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Color combinations make for fashionable vases

Two-toned glass where one color shades into the other was fashionable in the late 19th to early 20th century. It started with amberina, which shades from red to amber and was made by reheating part of a piece of amber glass. Many companies made it, but usually under different names, since amberina was patented for the New England Glass Company. Other color combinations were made by adding a thin layer of flashed glass to the interior of a piece of transparent colored glass. Bluerina, a blue-shaded glass whose name is influenced by amberina, was made this way. Collectors use the name ...

Winter fun at the Library

Looking for fun activities this winter? The Library of Things (LOT) is an excellent starting point. Whether you want your children to learn new skills or are looking to boost family physical activity, many LOT items—available to check out with your library card—can help you achieve your goals. Check out a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activity to strengthen logical thought processes and problem-solving skills or try a board game from the library’s extensive collection to stimulate the brain areas responsible for memory and complex processing. Explore the Library ...

Looking back at the ‘heart’ of AMPI’s dairy operation

On the final day of 2025, the sale of Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) butter plant in New Ulm to Grassland Dairy Products was finalized. The butter plant, located at 312 Center Street, continues to produce butter and receive AMPI cream but now operates under Grassland. Though AMPI no ...

Famed English pottery traces history to 1775

John Aynsley founded his pottery in Staffordshire, England, in 1775 and initially made earthenware. Like many pottery makers, his son and, later, his grandson joined the business; its name changed to John Aynsley & Sons in the 1860s. About that time, the company began making bone china. The company has been a favorite of the British royal family from Queen Victoria onward. In 1970, Waterford bought the company and changed its name to Aynsley China Ltd. It has changed hands again since then, but still operates as Aynsley China. An Aynsley teapot with a matching trivet sold at an ...

Music for All

If you want to know the rest of the story about some of your favorite musicians, please consider the following titles from our new nonfiction shelf. Don’t Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours by Alan Light (782.42 Light). The Rumours album became one of the most popular albums of all time, appealing to all ages. Take a deep dive into the history of this famous album. Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run by Peter Ames Carlin (782.4213 Carlin). You will learn the full story behind the songs, recording sessions, struggles and breakthroughs of this iconic ...

Fight for the land DNR, New Ulm farmer battle

The fight between wildlife supporters and farmers over use of land has come to Clear Lake, southwest of New Ulm. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is trying to force a rural New Ulm man to seal a drainage tile near Clear Lake, claiming the tile has lowered the lake level without a permit. That lowered lake level has lessened the productivity of the lake and vicinity for waterfowl nesting, brood rearing and feeding, the DNR says. THE FARMER, Lester Hillesheim, Rt.2, New Ulm, says the lake was excessively high due to blockage of the natural outlet and his title was ...