve Nestor, (An old thespian) Had to write this quick note after reading the wonderful article in the Tribune noting the excellent performance and reaction to the Minnewaska Area High School’s music department’s production, “Seussical the Musical”…… to read about the accolades and high fives… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone Minnesota Legislators are going to have a difficult time next year. Their chief job next year is to create a budget for the biennium that starts July 1, 2025. This is usually never an easy process. This year it will be interesting because, as of this writing, the Minnesota Legislature… Read More

View From The Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist Again, I quote Urban Lehner, an exceptionally smart, well-travelled columnist currently with DTNag online: Back in 1971, the world was suffering from a vast overabundance of dollars. American foreign investment and foreign aid coupled with inflationary U.S. government policies had flooded the world with greenbacks. At the same time,… Read More