My sister and her husband bought land on the outskirts of Flagstaff, where it was so deserted that the first street—dirt road, really—was named after my sister. When someone purchased the five acres beside theirs, and parked some cars over on my sister and her husband’s property, it seemed kind of okay, being as there was… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener If you are being stung, it’s probably not a bee that is unless you have disturbed a hive. Most bees are just too busy making honey and getting ready for winter to bother you.  The culprit was more than likely a wasp. Jeff Hahn, Extension Entomologist was the go-to guy in the… Read More

By Tucker Henderson Special to the Dispatch What makes up a community? Is it the buildings? Perhaps it’s the churches in the area? The most important part of a community is surely the businesses, right? Many of you are probably rolling your eyes by now, but of course the most essential part of a community is the… Read More

provides oppo By Chad Koenen Publisher For nearly 20 years, youth from the greater New York Mills community have had the opportunity to get a once-in-a lifetime look at a community bank in their own back yard.  Each summer, with the exception of 2020, Farmers and Merchants State Bank has had an intern working at the bank…. Read More

By Barbie Porter Editor, Frazee-Vergas Forum Emily Reed is the third generation to volunteer with the children’s barnyard at the East Otter Tail County Fair.  For Emily, the opportunity holds a special place in her heart. In ways, she is helping her late grandfather’s dream continue. Deland Porath was a longtime advisor of the New York Mills FFA… Read More

Puppet pageant set for Friday at NYM VFW, Saturday at Finn Creek By Chad Koenen Publisher Larger-than-life puppets will return to New York Mills this weekend for the 12th annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant. A unique play based on the characters and tales from the Kalevala, the Finnish book of legends, will be told by local residents… Read More

Events kick off Saturday at Finn Creek in rural NYM By Chad Koenen Publisher Finn Creek Open Air Museum volunteers will take visitors back to the turn of the century this weekend—the 20th century that is.  The annual Finn Creek Summer Folk Festival will return to the expansive open air museum for two days of activities for people… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher he New York Mills City Council will continue its pursuit of purchasing a tax forfeited property in town, even though the county board rejected its initial offer.  ¶  During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, in the new city council chambers in the Government Services Building, the NY Mills City Council heard… Read More