John Gaddo

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.

Author's Archive

CPKC Holiday Train travels through a snowy crossing at night with the locomotive and rail cars outlined in bright red blue and green Christmas lights.

Holiday Train Brings Christmas Spirit to Driftless Communities

The CPKC Holiday Train rolled through La Crescent and other Driftless communities in December, combining live music and dazzling lights with vital fundraising for local food banks.

sunshine streams through the clouds with an American flag on the left

Youth and Creativity: Watching Talent Grow

Root River Current’s 2025 review of youth arts stories.

A musician wearing glasses and a plaid shirt plays an acoustic guitar on stage inside a warm, wood-paneled venue. He faces an audience of older adults seated at small tables, listening closely under soft string lights.

Celebrating Creativity!

A photo gallery of Root River Current’s recent celebration of regional arts and artists featured in stories published in 2025.

photo montage of arts activities

Celebrating Regional Arts & Artists – Again!

Check out Root River Current’s 2025 review of Regional Arts & Artists included in this year’s reporting on arts and culture in Southeast Minnesota.

river valley in autumn

Autumn Colors in the Driftless

Root River Current photographers capture a range of fall colors for our November photo gallery.

picture of book cover

Returning the Sword: New Book Chronicles Local Man’s Gift to Japanese Family

Minnesota author Caren Stelson’s latest picture book focuses on the story of a Lanesboro man’s efforts to reconnect a World War II souvenir with its rightful owner in Japan.

kids gathered at table with art supplies

Celebrating 2025 Regional Arts & Artists

Root River Current celebrated its featured 2025 “Regional Arts & Artists” in November.

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.

Model A cars and people at shelter

Enjoying the Driftless in Century-Old ‘A’

Photographers/videographers capture members of an Iowa Model A Ford club touring through southeastern Minnesota.

people around table in conference room

Wilderness-Style Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Making Progress

An update on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail which is close to opening a couple stretches of this proposed 100-plus mile wilderness trail through Southeast Minnesota.

four youth musicians standing with instruments in outdoor setting

Classical Music Echoes Through the Valley

The Stringwood Chamber Music Festival returns to the Root River Valley for its 25th year of concerts and education; John Gaddo takes a closer look.

a photo collage of a screen, a bike, and a train

Speak Up, Speak Out – and Listen

Water quality, e-bikes and a new “talking trail” are all In the News in June. John Gaddo has details on how Root River Current readers can speak up, speak out – and listen!

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