Root River Current - Root River Current

Culture & Community / Policy & Government

Local Food Shelves Stepping Up to Meet Record Demand

Culture & Community / Education

Returning the Sword: New Book Chronicles Local Man’s Gift to Japanese Family

Community Voices / Essays

Essay | Haunted by Time: Southeastern Minnesota’s Forgotten Schoolhouses and Farmsteads

Business & Work / Policy & Government

Harmony Annexes 60 Acres for Possible Data Center

Celebrating 2025 Regional Arts & Artists

Save the date! On November 15, Root River Current will celebrate its featured 2025 “Regional Arts & Artists” – and you’re invited to join us. Read on for details…

A person with short gray hair and sunglasses stands behind a blue-covered craft fair table set up outdoors on a sunny day in a wooded park. The table displays handmade fabric crafts, including colorful quilted eyeglass cases, pot holders, and bags made from patterned cotton fabric. The vendor’s sign reads “TLT Crafts.” Wooden crates are stacked to create display shelves, and one holds an orange-and-white leaf-patterned tote bag. Dappled sunlight filters through green trees in the background.

From Quilts to Tote Bags: Twyla Thorson’s 30-Year Legacy of Textile Art

From quilts to tote bags, Rose Korabek profiles Houston County fiber artist Twyla Thorson celebrating 30 years of her unique holiday home boutique.

Two women stand in an art studio with pottery and paintings in the background.

“I’m A Dramaturg” | One Artist’s Unique Journey

Steve Harris shares the story of a Lanesboro Arts’ artist-in-residence who has unique training in theatre arts and dramaturgy.

Pairs of dancers practicing square dancing on a wooden dance floor.

Swing Your Partner, Do-Si-Do

John Torgrimson takes to the Barn Dance floor and meets up with square dance caller Sue Hulsether.

A woman carrying a tall pole with a banner on it is followed by a large crowd of people through a path mown through tall grass.

Flourish at DreamAcres: 20 Years of Youth, Arts and Agriculture in Rural Minnesota

David Phillips reports on Flourish at DreamAcres, the unique summer camp in Wykoff that has blended arts and agriculture for 20 years.

A group of people, mostly women of multiple ages stand in a rustic barn. Each one is holding a tall painted pole.

Essay | “May Peace Prevail on Earth”

Julie Little shares a unique Peace Pole art project recently completed by her garden club.

In the foreground a native grass field, in the background a multi-level building with a three story wall of windows. Building is covered in weathered cedar shakes.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum Showcases Global and Local Visions of Life on the Water

Laura Armstrong walks us through unique exhibits, outdoor art and more at Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

Young children lean on a table with crafts made from egg cartons and pipe cleaners.

Youth of All Ages Engage in Creative Summer Arts Programs

Summer arts programs for area youth teach collaboration, creativity and community involvement; our photos and video montage capture their enthusiasm!

four youth musicians standing with instruments in outdoor setting

Classical Music Echoes Through the Valley

The Stringwood Chamber Music Festival returns to the Root River Valley for its 25th year of concerts and education; John Gaddo takes a closer look.

Poetry | Missing Those Who Left Us

Two new essay-style poems from local Minnesota author, Ken McCullough.

See all stories in Regional Arts

Local Food Shelves Stepping Up to Meet Record Demand

David Phillips reports on food shelves across southeastern Minnesota facing record demand in 2025 as inflation, high costs and reduced SNAP benefits strain family budgets.

Returning the Sword: New Book Chronicles Local Man’s Gift to Japanese Family

Minnesota author Caren Stelson’s latest picture book focuses on the story of a Lanesboro man’s efforts to reconnect a World War II souvenir with its rightful owner in Japan.

three actors on state with deep blue curtains in background

In Rural Minnesota, this Resident Ensemble Model Thrives

Robert Hubbard takes us behind the scenes at Lanesboro’s Commonweal Theatre to reveal the secrets of its success as a professional theatre for nearly 40 years!

From Radio Waves to Fan Blogs: How Tony Schultz Built His Vikings Community

Rose Korabek talks Vikings football with lifelong fan Tony Schultz, a local contributor to the all-things-purple-and-gold “Vikings Territory” blog.

Paddling the Mississippi River is a Grand Adventure!

Mississippi River expedition will be canoeing past southeastern Minnesota; details from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

A young man wearing a bike helmet and a green and black one-piece biking uniform splattered in mud stands behind his bike with his hand on the seat and handlebars.

Gravel-Cycling Bikers Crisscross Root River Valley in Competition

Greg Lovell reports on the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships held in September 2025 in La Crescent, Minn.

