(2008/08/07)
I am writing in support of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. As a former state senator from the area, outdoors enthusiast and father, I want all Minnesotans to know about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vote on this very important constitutional question.
(2008/08/06)
The images are unforgettable n a huge city, filled with millions of people, with a thick, choking shroud of air pollution, obscuring the newly constructed sports facilities for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Those who shake their heads and comment, “that could never happen here,” when they see these images on television or in a newspaper may be surprised to know that it is happening here in Minnesota, even as you read this.
(2008/08/05)
This is a parable for our times. Once, a long time ago, there was a family who lived in a little house, surrounded by woods, on the top of a hill.
(2008/08/03)
As with many Winonans, I have very much appreciated the five years of professional theater offered by the Great River Shakespeare Festival. However, this year I do not share the enthusiasm.
(2008/08/01)
In my view, Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Pawlenty and all those Minnesota legislators who have succumbed to some voters’ basest desires to avoid taxes should fall to their knees and apologize to their parents and grandparents for ruining the Minnesota those parents and grandparents worked so hard to build — fine schools, beautiful parks, great public hospitals, court systems that dispensed prompt due process, prisons large enough to hold offenders, roads that didn’t rattle you, bridges that didn’t collapse and all the rest.
(2008/07/30)
The adventure began as we left Minneapolis at 11 a.m. July 9 and flew for more than 20 hours arriving in Melbourne, Australia, at 9 a.m. Friday.
(2008/07/29)
I read the article in the Winona Daily News about the school bus system using alternate paints during the winter months. I think this is a terrific step in the right direction for safety’s sake.
(2008/07/29)
As the proud spouse of an Iraq war veteran, I am well aware of the constant danger that soldiers face there and in Afghanistan — places where roads might be minefields and people might be bombs.
(2008/07/28)
It’s going to be a busy school year, I can just tell.
(2008/07/27)
This has been a very busy summer. I realize that summer is the great Minnesota Social Season, but it seems that there is more going on this year than I can remember in quite some time. Along with the band concerts, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, the Minnesota Beethoven Festival and the Gilmore Creek Players, to just mention a few, there have been lots of extra family activities.
(2008/07/25)
Of course, summer is going way too fast, and here it is right in the middle already. If possible, I would go back and start on June 1 again — just to have more summer.
(2008/07/24)
As much as it would please many to have the death penalty as a punishment and deterrent to child rape, it never has been and never will be the ultimate solution to a very serious societal problem.
(2008/07/23)
I have an acquaintance with whom I’ve been thrown together all too often lately. You know how it goes, there’s always someone at the periphery of your social circle that you don’t consider a friend so much as a social contact. They crop up in many different forms: the spouse of a co-worker, your best friend’s sister, your boyfriend’s drinking buddy from college, pretty much anyone with any significant connection to your boss. Essentially, the people you would never choose to hang out with on your own.
(2008/07/22)
Ahhh, June. Looking back, we nearly missed it this year what with the colder than average spring weather. June is my favorite month for many reasons: the bees aren’t bugging us yet, the mosquitoes aren’t too plentiful, the sky is the deepest blue, the clouds are marvelous, the fields look like kelly green carpets and on and on.
(2008/07/21)
Upon telling folks about the FairTax Bill, they frequently say, “It’ll never happen.” This has been the common reaction to every big idea ever proposed in history. If the FairTax plan is such a great idea, if it is much needed, then why will it never happen?
(2008/07/21)
What do these people have in common: a mother of three, an African-American gang member, a chief executive of a Fortune 500 company, a mom of a newborn, a college sophomore, an elderly woman and an author?
(2008/07/19)
Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker’s July 9 piece (“As his term ends, what is W thinking?”) resurrected the term “Bush-bashing,” which I haven’t heard lately but have thought about in light of recent headlines.
(2008/07/17)
Darrell Ehrlick | Winona Daily News Editor’s note: Language in this column may not be suitable for audiences of all ages. But hopefully, the message is.
(2008/07/16)
The Winona Daily News ran a lengthy editorial in its July 6 edition sharply critical of me for a ticket I received for my cows getting out this spring.
(2008/07/15)
I am writing this to the Winona County Board of Commissioners, the people of the city and county of Winona in an attempt to protect the bluff areas.
