To the Editor, Spring has finally arrived—and with it some much-needed sunlight. Self-care tip: Spending even 15 minutes in the sun each day can improve your mental health. So, keep the sun shining throughout the day! For more than 20 years, the month of May has been designated as National Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen Long before Colin Kaepernick was making headlines for not standing during the National Anthem, my cousin and I made a similar decision when we were younger—one that thanks to the stern words from a veteran neither of us repeated.  Sometime in the early to mid 1990s my family attended a water ski… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Now that the weather is nicer you see a lot of SUVs driving without their doors on the vehicle.  Without the front doors they also don’t have side mirrors. Is it legal to drive without having side mirrors on a vehicle?    Answer: You can drive a motor vehicle without doors… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda This past weekend was fishing opener, which, whether you know it or not, is to Some Folks the equivalent of Christmas, the Fourth of July, and New Year’s Eve, all rolled into one. For Some Folks. I’m related to one of those Some Folks, and months and months ago he began to… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener These tips are from the University.  You need to adjust according to our weather. Minneapolis is in zone 4 A.  We are zone 4B or 3A. The difference is about 5 degrees. Plant strawberry and any other catalog ordered fruit plants as soon as you can. Prune out any 3-year-old raspberry canes.  Any… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I have a small utility trailer and I keep having to replace my license plate because it gets wrecked or torn off when I am traveling. Can I put it sideways on the wheel fender?    Answer: If the trailer is 3,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight (GVW) with lifetime… Read More

To the Editor, We would like to thank Tucker for the very nice article on our practice and the closing of our business, Dairyland Veterinary Service. We do have two minor clarifications, however. 1. Howard Legried chose this area to start his career in 1958. Although growing up in southern Minnesota, Howard was familiar with the area from… Read More

To the Editor, My earlier letter, I Am Woke, stirred up sufficient interest in the subject to elicit comments from our anti-WOKE neighbors in the area. That was the good part because the one word slogan “WOKE,” has grown to Anti-WOKE” and will define the two political parties for the next election. Democrats are WOKE. Republicans… Read More

By John Peeters Special to the Dispatch This of course is only my observation. It’s been happening ever since, well, creation. Or at least close to the beginning of civilization. From the results of many trials and tribulations. That were passed on from generation to generation. Catching fish is pretty  important in this nation. If you could catch fish, you were an inspiration. And… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Sometimes things just work out right, you know? Such was the case this last Saturday when S. and I, with tickets purchased some months ago for a High Tea at the local Boatville Public Library, woke up to rain. Let me explain: At this time of year, with gardens to prep, lawns… Read More