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Antique china sets feature multiple manufacturers

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One complication to vintage and antique china sets is the fact that makers and decorators weren’t always the same. Many porcelain manufacturers in Europe and the United States made blank dishes that were sent to other factories for decorating. Some sold the blanks as they were for hobbyists to paint at home. This means that you might see two different makers’ marks in the same set of china; sometimes even on the same piece. If the decorator signed their work, there might be three. If you turned over this pedestal cup and saucer, which sold at Woody Auction for $120, you would see ...

New Ulm Public Library turns 50

Lifestyle Feature

The New Ulm Public Library turned 50 years old earlier this month. The $1.2 million, four-level library with room for 120,000 books, more than double the capacity of the old library, was dedicated Feb. 12, 1976 with a ceremony that included Minnesota Democratic Sen. Walter Mondale and ...

Lifestyle Columns

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

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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

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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, ...