Year: 2023

This "Libraries Grow Community" mural greets visitors to the Lanesboro Public Library. America's FIRST library was in Philadelphia, started by Ben Franklin in 1731. (Photo by Steve Harris)

Are Libraries at a Critical Crossroads?

This is a first in Steve Harris’ series of articles about public libraries in rural communities in the Root River region.

"...a flowing stream, a crackling fire..." foster companionship along the Root River. (Photo by John Gaddo)

Essay | Campfire Truths

Writer Ken Lubinski advocates replacing the annual business conference with a tribal campfire.

Sunset comes early in November as each day gets shorter, leading up to the winter equinox on December 21. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Prelude to Winter

Renee Bergstrom captures in images the transition from autumn to winter.

Grand Champion honey at the Fillmore County Fair. (All photos by Renee Bergstrom)

Swan Lake | Thousands of Tundra Swans Migrate Each Autumn

John Weiss takes readers on a journey to visit the Tundra Swans near Brownsville.

Sunrise, with its mottled pinks, blends in with the red farmstead. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Brothers Blend Wine and Mead Into a Welcoming Destination

Julie Fryer introduces us to a Fountain-area winery and how it uses locally-sourced ingredients to create unique wine and mead blends.

FEAST! Festival brings together more than 100 food producers from the region profiling their locally-grown products. The event is traditionally held each November at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. (Photos courtesy of FEAST!)

FEAST! Marketplace | Celebrating Local Foods for 10 years

Steve Harris visits with the folks at FEAST!, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023.

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Essay | Scottish Highlands South of Highland

A Big Woods amateur homesteader raises Scottish Highland cattle.

A poem inspired by an image is called an Ekphrasis poem. This photo inspired the poem Double Vision. The photo was taken in September 1987 – “the corn still standing, with fall color (and gravel dust) in the distance.” The barn has since been torn down, but the rainbow door was saved. (Photo by Berta Aug)

Poetry | Double Vision & More

Preston area poet Berta Aug shares poems with readers.

Lee Whipkey of Rushford releases a wooden arrow when practicing at an archery range in Houston. (Photos by John Weiss)

Wood-bow Hunting Challenges a Hunter’s Skills

John Weiss visits with a Rushford-area wood-bow hunter about preparations for deer season.

Irene Fishburn, a native of Holland, pictured at her bakery in Newburg, north of Mabel. The one-day a week bakery specializes in French pastries. (Photo by Sharen Storhoff)

A tiny bakery thrives in Newburg

Loni Kemp visits a French bakery in rural Fillmore County.

A family explores Cave of the Mounds, located in Dane County Wisconsin (link in article below). Cave of the Mounds takes its name from the Blue Mounds, two large hill landmarks. The main cavern began forming over a million years ago as water dissolved the limestone bedrock below the surface. (Photo courtesy of DARK Trail)

Explore the Driftless Area Via the DARK Trail

John Torgrimson looks into the DARK Trail connecting 69 dramatic landscape and discovery sites in the Driftless Area.

The Power and Control Wheel (The Duluth Model) is a comprehensive wheel that outlines patterns of abuse encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, and financial aspects. It includes tactics such as intimidation, isolation, threats, coercion, and manipulation.

Essay | Listening is Doing Something

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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