April 16, 2021
Growing up in Duluth, my summer home away from home was the Lester Park Golf Course, one of the city’s two public courses. Thus, I was disappointed to learn in February that the course will close after the 2023 season.
March 26, 2021
Wells Fargo, America’s fourth-largest bank and Minnesota’s second largest, has been facing major challenges in recent years. Chief Executive Charles Scharf was hired in October 2019 to restore the bank’s tarnished reputation, but his problems have since multiplied (“Wells Fargo CEO Finds Himself on Defense,” by Ben Eisen, October 9, 2020, Wall Street Journal).
March 3, 2021
As a child—I don’t recall how or why—I developed and nurtured a love of sports. Sports stars became my heroes, mostly baseball players, starting with Henry Aaron.
February 18, 2021
Super Bowl LV was played on February 7. The Minnesota Vikings did not participate. In fact, 44 years have elapsed since the Vikings last played in the Super Bowl. During that hiatus, the Vikings lost six painful National Football Conference (NFC) championship games.
February 13, 2021
I read a variety of fascinating books in 2020 in several categories including sports, higher education, media, history, Trump, and fiction. It is difficult to select my top five, but here is an attempt.
January 6, 2021
My amazing Aunt Ida, rhyme rock star, writes poems/rhymes and colorful children’s books (“My Amazing Aunt: Poet/Author, Rhyme Rock Star,” March 17, 2020). Her themes have been children, the environment, and fun and fantasy.
December 31, 2020
For the past 31 years, my family and I have lived in Vadnais Heights, a suburb of almost 14,000 people located north of St. Paul. We have appreciated many aspects of the community including timely snow removal, parks-and-recreation opportunities for young children, fire protection, well-kept streets, economic development, and relationships with two outstanding school districts.
November 21, 2020
Americans are fascinated with rankings, whether they are for football teams, consumer products, or colleges and schools. Each fall, I eagerly look forward to the release of various rankings.
November 14, 2020
Every two years, the governor and Minnesota Legislature appropriate funds for state government. Funds for higher education are allocated to the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State System, and the Office of Higher Education (a cabinet agency), largely for need-based financial aid. The need-based state grants are awarded to low-and moderate-income students who choose to attend a public or private college or university.
July 16, 2020
In spring 1970, 50 years ago, I completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and was ready to embark on graduate education and a career. Now, in spring 2020, I am a stay-at-home senior citizen respecting the coronavirus and reflecting on the two milestone years—1970 and 2020. Many changes have occurred in half a century, but disappointingly, despite some progress, much work remains to strengthen equality and opportunity for all citizens.