By Camille Pearson Walz  West Central Initiative As a longtime resident of Moorhead, Beth Grosen has always believed in giving back to the community she loves. From her years with the city to her service in the Rotary Club, Beth’s life has been grounded in generosity and connection. Now, as she plans for the future, she hopes… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda “There’s a little good in the worst of us, And a little bad in the best of us. It scarce behooves the most of us, To talk about the rest of us.” I don’t know who the author of that quote is. I can tell you that my uncle quoted it to my cousin so… Read More

By Jessica Carlson  OTC Master Gardener Intern A common issue that often surprises homeowners is frost heaving. It can uproot or injure perennials and young shrubs over the months in our area that often have wild temperature fluctuations. Understanding why it occurs and how to prevent it can be effective in keeping your garden’s resilience through the… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I have a concern and I hope you can bring some attention to this. Several times driving at dark I see people walking or jogging in the dark and wearing dark clothing.  As I admire their ambition, it can be scary when driving rather it be rural or in town… Read More

This isn’t a column for everyone; it’s about air filters. Air filters bring with them very little humor, well, except for the times new home owners—some of whom had been in their home for a couple of years or more—have proudly shown me their furnaces, knowing I’m interested, with my HVAC knowledge. Those furnaces were… Read More

By Jessica Carlson Otter Tail County Master Gardener Intern The outdoor gardening season is ending, and the Holidays are right around the corner. Many gardeners have brought in their plants from the patio after summer vacation. Sadly, uninvited guests often come along for the ride. Tiny insects can thrive in the warm, sheltered environment of our homes,… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Hi. I have two grandsons, one 17 years old with a driver’s license the other is 15 with a permit. They both have a bad habit of driving with one hand on the wheel.  I stress how dangerous this is and both hands need to be on wheel all the… Read More

To the Editor, “We the people” are afraid… with good reason! The political climate in this country is so volatile right now that people are being mocked, ridiculed, and even killed, (on both sides of the aisle) for having an opinion! To prove my point, I will venture to guess that someone will be offended by this letter! I… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I was there, inside my mother, in the forties, when the government was extolling the virtues of smoking, and how good it was for you. Especially for pregnant women. Then I was there in the late fifties, when they said it wasn’t.  I was growing up, but I was there in the fifties,… Read More

By Jessica Carlson  OTC Master Gardener Intern Autumn cleanup plays an important role in keeping diseases and pests under control for next year. A clean garden is a healthy garden, and many problems can be avoided simply by removing and properly disposing of infected plant material. The University of Minnesota Extension reminds gardeners that fall is the… Read More