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

photo of blooming blue flower

April Springs to Life

Root River Current photographers capture the arrival of Spring in Southeast Minnesota.

collage of event pictures

In the News: Opportunities to Create!

Several recently announced spring and summer activities will spur participants’ creativity in music, performing arts — and gardening!

snowplow plowing snow from highway

Essay | Plowabunga! My Salute to Snowplow Drivers

John Gaddo salutes snowplow drivers – Plowabunga!

Visitors to Peterson, Minn., will appreciate gnome murals added to the Peterson post office building for years to come! The project was coordinated by Friends of Peterson and supported by a 2022 Paint the Town Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). (Photo courtesy of SMIF)

Time Again to ‘Paint The Town’

Learn how your community can benefit — and beautify — from a 2025 Paint the Town Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (applications accepted through March 31), and tour some of the recent projects in southeast Minnesota.

woman at podium with other adults surrounding her, announcing a minnesota law suit

Regional Nitrate Issues Again Making Headlines

New lawsuit aims to ensure work continues to address nitrate contamination issues in southeast Minnesota.

2024-Dec donor photo-4

Thanks for your support!

‘Tis the season to be jolly—and generous! Please support Root River Current with a financial gift—and thank you!

2024 artists, above, are among those recognized in Root River Current's series exploring the arts and artists in the greater Root River Valley region. (Root River Current photos)

Celebrating Regional Arts & Artists!

Root River Current recognized its 2024 featured artists at a community celebration November 9th at the Chatfield Center for the Arts.

FEAST! 23 local vendors

Local Food Vendors Showcased at November FEAST! Festival

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

Root River valley communities benefit from the regional Paint the Town Grant program. (Photos by John Gaddo and Nancy North)

Paint The Town — Sprucing Up Our Communities

Several area communities have benefited in recent years from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Paint the Town grant program. We visit four of them.

Help shape Root River Current’s future—the stories, essays, photography and more that add to the beauty of the Root River valley region! (Submitted photo; enjoy these flyover winter scenes in the video below.)

Root River Current…Come Join Our Team!

Root River Current is growing its team, seeking an editor and board members to guide us through a second year of success!

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!

If a picture can tell a thousand words, this is it! John Weiss captured the perfect picture to accompany his story about special needs fishing put on by the DNR. Pictured is Nancy Qual of Austin being assisted by Conservation Officer Annette Kyllo. (Photo by John Weiss)

Pitch a Story | Community Voices Make a Difference

Root River Current’s co-publishers write about the first six months of this eMagazine, its initial impact and contributors–and how YOU can help the team!

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