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Local Columns

Well structured

When it comes to just about any species of fish, an element of structure is often key in catching them, especially in summer. Even the roving schools of white bass on the waters that hosted my formative years of fishing related to nearby weed edges established in the summer months, against ...

On fatherhood

Every day, rain or shine or Shinola, I take our dog, Bella, out for a walk. It’s good for both of us, and as her doggy daddy, it’s my responsibility to ensure that she gets her minimum daily requirement of free-range fun. During our walks Bella chases rabbits that she never catches and ...

Let’s pair up

Sitting at a local concert in the park event, a wellknown aspect of our existence became very noticeable. It's my normal routine to arrive early at the concert to get the space I like. The space is toward the back of the park because I like to watch the park fill up with families and ...

Dog House owner soaking up the success of self serve dog wash

In 2017, I interviewed the owners of a unique new business in Marshall located on Mustang Way near the Southwest Minnesota State University campus. Justin and Wendy McKinney opened the Dog House, which offers a “home away from home” for dogs while their owners go on vacation. At the time, ...

Be careful with the hugging

I attended a young woman’s graduation from Blaine High School. Most of my graduation ceremonies have been at Sleepy Eye’s schools. The two experiences were different. A lot. On Sunday, May 31, three high schools from the Anoka-Hennepin school district took turns having their ceremony in ...

The Key: a place that provided plenty of Marshall area fun

The Key on Minnesota Highway 19 near the Marshall airport is gone, but it will never be forgotten. I have great memories of both the roller rink and the bowling alley at The Key. Its history corresponds to my years of growing up in Marshall. Ewald Pagel operated The Key from 1975 until the ...