Culture & Community

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Sheila Craig stands in front of the former Preston Dairy and Farm Building, next to a banner announcing the project to build a Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center. (Photo by Alison Leathers)</span>

Following the Stepping Stones of Volunteerism

Alison Leathers interviews one of Preston’s most active volunteers, Sheila Craig.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Liz at her shop workbench working on a crown repair. (Photos for this article were provided by Liz Bucheit)</span>

Profile | Liz Bucheit: Creating a Lifetime of Art

Steve Harris explores the art of jewelry with Liz Bucheit of Crown Trout Jewelry.

Diane Knight is pictured in front of a wall of Doodles – intricate pen and ink designs that she creates. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Profile | The University of Diane

John Torgrimson visits with Fillmore County artist and author Diane Knight.

The 71st Mabel Steam Engine Days was held the second weekend in September. (Photo by Cristal Adkins)

Steam Engine Days Celebrates Autumn Harvests

Richard Wolfgramm visits the iconic Steam Engine Days in Mabel.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Bob Bovee’s career as a musician in old-time music stretches back 53 years and counting. (Photo submitted by Bob Bovee)</span>

Profile | Have Guitar, Will Travel: Bob Bovee’s Musical Journey

Steve Harris visits with Houston County old-time music and barn dance legend, Bob Bovee.

Grand Champion honey at the Fillmore County Fair. (All photos by Renee Bergstrom)

A Grand Champion Day at the Fair

Photographer Renée Bergstrom captures “a day at the fair”, a photo essay from the 2024 Fillmore County Fair.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Buyers look over the livestock up for bid at the Lanesboro Sales Barn. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)</span>

To Market, to Market | A Trip to the Lanesboro Sales Commission Auction

Tom Brudvig takes in a hearty breakfast and the weekly Friday auction at the Lanesboro Sales Barn.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">La Crescent volunteers plant trees on Arbor Day 2024. (Photo provided by the city of La Crescent)</span>

More Trees and People to Care for Them in La Crescent

John Weiss checks in with the tree planting and care in Tree City USA, La Crescent.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A rolling coral reef ready to go on stage. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)</span>

Behind the Scenes and Under the Sea

We go backstage with Laurie Byrne at a Wits’ End Theatre production in Chatfield.

Root River Current’s Local Events Calendar—Find a New Adventure!

It’s here — Root River Current’s Local Events Calendar!! Promote your event, find something new to do, see how our Root River valley communities are connected.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A stave church in Renlie, Valdres, Norway, about 80 miles north of Oslo, where the author’s great grandfather attended church as a young man. (Photo by John Torgrimson)</span>

The Fabric that Binds: A Family’s History

Tracing family roots – from Ireland, Germany, and Norway to southeast Minnesota, John Torgrimson shares his personal story of how families are woven into our region’s past and present.