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Off the Shelf: New books

If you are looking for something new to read this month let’s take a look at the new shelves in Children’s. “Who Knew? Under the Apple Tree” by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton is perfect for fall. This book looks at how animals and insects know that the seasons change and how they communicate that change to their families, and it all takes place under the apple tree. T.L. McBeth has given us another book featuring Randy the Badly Drawn Horse. In the second book titled, “Randy the Badly Drawn Horse and Dandy too!” Randy is getting ready to set off on his next adventure when he ...

Antiques & Collecting: Old storage boxes now treasured

Hand-decorated storage boxes were important for storage in the 18th century when there were few places, other than shelves, to store small personal items. Collectors today treasure the work of the Bucher family in Berks County, Pennsylvania, made from about 1750 to 1800. There are memorials with dates ranging from 1792 to 1876 with Heinrich, the father’s name. Heinrich Bucher, and eventually his sons, made and sold bentwood boxes decorated with yellow, green, red and white trees, tulips and other foliage on a black background. The boxes sell today for thousands of dollars. This box ...

Off the Shelf: Family memories

October is Family History Month! Started 20 years ago by an act of Congress, it is a time to explore our roots, preserve memories, and connect to our past. Making connections to those who have gone before can strengthen us in times of difficulty. True stories have a way of inspiring us, and stories that connect to our own even more so. In 2010, psychologists from Emory University conducted an interesting study involving 14 -16 year olds. Controlling for a variety of factors, they found a strong contributing factor to these teens’ ability to cope with emotional distress, failure, and ...

Park & Rec Report

Rec Center Openings The aquatic center and indoor playground are now open! Vogel Fieldhouse will open soon. Rec Center hours have now expanded to Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily admission fees are $7 for youth and seniors, $9 general admission and $3 for playground only. Membership options available, check with the front desk. Open Swim hours are Monday and Wednesday from 4-6:30 p.m., Friday 4-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Lap Swim hours are M-F 5a.m.-8a.m., 10a.m.-8a.m. (except Fridays), Saturday ...

In Appreciation

Lions Club of New Ulm says ‘Thank You’ for a successful fly-in The Lions Club of New Ulm would like to thank everyone who attended our 47th annual Fly-In Breakfast for their support. We served over 1500 people and had a great time doing it. Fifty airplanes flew in. We would also like to thank all the businesses and individuals listed below for making this year’s Fly-In a success. City of New Ulm; North Star Aviation; SpecSys Inc.; Thrivent Financial; Martin Luther College; Turner Hall; Cash Wise Foods; Hy-Vee Food Store; AMPI Butter Plant; Hermel/New Ulm Wholesale; Rent-N-Save ...

Antiques & Collecting: ‘Punkah’ was early form of air conditioning

Can you guess what this unfamiliar antique was used for? It is 40 inches high and 35 inches wide and probably made of Southern Yellow Pine. It is called a “punkah.” It was made in the early 19th century and used with the help of a man called a “punkah wallah” who pulled a cord to make the punkah swing back and forth like a fan. It was the “air conditioner” used in hot climates, not just in America. The wooden punkah was suspended from the ceiling with wrought iron pins at the lower portion of each shoulder. It also has a round finial with a hole that helps with the ...