column
By Mavis Fodness, reporterApril 27, 2021A forgotten influence recently came to mind with the news of Walter Mondale’s death. The memory took me back to Augustana College as an 18-year-old freshman. The 1984 presidential campaign featured Democratic presidential candidate Mondale, and I was one of a small group of Young Democrats on campus. Like me, he was a Minnesota native, and my political leanings were beginning to take root in his…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 27, 2021Question: Can you talk about motorcycle safety going into spring riding? Answer: With everything going on in the world today, a motorcycle ride can be the perfect escape. Leave your worries behind, put that helmet on, and head for the open road. Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of crashing: •Ride sober. •Wear highly visible protective gear, including a brightly colored helmet. •…
By Rick Peterson, general managerApril 20, 2021It’s always been a challenge to get high school spring sports games, matches and meets in due to weather. And last year the spring sports season was washed out altogether, thanks to COVID. This spring things looked promising. Games, matches and meets were scheduled and the early April weather gave everyone hope that soon players, coaches, parents and, in my case grandparents, would be outside…
By Lori Sorenson, editorApril 13, 2021Gray, rainy weather, combined with some minor sleep deprivation, prompted a recent pity party in my honor. Why does metabolism slow to a crawl after 50? For that matter, why is gravity so ruthless and gray roots so stubborn? Are my children happy? Was I a good mom in the fleeting years when I had a chance? Had I been a good daughter and made the most of those final days with my parents? And there…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyApril 13, 2021The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on April 3, 1941. Homemaker’s School Opens Tomorrow Many Prizes To Be Given Away Daily Sessions Will Begin at 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday; No Admission Charges Lock the doors and come to the Luverne armory Friday and Saturday afternoons when The Star and Luverne merchants entertain at their School for Homemakers. Hundreds of Rock county…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistApril 13, 2021In years past, I have recommended applying a product called Systemic Rose Care as a fertilizer and insect preventative for your roses. Bonide and Beyer are two brands that have this product available, and they are basically the same. Now is the time to make that first application of the granules. You will do a second application six weeks from now and a third application six weeks after the…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistApril 13, 2021My weekly wildlife rides are turning into five-days-a-week wildlife rides this time of year, with my binoculars and a thermos full of coffee looking at all the waterfowl passing through my area. I get to see all kinds of duck and goose species that I never get to see except during their spring migration. Some of my earlier columns this year were about wood duck nesting structures and facts and…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterApril 06, 2021The weekend provided a wonderful time for renewal, and the warm weather gives a glimpse into a bright and wonderful summer — so much different from last year. At this time 365 days ago, the coronavirus pandemic made me stop and evaluate how to safely interact with my grandchildren. It often meant I didn’t make car trips to Iowa and opted instead for FaceTime, packages in the mail and promises to…
By Rick Peterson, general managerApril 06, 2021Next to hunting season this is my favorite time of the year. I like to call it “change-over season.” It’s time to put all the winter gear away. Snow boots, coats, hats and gloves have been stowed away for another year. Putting the snow blower and shovels away is especially satisfying in that it gives me the feeling of “I made it through another Minnesota winter.” I know, I know. There is always…
By Brenda Winter, columnistMarch 30, 2021One of my grandmas could make a jumping mouse out of a handkerchief. The other grandma let us have a sip of her beer and eat supper without washing our hands. One grandma took us to the store to buy pop and candy, the other entertained us for hours by telling stories from her childhood in Germany. I loved both of my grandmas. I didn’t love them for what they could do. I loved them because they…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyMarch 30, 2021The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on June 24, 1892. The Old Settlers The Annual Meeting Held at the Court House Last Saturday Pursuant to the call published in these columns, the annual meeting of the Old Settlers’ association of Rock county was held at the court room last Saturday afternoon. E. L. Grout, president of the association, called the meeting to order, and the…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistMarch 30, 2021It is Monday and I have been cleaning up the Healing Garden at Sanford. As I was working, I noticed little sprouts of bluegrass that have been hiding among the stems of perennials that I didn’t notice last year. That reminded me to remind you that this is the best time to remove perennials grass that may have begun invading your garden area. Many of these grasses like blue grass or quack grass…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistMarch 30, 2021Spring is upon us and prescribed fire season will be here and gone in the blink of an eye. Fire scares the heck out of most people and it should. Utilizing fire to benefit wildlife habitat is not something you can pick up in a weekend or two. I have been active in prescribed fire projects for almost 20 years. Still today, I have a very high respect for fire, and this is the primary reason that…
By Jason Berghorst, reporterMarch 23, 2021If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. That old “rule” seems to be forgotten on social media. It seems like negative, divisive, and/or false information is posted or shared much more than positive or uplifting content. You know what I mean. The same few people who constantly produce posts that are either bashing one political party, sharing false information or…
By Rick Peterson, general managerMarch 23, 2021The St. Patrick’s Day parade that made its way down Main Street last week may pale in comparison to other event parades, but this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was the best parade of the year by non-traditional measures. The parade itself was kind of a coming out party for life having a little bit of normalcy. For 10 years or more, the Star Herald has participated in the parade, and I would say…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistMarch 23, 2021Spring is a transition between winter and summer, and this week we have been transitioning. The snow added some much-needed moisture to our top soil and that gives me confidence after last year’s prolonged dry season. Today I will remind you that now is a good time to rejuvenate your indoor plants if they are needing that attention. Taking cuttings from old plants to get new plants is the best…
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