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Incredible blessing to be an American

Letters

To the Editor: For 77 years I have felt  blessed and grateful for being born in America.  I have had a wonderful  life.  As America now embarks on it’s next 250 years, I would ask just two questions of my friends, family and fellow Americans.  What country has done more good for the world than America?  What country would you prefer to live in other than America? As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, opportunity and  American success, we understand that America’s history has  been imperfect.  However, our nation’s willingness to change and sacrifice for what is right ...

Securing Agriculture Workforce Act a step in the right direction

Editorials

A couple weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig met with southwest Minnesota farmers in Marshall for a roundtable discussion on the challenges they presently face to survive in the agriculture business. Craig’s roundtable discussion took place many miles from her congressional district. But she is running against Peggy Flanagan in the DFL primary race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Tina Smith. So it made sense for Craig to spend some time in southern Minnesota. She deserves some credit for not making the trip all about an election campaign. And her discussion with farmers dived ...

A hilly vacation

Columns

I recently came home to find my wife staring out the window. “Look at Bella,” she whispered. Bella, our dog, was sitting on the deck and staring intently at the lawn. Out on the lawn, our cat, Sparkles, was staring intently at a gopher hole. You know it’s time to go on vacation when you’re watching your wife who’s watching the dog who’s watching the cat who’s watching a gopher hole. So, we headed for the hills. Specifically, the Black Hills, where we met up with our son and daughter-in-law and their kindergartener son. Our first stop was Reptile Gardens, where we ...

Looking back on songs about America

Columns

Music has always been a staple to the town of New Ulm, the once Polka Capital of the United States. The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame sits on the corner of 1st N and Broadway, and live music can be found at German park, the Grand, and countless other locations. With it being the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, now is a time to explore how America’s connotation has changed throughout the years and what better way to review these changes through the lens of songs about America. Two of the most famous American tunes are “America, the Beautiful,” published by ...

Thumbs up/down

Editorials

THUMBS UP America is celebrating its 250th It is the Fourth July and that is reason enough to celebrate. Several community celebrations and fireworks displays are planned for the weekend. However, this year is extra special because it is America’s 250th anniversary. It is easy to be cynical and shrug off this milestone and say 250 is just another year of typical Independence Day celebration. However, it is a great time to look back at the United States history and all that has happened, both good and bad. Even a quick look back at how the nation has changed since the bicentennial ...

Looking back on the family vacation

Columns

This is the time of year when Americans traditionally embark on extended journeys with their loved ones. Some of these journeys are so long that by the time they end there’s a good deal of fantasizing about leaving said loved ones at the next roadside gas station. It’s family vacation season once again, that time-honored American custom that was originated by the Pilgrims when they left England. One of the Pilgrim dads convinced his family to go on vacation by saying, “We could use a change of scenery. I’ve got a great idea! Let’s go for a little boat ride! C’mon, it’ll ...