Opinions

I Was Thinking . . . Modern Shorthand

Before everyone carried a phone/camera/recorder/minicomputer with them at all times, people used to write things down. If you wanted to do it in a hurry, you learned shorthand. But even if you never learned that now outdated skill, it has become necessary for all of us to learn another sort of...

Vote for someone, not against someone

To the Editor: These days, we seem to be more inclined to vote against someone than forsomeone. This year, perhaps you will- vote against the party that claims to be the champions of individualfreedom, but is doing everything in their power to eliminate the freedom of awoman to control her own body...

Patrick Madery asks for voters support

To the Editor: My name is Patrick Madery and I am running for the Kasson-Mantorville School Board. I am a proud Kasson-Mantorville graduate of the class of 2004. Since then, I have lived in various places throughout the state of Minnesota, returning in 2018 to raise my family in this great...

I Was Thinking . . . What A Job!

No matter what job you held during your career, there were times you may have felt your job was a lot harder than most people knew. People just didn’t understand all the ins and outs of what you were expected to do. But as difficult we sometimes seem to think our jobs were, there are probably some...

A thank you to Mantorville for Zumbro River discussion

To the Editor: We would like to express our appreciation to the City of Mantorville – the Park Board, City Council, Mayor and staff for allowing us to present information on the South Branch Middle Fork Zumbro River at two recent meetings. As local advocates for comprehensive river and watershed...

4-H offers ‘Opportunity for All’

This is National 4-H Week with a theme of “Opportunity 4 All.” The week highlights how 4-H offers opportunities for youth to find their passion and explore learning about it through hands-on learning experiences. 4-H programs nationally are operated by the Extension Services of Public Universities...

I Was Thinking . . . Gray Power

Most people look forward to retirement as a time to sleep in, travel and do the things they never had time for when they were working. But once retirement actually kicks in, a lingering question often arises. Is this all there is? During our working lives we always knew exactly what we were doing...

Be Civilized

“Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones. “But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was...

Protect Minnesotans from consumer fraud

To the Editor: There’s a higher percentage of older adults living in greater Minnesota than in the Cities. Fraudsters count on this population because of the chance that they own landlines, will answer an unexpected phone call, engage in conversation, and ultimately, fork over money. If you or a...

Open grants support children, welcoming communities

TIM PENNY The start of the school year in conjunction with Welcoming Week, a national series of inclusive events, has me thinking about two things: how to ensure children and families’ needs are being addressed this school year, and how to enhance welcoming initiatives in our communities. At ...