Enjoying the Driftless in Century-Old ‘A’

Photographers/videographers capture members of an Iowa Model A Ford club touring through southeastern Minnesota.

From left to right: two women and a man hold shovels in a grassy area in front of a wooden deck attached to a metal building wall.

New Court will Brighten Up Downtown Spring Valley

David Phillips reports on the newest Spring Valley project to create a gathering space in the hole left in the business district by the 2017 fire.

A woman with blonde-brown hair in a loose bun wearing a black sweat set, blue skirt, and white cotton gloves gestures toward an ornately carved 8 foot tall wooden clock.

Bily Brothers Clocks: “They Truly Loved It.”

John Weiss discovers an incredible collection of large scale wooden carved clocks at the unique Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville, Iowa.

photo of woolly mammoth exhibit and people viewing

Woolly Mammoths Once Roamed our Driftless Area

Mower County exhibition features gigantic tooth, evidence of prehistoric creatures in southeastern Minnesota.

See all stories in Culture & Community

Barb and Joel Mielke’s 37-Year Quest for Biodiversity in Bluff Country

Part three of Alison Leathers’ series on local conservationists features Barb and Joel Mielke who’ve restored prairie and oak savannah in Fillmore County, fostering biodiversity and creating habitat that’s now home to one of the region’s largest bat colonies.

view from bluffs looking at river valley and beyond

ESSAY | Hiking Wisconsin’s Driftless Bluffs and Prairies

Our scenic blufflands, valleys and trails aren’t restricted to Southeast Minnesota alone, as a day’s hike into Western Wisconsin’s Driftless Area will prove!

A person wearing a bright green shirt and blue shorts stands beside three colorful kayaks—red, blue, and green—resting on a new concrete boat ramp that slopes gently into a calm, tree-lined river. Two white pickup trucks are parked nearby, one with a small trailer stacked with more kayaks and orange life vests. Sunlight filters through leafy trees, casting dappled shadows on the water, while the opposite riverbank reflects green and gold tones of early autumn.

Water Enthusiasts Gain New Access to Cedar River State Water Trail

New public access in Mower County’s Lyle Township opens the Cedar River to more paddlers and anglers, highlighting a successful partnership among state, county and local conservation groups.

Paddling the Mississippi River is a Grand Adventure!

Mississippi River expedition will be canoeing past southeastern Minnesota; details from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

A young woman (left) and a young man (right) stand on either side of a wide, rusted bridge railing and hold a container of water with a rubber tube coming out of the bottom of the container.

Conservation Conversation on Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Quality

Alison Leathers continues her Conservation Conversations with a report on the Fillmore County SWCD and its wide range of services for farmers and landowners.

A large screen behind a stage lined with people in chairs shows a womean sitting in a folding chair in her grassy yard.

Fillmore County Farmers Featured at Farm Aid 40

Local farming couple Vance and Bonnie Haugen were featured during the Farm Aid 40 events held in Minneapolis in September 2025. Root River Current‘s Julie Fryer was there.

Wilderness-Style Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Making Progress

An update on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail which is close to opening a couple stretches of this proposed 100-plus mile wilderness trail through Southeast Minnesota.

A man in waders stands knee deep in flowing river water just below a short dam. He is casting out a long line from his fishing pole and holding the line in one hand.

Proposed Lanesboro Riverfront Project Adds Access, Fishing and Trails

John Weiss learns more about a proposed project to upgrade the portion of the Root River that winds through Lanesboro.

Conservation Conversation with Farmer Duane Bakke

Alison Leathers reports on a local farmer’s conservation work including no-till planting. Part of a three-part series.

‘Highly toxic’ hemlock widespread in Upper Midwest

Poison hemlock can be a killer – and it could be in your backyard. Our colleagues with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk report on how it’s spreading through the region.

See all stories in Land & Water

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Policy & Government

A large Channel One Regional Food Bank truck is parked beside a red brick building with boarded windows. A worker in a gray hoodie unloads boxes on a lift gate, while two people stand near the open door labeled “Food Shelf.”

Local Food Shelves Stepping Up to Meet Record Demand

David Phillips reports on food shelves across southeastern Minnesota facing record demand in 2025 as inflation, high costs and reduced SNAP benefits strain family budgets.

A full gymnasium filled with about 100 people seated in rows of folding chairs for a community meeting. The audience consists mostly of middle-aged and older adults, chatting and holding printed handouts. The room has basketball hoops, beige block walls, and fluorescent lights overhead.

Harmony Annexes 60 Acres for Possible Data Center

John Torgrimson and Julie Little report on community meetings surrounding a potential data center coming to Harmony.

