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THUMBS UP Volunteers make the Brown County Fair happen The Brown County Fair is in full swing again and has returned with dozens of exciting events and exhibits. The fair has something for everyone, whether they come for the rides, entertainment, 4-H and FFA exhibits or even the fair food. Since the fair happens every year, it is easy to take it for granted, but the work to put on the fair takes the work of many volunteers working long hours. The effort is worth it, as it is a rare event that brings all of Brown County together.  THUMBS UP Historic voter turnout in 2026 ...

Varmint vexations

Columns

Wildlife must be doing quite well, judging by the volume of roadkill I’ve seen lately. There seems to be a season for each species to commit highway hara-kiri. For instance, a month or so ago skunks were the prevalent source of roadside gore. Most of the stinkers appeared to be fairly young, perhaps the skunk equivalent of teenagers. This leads one to wonder what drove these youngsters to seek this smushed state. Maybe peer pressure was a factor: “I dare you to cross that road! Are you a skunk or a chicken? Bwaak, bwaak! There he goes... Run, Pepé, run! No! Don’t stop and ...

Check the box for Kendall Qualls

Letters

I have many people asking me who I support in the upcoming governor primary election. I can say with certainty that any Republican candidate will be better than the Democrat alternative. I will support Kendall Qualls in the primary. I first met Kendall and his wife about five years ago when my wife and I were involved in the COVID pandemic response from local schools and government mandates. At that time, our state was under the Trifecta Democrat rule in Minnesota. The Woke movement was in full force and effect. Kendall and his wife came and spoke to a “We The People” meeting ...

Following the twist and time in history from Bohemia

Columns

A thing that comes with age is increased interest in those who came before. I wish I had asked my parents so many more questions about their lives. Our daughter Abby spent time doing ancestry work on both Pam’s and my side. Others have worked on the Krzmarzicks. Everyone’s work can build on others’ on websites like ancestry.com. Amazingly, we can go back to the 1500s with some lines that led to Abby. Of course, the further back you go, we only know names and where they lived. Earlier this summer, I got to visit a place that is important in my family story. We spent two weeks ...

‘There is a place for us’

Columns

NEW ULM – The New Ulm Film Society (NUFS) continues to encroach on musical theater’s turf, with a screening of “West Side Story,” which could lead to a rumble. The film screening begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the New Ulm Public Library. “West Side Story” is the fourth film in the New Ulm Film Society musical film series and is often cited as one of the greatest film musicals of all time. The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It still holds the record for the most Oscars won by a musical. It was also the highest-grossing film of 1961, the year it was ...

First month in New Ulm as exchange intern packed with new experiences

Columns

My name is Sam Blomberg, and I have the privilege of serving as the Hans Joohs representative for the New Ulm Sister Cities Commission. Over the course of twelve weeks, I am living and working in Germany. This letter highlights events from the first four weeks. Arriving in Ulm, Germany, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As the sister cities representative, I hoped to gain professional experience and learn about German culture. In Ulm, I found much more: a welcoming host family, an engaging work environment, and a city rich in tradition and culture. My first month has been packed with ...