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I never lack for books to add to my To-Be-Read List; what I do lack is the time to read all of the books on the ever-growing list! Here are a few that I found well-worth my time. Tina Brown, founder of The Daily Beast and former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief, takes a deep dive into the British royal family in “The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor-the Truth and the Turmoil.” She explores the Windsors’ relationships, scandals, and triumphs, creating a balanced picture of a complex and very human family thrust into a singular position. I found the sections on the family’s ...

American companies have used patriotic imagery in advertisements for more than a hundred years. It appeals to customers and shows pride in American industries. Current trademark law prohibits using the American flag in advertisements, but there are plenty of other patriotic symbols to use. This tin lithographed tip tray, which sold for $2,010 at an auction by AntiqueAdvertising.com, is predominantly red, white and blue and features stars, stripes and the eagle-and-shield seal. Trays with this design were made by 1917. They advertise “Deacon Brown,” a soft drink made in Montgomery, ...

Autumn is my favorite season

Autumn is by far my favorite season. I love the early fall when the temperature drops in the morning and makes you grab a scarf and a jacket on your way out the door. I love when the leaves change colors, and then make messy piles on the lawn. I love late fall when all you can think about is a bowl of warm soup and hot tea for lunch and then curling up on the couch with a soft blanket and a good book. At the library in the fall, I love having families linger a little longer after story time. It is so much fun to watch the kids play together, while the parents and caregivers get a ...

Senior Meals

MONDAY Baked fish, au gratin potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, dessert, milk. TUESDAY Sloppy Joe on a bun, romaine salad w/dressing, baked beans, warm peaches, milk. WEDNESDAY Baked chicken, peas and carrots, mandarin oranges, rice pilaf, Jell-O w/whipped topping, milk. THURSDAY Meatloaf, corn, baked potato w/sour cream, bread, dessert, milk. FRIDAY Turkey and noodles, california/normandy vegetables, warm apple slices, dessert, milk. The New Ulm Community Center is OPEN for in person dining. Call 359-2243 for Delivery, or to reserve a meal for in person dining, or ...

Looking at the spooky side of antiques

When Halloween approaches, it’s time to look into the spooky side of antiques. While there are plenty of antique decorations and toys made specifically for Halloween, you can see related symbols in more everyday pieces. Skulls in particular show up on all sorts of collectibles, from poison bottles to Victorian mourning jewelry to toy pirate ships. Memento mori objects such as jewelry, timepieces and figurines have been made since the 16th century. Latin for “remember you must die,” memento mori served as reminders of the transience of life and encouragement to live virtuously. ...

New fall books

Here is a small sampling of new, scary, spooky and delicious fall books at the New Ulm Public Library. The Bequest by Joanna Margaret In this gothic mystery set in Scotland, Italy, and France, a PhD student investigates the suspicious death of a professor. I’ll be reading this one for the setting and for the twists and turns. House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson. In this brutal, face-paced Gothic novel a young girl takes a job as a bloodmaid to escape poverty. Alexis Henderson is the author of the Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist, The Year of the Witching. Witch in the Well by ...