Opinions

I Was Thinking... Taking the Time

Remember when you were a kid and life was much simpler? Decisions could be made by a flip of a coin, with eenie, meenie, minie, moe, or by rock, paper, scissors. And summer was the best time of the year. While most of our parents gave us chores to do, when we were done, it was our time to do what...

Americans come together to celebrate Fourth of July

All across our state, Minnesotans are coming together with friends and family for parades, barbecues, and fireworks in honor of the Fourth of July and the birth of our nation. This week we celebrated the start of the great American experiment in democracy that began in 1776 when our founding...

Finstad: College admissions should not be based on race

Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released a statement following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down the use of affirmative action in the college admissions process. “Today’s Supreme Court decision asserts that no American should be discriminated against because of the color of their skin....

New laws take effect in Minnesota

The average citizen may sometimes wonder exactly how all the discussion at the State Legislature will really affect them. With the DFL having control of all three branches of state government the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session was one of the busiest in recent years and a large number of new...

Sen. Carla Nelson recovering from open heart surgery

On Thursday, June 29, Minnesota State Sen, Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) was released from Mayo Clinic Saint Marys Hospital following a planned open heart surgery to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), her office announced. HCM is a condition in which the walls of the heart become thicker, making...

I Was Thinking... Flowers — Part II

Anyone who writes either a column, puts together a blog or a podcast, or is attempting a novel, has the fear that there may be a time when their ideas dry up. Some call it writer’s block while others refer to it as empty head syndrome. But whatever you call it, you wonder when it will strike. But...

Local investments make small towns thrive

Imagine being a kid in a small town in Minnesota who, more than anything, wants to dive into the city pool with their friends to escape the summer heat — but their family cannot afford the pool pass. This very situation is what prompted the Wabasha Kellogg Area Community Foundation (WKACF) to start...

Is it Favoritism... Cronyism... Nepotism...?

To the Editor: Favoritism: The favoring of one person or group over others with equal claims. Cronyism: The practice of favoring one’s close friends, especially in political appointments. Nepotism: Patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and...

Happy Birthday United States

Next Tuesday the United States celebrates its 247th birthday. It was on July 4, 1776, that the second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence declaring, the United States of America. As we approach this Independence Day, it may seem that we are more polarized than at any other...

How to locate interesting volunteer opportunities

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good organizations or websites for locating interesting volunteer opportunities? I’ve been doing some volunteer work since I retired last year, but most of the jobs I’ve tried haven’t been very fun or satisfying. Retired Volunteer Dear Retired, For many...