Root River Current
@rootrivercurrent.bsky.social
A nonprofit online magazine serving the Root River valley of southeast Minnesota through written, audio and visual media. We tell important, yet often overlooked, stories of the people, culture and history in the area. www.rootrivercurrent.org
Pinned
Don't miss a story! We publish a newsletter every two weeks (or so). From feature articles on key issues to original poems, essays, and photography to unique video and audio storytelling to upcoming events, you'll love this bright spot in your day. Subscribe here: rootrivercurrent.org/subscribe/
Greg Schieber shares the joy of stacking up firewood and looking ahead to cozy winter days by the fire.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/essay-firewo...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/essay-firewo...
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Greg Schieber shares the joy of stacking up firewood and looking ahead to cozy winter days by the fire.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/essay-firewo...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/essay-firewo...
We value your encouragement to cover topics that matter. These are stories you won’t find from a national newsroom.
Like sidewalks, parks or schools, we are a public good and with your support, benefit everyone.
Donate here: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
Like sidewalks, parks or schools, we are a public good and with your support, benefit everyone.
Donate here: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
November 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
We value your encouragement to cover topics that matter. These are stories you won’t find from a national newsroom.
Like sidewalks, parks or schools, we are a public good and with your support, benefit everyone.
Donate here: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
Like sidewalks, parks or schools, we are a public good and with your support, benefit everyone.
Donate here: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
Kristin Burdey shares her story of reviving a beloved community holiday dinner and how the effort is bringing healing to two families who've recently closed their restaurant businesses in Rushford and Peterson.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/rushford-com...
#Thanksgiving2025 #CommunityDinners
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/rushford-com...
#Thanksgiving2025 #CommunityDinners
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Kristin Burdey shares her story of reviving a beloved community holiday dinner and how the effort is bringing healing to two families who've recently closed their restaurant businesses in Rushford and Peterson.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/rushford-com...
#Thanksgiving2025 #CommunityDinners
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/rushford-com...
#Thanksgiving2025 #CommunityDinners
A warming climate presents growing challenges for outdoor activities, including trail users. The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk has this overview heading into another year of winter recreation.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/from-ski-tra...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/from-ski-tra...
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A warming climate presents growing challenges for outdoor activities, including trail users. The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk has this overview heading into another year of winter recreation.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/from-ski-tra...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/from-ski-tra...
“Deer Friends” by photographer, Craig Johnson, captures how area wildlife blend blending into their natural surroundings as winter – and hunting season – approaches.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
November 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
“Deer Friends” by photographer, Craig Johnson, captures how area wildlife blend blending into their natural surroundings as winter – and hunting season – approaches.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
When you support Root River Current, you help build stronger communities through stories written by those who know and love our community.
DONATE HERE: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
DONATE HERE: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
When you support Root River Current, you help build stronger communities through stories written by those who know and love our community.
DONATE HERE: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
DONATE HERE: rootrivercurrent.org/donate/
Under overcast autumn skies, the subdued shades of the fall harvest are set against surrounding blufflands during cornstalk baling on this Houston County acreage near the Root River. Photo by John Gaddo.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
#originalphotography
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
#originalphotography
November 18, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Under overcast autumn skies, the subdued shades of the fall harvest are set against surrounding blufflands during cornstalk baling on this Houston County acreage near the Root River. Photo by John Gaddo.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
#originalphotography
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
#originalphotography
Craig Johnson captures just one of the many colorful trails that draw hikers to our region’s forestlands.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
November 18, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Craig Johnson captures just one of the many colorful trails that draw hikers to our region’s forestlands.
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
See more original photography here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
Learn about the rich history of our area asLaney Smith uncovers the story of Chatfield’s Judson W. Bishop -- Civil War leader, engineer, newspaperman and visionary who helped shape the future of Fillmore County, Minn.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/civil-war-he...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/civil-war-he...
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Learn about the rich history of our area asLaney Smith uncovers the story of Chatfield’s Judson W. Bishop -- Civil War leader, engineer, newspaperman and visionary who helped shape the future of Fillmore County, Minn.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/civil-war-he...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/civil-war-he...
Join us this evening for a free celebration of regional arts and artists.
TODAY, November 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Hope to see you there!
More details here:
TODAY, November 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Hope to see you there!
More details here:
Celebrating Regional Arts & Artists – Again! - Root River Current
Check out Root River Current's 2025 review of Regional Arts & Artists included in this year's reporting on arts and culture in Southeast Minnesota.
rootrivercurrent.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Join us this evening for a free celebration of regional arts and artists.
TODAY, November 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Hope to see you there!
More details here:
TODAY, November 15 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Hope to see you there!
More details here:
🥳🎉🎊🎈You're Invited: Arts & Artists Celebration on November 15 at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro from 4 pm to 6 pm. This has been an incredible year for Root River Current’s arts coverage. Join us as we celebrate the people who make it all happen!
Learn more here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
Learn more here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
November 14, 2025 at 1:01 AM
🥳🎉🎊🎈You're Invited: Arts & Artists Celebration on November 15 at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro from 4 pm to 6 pm. This has been an incredible year for Root River Current’s arts coverage. Join us as we celebrate the people who make it all happen!
Learn more here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
Learn more here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
Even from a well-lit town, the Aurora Borealis gave us quite a show last night, with more to come tonight! Photos from Julie Fryer.
For more original fall photography by regional artists, visit our Photo Gallery here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
For more original fall photography by regional artists, visit our Photo Gallery here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
November 12, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Even from a well-lit town, the Aurora Borealis gave us quite a show last night, with more to come tonight! Photos from Julie Fryer.
For more original fall photography by regional artists, visit our Photo Gallery here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
For more original fall photography by regional artists, visit our Photo Gallery here: rootrivercurrent.org/autumn-color...
