Year: 2024
-
Meet Treehouse Mary: An Octogenarian who lives among the birds and the squirrels
Meet Treehouse Mary: An Octogenarian wholives among the birds and the squirrels (July 2023)Tim SpitzackEditor Mary Nelson was 75 years old the day she abruptly decided that the towering 60-foot-tall oak tree in her backyard needed a treehouse. The tree, she estimated, had been there long before her home was built in 1930. One day… Read more
-
An up-close look at our national mammal: the American bison
(July 2023)Tim SpitzackEditor For the first time in nearly 150 years, American bison are once again roaming the prairie along the Mississippi river. Our nation’s national mammal was reintroduced to Spring Lake Park Reserve in northern Dakota County last fall and the 8-head herd has already expanded by 50% – four calves were born this… Read more
-
The history of Kaposia Days
Tim SpitzackEditor The year was 1976 and communities across the country were busy planning celebrations to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial. Old Glory was flying everywhere, and patriotic messages filled business marquees from coast to coast. But here in South St. Paul, the mood was far from celebratory. Many residents were in a state of shock… Read more
-
Historical scavenger hunt at the Central Library
Tim SpitzackEditor The next time you visit the George Latimer Central Library you should check out something other than a book, namely its exquisite architecture and the historical gems of the century-old building.The library was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style by architect Electus Litchfield in 1912-13, and its architectural features are readily apparent… Read more
-
Storm chaser: One woman’s fascination with the raw power of nature
Storm chaser: One woman’s fascinationwith the raw power of nature (May 2023)Tim SpitzackEditor When the calendar flips from April to May, Valarie Namen starts to get a bit antsy. It’s not from spring fever. No, it’s quite the opposite. She wants bad weather and is normally planning a trip to find it. For the past… Read more
-
‘The Sap is Running’ Maple syruping: the true harbinger of spring
(May 2023)Tim SpitzackEditor It’s Saturday, Mar. 25 and I’ve just come inside from tapping four large maple trees in my backyard.“Well?” asks my wife before I’ve even kicked off my slushy boots.“The sap is running,” I happily exclaim.“Really?” she replies, as if she doesn’t believe me. After a long winter that has dumped about 90… Read more
-
Jolly Huntsmen polka band named to MN Music Hall of Fame
(April 2023)Jake SpitzackStaff Writer After performing European polka in the region for 60 years plus – nearly their whole lives – three South St. Paul natives are about to be inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Tom, Dan and Dave Retka of The Jolly Huntsmen will join the likes of Prince, Bob Dylan,… Read more
-
Otter sighting in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Otter sighting in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Tim SpitzackEditor The North American river otter is one of nature’s most playful mammals to observe. Watching them slide down a slippery riverbank or slope of snow, twist and turn as they glide effortlessly through the water, or frolic about in tall prairie grasses leads… Read more
-
Urban Explorer: St. Paul Winter Farmers Market
Urban Explorer: St. Paul Winter Farmers MarketJake SpitzackStaff Writer After jamming a few quarters into the parking pay station, my wife and I leaned into the frigid winter wind and made our way through the corridor of tall, downtown St. Paul buildings. A few minutes later we reached the St. Paul Farmers Market and my… Read more