Breaking News

Life

Moser pitcher decorated with colorful grapevines

Lifestyle Columns

Fall is traditionally a time for harvest, and grapes are one of the fruits frequently picked in early October. Since they were cultivated (and made into wine) during the Neolithic era, grapes have been granted many symbolic meanings, from power and divinity to life and health, hospitality, sacrifice, celebration and indulgence. No matter what they might represent, grapes are something good to eat or a source for a tasty drink, so it’s no wonder they often appear in decorative arts, especially tableware. This glass pitcher, decorated with gilt and colorful enameled grapevines, was ...

The beauty of nature inspires Royal Dux vase

Lifestyle Columns

When we reach the Autumn Equinox, summer is officially over. That doesn’t mean you have to put sunshine and vacation fun entirely out of your mind. Isn’t that what mementos and souvenirs are for? Take this shell-shaped porcelain vase, which sold for $2,460 at Morphy Auctions. Even though it’s not a real shell, it can evoke beach trips and the serenity that comes with them. It was made by Royal Dux, the collector’s nickname for Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur, founded in Dux, Bohemia (now Duchov, Czech Republic), in 1860. This porcelain factory is best known for its art ...

Jessica Knoll’s novel ‘Bright Young Women’ is an ode to victims and survivors of Ted Bundy’s crimes

Lifestyle Columns

“Luckiest Girl Alive” author Jessica Knoll’s latest novel was inspired by Ted Bundy’s murders of two sorority sisters at Florida State University in 1978. Media coverage often mentions Bundy’s so-called charm and good looks as an oxymoron to his crimes. Instead of romanticizing the killer, Knoll’s “Bright Young Women” is a tribute to victims and survivors. A docu-series about Bundy on Netflix called “ Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes,” was the impetus for the novel. Knoll was floored by an episode that included the judge’s description of Bundy at ...

‘Big Bob’ rolls on after seven decades

Life

New Ulm entrepreneur and business owner Bob Dittrich recently celebrated 70 years in business with a celebration with family and friends at German Park. Recycling long before it became popular, Dittrich started his own business as a teenager, salvaging cardboard from New Ulm businesses and ...

Off the Shelf

Lifestyle Columns

We’re looking forward to a busy autumn at the library. The Library Board’s Strategic Planning Committee continues to work on writing our new strategic plan. The committee is currently working on forming goals and objectives. The goals and objectives we set will be the overarching framework we will use when determining which actions we’ll take during the next 5-7 years to deliver on our mission and vision. The committee will next meet on Monday, September 25 at 2 p.m. Please reach out to Library Director April Ide at 507-359-8331 if you are interested in learning more about this ...

Keeping it simple in maintaining German Park

Lifestyle Feature

For many, the German Park Garden is a crown jewel in New Ulm’s park system but few people know of the work that goes into maintaining it. Earlier this month New Ulm Gardening Club received a peek behind the scenes. During a special meeting in German Park, the garden caretaker Mary Roufs ...