Year: 2024

Root River area towns have stories to tell. (Map courtesy of <a href="https://www.rootrivertrail.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Root River Trail Towns</a>)

Root River Diary

This recurring series features original short stories based on observations and experiences of what makes our rural communities uniquely special. Learn more and submit YOUR story!

A haybale is transformed into a gnome with pinecone bear and orange hat.

Worth the Beautiful Drive | Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze

Alison Leathers finds her way through the maze of agritourism at Big Springs Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze near Lanesboro, Minn.

EllenTitus of The Nature Conservancy checks on the goats helping restore goat prairie.

Conservation Ballot Initiative Key to Trust Fund Renewal

John Weiss reports on the conservation trust fund initiative on the Minnesota November 2024 ballot. Voters are being asked to extend the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund through 2050.

FEAST! 23 local vendors

Local Food Vendors Showcased at November FEAST! Festival

Check out local food vendors exhibiting at the 2024 FEAST! Festival.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Each spring Maynard Underbakke, at right, would welcome students to tour his tree farm nursery. Each student was given a spruce seedling to plant at their home. (Photo submitted by Bonita Underbakke)</span>

Essay | Father Was Born Capable

Bonita Underbakke recounts the memory of Burger Night and a Minnesota snowstorm with her father.

gavin 4

Poetry | Reflections by Gavin

Southern Minnesota poet Larry Gavin is inspired by his Root River fishing experiences.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Brady Thill, 9, Josie Swing, 10, and Harper Hines, 10, all of Galesville, Wis. have fun in kayaks during the BaseCamp event in Winona. (Photo by John Weiss)</span>

Outdoor Adventures Abound at BaseCamp

Participants in the annual BaseCamp outdoor adventure held in Winona learn about the Mississippi’s history and those who have worked to protect it for future generations. John Weiss shares insights from the 2024 summer gathering.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Three-year-old rainbow trout 'coming of age' in a hatchery raceway. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</span>

Go Fish: The Lanesboro State Fish Hatchery

Tom Brudvig takes us behind the scenes at the Lanesboro State Fish Hatchery.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A Monarch butterfly stops for a rest and a snack. Monarchs' fall migration typically continues through October in southeast Minnesota. (Photo by Craig Johnson)</span>

Summer Fades into Fall

Area photographers capture the changing seasons.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Sheila Craig stands in front of the former Preston Dairy and Farm Building, next to a banner announcing the project to build a Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center. (Photo by Alison Leathers)</span>

Following the Stepping Stones of Volunteerism

Alison Leathers interviews one of Preston’s most active volunteers, Sheila Craig.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Liz at her shop workbench working on a crown repair. (Photos for this article were provided by Liz Bucheit)</span>

Profile | Liz Bucheit: Creating a Lifetime of Art

Steve Harris explores the art of jewelry with Liz Bucheit of Crown Trout Jewelry.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Several harvested varieties of heirloom tomatoes await processing. Wild tomatoes originated in the mountains of South America, but were believed to be domesticated in Mexico. Cortés took them from the new world back to Spain. (Photo by John Torgrimson)</span>

Essay | Garden Harvest

John Torgrimson chronicles the evolution of his garden over the season.

Follow us

Support this work

Connect