Steve Harris

Steve Harris is a freelance writer from Lanesboro who can be reached at sharris1962@msn.com or (952) 836-7904.

Author's Archive

Person wearing a knit hat and beige sweater stands on a snowy sidewalk in a small Minnesota downtown, with a local grocery store and historic brick buildings in the background.

Bluff Country Business Academy to Support Local Businesses

Preston and Lanesboro are partnering on the Bluff Country Business Academy, an eight-week program designed to help small businesses grow and thrive.

woman and man on stage during theater production

Profile | John B. Nicol: Lanesboro’s “Jack of Arts”

Meet Lanesboro artist John B. Nicol whose career blends theater, photography and history into his special role in rural Minnesota. Steve Harris has this profile.

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.

A clay pot with the word "mosquito" and a circle with slash through it handdrawn on the pot. A light blue watering can spout is in the right half of the photo.

Essay | Look Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! No . . . It’s a Mosquito!”

Steve Harris laments the recent hordes of unusual visitors we’re all battling in many parts of the Driftless.

A Life Lived, A Challenge Faced, A Story Told

Steve Harris profiles regional artist and writer Renée Bergstrom, selected as one of 20 participants in a national op-ed fellowship program.

man looking at gathered people in community setting

Root River Diary | An Extraordinary Kindness

Just how special can a delivery person be? Steve Harris and Diane Knight share observations from a community sendoff to UPS driver Josh Merchlewitz.

A large group of students stand and kneel for a group photo in a classroom with a large white screen behind them.

Earning a Different Kind of Varsity Letter

Steve Harris reports on the first ever Fillmore County student to receive a high school letter in volunteering through the United Way.

Two people dressed in biking gear stand behind their e-bikes on an outdoor trail.

“On Your Left!” — E-Bikes on Regional Trails

Steve Harris reports on the surge in e-bikes on Southeast Minnesota’s 60+ miles of state trails.

Giants of the Earth Center street level photo

Commemorating Norwegian Crossings with Music and More

Giants of the Earth Heritage Center has lots to celebrate! Steve Harris guides our way.

Profile | Joan Finnegan’s Dream Was Always to Be a Painter

Steve Harris interviews nationally known local artist, Joan Finnegan.

Black and white photo of a group of downhill skiers holding their skis upright in front of them with dark uniforms and large white labels on the front with their team numbers.

Ski Jumping In America Had Its Roots In Southeast Minnesota

At the turn of the 20th century, ski jumping was a growing sport in Southeast Minnesota. Steve Harris and John Torgrimson follow the history to its roots in Lanesboro.