Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Succulents are increasingly popular as houseplants, and they’re ideal for beginners due to their low maintenance needs. These plants have thick, water-storing leaves and stems that allow them to thrive in dry conditions. Succulents come in various shapes, sizes and textures, including familiar indoor varieties like jade plants, ponytail… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist Isn’t being told you’re going to be a grandparent the best news ever? Dave and I love being called Grandma and Grandpa. Immediately after hearing the baby news, I started dreaming of holding the little one on my lap, reading nursery rhymes and stories to her or him. It’ll… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglas, Publisher Ah, the 2024 General Election is almost here.  By Wednesday, it should be history and we can move on from immersion in presidential politics. It was interesting to hear from Pope County Auditor/Treasurer Stephanie Rust last week about the popularity of early voting in Pope County.  Of course some of it… Read More

Optimism for Starbuck Depot From Blaine Pederson President, Starbuck Depot Society The seasonal shut down of the Starbuck Depot and Museums is complete and we extend our gratitude to all the people that made 2024 possible.  The end of year thank you notes are in the works and for those that don’t receive one in… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone Many of you know that I walk for exercise, you’ve seen me walking around town, in Barsness Park or along the roads and streets near Lake Minnewaska. There are actually two routes I have, a short one and a longer one that includes walking most of the trails in Barsness… Read More

View From The Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist In the Oct. 15 article by Chris Clayton of DTN, is a timely comment for us farmers about a possible trade war with China in the future.  Here it is, edited for length and clarity: U. S. corn and soybean exports risk losing a significant share of the Chinese market… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist With the pheasant season underway it is pretty easy to get so concentrated as to forget that the firearms deer season opens on November 9th and runs through Sunday, November 17th. October is pretty much shot and November will be here before we know it. I was reading some… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator As cooler weather brings houseplants indoors, many plant owners are dealing with fungus gnats. These tiny, mosquito-like insects hover around potting soil and, while harmless to humans, they can stress plants—especially seedlings and delicate roots. Here’s how to identify and treat fungus gnats and keep them from returning. What… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist The prairie winds are howling around our old farm house, shaking the last leaves from the many trees in our grove. I sit on our warm porch which now sports many of the summer plants I couldn’t bear to part with; the two mandevilla plants that stood by… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist I spent my childhood in jail. Growing up in a rambling, big box house, with attached jails housing robbers, derelicts, bums and a few shady characters, felt perfectly normal to me.  To this day, I haven’t met anyone else who spent their childhood, grade school, high school and college… Read More