Culture & Community

An older woman in a pink shirt holds up a white hood with eye holes. The right side of the graphic includes a reprint of an historical newspaper article titled: Ku Klux Klan invades Lanesboro.

Minnesota’s Hooded History

Surprising or not, the Ku Klux Klan was active in Southeast Minnesota in the 1920s. John Torgrimson reports on a recent presentation on the history of the Klan’s presence in the region.

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!

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.

Groups of people of all ages sit around tables in a library with sun streaming in the windows.. They are leaning over tables sorting garden seeds.

Cultivating Community: How the Chatfield Public Library is Sowing Seeds

Move over books and periodicals: Laurie Byrne explains how seeds are making their way into area libraries.

A black and white photo of women wearing long skirts marching in a parade under various Scandinavian flags.

Women Who Shaped Southeastern Minnesota History

On the occasion of Women’s History Month, Jane Skinner Peck reminds us of the rich history of the women’s civil rights movement in southern Minnesota.

Women in a canoe holds a large brown trout with both hands.

Artist Creating New Life in Southeastern Minnesota

David Phillips visits with Michelle de la Vega, nationally known artist and transplant to a small farm in southeast Minnesota.

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.

Black and white photo of an old two-story rectangular building with windows wrapping around the building.

Before Social Security, Fillmore County Poor Farm Helped The Poor And Aging     

With Congressional conversations underway regarding Social Security, Amy Jo Hahn takes us back in history to the “poor farms” that helped address poverty and aging prior to when Social Security was enacted in 1935.

Two men, one older and one younger, play cribbage on a wood table in front of a red brick fireplace.

Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Greg Lovell visits Neighbors in Action, a La Crescent nonprofit working to keep seniors in their homes.

A man in a brown shirt and woman in a light blue sweater stand in front of dark green cabinets and small pieces of art.

Art Center Serves as a Hub for Winona Artists and Community

Inside the Winona Arts Center: John Torgrimson introduces us to activities available to the southeast Minnesota region.

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.

A woman and a small child kneel next to a gravestone. Beside them is a wagon holding cleaning supplies. Grass is green, sky is blue.

Frequent Cemetery Visitor Finds ‘Friends’, Preserves Memories

David Phillips shares the story of a southeastern Minnesota woman’s hobby that’s become a mission to restore headstones and preserve memories for local families.

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