Year: 2025

A person wearing a bright green shirt and blue shorts stands beside three colorful kayaks—red, blue, and green—resting on a new concrete boat ramp that slopes gently into a calm, tree-lined river. Two white pickup trucks are parked nearby, one with a small trailer stacked with more kayaks and orange life vests. Sunlight filters through leafy trees, casting dappled shadows on the water, while the opposite riverbank reflects green and gold tones of early autumn.

Water Enthusiasts Gain New Access to Cedar River State Water Trail

New public access in Mower County’s Lyle Township opens the Cedar River to more paddlers and anglers, highlighting a successful partnership among state, county and local conservation groups.

A full house of farmers and ranchers sit shoulder to shoulder in the renovated Lanesboro Sales Barn’s theatre-style seats. Many wear baseball caps or straw hats as they watch the auction ring below. The tiered seating and upper-level balcony give the scene the look of a movie theater, with people leaning forward in concentration as bids are called out.

Lanesboro Sales Barn Completes Theatre-style Renovation

Tom Brudvig reports on the Lanesboro Sales Barn as it celebrates a renovation with theatre-style seating, digital upgrades and record-breaking sales.

A person with short gray hair and sunglasses stands behind a blue-covered craft fair table set up outdoors on a sunny day in a wooded park. The table displays handmade fabric crafts, including colorful quilted eyeglass cases, pot holders, and bags made from patterned cotton fabric. The vendor’s sign reads “TLT Crafts.” Wooden crates are stacked to create display shelves, and one holds an orange-and-white leaf-patterned tote bag. Dappled sunlight filters through green trees in the background.

From Quilts to Tote Bags: Twyla Thorson’s 30-Year Legacy of Textile Art

From quilts to tote bags, Rose Korabek profiles Houston County fiber artist Twyla Thorson celebrating 30 years of her unique holiday home boutique.

Paddling the Mississippi River is a Grand Adventure!

Mississippi River expedition will be canoeing past southeastern Minnesota; details from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

A young woman (left) and a young man (right) stand on either side of a wide, rusted bridge railing and hold a container of water with a rubber tube coming out of the bottom of the container.

Conservation Conversation on Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Quality

Alison Leathers continues her Conservation Conversations with a report on the Fillmore County SWCD and its wide range of services for farmers and landowners.

A young man wearing a bike helmet and a green and black one-piece biking uniform splattered in mud stands behind his bike with his hand on the seat and handlebars.

Gravel-Cycling Bikers Crisscross Root River Valley in Competition

Greg Lovell reports on the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships held in September 2025 in La Crescent, Minn.

Two women stand in an art studio with pottery and paintings in the background.

“I’m A Dramaturg” | One Artist’s Unique Journey

Steve Harris shares the story of a Lanesboro Arts’ artist-in-residence who has unique training in theatre arts and dramaturgy.

Wiebke Fur & Trading Co. Marks 100 Years of Family Business

Rose Korabek profiles a local family-owned sporting goods business celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

A large screen behind a stage lined with people in chairs shows a womean sitting in a folding chair in her grassy yard.

Fillmore County Farmers Featured at Farm Aid 40

Local farming couple Vance and Bonnie Haugen were featured during the Farm Aid 40 events held in Minneapolis in September 2025. Root River Current‘s Julie Fryer was there.