I call them the “Ramen Shoppers.” They never fail to fill me with sympathy and sadness. You can see them in the grocery stores of all college towns. They are typically between the ages of 19 and 24. Pushing their grocery carts down the aisles, they take time intently pondering the price of this or that item. Sometimes they linger
Dick Clark had no right to die
How dare Dick Clark die? He wasn’t supposed to die. He had no right to die. When we baby boomers were young, that’s what we’d say, “Dick Clark will never die. He never ages. He’ll stay young forever.” That youth-obsessed delusion was our Peter-Pan goal once upon a time: never grow old, never die. That was then when the world
Bribery may be only way to prompt cleanup action
It started last spring when a reader called into the Newsleader office to ask, rather matter-of-factly when the staff was planning to clean up its two-mile stretch along County Road 3. After all, he assured us, the Newsleader name was on the Adopt-a-Highway signs bordering either end of the tract and we should be responsible for the work if we
Titanic keeps sinking in my mind
Why am I still riveted by anything to do with the sinking of the H.M.S. Titanic, as if that disaster happened just yesterday? I’ve been pondering that question for the past week, prompted by the centennial of that ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912. Whenever I happen to channel-flip through TV and glimpse something about the Titanic, I always think,
School-trust land reform on verge of approval, local politician asks support
by Reps. Tim O’Driscoll (R) and Denise Dittrich (DFL) Many times those who hold public office are labeled as being too partisan and not willing to work together to solve problems. We’d like to share with you a story of how the Minnesota Legislature is working together in an unprecedented bipartisan fashion this session to bring about change that will
Re-introduction to fitness is a process
I recently re-introduced myself to going back to the gym. I thought it might be one way of getting healthier. Energy is a gift of youth and one that as an adult I am missing lately. I’m 28 years old so there is still hope. Energy bars or drinks do not give me an added boost. They actually have the
Poetry is worthy of celebration
St. Joe is not “small” but is a thriving city, a true hub of growth. I wrote that haiku in celebration of National Poetry Month. That’s the month of April for those who might not be aware of it. National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets, according to www.poets.org. It
Voters should nix proposed amendments
It is – unfortunately – official. The Minnesota Legislature’s Republican majority voted to place yet another issue on the ballot in next November’s election. This one, if approved by voters, will make it mandatory for anyone who goes to vote to have a government-issued photo identification card. If approved by voters, the requirement would become a constitutional amendment. The other