Conservation Conversation on Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Quality

Alison Leathers continues her Conservation Conversations with a report on the Fillmore County SWCD and its wide range of services for farmers and landowners.

Wilderness-Style Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Making Progress

An update on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail which is close to opening a couple stretches of this proposed 100-plus mile wilderness trail through Southeast Minnesota.

A group of people sit at a table with glasses of beer appearing to have a discussion.

Engage Winona Wants to Train People for Public Leadership

John Torgrimson reports on a new Engage Winona initiative to train and grow rural community leaders in Southeast Minnesota.

Two red brick historic buildings -- on is two story on the right, the other is one story and stretches out to the left. Windows and doors are trimmed in white wood. Behind the building is a hillside with leaves in yellow and orange against a bright blue sky.

Bypassed, Threatened and Still Here: The Resilient Heart of Forestville

Laney Smith reports on the remarkable story of Historic Forestville, Minn., its uncertain future, 2025 budget cuts and closure of the Meighen Store.

A group of people gather on a large, elevated, circle structure covered by a roof. Signs with writing and images are positioned around the entrance stairway to the gazebo.

Citizen Working Group Releases Nitrate Report

John Torgrimson covers the release of 2025 recommendations by a regional work group to address nitrate issues in Southeast Minesota.

A grassy hillside dotted with clumps of tall yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers. Flowers are called Rudbeckia or Black-Eyed Susan.

In La Crescent, HELP Grant Sparks Community, Habitat Connections

Ann Wessel reports on new native planting and pollinator habitat projects created in La Crescent through state and local funding programs.

An older man in a maroon long sleeve shirt and tan pants stand in the middle of a small bridge covered in gravel.

Group Attempts to Make Preston to Forestville Trail a Reality

John Torgrimson reports on renewed efforts to complete the Preston to Forestville Bike Trail and the Preston volunteers leading the project.

A man in a bright yellow vest stands in a creek under a cement bridge covered in dried brush.

The Bridges of Fillmore County

John Weiss tours the bridges of Fillmore County with the crew who keep them in good shape.

See all stories in Policy & Government

Education

Returning the Sword: New Book Chronicles Local Man’s Gift to Japanese Family

Minnesota author Caren Stelson’s latest picture book focuses on the story of a Lanesboro man’s efforts to reconnect a World War II souvenir with its rightful owner in Japan.

Flourish at DreamAcres: 20 Years of Youth, Arts and Agriculture in Rural Minnesota

David Phillips reports on Flourish at DreamAcres, the unique summer camp in Wykoff that has blended arts and agriculture for 20 years.

Youth of All Ages Engage in Creative Summer Arts Programs

Summer arts programs for area youth teach collaboration, creativity and community involvement; our photos and video montage capture their enthusiasm!

Students in black graduation gowns stand in front of an orange brick building and throw their black caps into the air.

Community Backs Students’ Educational Journey

David Phillips reports on the outpouring of support from Kingsland area donors to help support continuing education of graduating seniors.

A large group of people of all ages sit on benches in an outside grassy area with leafy trees behind them. All are facing the camera in a group photo setting.

Eagle Bluff Marks its 45th Year with Reunion

Outdoor education is key to Eagle Bluff’s success; Clare Mazack reports on the learning center’s 45th year of programming and the staff behind its programs.

A large group of students stand and kneel for a group photo in a classroom with a large white screen behind them.

Earning a Different Kind of Varsity Letter

Steve Harris reports on the first ever Fillmore County student to receive a high school letter in volunteering through the United Way.

Four high school students, two in chest waders, stand knee deep in a trout stream.

High Schoolers Learning from Trout

John Weiss checks back in with Rushford-Peterson students as they complete their Trout in the Classroom project with a stream release.

Students line up in a grassy area waiting to shoot at clay pigeons.

High School Clay Target League is a Growing Sport

Tom Brudvig visits the Lanesboro Gun Club as the Trap Shooting Team takes the course.

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 woman with blonde-brown hair reads a picture book to a child with red hair pulled back in a partial pony tail.

The READ Act: New Teaching Methods for Reading in Minnesota

Alison Leathers checks in on local schools as they implement a new comprehensive reading program through Minnesota’s READ Act.

See all stories in Education

Business & Work

Harmony Annexes 60 Acres for Possible Data Center

John Torgrimson and Julie Little report on community meetings surrounding a potential data center coming to Harmony.

In Rural Minnesota, this Resident Ensemble Model Thrives

Robert Hubbard takes us behind the scenes at Lanesboro’s Commonweal Theatre to reveal the secrets of its success as a professional theatre for nearly 40 years!