Now in its 27th year, the Houston Arts Resource Council remains the heart of Houston, Minnesota's creative community. Rose Korabek reports on their support of local artists by sponsoring the Parade of Owls, Meadowfest and the Houston Arts Festival.
Read more: rootrivercurrent.org/houston-arts...
Read more: rootrivercurrent.org/houston-arts...
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Now in its 27th year, the Houston Arts Resource Council remains the heart of Houston, Minnesota's creative community. Rose Korabek reports on their support of local artists by sponsoring the Parade of Owls, Meadowfest and the Houston Arts Festival.
Read more: rootrivercurrent.org/houston-arts...
Read more: rootrivercurrent.org/houston-arts...
We're celebrating another year of Regional Art stories! Join us for our free reception on November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing. We'll have snacks, artists and contributors on hand. RSVPs are appreciated.
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 AM
We're celebrating another year of Regional Art stories! Join us for our free reception on November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing. We'll have snacks, artists and contributors on hand. RSVPs are appreciated.
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
Steve Harris profiles the unique skill set or Lanesboro artist John B. Nicol who blends theater, photography and history in his unique roles rural Minnesota.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/john-nicol-a...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/john-nicol-a...
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Steve Harris profiles the unique skill set or Lanesboro artist John B. Nicol who blends theater, photography and history in his unique roles rural Minnesota.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/john-nicol-a...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/john-nicol-a...
Our Regional Arts Reception is coming up soon:
November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Join us for this free event with local artists, publishers and board members and a few surprise visits from our regular contributors.
More info here: www.facebook.com/share/17fYWv...
November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Join us for this free event with local artists, publishers and board members and a few surprise visits from our regular contributors.
More info here: www.facebook.com/share/17fYWv...
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Our Regional Arts Reception is coming up soon:
November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Join us for this free event with local artists, publishers and board members and a few surprise visits from our regular contributors.
More info here: www.facebook.com/share/17fYWv...
November 15, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro.
Join us for this free event with local artists, publishers and board members and a few surprise visits from our regular contributors.
More info here: www.facebook.com/share/17fYWv...
Tim Ruzek and Katie Drewitz share progress from both Mower and Houston counties on ongoing environmental projects.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/farm-program...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/farm-program...
November 6, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Tim Ruzek and Katie Drewitz share progress from both Mower and Houston counties on ongoing environmental projects.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/farm-program...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/farm-program...
Delia Bell profiles Minnesota artist Kelly Ristau, whose bold printmaking explores intimacy, identity and healing through art rooted in rural life and community.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/profile-emer...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/profile-emer...
November 4, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Delia Bell profiles Minnesota artist Kelly Ristau, whose bold printmaking explores intimacy, identity and healing through art rooted in rural life and community.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/profile-emer...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/profile-emer...
Minnesota author Caren Stelson's latest picture book focuses on the story of a Lanesboro man's efforts to reconnect a World War II souvenir with its rightful owner in Japan.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/returning-th...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/returning-th...
November 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Minnesota author Caren Stelson's latest picture book focuses on the story of a Lanesboro man's efforts to reconnect a World War II souvenir with its rightful owner in Japan.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/returning-th...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/returning-th...
John Weiss explores Fillmore County’s time-haunted schoolhouses and farmsteads where fading paint and sagging walls still teach lessons.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/historic-aba...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/historic-aba...
October 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
John Weiss explores Fillmore County’s time-haunted schoolhouses and farmsteads where fading paint and sagging walls still teach lessons.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/historic-aba...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/historic-aba...
David Phillips reports on food shelves across southeastern Minnesota facing record demand in 2025 as inflation, high costs and reduced SNAP benefits strain family budgets.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/southeastern...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/southeastern...
October 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM
David Phillips reports on food shelves across southeastern Minnesota facing record demand in 2025 as inflation, high costs and reduced SNAP benefits strain family budgets.
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/southeastern...
Read more here: rootrivercurrent.org/southeastern...
Family fall biking trip on the Root River Trail. Photo by Renee Bergstrom.
See more original photography by local artists at our Photo Gallery page here: rootrivercurrent.org/category/pho...
See more original photography by local artists at our Photo Gallery page here: rootrivercurrent.org/category/pho...
October 28, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Family fall biking trip on the Root River Trail. Photo by Renee Bergstrom.
See more original photography by local artists at our Photo Gallery page here: rootrivercurrent.org/category/pho...
See more original photography by local artists at our Photo Gallery page here: rootrivercurrent.org/category/pho...
Part three of Alison Leathers' series on local conservationists features Barb and Joel Mielke who've restored prairie and oak savanna in Fillmore County, fostering biodiversity and creating habitat that's now home to one of the region’s largest bat colonies.
October 27, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Part three of Alison Leathers' series on local conservationists features Barb and Joel Mielke who've restored prairie and oak savanna in Fillmore County, fostering biodiversity and creating habitat that's now home to one of the region’s largest bat colonies.
Soybean field bathed in sunlight in Holt Township/Fillmore County. Photo by Renee Bergstrom.
See more original photography here:
See more original photography here:
Autumn Life in the Driftless - Root River Current
Root River Current photographers capture life in autumn in the Driftless.
rootrivercurrent.org
October 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Soybean field bathed in sunlight in Holt Township/Fillmore County. Photo by Renee Bergstrom.
See more original photography here:
See more original photography here:
You're Invited! Join us on November 15 at Sylvan Brewing for our 2025 celebration and public recognition of the region's arts community. Save the date and please share with your friends and family.
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
October 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
You're Invited! Join us on November 15 at Sylvan Brewing for our 2025 celebration and public recognition of the region's arts community. Save the date and please share with your friends and family.
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...
More info here: rootrivercurrent.org/celebrating-...