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

Reggie McLeod stands on an overlook along the Mississippi River in Winona. His Big River Magazine covers 400 miles of river from the Twin Cities to the Quad Cities. (All photos by John Weiss)

For Love of the Big River

John Weiss visits with Big River Magazine editor/publisher Reggie McLeod who was inducted into the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Hall of Fame.

Southeast Minnesota's karst topography–and its network of sinkholes, caves and streams–exacerbate well contamination issues. There are more than 10,000 sinkholes in Fillmore County alone. (Photo Julie Little)

State Officials | January 2024 Plan Addresses Nitrate Contamination Issues

Minnesota updated its response to EPA on nitrate contamination in ground water.

Root River Current celebrates the people, culture and history of the Root River valley in its inaugural year. (Photo collage by Pat Torgrimson)

Grateful For Your Inspiration and Encouragement!

Community donations, including individual gifts to our successful 2022-23 Founding Members Campaign, will help shape Root River Current’s future heading into 2024!

Pottery for sale in Sue Pariseau’s studio southeast of Lanesboro. Sue organizes the annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour in April. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Profile: The Artist Behind the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour

Renee Bergstrom visits with Sue Pariseau, the artist behind the annual spring Bluff Country Studio Art Tour.

Dave and Lynn Susag, pictured here in traditional Viking garb, have made multiple trips to Norway. (Photo submitted by Lynn Susag)

Profile: A Norwegian Love Story

Steve Harris introduces an artist couple devoted to themselves and their Norwegian art.

Fillmore County became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Pictured Front Row: Bonnie Heidtke (Wykoff), Linda King (Mabel), Marge Fuller (Lanesboro); Back Row: Dan Conway (Southeast Area Agency on Aging), Sue Olinger (Harmony), Pam Nelson (Chatfield), and Bill Sullivan (Pilot Mound). (Photo by Brenda Pohlman)

Developing Age-Friendly Communities in Fillmore County

John Torgrimson looks at the Age-Friendly Communities project in Fillmore County.

Jeremy Pederson looks for baked goods to buy at the 2023 Christ Lutheran Church Craft Fair & Bake Sale in Preston. (Photos by John Weiss)

Holiday Craft Fairs and Bake Sales Build Community

John Weiss experiences a sense of community during a visit to the Christ Lutheran Church holiday craft fair and bake sale in Preston.

To address global climate change, we embraced the United Nation’s Intergovernmental panel recommendations to replace fossil fuels with locally generated electric power, including back-up power storage, and to utilize heat pump technology as a heat source. That’s where we started. (Contributed photos)

An All Electric, Solar Shingle, Amish Built, Forever Home

Mary Bell and Joe Deden detail the work that went into building an energy-efficient home in Lanesboro that has Tesla powered solar shingles.

Paul Wotzka, hydrologist and co-founder of the Minnesota Well Owners Organization, speaks about the challenges karst geology presents to water quality in Fillmore County during a Water Quality Forum at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, on November 16. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

Local Forums, EPA Raise Questions About SE Minnesota Water Quality | State Agencies Respond

John Torgrimson reports on local, state, and federal action on water quality in karst country.

The Historic Forestville bridge, built in 1899, before it was hoisted off its abutments and placed on the south side of the Root River. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

Moving Day for a 19th Century Bridge at Historic Forestville

Dave Shaffer and John Torgrimson chronicle the first phase in the restoration of the Historic Forestville bridge.

Homeschoolers team up to provide group-learning opportunities for their students. At left, Odyssey Homeschool Association families explore the Ferguson Apple Orchard in Galesville, Wisconsin (submitted photo). At right, Christian Homeschoolers of Fillmore County families in front of Kapper’s Big Red Barn near Chatfield. (Photo by Mya Hagen)

Homeschooling | A Closer Look

Julie Little takes an in depth look at the growing homeschool movement.

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.

Follow us

Support this work

Connect