Opinions

Graduation ceremonies mark beginnings, ends

Graduation ceremonies for the local Classes of 2023 are now complete. Seniors in Byron, Hayfield, Kasson-Mantorville, and Triton have crossed the stage at their respective schools for the last time and now move on to the future. By their very nature, high school graduations are both endings and...

I Was Thinking... Water

What is it about water that draws people to it? Over the Memorial Day weekend, I was able to sit on a dock and just watch the sun set over one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. The water gently lapping at the shore created a calming effect that only nature seems to be able to produce. With the...

Legislators tackled local issues during session

When we think of the Minnesota State Legislative Session we often think primarily of those issues that affect the entire state. In doing so we may overlook the bills that specifically address the needs of our local area. The recently completed 2023 session made some big decisions for the state as a...

Supporting our smallest communities

Summer is a wonderful time to take a drive through our state. In southern Minnesota you can enjoy beautiful lakes, bluffs, and small towns. Chances are, you may already live in one of those small towns. Of the 173 communities in south central and southeastern Minnesota that comprise our region,...

The mystery of the Disappearing Church…

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. — Acts 2:42 In 1858, the First Congregational Church was planted in Mantorville where it served the community alongside the Hubble House, the post office, a store and a few mills. Over...

I Was Thinking... Communicating

We all communicate in one way or another. I know some people who are quiet and soft spoken. In a group I meet with regularly, one guy in particular hardly says a word the whole time we are together. But he is a great listener because when he does talk, it is always on point and something you should...

Roundabout or lay-a-roundabout?

To the Editor: Since the State decided to exercise their totalitarian authority and dictate “safety” measures, Kasson is getting three roundabouts strongly opposed by the community. Two were supposed to be finished last year. The construction company blamed COVID supply chain problems in Summer/...

Remembering those who died

Remembering those who died Monday is Memorial Day. Most of us probably think of Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of summer. And that is a reasonable thought. After all, schools are either out for the summer or down to their final days. Same with graduations. We have two graduations coming up...

Resurrection Reflection

Do you find that the most profound questions come when talking to children? If you are patient enough to listen, you can hear amazing the wisdom in the words of a young child. Usually, I am not patient enough, but every once in awhile, I will listen long enough to hear the voice of God. I remember...

I Was Thinking... Learn By Doing Nothing

Today was what the weatherman called a “Top 10” weather day. It was what we had hoped for all spring. And with the perfect day, people took advantage of it. Some golfed or played pickleball, others tilled their garden plot, mowed their lawn or planted flowers. You didn’t want to waste such a...