We’re in the midst of navigating unforeseen troubled waters, the consequence of a perplexing pandemic. As former American editor and publisher Elbert Hubbard once put it, we’ve been “carried… by currents that are on no chart.” When the unforeseen invades our still waters, our “best-laid plans” and the “normal rhythms” of life must be cast aside under the pressure of... READ MORE >
Minnesota House Representative Paul Marquart (DFL), who hales from Dilworth, Minnesota, home to the historic Star Lite Motel, noted for its red neon sign and 1950’s architectural style, has served District 04B in the northwest corner of the state for nearly a quarter of a century; some ten terms. The seasoned civil servant, who chairs the Minnesota House Taxes Committee,... READ MORE >
Each year since 1927, TIME Magazine has selected an official Person of the Year, distinguishing an individual who “has done the most to influence the events of the year.” According to Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward, authors of Who’s Bigger? Where Historical Figures Really Rank, Cambridge University Press, 2013, Albert Einstein–the underestimated genius whose family maid nicknamed him “the... READ MORE >
Well into the 17th century the words “lonely” and “loneliness” rarely appeared in writing. As evidence to this reality, in 1674 a parson-naturalist named John Ray, compiled a glossary of infrequently used words. “Loneliness” made the list. Ray defined it as a term used to describe places and people “far from neighbours.” Being lonely is an experience that has been... READ MORE >
Exempting Social Security income Minnesota is one of thirteen states that continues to impose tax on Social Security income. Beginning in 2017, however–with considerable bipartisan support– Minnesota enacted senior tax relief with a Social Security “subtraction” (the process of taking a quantity away from another under specific rules to obtain the difference) that departed from federal tax treatment of these... READ MORE >
Decorum is probably not a word we give much thought to, especially in a day and age where people prefer to live without structure. For many, prescriptive process just seems to get in the way; often viewed as an encumbrance to getting things done. Scottish historian, Sir Walter Scott, considered the greatest practitioner of the historical novel, appears to have... READ MORE >
March 17 will soon be upon us and wannabe leprechauns will be downing Guinness green beer and perhaps reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham, following the long-held tradition practiced in the small town of O’Neil, Irish capital of Nebraska. Like so many of our holidays that find their origins in the sacred, they’ve been masked in frivolity. Nothing wrong... READ MORE >
Tammany Hall, the New York Democratic political organization that played a major role in the politics of nineteenth century New York City and State, is best known for its scandals, corruption, embezzlement, fraud, and rigged elections. They managed to stay in power in large part due to high voter turnout. Some of those voters, however, were already deceased. “Vote early,... READ MORE >
I imagine at one time or another we’ve all resurrected our old high school yearbook, reliving the memories recalled by the images and signatures on the aging pages. This past week, I spent some time at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul using the center’s extensive Gale Family Library to browse through my parent’s yearbooks from the late 1930’s... READ MORE >
Word enthusiast Noah Webster, whose name is synonymous with dictionaries, spent the greater part of his life studying and cataloguing words. So devoted to the task, he committed to learning twenty-six languages, including Old English, German, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Arabic and Sanskrit (a language of ancient India), to name a few. His dogged diligence led to America’s... READ MORE >
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