Essays

man looking at gathered people in community setting

Root River Diary | An Extraordinary Kindness

Just how special can a delivery person be? Steve Harris and Diane Knight share observations from a community sendoff to UPS driver Josh Merchlewitz.

Five people holding photo props stand on either side of a rainbow striped banner with the words "dam proud". The banner is hung on the side of a tall pavilion in a park.

Photo Essay | Lanesboro’s First-ever Pride in the Park

Upwards of 200 people gathered to support Lanesboro’s first annual Pride in the Park; Root River Current photographers share the story in a special photo essay.

A dark brown snapping turtle lays on the lower bottom half of a skateboard. His tail is on the asphalt and the front end of the skateboard is pointing up.

Root River Diary | How Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

Joyce Roffler finds a unique way to help a snapping turtle across the road.

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.

Essay | 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.’

A well-stocked, vintage kitchen scene.

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.

snowplow plowing snow from highway

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.

Follow us

Support this work

Connect