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Celebrating Ruth's visit to Sleepy Eye

You might have heard. Babe Ruth played in Sleepy Eye. For thirty years, I’ve tugged and pulled at that game in every possible way. My fascination with that day in my hometown’s history began when I was doing research for the Brown County Historical Society thirty years ago for an exhibit: ...

A look at gifted students

Parents will say how bright, smart, and gifted their amazing children are…and they may be. A child may be quite impressive in one or more areas. Maybe he or she is gifted and maybe not. Psychologists will call a child gifted when his or her performance at something is superior to how well ...

Yes, you must vote

Any time spent on social media — X in particular — makes it very clear that conservative Americans are utterly fed up with congressional Republicans. And with good reason. The current (119th) Congress has set records for what The Washington Post called "low legislative output" — second ...

The tyranny of one man's opinion

Thomas Cromwell was the Lord Chancellor of England for much of the reign of King Henry VIII. He engineered the convictions and executions of many whom Henry wanted out of the way, including his two predecessors in office — one of whom was St. Thomas More — and even the king's second wife, ...

A Diamond experience

Our weather of late proves the truth of the axiom, “Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.” This past summer was hot and dry in our neck of the woods. Summertime conditions were so sizzling that an expectoration would evaporate before it could reach the ground. Thanks to ...

Gone antiquing

Our old neighbor Al Warnes had a knack for malapropisms that were unintentionally amusing. For instance, “transplant” always came out as “replant” as in, “She got a kidney replant.” And “rummage sale” was unfailingly pronounced as “rubbish sale.” That last turn of phrase ...