Essays

An older woman with short gray hair stands behind a microphone on a stand and in front of a black curtain. Her arms are outstretched and her hands are flat with fingers spread widely.

The Power of Storytelling

Sandy Webb learns how to tell a compelling story at a Winona-area storytelling workshop.

A robin stands in a pile of brush on the edge of a stream.

Essay: Celebrating Blossoming Ephemerals, the Return of Birdsong and Earth Day

An excerpt on Spring from Nancy Overcott’s book ‘At Home in the Big Woods.’

Essay: Frank Walsh’s Kitchen

An excerpted essay from the book “Frank Walsh’s Kitchen” of a charming story of two teen boys working at summer haying and the unique lunch that followed.

A young child wearing a blue sweatshirt stand next to the trunk of a large maple tree. On the side of the tree is a silver metal bar holding a blue clear plastic bag that is half filled with clear maple sap. The sunshine peeks behind the tree and across the brown woods in early spring.

Essay: Maple Syrup–A Homesteading Tradition

An impulse-buy at a local farm store leads to a sweet new family tradition.

Essay: Plowabunga! My Salute to Snowplow Drivers

John Gaddo salutes snowplow drivers – Plowabunga!

Pyramid shaped Haystacks in rows in a snowy field.

Essay: 150 Pairs of Boots

An excerpt from the book “Buggy Land” about life in Amish country by author Mary Swander.

A barn in the distance covered in snow. In the foreground is a large tree with snow covered branches.

Essay: A Big Woods Snow Day

Where have all the snow days gone?!? Greg Schieber shares memories from the past — and lessons learned.

Guitars hold memories of Christmases past for singer/songwriter Ann Lowe, seen here with one of those special gifts from days gone by. (Submitted photo)

Essay: Mom, Memories and My Sears Roebuck Guitar

A Christmas Guitar: Memories burn bright for regional singer/songwriter Ann Lowe.

A full garden view and a testament to lots of hard work last fall emerge in Loni Kemp's garden.

Essay: Hope Springs Eternal with Hardy Flower Bulbs

Fall is the time to plant bulbs for beautiful spring blooms. Loni Kemp shares her advice and garden photos with us as we plan and plant.

A well-loved 1985 Ford F250 diesel truck waiting for its next task. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay: Setbacks Are the Norm on My Small Farm

Greg Schieber shares the challenges of owning and maintaining a farm truck.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Each spring Maynard Underbakke, at right, would welcome students to tour his tree farm nursery. Each student was given a spruce seedling to plant at their home. (Photo submitted by Bonita Underbakke)</span>

Essay: Father Was Born Capable

Bonita Underbakke recounts the memory of Burger Night and a Minnesota snowstorm with her father.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Several harvested varieties of heirloom tomatoes await processing. Wild tomatoes originated in the mountains of South America, but were believed to be domesticated in Mexico. Cortés took them from the new world back to Spain. (Photo by John Torgrimson)</span>

Garden Harvest

John Torgrimson chronicles the evolution of his garden over the season.

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Building Community Through Storytelling