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This is Not an Article About Matt Damon

Lifestyle Columns

This summer Matt Damon transformed himself into Odysseus in Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of The Odyssey. Reports show that purchases of the poem have increased by 76% as compared to last year’s sales. Interest in journeying deeper into Greek mythology has noticeably increased with more adaptations and translations being added into the collection and circulating. You may be inspired to craft your own “personal syllabus,” a way to guide yourself through individual learning. Last year this became a trend as people were nostalgic about having a curriculum to follow and ...

Sleepy Eye Lake, a hidden gem

Lifestyle Feature

SLEEPY EYE - Sleepy Eye Lake, its parks and the 3.1 mile paved trail around it have been described as a “hidden gem” by campers. The lake trail is great for scenic walks with lots of birds, bicycling, walking or jogging. The lake and its amenities are considered the most reliable ...

Top Picks for Fall

Lifestyle Columns

In the book publishing industry, fall is the biggest and busiest season. It’s a busy season at the library, too. Check out the following list of books—with reviews from the publishers—to start building your hold list before these popular titles arrive at the library. Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult. “Moving between past and present, Hollow Bones is an epic story of the lies we tell ourselves as we write the narratives of our lives, the plans we design to protect ourselves at the worst moments, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.” Off the Reservation by Stephen Graham ...

Eye on Sleepy Eye, Vol. II

Lifestyle Feature

Note: The first Eye on Sleepy Eye was included in the Oct. 7, 2023 edition of The Journal (1) A view from a larger-than-usual seat. Where am I? (2) This path is less traveled than the one beneath. Where am I? (3) A new addition to this location has its own hint built in. Where am ...

Best Nonfiction Books of 2026 (so Far)

Lifestyle Columns

There are many “Best Books of 2026 So Far” lists out right now, so I chose some of Amazon’s “Best of 2026” nonfiction picks to share with you. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe (364.152 Keefe). “From the bestselling, prizewinning author of Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, a spellbinding account of a family devastated by the sudden death of their nineteen-year-old son, only to discover that he had created a secret life which drew him into the dangerous criminal underworld that lies beneath ...

Building a small town museum

Lifestyle Feature

HANSKA – The town of Hanska was officially incorporated in 1901, making it one of the younger communities in the region, but its history is rich and its residents maintain a strong community spirit 125 years later. It is this community spirit that has led to the recent creation of a Hanska ...