A bit of history on Independence Day-July 4 From Jay Backer, Chair, Senate District 12 Republicans Two hundred forty-seven years ago, in 1776, after affixing his signature to the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, explaining the significance of what he and the founding fathers had done. In his letter, he… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone Former President Donald J. Trump’s history is that he does what he wants to do, when he wants to do it, without regard to traditions, laws or public perception. There are those who see that as an endearing quality, the fellow willing to ditch tradition and be his own man,… Read More

Minnewaska Musings By Paul Gremmels In gardening, like everything else, you learn things over time. Like; a weed is only a plant that is growing where you don’t want it to grow. One of the first weeds I learned about and still battle today in my garden, is called “Common Purslane.” I used to hate this… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator This is the time of year that bugs enter the picture. Bugs in jars line my desk and the freezer in the office, and the main question I get is “how do I get rid of it?!?” The answer is not always simple, because as much as I can… Read More

View From The Cab By David Tollefson, Columnist Last April of 2023 I wrote a column titled “Battle For Ukraine,” about Howard G. Buffett, and written by Clinton Griffiths of Farm Journal Magazine. In the latest issue of Successful Farming is a multi-page insert written by Buffett, and includes numerous photographs of the tragic war in that… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist Summer is here. It is dry and the heat and hot winds from the south steal what little moisture is left until the grass turns yellow and crunches when I walk on it. I try to water the new trees we planted this spring. We always plant trees… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist The only thing more fleeting than summer is childhood. Don’t you miss the backyard swing, starry nights filled with fireflies, swimming out to a diving tower, burying bodies in the sand and, of course, bare feet? I still dream about my favorite haunt, the weeping willow tree that I’d… Read More

There is a cost for adding another official holiday From  Barb Kramber, Glenwood Another ‘official’ holiday Juneteenth just occurred. Juneteen, the 12th federal holiday, was signed into law in 2021 as the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.” On June 19th alone   $4,740,000,000 was paid in wages to government employees who had the day off…based… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone A spring Senior College lecturer at Alexandria Technical and Community College talked about light pollution or, as he put it in a book he wrote, “The End of Night.” Paul Bogard, who is actually an English professor at Hamline University, talked about excessive lighting and how it makes it difficult… Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator It’s that time of year again! Many of us look forward to spending our free time outside and work hard to enhance our surroundings with lush plants and flowers. While gardens and yards are lovely for relaxing, they can also prove to be dangerous for our furry friends. With… Read More