(2008/07/14)
Stewart Shaw | Community columnist On Nov. 4, Minnesotans will be encouraged to vote for a state constitutional amendment that will increase the sales tax by three-eights percent and dedicate the money raised by the added revenue to funding protection of habitat, cleaning up our lakes and rivers, maintaining and developing parks and trails, encouraging the arts and preserving our cultural heritage.
(2008/07/13)
This isn’t that cliché movie moment. Finding a regular spot in grandpa’s lap, listening to his stories, some fact, others fiction, all of which added to an infinite world of imagination of a young boy who grew up to be a writer.
(2008/07/12)
There’s much ado these days about our crumbling public infrastructure, focused understandably on bridges, highways and even the falling slabs on the façade of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Building in St. Paul.
(2008/07/12)
California and more than a dozen countries have banned its production. Public figures from the pope to Pat Buchanan have condemned it. Wolfgang Puck has removed it from his menus. And now Minnesota is beginning to discuss the issue, as well.
(2008/07/11)
In the recent controversy over a sermon by Pastor Jeremiah Wright to his African-American congregation, I find the response of some to be troubling.
(2008/07/11)
This is the year for wildlife on the Nelson property. We don’t have a huge yard, just over half an acre, but the last few weeks have brought many visitors our way.
(2008/07/09)
I have an extremely exacting election prediction for you. I base my calculations on what I found remaining on the street the morning following our local parade on the Fourth of July.
(2008/07/08)
Paul Durand | Winona Area Public Schools Superintendent
(2008/07/07)
June holds so many promises. The first day of summer; our longest amount of daylight is one of my favorite days of the year.
(2008/07/06)
I was in the park the other day giddy with the excitement of having absolutely nothing to do. It was one of the first truly nice days that we had had in a while, and I had some time to kill.
(2008/07/05)
There is no doubt that U.S. high schools need to make changes in order to better prepare upcoming generations of students for an ever changing, interconnected and competitive world.
(2008/07/04)
Independence Day — a perfect time for some independent thinking. On this all-American day of apple pie, parades and fireworks, what better time to question why we pledge “allegiance” to a flag.
(2008/07/02)
In 1864, in the midst of America’s most tragic and horrible war, at a time when the final outcome of that conflict was not yet clear, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill that granted two pieces of wilderness, which are now part of Yosemite National Park, to the state of California, to be preserved forever for their natural beauty.
(2008/07/02)
Exploring the washed out mill dam south of Waumandee, Wis., and its rusting equipment was a highlight of my childhood.
(2008/07/01)
Like many Minnesotans, my family has a checklist on the refrigerator for things we need to do each week.
(2008/06/30)
This year, Israel is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a nation. When it declared itself a nation in 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize it as a nation. This land had previously been part of Palestine, which was administered by Britain. Some prominent Israelis had been part of what were classified as terrorist activities. One of these terrorists was Menachem Begin, who later became Prime Minister and negotiated a peace agreement with Egypt in 1979.
(2008/06/28)
Since the Highway 43 bridge closure, this newspaper’s editor and thousands of people in southeastern Minnesota are rightfully frustrated with transportation problems in the region. These problems are occurring because for the past 20 years, members of the Legislature failed to properly fund transportation needs in Minnesota.
(2008/06/26)
The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors understands and empathizes with the many families and businesses
(2008/06/25)
Despite the price of gas and the number of “crazies” on the highways, some of you may be planning a road trip this summer.
(2008/06/24)
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Minnesotans have only begun to feel the impact of the 2008 Legislature. The tentacles of the hundreds of new laws will affect all citizens in one way or another.
(2008/06/24)
There is no doubt that Minnesota needs to step up to the plate and start repairing our highways and bridges.
(2008/06/23)
I’m convinced that everybody has a hang up or two — or three. One of mine seems to be rubber bands — at least the grandkids think it is.
(2008/06/19)
The weather has not been cooperative from the moment it turned 2008. We experienced a longer than usual winter with more snow than I care to shake a yardstick at. Once the last snow finally melted, we patiently waited for warmer temperatures and sun to begin our planting. I’m not sure if you succeeded at putting all your daisies and tomato plants in the ground. I know I have not. My strawberries are hanging in there but look utterly pathetic.
