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Celebrating Ruth’s visit to Sleepy Eye

You might have heard. Babe Ruth played in Sleepy Eye. For thirty years, I’ve tugged and pulled at that game in every possible way. My fascination with that day in my hometown’s history began when I was doing research for the Brown County Historical Society 30 years ago for an exhibit: “Baseball and Brown County, A Glove Affair.” Growing up here, we always knew about Babe’s visit. The picture of Babe and Yankee teammate Bob Meusel in front of the grandstand appeared in the paper every so often. They looked cold. That fall was the 75th anniversary of the Oct. 16, 1922, ...

Absentee/mail-in voting: Why and how it’s done

This article is the first in a three-part series which describes the process of absentee/mail-in voting in Minnesota. Minnesota has used absentee/mail-in voting for over a century dating back to the Civil War. This three-part series will explain the process and protections in our system that make sure Minnesota absentee/mail-in voting is secure. Absentee/mail-in voting is an important voting option which allows Minnesotans to vote who aren’t present in Minnesota on election day, have challenges which prevent them from traveling to the polls to vote in person, or who reside in ...

School’s back in session — let’s talk mental health

Mental illnesses among youth — and especially depression and anxiety — have increased over the past decade according to many studies. So it’s important for parents to learn the warning signs and what resources are available. Pay attention to changes – changes in how a child is eating, ...

Understanding the Permanent School Fund question on November ballot

As Minnesotans begin voting in the Nov. 3 general election, there is one question on every ballot that directly relates to public schools across our state. It concerns Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund — a resource that has been supporting public education for generations. The Permanent School Fund is not a new program or a new source of taxation. Its roots go back to Minnesota’s earliest days as a state, when land was set aside for the benefit of public education. Today, Minnesota maintains approximately 2.5 million acres of school trust land and mineral rights on ...

Gone antiquing

Our old neighbor Al Warnes had a knack for malapropisms that were unintentionally amusing. For instance, “transplant” always came out as “replant” as in, “She got a kidney replant.” And “rummage sale” was unfailingly pronounced as “rubbish sale.” That last turn of phrase ...

Two journalists with passion for news

I am a big fan of newspapers in general and local journalism in particular. My reading world took a blow when two friends announced their retirement in the same week. Fritz Busch is stepping down to a part-time role as staff writer at The Journal in New Ulm. Deb Moldaschel is leaving the Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch where she has been helping out after a stint as editor. Fritz and Deb are my age and I’ve known them as far back as I can see. The age we are is made interesting by seeing how all of us boomers wrangle with this thing called “retirement.” Many of my friends are ...