Columns
By Nicole RonchettiOctober 07, 2026When I was 5 years old, standing outside of the elementary school and nervous for my first day of kindergarten, my mother did what so many parents do and gave me a hug. Then, she kissed my hand and said that if I ever became scared or overwhelmed that her kiss was still there – all I had to do was think about it and she’d be with me. That was the ritual for the first several months of…
By Tom Brakke, president, Tollefson EnterprisesSeptember 30, 2026Unlike other church buildings that are sold or demolished or left to decay once a congregation disbands, Blue Mound Lutheran Church has been lovingly maintained by former parishioners and their families. Every fall they celebrate together, inviting the public to join them for worship. A half-century after the doors closed, the spirit lives on. Dennis Olson, an emeritus professor at…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistSeptember 30, 2026I had a group of folks rally up with me this past weekend to do a little practice shooting with their shotguns. I have a variety of shooting stations equipped with different clay pigeon throwers. It totally blows me away at just how many bird hunters will hunt their favorite season and then just stow the gun in the closet until opening day the following year. They hit the field on opening…- By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026It’s not often that reporters and photographers find themselves part of a story — being interviewed and recorded. And when it happens, it can cloud perspective. I’d been following Jason Lennox and his Recovery Road walk around the periphery of Minnesota. I read the Star Tribune story about him, along with compelling coverage by community newspapers on the state’s border about his 1,776-…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library DirectorSeptember 23, 2026One of the many fun things I get to do as a library director is attend conferences. I just got back from my favorite conference of the year, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference. This year it was in Montgomery, Alabama. As you probably guessed from the title, this conference is geared toward small and rural libraries. ARSL defines “small and rural” as those with service…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistSeptember 23, 2026I spent some time over the past week preparing for my Pheasants Forever Chapter Veterans Appreciation Pheasant Hunt. There is lots to do and emails are flying in and out at a pretty fast clip. This event is taking place over the same period as the special Youth Firearm Deer Season in Minnesota. The youth deer hunt takes place over the much-anticipated MEA weekend. It is a four-day season and…
By Scott RallSeptember 16, 2026It was one of the first Labor Days that I can remember over the past years that was actually a rainout. Nobles County received about 3.5 inches of rain over the long weekend. This is the first significant rain we have had in about three months. It killed a lot of plans but part of my weekend plan went off despite of the rain. A few years back I enrolled about 75 acres in a conservation…
By Brenda WinterSeptember 16, 2026Grapevines connect a family’s generations. Six Concord grape vines grew on the garden fence between the garage and rhubarb when Grandpa Winter bought the farm in the 1920s. His bride, fresh off the boat from Germany after World War I, made tending them part of her responsibilities as a dedicated hausfrau. Every September, Grandma dutifully lined the canning room shelves with sparkling jars of…
By Sgt. Troy ChristiansonSeptember 16, 2026Question: I saw in one of your recent articles talking about stopping for a school bus. In the article you stated, “Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) — but they should remain alert for children.” Can you explain the “etc.” as I still have questions. Answer: Excellent question and yes, I can. Minnesota state…
September 09, 2026Some of my favorite high school memories start with me getting up at 6 a.m. to go with my dad to his Rotary Club meetings. Every Tuesday, we would get in the car before the sun had come up and drive to what used to be the Hibbing Park Hotel. Other Rotarians would already be there, setting up, and we’d say ‘hi’ and then order breakfast. A few minutes later, I would be sitting in front of a…
September 09, 2026Question: We are starting to see a lot more fog with spring time. Can you provide some advice for driving in those types of conditions. Answer: This is a great topic. Here is some information from the National Weather Service for driving in fog. If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind: •Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. •Make…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorSeptember 09, 2026The Star Herald will once against be covering Adrian-Ellsworth sports events in the Star Herald and on Star Media. It has been around six years since we have covered the Dragons, and we are excited to have them back on our roster. They now join the Cardinals and Patriots in our regular sports coverage. I am excited to get to know the Adrian-Ellsworth coaches and athletes, and I look forward to…
By Scott Rall, Outdoor ColumnistSeptember 09, 2026Even though it happens over a long period of time, changes in wildlife landscape and their habitats are always changing a little bit at a time. In this case it takes 30 years and then it kind of hits you like a hammer. While I was out doing the annual pheasant roadside counts this past month it got me thinking. Just where have the Hungarian partridge gone? This cool little game bird used to be…- By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026I learned last week that new refrigerators, the kind that cost $5,000, are equipped with cameras on the inside. Upon learning this, my immediate thought was, “Oh good. Another tool to curb late night snacking.” I imagined the refrigerator syncing with my diet and exercise app to report undocumented calories. •two slices of ham •two tablespoons of French onion dip •three bites of…
By Jason BerghorstAugust 26, 2026For 13 summers, I’ve had the opportunity to write part-time for the Star Herald when on break from my real job as a teacher. As a high school teacher, I have the opportunity to attend many graduation parties each spring. I’ve written at least one column over the years about “grad parties,” how they both change and stay the same, and how much I do enjoy them. One of the aspects of graduation…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorAugust 26, 2026September is one of the most exciting months at the library. For one thing, it’s Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don’t have a library card, get yourself into the library and sign up for one ASAP! But the big event in September is the Friends of the Library annual book sale. Every year, the Friends of the Rock County Community Library put on a massive book sale in the basement of the…
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