A classic small-town hardware store with a vintage gold-and-black sign reading “Hokah Hardware” painted across large front windows. The display window is filled with household items—glassware, pitchers, and metalware—while tables outside hold brightly colored bowls, tools, and small appliances for sale. The green storefront and wooden overhang evoke an old-fashioned Main Street charm.

Hokah Hardware Keeps Small-Town Spirit Alive

For 35 years, Carol Moore has made Hokah Hardware a Main Street gathering place alive with heart, history and hometown pride. Greg Lovell reports on the challenges this small town store faces.

A full house of farmers and ranchers sit shoulder to shoulder in the renovated Lanesboro Sales Barn’s theatre-style seats. Many wear baseball caps or straw hats as they watch the auction ring below. The tiered seating and upper-level balcony give the scene the look of a movie theater, with people leaning forward in concentration as bids are called out.

Lanesboro Sales Barn Completes Theatre-style Renovation

Tom Brudvig reports on the Lanesboro Sales Barn as it celebrates a renovation with theatre-style seating, digital upgrades and record-breaking sales.

From Quilts to Tote Bags: Twyla Thorson’s 30-Year Legacy of Textile Art

From quilts to tote bags, Rose Korabek profiles Houston County fiber artist Twyla Thorson celebrating 30 years of her unique holiday home boutique.

Wiebke Fur & Trading Co. Marks 100 Years of Family Business

Rose Korabek profiles a local family-owned sporting goods business celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

Fillmore County Farmers Featured at Farm Aid 40

Local farming couple Vance and Bonnie Haugen were featured during the Farm Aid 40 events held in Minneapolis in September 2025. Root River Current‘s Julie Fryer was there.

Conservation Conversation with Farmer Duane Bakke

Alison Leathers reports on a local farmer’s conservation work including no-till planting. Part of a three-part series.

Engage Winona Wants to Train People for Public Leadership

John Torgrimson reports on a new Engage Winona initiative to train and grow rural community leaders in Southeast Minnesota.

Farm to Fork: Hyper-Local Dining at the Free Range Exchange

Greg Lovell checks in on the new Free Range Exchange, a trailblazing kitchen in Houston County, serving up a menu of seasonal, local ingredients.

See all stories in Business & Work

Inside Root River Current

kids gathered at table with art supplies

Celebrating 2025 Regional Arts & Artists

Save the date! On November 15, Root River Current will celebrate its featured 2025 “Regional Arts & Artists” – and you’re invited to join us. Read on for details…

A group of people standing in a line above a deep impression covered in vegetation look down at a man standing in the middle of the hole.

Inside Root River Current | A Visit to the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry

The Root River Current team joined community leaders, archaeologists and area residents for a special tour of the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wanhi Yukan Preserve.

80+ people posing for group photo at Press Forward MN event

Inside Root River Current | Steps Forward

Behind the scenes, Root River Current advances Press Forward Minnesota collaboration and makes website changes to enhance your experience with its content.

Inside Root River Current | Community Leadership

Root River Current’s Board of Directors expands by one in 2025; meet the newly elected and re-elected directors.

Inside Root River Current | Our Ag & Water Connection

How do our partners approach their work? Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk’s Madeline Heim shares her insights.

Your Leadership Can Make a Difference in Root River Current’s Third Year

Root River Current seeks Board of Directors candidates to support 2025 growth—can you help?

Inside Root River Current, January 2025

Behind the scenes news from Root River Current — announcing a major grant award and expanding the board for growth and success!

Welcome to Root River Current!

We’re HERE FOR YOU! Learn more about Root River Current, an online magazine committed to sound journalism and engaging storytelling—content that builds community in southeast Minnesota’s greater Root River valley.

Thanks for your support!

‘Tis the season to be jolly—and generous! Please support Root River Current with a financial gift—and thank you!

Root River Current celebrates the people, culture and history of the Root River valley in its inaugural year. (Photo collage by Pat Torgrimson)

Grateful For Your Inspiration and Encouragement!

Community donations, including individual gifts to our successful 2022-23 Founding Members Campaign, will help shape Root River Current’s future heading into 2024!

See all stories in Inside Root River Current

Health

‘Highly toxic’ hemlock widespread in Upper Midwest

Poison hemlock can be a killer – and it could be in your backyard. Our colleagues with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk report on how it’s spreading through the region.

Citizen Working Group Releases Nitrate Report

John Torgrimson covers the release of 2025 recommendations by a regional work group to address nitrate issues in Southeast Minesota.

