Columns
By Mavis FodnessMay 11, 2021In the past year I’ve struggled with feelings of uncertainty, unanswered questions and an overwhelming cascade of local, state and federal happenings that have left my brain — well — foggy. Last week, Minnesota Public Radio aired a segment about exactly what I’ve been feeling. Apparently, mental health professionals have a name for this unsettling feeling that isn’t quite burnout or hopelessness…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 11, 2021Question: Are you seeing increased speed more in the metro or Greater Minnesota? And are those increased speeds on the highway or the city streets? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol is seeing increased speeds across the state. Whether you live in the metro or Greater Minnesota, excessive speeds are a cause for concern. People tend to think of dangerous speeds on the highway, but traveling at a…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyMay 11, 2021The following appeared in The Rock County Star-Herald on Jan. 19, 1950. New Café To Open In Beaver Creek “The Beaver Café” Will Hold Formal Opening Jan. 25 Geo. Schultz and C. L. Gray, Sioux Falls Man, Owners, Announce Business Staff Formal opening of the new Beaver Creek will be held next Wednesday, January 25th. Although the café will be opened prior to that for serving meals and lunches…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistMay 11, 2021I hope you have noticed the beautiful lavender flowers of the rhododendron shrubs that have been blooming for the last two weeks. The variety is PJM, and these rhododendrons are broad-leaf evergreens, meaning that they do not drop their leaves in winter. This rhododendron grows to about 3 feet tall. They prefer a slightly acidic soil, which is not what we have in this part of Minnesota, so…
By Kent Thiesse, Farm Management AnalystMay 11, 2021The University of Minnesota recently reported that the median net farm income for southern and western Minnesota farmers in 2020 was $102,848. It’s the highest since 2012, which was followed by seven years (2013-2019) of poor income levels in the region. The 2020 net farm income levels in that region were enhanced by robust crop profits that resulted from above-average crop yields, improved grain…
By Lori Sorenson, editorMay 04, 2021There’s a reason music therapy is popular in nursing homes. Songs have a way of stirring memories that carry us back in time, often to happy moments of our youth. Today’s 85-year-olds still enjoy the “big band” sounds that they once danced to, and 75-year-olds may smile to hear Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash. I’ve thought about which songs would stir happy memories when I’m older and needing some…
By Rick Peterson, general managerMay 04, 2021Mary and I spent a couple of days in Des Moines recently for a family gathering, and from there we drove to Redwood Falls for our grandson’s confirmation. We were a couple of hours into our trip when we pulled into a Kwik Star gas station. For whatever reason, what we know as Kwik Trips in Minnesota they call Kwik Stars in Iowa. On our way out the door headed to our car, I noticed this girl…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyMay 04, 2021“Generous hearted Rock countians came through in grand style for the annual Sister Kenny Fund Drive,” said Elmer Piepgras, Rock county drive chairman. When the campaign for funds closed last Thursday, donations totaling $3,505.51 had been turned in. This is more than double the quota assigned to Rock county, $1,705. “We certainly want to express our most sincere appreciation to all the good folks…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistMay 04, 2021Seems that our weather has kept us guessing, and that includes the weather forecasters. We go from no frost in the 15-day outlook to a pretty definite light frost sneaking in the mix. Our average last frost date is May 15. To get an average, some years that last date is earlier and some years it is later. My advice is if you can’t move it and you can’t cover it, don’t plant it until after May 15…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistMay 04, 2021What time is it? It is food plot time. Conservation work is kind of like the fashion industry; you are always working about two seasons ahead. You do fall work to prepare burn breaks for the spring burning season. You plant food plots now in order for wildlife to have a food source three seasons from now in the dead of winter. On average, food plots make a measurable difference in wildlife…
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 Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyApril 27, 2021The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Jan. 9, 1942. 9 P.M. Saturday Closing Advised Civic And Commerce Executive Committee Holds First Meeting Holding its first meeting in the Luverne National bank, the new executive board of the Luverne Civic and Commerce association recommended Monday evening that all retail businesses in this city close promptly at 9 p.m. on Saturday nights.…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistApril 27, 2021Our spring weather certainly has been unstable this year. I don’t understand how a tulip flower stem can survive 16 degrees and still stand firm and continue on to a beautiful flower. My blooming daffodils didn’t come through the cold as well. The leaves are still green so they can feed the bulb to develop the flower for next year. That is why we stress the importance of leaving the leaves of…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistApril 27, 2021I just love it when it finally gets to be 70 degrees and the sun shines. My last wildlife ride included a ground hog, a new bald eagle nest, one mink, tons of Canada geese, raccoons, American kestrels, turkey vultures, turkeys, numerous white tail deer and a few mergansers and wood ducks utilizing my nesting boxes. My favorite, though, is the big and bad ringneck pheasant. Male ringnecks, called…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 20, 2021Question: I see a lot of people that have their fog lights on, and when I am meeting them on the road, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. What is the law that covers this? Answer: If the fog lights are aimed too high and/or are too bright, they are illegal even if they are in compliance with the rest of the…
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