Culture & Community

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.

Sunrise, with its mottled pinks, blends in with the red farmstead. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Brothers Blend Wine and Mead Into a Welcoming Destination

Julie Fryer introduces us to a Fountain-area winery and how it uses locally-sourced ingredients to create unique wine and mead blends.

FEAST! Festival brings together more than 100 food producers from the region profiling their locally-grown products. The event is traditionally held each November at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. (Photos courtesy of FEAST!)

FEAST! Marketplace — Celebrating Local Foods for 10 years

Steve Harris visits with the folks at FEAST!, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023.

Lee Whipkey of Rushford releases a wooden arrow when practicing at an archery range in Houston. (Photos by John Weiss)

Wood-bow Hunting Challenges a Hunter’s Skills

John Weiss visits with a Rushford-area wood-bow hunter about preparations for deer season.

Irene Fishburn, a native of Holland, pictured at her bakery in Newburg, north of Mabel. The one-day a week bakery specializes in French pastries. (Photo by Sharen Storhoff)

A tiny bakery thrives in Newburg

Loni Kemp visits a French bakery in rural Fillmore County.

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.

Furniture and home décor designer TiAnna DeGarmo is remodeling an old feed mill to accommodate more seating and a new commercial kitchen at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

In Praise of Wood

John Torgrimson profiles artist and businesswoman TiAnna DeGarmo.

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!

Summer, winter, spring and fall, these boathouses along Lawrence Lake, near Brownsville, are ‘home’ to dozens of river dwellers. (Photos by Nancy North unless otherwise noted).

Life Afloat on the Big Muddy

John Gaddo introduces us to the Lawrence Lake boathouse community just below the Root River’s confluence with the Mississippi River near Brownsville.

Delia Bell (left) and Mary Denzer in the Seven Bridges Pottery studio near Houston. (All photos courtesy of Mary Denzer)

An Artisan and the Apprentice

John Torgrimson visits Seven Bridges Pottery near Houston to meet an artisan and the apprentice.

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