Ayoung woman in a navy blue shirt stands in an older home holding a blue real estate SOLD sign.

Angel’s House of Healing

Rose Korabek shares the story of Angel’s House of Healing, a new women’s recovery home, founded by a Caledonia native, open to women throughout the region. (First published by the Caledonia Argus.)

An older woman stands in front of a mini-bus holding a bin of snacks and juices.

Area Public Health Officials Remain Vigilant at All Times

Since long before Covid 19, health officials have worked hard to stay ahead of ‘the next’ potential regional health threat; David Phillips reports on one example of a dedicated health team.

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.

man at table with book and magazine covers

On His Own Terms: The Writing Life of Tom Driscoll

A southeast Minnesota writer and publisher chronicles his journey as a heart transplant recipient: John Weiss shares the ‘story behind the story’ captured in a soon-to-be-published book by author Tom Driscoll.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Beth Holger, CEO of Minneapolis non-profit The Link, visited Rushford to raise awareness of youth homelessness and sex trafficking. (Photo by Ella Deutchman)</span>

Youth Sex Trafficking Focus of League of Women Voters’ Public Forum

Ella Deutchman reports on a recent youth sex trafficking forum hosted by the Fillmore County League of Women Voters

Sterling Drug currently owns what originally had been the family-owned Slindee Pharmacy in Harmony; prior to its purchase by Sterling, the pharmacy was owned by Witt Pharmacy, a community chain based in Rushford. (All photos courtesy of Luke Slindee)

Essay | Pharmacies in the Root River Valley | A Recent History

Luke Slindee documents the disappearance of small town drug stores.

Smoke haze drifts over a valley in Fillmore County in late June. (Photo by John Torgrimson)

Wildfire Smoke is New Hazard in Upper Midwest

Chloe Johnson reports on wildfire smoke hazards in the Midwest.

Jacob Doerrler circa 1874. As a child he excelled in mathematics, languages and art. He would later die of starvation in the belief that extreme fasting would cure his ills. He died on the family farm near Granger. Louis and Martha Nasch in 1913. Martha would later claim that she survived on a food-less regimen for seven years. (Submitted photos)

German Genius, Duped to Death

A German immigrant’s life and death was a mystery to his ancestors until a great-great niece unraveled the bizarre story.

See all stories in Health

Community Voices

A close-up of an old arched window framed in peeling white paint above a weathered wooden door. Bare tree branches partly obscure the view, and sunlight highlights the cracked glass and faded blue-gray siding.

Essay | Haunted by Time: Southeastern Minnesota’s Forgotten Schoolhouses and Farmsteads

John Weiss explores Fillmore County’s time-haunted schoolhouses and farmsteads where fading paint and sagging walls still teach lessons.

A glowing autumn sunset fills the sky with brilliant shades of orange and red above a wooded bluff. Below, a black steel railroad bridge spans a calm river that reflects the sunset colors. The trees along the water’s edge are beginning to show fall hues of gold and brown, creating a tranquil, scenic view.

Autumn Life in the Driftless

Root River Current photographers capture autumn activities in the Driftless.

A clay pot with the word "mosquito" and a circle with slash through it handdrawn on the pot. A light blue watering can spout is in the right half of the photo.

Essay | Look Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! No . . . It’s a Mosquito!”

Steve Harris laments the recent hordes of unusual visitors we’re all battling in many parts of the Driftless.

Essay | Creative Skills and Kids

Essayist Renee Bergstrom’s formula for a “lifetime of joy” includes being creative – and it begins in our youth.

The garden in full bloom, ready for pollinators. (Photo by Loni Kemp)

Essay | Less-Work Gardening

Loni Kemp shares her tips and tricks to growing, maintaining, and, most importantly, enjoying your garden.

An illustration of two large horses pulling farm equipment through a brown field with a dark gray and yellow cloudy sky behind them.

Essay | A Teacher, a Rooster and an Outhouse

An essay from the book “A Teacher, A Rooster and an Outhouse” tells the story of young boy shenanigans while entertaining their teacher.

A book cover with a closeup image of wood planks showing the grain. One end grain looks like a five-petaled flower. The words on the cover are in a grainy type of red and white and say "A Good Sauna Always Burns Down".

Poetry | Finnish-American Heritage Reflected in New Collection

From back roads and wasp nests to shamans and lutefisk, regional poet Jim Johnson shares excerpts from his latest collection.

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.

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.

Bluffland Sunsets, Moonrise

Root River Current photographers capture twilight scenes in this series of “sunset, moonrise” photos.

See all in Community Voices

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