By October 19-25 is National Friends of Libraries Week. It is a chance for libraries throughout the United States to recognize the contributions of their Friends of Libraries groups to their communities. New Ulm Public Library is grateful to have an active group of library Friends who support ...

It’s a scary time of year. That peculiar holiday called Halloween is upon us, the only occasion wherein we encourage our children to take candy from strangers — after the kiddos issue a vague threat to the homeowner. Trick-or-treating is a grand tradition that dates back centuries. I know ...

Dear Annie: I am struggling with what feels like a small thing, but it weighs on me. I have several great-nieces and great-nephews, and over the years I’ve tried to remember birthdays with cards, little gifts or even just a phone call. Lately, though, I feel overwhelmed. Between the number of ...

We are in the middle of harvest. Taking time to write this and drink coffee is a great luxury. There is a grease gun calling my name right now. “Sheesh, I’ll be right out. Can’t a guy have a break?” The answer to that is no, unless it’s raining or you’re broke down. I did take ...

As I sit in the airport in Frankfurt, waiting to board my flight home from Germany, I reflect on the past three months in Ulm with an appreciation for how special the Hans Joohs Exchange is. Thinking about the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had in Ulm reinforces for me how ...

It was somewhat embarrassing. Not as mortifying as being elbowed by your wife because you were snoring in church, but still. This fall, our garden yielded an embarrassment of riches. Last winter, when I was pining for summer, I begged the garden gods to grant me just a few pumpkins and ...