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Columns

Good bye, dear Denny

Many hearts are bleeding today. Denny Warta — who died just shy of his 98th birthday—had many friends. His circle included the young and the old, the famous and the unknown, the rich and the struggling. A Nobel prize winner and a nomad, a Native American chief and a new immigrant, a ...

O’ lutefisk!

Food can transport you into the past or push you forward. But there are some situations where food can cause familial friction. At least that’s how it’s been for forty-some years with my wife and me. The foodstuff that’s been at the center of our domestic distress is ...

Living with the paranoia of DEI

When I was young, diversity meant that I knew some Lutheran kids. Around here, we were mostly German descended with a scattered few Irish and British. Norwegians lived by Hanska. Native Americans lived on the reservation. The Sleepy Eye of my youth is gone. Hispanic families started coming ...

First snow of the year creates anticipation for all ages

Early November is a time to look ahead; to the holidays, the upcoming new year and the first snowfall of the season. People were talking about the first snowfall a week ago. It looked like the Marshall area might get at least one or two inches. It wasn’t supposed to be a snowstorm, just a ...

A season for empathy: Standing with those without shelter

November is recognized as National Homelessness Awareness Month—As the weather turns colder and the season of giving begins, this month serves as an important reminder of the power of compassion, community, and advocacy. It’s an opportunity for all of us to learn more, challenge ...

Drawing the line with my daughter-in-law

Dear Annie: My 54-year-old son recently married his childhood sweetheart with whom he had a son 36 years ago. They never married before but kept in touch because of their son. Unfortunately, their boy was killed in an auto accident four years ago. I’ve loosely kept in touch with my new ...