column
By Mavis Fodness, reporterJune 16, 2020Since the first cases of the coronavirus hit Minnesota in March, one of my colleagues went missing. Gone. Poof. Vanished. In the past three months only a handful of sightings of former sports editor John Rittenhouse have been passed on to the newsroom, but none of these by me, this former colleague. Three months ago, as the newspaper was scrambling to understand the new health rules, John quietly…
By Rick Peterson, general managerJune 16, 2020The Luverne Area Community Foundation has created a worthy dedicated fund called the Rock County Veterans Fund. Don’t confuse this fund with the Rock County Veterans Memorial fund. The Rock County Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to the perpetual care of the Veterans Memorial on the front lawn of the Rock County courthouse. In fact, while you have the checkbook out, write two checks — one for…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyJune 16, 2020The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911. Rock County Village of continued from 6-11-20 edition of the Star Herald. The growth of Hills during 1892 was substantial and its permanency was assured. It distanced some of the neighboring villages and boasted a larger growth than its rivals.9 Among the new enterprises of the year were the town’s first hotel by T. O. Strandness, a bank…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistJune 16, 2020Does anybody know what I am talking about when I call a bird a “shy poke”? This was the name I first learned from my grandpa, Arnold Bender, who lived in Leola, South Dakota. This is the nickname for the great blue heron. Another name for them is a looper. This is for their large slow wind beats. The great blue heron was the subject of many watercolor paintings by my favorite wildlife artist,…
By Brenda Winter, columnistJune 09, 2020I was just learning to read when I handed my mom the anniversary card I’d found in a box on her desk. With all the over-dramatic “ohhs and ahhs” one gives a child for doing a good thing, Mom received the card with appreciation and read it silently. Then — she collapsed into a heap of laughter and could not stop laughing. She laughed the kind of laugh one laughs when trying not to laugh. I’m sure…
By Lori Sorenson, editorJune 02, 2020More than once in the past several days, I’ve opened my mouth to say something profound, but stopped short, realizing that words aren’t enough. There simply are no words to describe the occurrences of the past week in Minneapolis and their ripple effect statewide and now in cities across the nation. There are no words to explain why a police officer would lean on the neck of an already handcuffed…
By Rick Peterson, general managerJune 02, 2020I wear my coronavirus mask more often than not, but not 100 percent of the time, which I probably should. I kind of relate the habit of wearing the mask to wearing my seatbelt in the car. When the recommendation to wear your seatbelt first came out, it was done so as a way to save lives. Wearing one’s seatbelt was voluntary at first, and very little compliance was the result of said…
By Scott Rall, outdoor columnistMay 26, 2020Star Herald editor Lori Sorenson recently told me her son just acquired a black Lab puppy for hunting. Most new puppies go to their new homes at seven to eight weeks of age, so that little one will be about 7 1/2 months old when he gets to use his natural instincts. I wrote a few months back about the differences between flushing breeds and pointing breeds. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a…
By Jason Berghorst, reporterMay 26, 2020Staying positive was one of my main goals as the pandemic began to impact us in mid-March. As the weeks – and now months – have gone on, it’s gotten somewhat harder to stay positive for me, and maybe for you, too. In order to focus on the positive, I’ve been making a mental list of the changes COVID-19 has brought that I hope remain long term. Or, to use popular pandemic phrases, these are the…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyMay 19, 2020Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911. County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 05-14 edition) Dover (Denver) One of the townships comprising the original Gregory township had seceded until with…
By Scott Rall, outdoor columnistMay 12, 2020We’re in the process of getting a new puppy, and it reminds me of the very first hunting dog puppy I ever had. I grew up with lap dogs, but this was a yellow Labrador named Scout, the first puppy from the first breeding at the newly created Round Lake Kennels around 1996. I knew about as much as nothing when it came to formal training, so I made all of the amateur mistakes a person could make. I…- By Rev. Maggie Berndt-Dreyer, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, HillsMay 12, 2020By the time this column is printed, I will have moved away from the area and will be just about to begin my new pastoral call. As I write you one last column, I’m reflecting on all the stories I will take with me as I go. Storytelling is a powerful tool for remembering. Telling stories of loved ones who have gone or of the kids when they were little helps us feel connected to each other…
By Lori SorensonMay 05, 2020Something truly remarkable happened one gray day in April. I’m still shaking my head over it. The high school senior wandered into the kitchen on a Saturday afternoon. “Mom, let’s take my graduation photo.” I just about dropped the frying pan. This is the kid who hates to have his photo taken and was dragging his feet for the graduation portrait. “Now?” “Yeah. What should I wear?” “Something with…
By Rick Peterson, general managerMay 05, 2020I don’t know about you, but keeping track of what day of the week it is has been a bit of a problem for me. It seems like we’ve been doing this stay-at-home thing forever when really it’s only been six weeks. That said, six weeks is a long time when you don’t know from one day to the next what the next day will bring. Our office has been functioning under essential business protocol since mid-…
By Jason Berghorst, reporterApril 28, 2020Many of us are spending more time at home now than ever before. Global pandemics of highly infectious diseases with no known treatment or vaccine tend to have that effect, I guess. In mid-March, most of our lives were changed in ways that are pretty hard to believe. When the students left school on March 16, it was not a good feeling. Bringing everything to my house that I needed to teach…
By Scott Rall, outdoor columnistApril 28, 2020One of the most misunderstood wildlife habitat management practices is spring burning of grasslands. I get calls all the time, and have for the past 20 years, with folks all upset about wildlife management agencies burning all the nests of pheasants, ducks and other ground-nesting songbirds. I liken burning of grasslands to when you can finally get out in the spring when everybody rakes their…
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