(2008/06/18)
The Girl Scouts Research Institute, part of the Girls Scouts of the USA (of which I was once a cookie-selling, badge-earning member), recently released the results of a March 2008 study on leadership. The goal of this study was “to explore girls’ aspirations, perceptions, and experiences of leadership on a national scale.” Nearly 4,000 boys and girls were surveyed and, as the mother to two young girls, I sat up and took notice of the findings. As a one-time young girl myself, I was not completely surprised by the conclusions.
(2008/06/17)
Stan Gudmundson’s latest piece nicely illustrates the dangers inherent in human communication.
(2008/06/17)
In the 21st century, every part of a day is hurried and hectic for me and my family. Our lives fly by us many times without us noticing who and what are around us.
(2008/06/16)
How does everyone like the high gas and fuel prices we are paying?
(2008/06/15)
Minnesota counties play a unique dual role in Minnesota’s government structure. Counties are a local government unit meeting the needs of the community.
(2008/06/15)
A few years ago in Portland, Ore., I saw a performance of “The Merchant of Venice” that was preceded by a naked man, writhing on the stage floor for several minutes.
(2008/06/14)
The phone call came out of the blue, if you’ll pardon the cliche. I didn’t quite get to the phone in time, so after listening to my own voice on the answering machine, I heard a voice that was somehow very familiar.
(2008/06/14)
I just attended the Winona Senior High School’s graduation ceremony.
(2008/06/12)
It is always interesting in politics to see the credit or blame given to elected officials at both our state Legislature and Congress when both are controlled by Democrats.
(2008/06/11)
Mark Twain once said that a person should never get into a wrestling match with a hog because one
(2008/06/10)
The Garvin Brook Watershed Alliance Committee is a grassroots organization that is composed of about 60 citizens interested in flood mitigation and water quality in the Garvin Brook Watershed.
(2008/06/10)
A tragic collapse was avoided by the closing of the Interstate 43 bridge. Some have foolishly questioned Minnesota Department of Transportation wisdom. For those who attended the public briefing by Congressmen Tim Walz and Jim Oberstar and Sen. Amy Klobuchar last Friday afternoon, they received the answer in a packet distributed by MnDOT.
(2008/06/09)
My friend got married last weekend. I’m very happy for her and wish her the best in every adventure that life offers her. I can’t help feeling a little sad, though.
(2008/06/07)
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission has acknowledged that Minnesota committed ethnocide and genocide against American Indians during its early history.
(2008/06/05)
It was hard for me to watch. My son’s face went from content and smiley to bright red and screaming. He let out a shriek as he was not expecting the pain in his thigh. My little innocent 4-month-old baby boy was getting his shots. I tried to console him while at the same time holding back my own tears. I entered the building knowing what the outcome would be.
(2008/06/05)
Last month, five Minnesota cities, chosen by the people of Minnesota, were honored as “Capitals for a Day.” The sesquicentennial staff and commissioners toured each town during a special week of activities and events to commemorate Minnesota’s 150th anniversary of statehood.
(2008/06/04)
Bottled water seems to have become a staple of American life. People go so far as making a trip to get just bottled water.
(2008/06/01)
It seems like every time America discovers it has a crisis on its hands, our government wakes up and proposes a crash program to fix it. Henry Ford was one of the first to observe it and even coined a name for it — “the crisis-crash syndrome.”
(2008/05/30)
As auctions go, it was ordinary. No lucky buyer pulled a rare coin from a box of junk. I saw no diamonds. There were no original paintings therefore there was no chance of a Rembrandt hiding under a painting done by an amateur. None of the books were first editions signed by the author.
(2008/05/28)
According to Department of Defense statisticians, the 30,000th U.S. veteran to be classified severely disabled as a result of combat injuries in Iraq will likely occur around Memorial Day.
(2008/05/28)
Until then, Wednesday’s trespassing trial against John Heid, 53, had been nothing but friendly.
(2008/05/27)
As we plan to wrap up the first year of Healthy Kids Club with Step into Summer, a celebration set for Saturday, it seems an appropriate time to provide the community with an update on the first year’s progress.
(2008/05/26)
In early 1963, a young soldier worked in the headquarters staff of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. The center included Walter Reed General Hospital.
(2008/05/25)
Is there a soul anywhere in the working world who looks forward to staff meetings?
(2008/05/21)
As I write this it is a warm, sunny spring day. The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming.
(2008/05/20)
We would like to thank Jim and Laurie Jenkinson for the article in the Winona Daily News on May 1, “Think twice before you vaccinate your child.”
