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In 2026, the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, begins on February 17. According to the Chinese zodiac, it is the Year of the Horse. Horses are important animals in Chinese culture and mythology, and they have appeared in decorative arts since prehistoric times. As in many cultures, there were stories of mythological horses, often with magical properties or features like wings; and horses belonging to or ridden by historical and legendary figures; but ordinary horses are worthy subjects, too. They are frequently depicted with riders, as in scenes that show battles, journeys, or ...

Wordless Picture Books

Lifestyle Columns

Did you know that sharing a wordless picture book can be a powerful way to build important literacy skills? Wordless picture books are books without text that rely solely on the pictures to convey the story. They are often dismissed as being too easy for any age reader. But they are outstanding tools to promote comprehension, vocabulary, listening skills, and they aid in the understanding of character development and story structure. A good reader needs good comprehension skills. They need to remember what has already happened and be able to predict what may happen next. Wordless ...

Foot warmer warms hearts as well as toes

Lifestyle Columns

Ever since humanity moved into temperate climates, we have faced the problem of how to keep warm in the winter. Our extremities are especially challenging. Throughout history, people have come up with various types of foot warmers, and many of the old types are collectible today. One of the most popular types among collectors has a small wooden frame and punched tin panels. The example shown here, measuring 6 by 10 1/2 inches, sold for $53 at Strawser Auction Group. One panel is hinged on one side, so it opens like a door, and an open metal container inside the box is filled with hot ...

‘A walk through history’

Lifestyle Feature

From Dec. 29 to Jan. 8, students and chaperones from New Ulm Cathedral High School had the opportunity to travel on a pilgrimage to Italy, visiting Assisi, Nettuno and Rome during their trip. The 13 students and seven chaperones hit sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum, ...

Putting a price on a memory (jug)

Lifestyle Columns

Can you put a price on memories? This memory jug sold for $1,125 at Slotin Folk Art Auction. Memory jugs like this one, with decorative items embedded into the surface, are a famous African American art form. They are believed to have originated in Central and West African traditions, where graves are decorated with broken objects or vessels of water. Broken objects are said to represent the breaking point between the afterlife and the land of the living, allowing the deceased’s spirit safe passage. Water was believed to be the path to the spirit world. Enslaved Africans continued ...

Hulke hitting stride, fitting in with Vikings

Lifestyle Feature

MANKATO — Every player's journey to the collegiate basketball court is a little different. The pace-of-play expectations often remain the same, but not every player has the comfort level their freshman year that Bethany Lutheran College’s Morgan Hulke has. And while she originally had to ...