Alex man has won multiple competitions across the US By Rita Kostreba Bill Johnson of Alexandria grew up on a farm in Carpio, N.D. He threw hay bales as part of his regular farming chores. Turns out, those heavy bales were nothing compared to what he would be lifting the rest of his days. Lifting weights has been a big part of Bill’s life and, lately, has even led him to national competition and recognition. Bill Johnson of Alexandria works out at Grand Arbor weight room seve

Ten of 20 siblings recount their bustling childhood By Julie Parent Maurine Mongeau met the love of her life, Francis Bleess, at a church in Blue Earth, Minn. Her father thought she was too young to get married. After finishing high school, he sent Maurine to a relative’s home in the state of New York where she lived and enrolled in secretarial school. When Maurine returned, she and Francis got married. Chuck Bleess, surrounded by nine of his siblings, holds a photo of his pa

WWII Navy pilot shot down days after his 24th birthday By John "Jack" Scott Haack Reprinted with permission from the Wright County Journal-Press and the Maple Lake Messenger Submitted by Maple Lake resident John “Jack” Scott Haack, nephew of United States Navy Pilot Ensign Jack Carl Fuller, and tells the story of Fuller’s arrival in March of 1945 on the USS Bennington, an aircraft carrier used by the US Navy during WWII. Fuller served on the front line during the Okinawa Camp

WWII nurse received Bronze Star, witnessed surrender ceremony By Faith Anderson Born on the Lee family farm north of Starbuck, Minn., Ruth (Lee) Veum grew up with the values of hard work and compassion woven into everyday life. Driven by a calling to care for others, she became a nurse, and during World War II joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Deploying to the front lines in the Pacific Theater, Ruth provided care in the chaos of battle. Her bravery earned her a Bronze Star,

Al Batt of Hartland, Minn. captured this barn owl spreading its wings atop a stack of firewood. Mary Stangler of St. Joseph, Minn. shared this nostalgic photo of her two children perched on a wooden fence, watching the cattle, and enjoying the peace. A bald eagle swooped down for a catch on the ice in this impressive action shot taken by Jeff Stave of Brainerd, Minn. Ron Cram of Canby, Minn. took this striking black-and-white shot, looking straight up the ladder of a towering

Life stories of Murray County Korean War Veterans By Gary Kass After The Allies complete victory in World War II, America arguably became the primary power in the free world and the only nation to have nuclear armaments. The nation shifted its focus from war to peace, growth, and the pursuit of prosperity. The armed forces were largely demobilized and all matter of military equipment was put in storage, sold, or just scrapped. Even as the Iron Curtain descended across Europe,

Willmar artist honored to create art to recognize vets By Scott Thoma As you enter the Willmar VFW along Highway 12, you are immediately taken in by a four-wall entryway mural, the work of Willmar artist Eva Margaret. The work to honor veterans was completed in May of 2021 and still is talked about frequently by veterans and patrons of the establishment. Former Legion members Herb Sharstrom, left, and Frank Wilkins, right, both since deceased, pose with artist Eva Margaret in

By Jan Stadtherr Looking back at my last column regarding the season of spring, I said that pink flamingos pop up in yards before the flowers do. The pink bird is usually standing on one leg. Do you know why? The lanky bird is trying to stay warm by tucking the other skinny leg into its feathers. Ah, yes! Welcome to senior trivia 101! When you share such tiny facts, it makes you feel smarter whether with family, friends, in the local coffee shop, or at card club. For me, triv

By Russel W. Olson By Russell W. Olson of Lac qui Parle Village Martin McLeod was a fur trader and explorer who became the territorial representative for Minnesota in the area known as “Lac qui Parle.” He served from the First Territorial Legislative Session in 1849 through the Fourth Territorial Legislative Session in 1853, acting as presiding officer in 1853. He was very influential as Territorial Representative. As chair of the “Schools” committee, he helped pass highly im

By Carl Gadow Minnesotans don’t look on the bright side. “A yacht would be great,” someone might say, “but where would I store it? Lake Minnetonka is an hour away—without traffic.” Or: “Yeah, I won the lottery, but now I’m going to have to pay more taxes. It’ll probably push me into a higher tax bracket.” I come by this instinct for practical realism honestly. My grandparents lived through the Great Depression, and some of the habits they learned seem to have been passed down

