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Enjoying some Duluth delights

Columns

The city of Duluth demands only the best. It wasn’t good enough for the town to be located on a Great Lake; it also insisted on being on the shores of the one named Superior. Striving for the best has enabled Duluth to hold their biennial Festival of Sail. My wife and I are enchanted by the romance and adventure of old-fashioned sailing ships, so we motored to Duluth to swash some buckle. The tall sailboats looked like prickly caterpillars when they were moored with their sails stowed. But when they were on the harbor under full sail, they were butterflies, floating gracefully and ...

There can be but one explanation

Letters

To the editor: I’ve been an interested observer for several years to find out some truths about pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and as an avid critic of the president and his party, I’ve waited patiently to find out more about Epstein’s client list and details about his apparent suicide while in the custody of 45’s department of justice. With Epstein’s favorite girlfriend/procurer, Ghislaine Maxwell, behind bars for her role in Epstein’s shenanigans, (Hmmm…A woman is the only person being punished. Give her another twenty years.) the scandalous list detailing Epstein’s ...

Thumbs up/down

Editorials

THUMBS UP New Ulm celebrates Bavarian Blast Bavarian Blast is back this weekend, meaning New Ulm is in for a weekend full of music, dancing and a parade to cap off festivities on Sunday. The Blast officially began on Thursday with three musical performances in the main tent. Friday saw festivities expand to include more bands throughout the day on the main stage in addition to music in the KNUJ Polka Hall. The music will continue Saturday, in addition to the return of the 5K Fun Run in the morning and a Bean Bag tournament in the afternoon. The Bavarian Blast parade on Sunday has the ...

July is National Mental Health Awareness month

Columns

July 2025 marks the 16th annual National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month. This observance was established in 2008 when congress officially recognized July in honor of author and health advocate Bebe Moore Cambell. Cambell (1950-2006) co-founded a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter to support Black families affected by mental illness. Through storytelling and advocacy, she worked to break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color. Her efforts led to the national designation of this month to ...

Good fences make good neighbors

Columns

Dear Annie: I work remotely and rent a small guesthouse on a property owned by a retired couple, “Tom” and “Linda.” They live in the main house and are kind, but recently their friendliness has crossed into something more intrusive. At first, it was small things; Linda would wave and come chat while I was outside on a break, or Tom would ask about my work. Lately, though, they’ve started popping by unannounced. One afternoon, Tom let himself into my yard to “check the sprinkler,” and yesterday, Linda knocked on my door with cookies and stayed for almost an hour, even ...

When support feels like sales

Columns

Dear Annie: My sister, “Jenna,” is 38 and recently started selling handmade candles online. I was excited for her at first; it’s a big step to start your own business. But now, every conversation somehow turns into a pitch. She’ll bring candles to family dinners and “gift” them, only to follow up later asking for social media shoutouts or reviews. At our mom’s birthday, she gave everyone “custom scents” and then passed around her business cards. I want to support her, but it’s getting awkward. I don’t think she realizes how pushy it’s coming across. My husband ...