April Springs to Life

By Renée Bergstrom, John Gaddo, John Weiss and Craig Johnson, April 14, 2025

Siberian Squill sneaks up among the first ephemeral blossoms each spring. Often found in wooded areas, this naturalized non-native plant can rapidly spread and become invasive – but it's colorful nonetheless! (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Together, Shaping Our Future.

Thank you to all who contributed to Root River Current during its third anniversary campaign this spring. Your support is what powers us into our fourth year of publishing stories that matter to Southeast Minnesota. If you haven't yet made your gift, you still can—do it...right now!

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Prescribed burns across southeast Minnesota clear the way for the return of native plants each spring. Here, a crew wraps up a mid-April MnDOT burn of roadside vegetation along Highway 52 east of Canton in Fillmore County. (Photo by John Gaddo)

A typical scene from April’s 2025 Trout Fishing opener as enthusiastic anglers spread out along Mill Creek in Chatfield. (Photo by John Weiss)

“Batter up!” Rushford-Peterson versus Winona Cotter high school baseball is in full swing. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

Help us grow our Community Photo Gallery with photo submissions that ‘tell a story’. Share photos of your life and the Root River region as you know it! Learn how on our Share a Story page. We want to hear from YOU!

Contributors

Renée Bergstrom

A. Renée Bergstrom, EdD was a Root River Current founding board member. She is a photographer, weaver and painter whose artwork is available at Lanesboro Arts. Renée loves to dig in the dirt so you may see her in her garden along the Root River Trail. She also writes and some of her essays are published in RRC. Renée travels with international organizations addressing female human rights abuses.

John Gaddo

John Gaddo is co-publisher of Root River Current. His professional career has included stints as a public media manager, journalist and audio producer.

John Weiss

John Weiss was a full-time reporter for the Rochester Post-Bulletin for 41 years and wrote the Back Roads column for more than 10 years. His passions include hunting, fishing, birding, nature photography, hiking and just kicking around.

Craig Johnson

When not otherwise drumming with area musicians or assisting customers at Rushford’s Ace Hardware, Craig Johnson’s photographer’s eye focuses on the region’s picturesque scenery and its sports teams. Look for his work in a variety of regional publications.