(2008/05/19)
How do you choose a candidate who you are going to vote for? Those who agree with you on a single issue? Abortion? The war in Iraq? Gay marriage? Universal health insurance? What to do about the cost of gasoline? Or some combination of these, or other issues?
(2008/05/19)
Minnesota agriculture is riding high — perhaps too high to be sustainable.
(2008/05/18)
I have had multiple questions lately about vaccine safety due to concerns about them in the media. I even had one mom tell me, “Everything I read is negative.” There was a recent guest editorial in this very paper which would have made any parent concerned. I am writing to give you something positive to read.
(2008/05/18)
I was on my lunch break the other day, and despite the fact that I am almost completely cured of my celebrity obsession disorder, I couldn’t resist the temptation to flip through the “100 Most Beautiful” issue of People.
(2008/05/17)
Two things you need to know about me before I begin: One, I am a Christian. Two, I am an American who loves my country but who also knows that sometimes my country (which, remember, I love) makes serious mistakes.
(2008/05/17)
Everyone has a defining moment in their life that changes their outlook or feeling towards life.
(2008/05/16)
I spent Mother’s Day putting in a new garden fence in my backyard. As usual, whenever I try to do something “handy,” I discover the limits of my competence: the resulting fenceline has the stagger of a prom night sobriety test and the posts have all assumed their own unique interpretation of the 4-foot height I had intended for them. I expect to provide a decade or two of amusement for my back fence neighbors.
(2008/05/15)
I had a backache the other day; it was a bummer of a pain. Just by luck I happened to run into my oral surgeon! I asked him if he knew what to do about my back ache. Sadly, he really didn’t have any good advice. “But you’re a doctor” I said. He shook his head in acknowledgement, but said backs were not his specialty. I figured since he had gone to med school and understood the whole human body that he could fix anything. I was sadly mistaken. Now, if that concept sounds absurd to you, think about what your IT guy feels like every day!
(2008/05/14)
Sixty years ago this month, Israel declared independence. In May of 1948, a Jewish state was born with high ideals and great enthusiasm. As Israelis and friends celebrate this 60th anniversary, they have much to celebrate. It is a major accomplishment to become a thriving country of over seven million in just 60 years.
(2008/05/13)
I hopped into the car Sunday afternoon, fired up the engine and the radio turned on to the same loud position I had left it.
(2008/05/10)
The following editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News on Thursday, May 8:
(2008/05/08)
I am 38 years old and have no more living grandparents. I have lost loved grandparents at ages 8, 34 and 35. I never met my paternal grandmother. She died when I was quite young.
(2008/05/07)
Minnesota is on the brink of becoming a clean car state — and that’s great news for our state.
(2008/05/06)
I was honored to be asked to give the blessing before the start of the Winona Community Foundation’s “Celebrity Night,” April 25.
(2008/05/06)
I was driving home from work the other night when my phone started to ring. I was thoroughly enjoying singing the theme song to the Bollywood film “Salaam-E-Ishq” at the top of my lungs pretending it was I whom Salman Khan was in love with and not Priyanka Chopra.
(2008/05/05)
My goodness what a looker she was. Eighteen years old, sun red hair, big green eyes, a perfect figure that photos show she wasn’t ashamed of and a steely will built by hard times and a daily struggle to survive.
(2008/05/04)
Early and middle May are probably the best times of the year for birding in our area. Neo-tropical migrants — warblers, flycatchers and wrens — arrive from their warmer, southern wintering areas.
(2008/05/03)
On April 27, Bridget Mary Meehan wrote many statements in regards to the “womenpriests” and the Catholic Church.
(2008/05/03)
In a recent edition, John Rupkey responded to an earlier article from Joe Losinski regarding the homosexual lifestyle.
(2008/05/02)
The business aspect of public education is very complicated.
(2008/05/01)
As they wrap up promoting immunization awareness week, we say please educate yourselves before choosing to immunize your infant or child. We certainly wish we had.
(2008/04/30)
This is the grading season for college professors, and it is hard to break that habit.
(2008/04/30)
My daughter turns 8 this month, and I have a dilemma. Well, it’s not life-shattering in the least, but it is a teensy problem until I make up my mind to do something about it.
(2008/04/29)
I suspect that Col. Stan Gudmundson exaggerates my fame; I know he is confused on some other points, beginning with how businesses “move.”
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