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A plea for pickleball courts Dear Editor, As active pickleball players, we respectfully ask the Fairmont City Council to consider expanding indoor pickleball opportunities in Fairmont. For a city your size, having only one indoor regulation court is simply not enough to meet the growing demand. Additional indoor courts would allow residents to stay active and connected year-round, especially during Minnesota's long winters. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America, with participation continuing to grow across all age groups. Communities that invest in pickleball ...

America's momentous birthday

Columns

I consider it an incredible blessing to have witnessed two of America's great milestone birthdays: the 200th celebration in 1976, when I was a rising second grader, and now the 250th anniversary as an older, seasoned adult. Looking back to 1976, as a kid, I enjoyed the fireworks and the ...

Seeking revenge

Columns

A not uncommon response when we believe that someone has done something wrong to us is to retaliate. The basic idea is to harm or punish him or her for what they have done or what we think they have done. Pay them back directly if possible, indirectly if necessary. It turns out that revenge is ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

No New Wars To the editor: Donald Trump campaigned on his promise of America first, no military presence in other countries. He said that we should not be in other countries starting wars, making regime changes, having a military presence or spending our dollars supporting other countries. Well, for not starting wars or even small conflicts, here is the tally to date: bombed Iraq 3-3-25, Yemen 3-15-25, Iran 6-22-25, Somila 12-14-25, Nigeria 12-25-25, Venezuela 1-2-26, Syria 1-11-26 and Iran again 2-28-26. This term, Trump says we need Greenland, Canada and Cuba to join us, and if they ...

Celebrating Independence Day

Columns

On this Fourth of July, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we all gather for parades and fireworks, we celebrate not only America’s independence, but the enduring promise of our democracy. America's first ...

Aging and memory

Columns

Our memories are more precious than gold. Without the ability to remember, our ability to learn anything, to know who we are, to benefit more from past experiences, to use advice from others, or even how to take care of ourselves and survive is in serious jeopardy. The importance of memory ...