By Rick Pedersen –  “Pay it forward”, is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying the kindness to others, instead of to the original benefactor. By paying it forward, someone else’s circumstances, or life is changed for the better. Ultimately, the person paying it forward growsContinue Reading

What is your best childhood memory? I remember spending a lot of time in our tall pine windbreak. I would climb as high as I could – as a seven or eight year old – something like 5 or 6 stories high and just gaze at the landscape. This isContinue Reading

  City of Houston – MN In the beautiful Root River Valley of southeastern Minnesota, the City of Houston lies in “the best of bluff country.” The community offers the conveniences of modern life paired with a charming, small-town feel. The area is home to a variety of locally-owned businesses andContinue Reading

By Rick Pedersen –   For those wishing to learn the Who’s who in the owl world, the answer is the International Owl Center located in Houston, MN. Every year people from around the globe travel to this destination, which hosts the International Festival of Owls every March. My wifeContinue Reading

By Rick Pedersen –   Americans have always had a romantic fascination and attraction to distilled spirits dating back to the days of prohibition. The location of these Speakeasy joints was often secret and hidden. Visions of Al Capone come to mind and packed businesses full of eager customers dancing theContinue Reading