By Sharon Sannerud Relaxing in our new home in our corner of the world, the wind is howling, birds are singing, and trees are starting to show a tint of green. I began to get excited for spring as it is showing itself to me. Our spring awakens the beauty of so many things. Instead of listening to all of the horror in the world at this time in our lives, I am trying to look for beauty in all we can see from our little corner. As I began the day by taxi driving for my husband,

By Annette Gagliardi Pull several (about 8 to 10) Big Boy and Roma tomatoes from your fridge and chop them into a big soup pot. Dice an onion and add to the tomatoes. Stir in red pepper flakes. Chop garlic. Find the oregano and parsley. Sprinkle these so the top of the tomatoes are covered, then stir these into the pot. Take the sauce tasting spoon away from your oldest child. Shred carrots and zucchini. Add all these to sauce and begin simmering. Say, “No you can’t have more

'Everyone had thought I was dead.' By Jennie Zeitler There are certain experiences that dramatically alter a person’s path. That is the case for Gary Mitchell of Breezy Point. Nearly 60 years ago, at the age of 27, he entered the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) with a friend and walked out alone a week later as someone entirely changed. “I went on a late-season fishing trip with a friend,” he said. “Our canoe capsized.” What followed was a week of survival that

By Carrie Classon There’s a reason I don’t write about current events. The news flies at me faster than I can absorb. I cannot make sense of it all, and it feels as if I should always be doing something more, knowing more, helping more than I am. The parable in the Bible that made the biggest impact on me as a child was the story Jesus told of how, when the master went away, he gave his servants talents to safeguard. Of course, in the literal sense, a talent was a large amoun

By Larry Kiewel She was the youngest daughter of the youngest daughter of prairie pioneers. Born in an April blizzard in 1927, she was educated in a one-room school, babysat for her sister in town to go to high school, and rode a train to attend the land grant university clear across the state. She was a red head, tall, and graceful. She was easy to find in church or school or horse show or county fair. Whatever she wore was accessorized with a large electric smile. She coul

By Stanley Musielewicz It was a beautiful, late spring day in early June. A few clouds drifted across sunny skies, and the temperature was comfortable. School was out, and my family was visiting my grandmother’s farm, which was farmed by my bachelor Uncle Joe. My Cousin Danny was about three years older than me, going into his senior year of high school. He was a city boy, but spent a few weeks every summer helping our uncle with the farming. Danny and I were getting a ride o

By Carrie Classon I had a really good ice-cream cone this week. I suppose this does not qualify as news, but I try not to eat too much ice cream, and I don’t usually keep ice cream in my freezer because I have a tendency to eat it all right away. I love ice cream. I have always loved ice cream. But I have noticed my tendency to eat it until my face goes numb and have avoided it. When I’m in Mexico, I walk by an ice-cream shop every night, where I have bought ice cream before.

'I love my country so much that I'll even die for her.' By Patricia Buschette Kenny Goodman of Stewart, Minn., tries to fit into his father’s WWII Marine Corps uniform with help from his fiance, Eileen McGraw, a day before Kenny left for boot camp. He was killed by a mortar attack months later while serving in Khe Sonh. Contributed photo On June 28, 1967, 150 young men and women were sworn in to the U.S. Marine Corps. The unlikely setting of the event, a televised pre-game ce

Signs families shouldn't ignore By Brenna Vachal, COO at Arise Cares By caregivers, for caregivers — Arise Cares brings real-life experience and trusted guidance to families navigating care at home. Contributed photo Many families assume home care is only needed after a serious health event, such as a fall, hospitalization, or major diagnosis. In reality, the best time to consider home care is often before a crisis happens. Early support can help older adults remain independe

Today's Wisdom: "Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes, so let's dance." - James Howe By Bill D. Ward I recently read an article lamenting the fact that today young people don’t dance. The writer cited his experience at several wedding dances in which the only people on the dance floor were older folks. The young folks were on the sidelines looking at their phones. I had to agree with him, but I don’t know why this is happening. When I was young dances were popu