Community Voices

"...a flowing stream, a crackling fire..." foster companionship along the Root River. (Photo by John Gaddo)

Essay | Campfire Truths

Writer Ken Lubinski advocates replacing the annual business conference with a tribal campfire.

Sunset comes early in November as each day gets shorter, leading up to the winter equinox on December 21. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Prelude to Winter

Renee Bergstrom captures in images the transition from autumn to winter.

calf

Essay | Scottish Highlands South of Highland

A Big Woods amateur homesteader raises Scottish Highland cattle.

A poem inspired by an image is called an Ekphrasis poem. This photo inspired the poem Double Vision. The photo was taken in September 1987 – “the corn still standing, with fall color (and gravel dust) in the distance.” The barn has since been torn down, but the rainbow door was saved. (Photo by Berta Aug)

Poetry | Double Vision & More

Preston area poet Berta Aug shares poems with readers.

The Power and Control Wheel (The Duluth Model) is a comprehensive wheel that outlines patterns of abuse encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, and financial aspects. It includes tactics such as intimidation, isolation, threats, coercion, and manipulation.

Essay | Listening is Doing Something

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Drue Fergison is pictured in Parthenay, a stunning medieval walled city 30 minutes north of her new home in France. She was there in October, called "Octobre Rose" - Pink October - to participate in a walk in support of breast cancer research. On the occasion of Pink October, everyone who participated got a hot pink t-shirt. "Group walks are very popular," she says. "This one was 10 kilometers (six miles). Dogs are allowed to come on these group walks." Her dog Timmy, an Australian Shepherd, joined the walk. (Photo courtesy of Drue Fergison)

Moving to France

Observations from Drue Fergison on her move from southeast Minnesota to west-central France.

A sphinx moth dances on a bed of petunias on a warm day in October.

Seasonal Photo

Renee Bergstrom captures the fading images of Autumn.

Gardening teaches us life lessons about death and life. (All photos by Loni Kemp).

Essay | Harvest, Death and Life

The garden harvest is a metaphor for life and death

PHOTO 4 Root R. trail end west of Preston

Poetry | From Sputnik to Eden

Winona’s first poet laureate shares three poems with readers

Water flows over the Lanesboro dam along its autumn journey to the Mississippi River.

Autumn Surprises

Renee Bergstrom’s photos introduce us to Autumn

Bulbs and rhizomes produce familiar annual blooms in southeast Minnesota gardens. Some, like these baby iris, are hardy and relatively carefree—whereas other varieties, more tender and less winter-hardy, must be dug up and properly stored until spring. (Photo by Nancy North)

Essay | Storing Tender Bulbs

Tips on when to dig and store your tender flower bulbs

Poet and artist Delia Bell (Submitted photo)

Poetry | Summer Haiku & Mid July Greens

Lanesboro poet Delia Bell shares two poems.

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