August 2022
PRAIRIE NOTEBOOK
Let’s step outside our Prairie Waters region - to Illinois. We’re in a restaurant where the waiter is introducing the daily lunch special: “Today we have fresh Copi, a freshwater fish with almost as much protein as wild salmon, only two percent fat, with firm, clean flesh similar to trout or pollock. Our specials include a Copi Po’ Boy sandwich, a Copi burger or a delicious Copi fish taco…”
From the Editor’s Desk
This week I learned about the publication of a collection of Curt Warnke’s columns from the Wood Lake News over the course of his 27 years operating the newspaper. This was pretty exciting news to me, as perhaps many don’t know, but Curt was my mentor, who taught me the most about the industry.
Declining water levels in parts of state affecting boat launches and retrievals
Low water levels, resulting from below-average rainfall in much of the southern third of Minnesota in June and July, are making boat launching and retrieval challenging at many lakes and rivers, especially in the Twin Cities metro area.
Hunting regulations, deer hunting licenses now available
Deer hunting licenses can be purchased starting today and the 2022 Minnesota hunting regulations are now available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ Hunting). Print copies of the regulations will be available in early August wherever licenses are sold.
Railcar Excursion travels through Montevideo
Dan Westby of the Twin Cities & Western Railroad is shown presenting John Givan of the Milwaukee Road Heritage Center a $750 donation for use by the Center. The donation was made during the annual NARCOA Railcar Excursion that makes a stop at the depot while riding their railroad motorcars on the track from Sacred Heart to Appleton on July 31. The Twin Cities & Western Railroad is a regular supporter of the Heritage Center. There were 23 motor cars in the group. During the lunch break members of the group toured the historic depot and rail yard. Photos Submitted
Church of Cash takes the stage at the county fair
Those first guitar strings were plucked and out of Jay Ernest’s mouth came Johnny Cash. This past Sunday at the Chippewa County Fair Church of Cash played a lengthy show for fair-goers.
Chippewa County Fair 4-H animal costume contest and llama show held
A 4-H participant waits with her llama for the 4-H Costume Contest to begin. Photo by Cynthia Christians 4-H participants lined up to participate in the llama costume contest.
Concern about Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed CO2 pipeline brings landowners together
CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) Concern over a proposed CO2 pipeline in southwest Minnesota and the conduct of pipeline company, Summit Carbon Solutions, spurred nearly 60 landowners and community members from Redwood and Cottonwood Counties to meet on the evening of Friday, July 15th. In Minnesota, sections of Summit’s proposed high-pressure CO2 pipeline network will cut through Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Martin, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine Counties and a northern leg crosses Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties.
Lee-Mar Ranch Equine Center brings horses to seniors for visits
Lee-Mar Ranch Equine Center has been visiting nursing homes and assisted living centers with horses since 2020. The idea started when one of the employees saw a Facebook post about another ranch helping the elderly by visiting the centers with their horses, going from window to window, which delighted the residents. This got the ball rolling, and now three women from LeeMar Ranch Equine Center have been working hard to continue bringing some of their horses on the road to visit more elderly folks.
Five-book collection features writings of former Minnesota Legislator
Those in the local area may remember the name Curtis Warnke from his 27 years publishing the Wood Lake News, or they may remember him for being the youngest person elected to Legislature in Minnesota, or they may remember him for his gun and tackle shop where he would challenge customers to a game of cards to determine the cost of their purchase.