Brenda Jans Darling

 Brenda Jans Darling, 49, daughter, sister, mother, niece, aunt, friend, teacher, mentor,…

From the Editor’s Desk

As we near the best season of all (fall), I find myself wanting to spend more time outdoors and exploring before we lose the chance to winter. So when I had a day off over the weekend and realized that it was going to be my only day off until Christmas with all of the photography sessions booked, the season’s sports, council and school board meetings, etc, etc, I thought it would be the perfect time to take my youngest child on her first trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I’m not a big fan of the event, but I do believe it’s something everyone should experience at least once. Mostly it’s about the people watching, and all of the costumes, and acting that happens throughout the event.

Autumn Experience Series: Holmberg Orchard

The first noticeable thing when walking into the Holmberg Orchard is all the detail of the homemade signs placed frequently throughout the property. Little ones may head straight for the barrel train or perhaps they’ll run straight for the pumpkin patch or the corn maze that is much trickier to make it through than one would think (try counting all of the silly scarecrows that are sprinkled throughout the maze). There are several outdoor games for kiddos to play, several photo opportunities are set up throughout the property, and there is the onsite store that sells food, home goods, clothing, and a variety of boutique items. Rosie Petty, half of the couple that now owns and operates the orchard, said, “Seeing the families in the fall, just having fun and the kids just enjoying being outside. We try to make it very family friendly, very family orientated and things for everyone to enjoy.”

YME takes on Dawson-Boyd in home game

Yellow Medicine East played a home game against Dawson-Boyd Friday evening for a 26-52 loss. The game was close in the first half with YME in the lead by the end of quarter one 20-14, then keeping the pace through the second quarter, falling behind at the end for a 20-28 score by halftime.

Daryl Hermanson

Daryl Hermanson, 62, passed away at his home in Boyd on Thur sday, September 15, 2022, as a result of cancer. He was born on April 12, 1960, in Montevideo to Vernel and Janice (Moen) Hermanson.

Esther H. Schmidt

Esther H. Schmidt, 75, of Granite Falls passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Bethesda in Willmar. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday. Esther was born to Marvin and Irene (Schultz) Geske on December 18, 1946. She was the 6th of 12 children. Esther was baptized on January 12, 1947, and confirmed in 1960 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. She graduated from Lynd School and she attended cosmetology school. She met Doug Schmidt and they were united in marriage on August 17, 1968, in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall. Their union was blessed with three children and more than 52 years together. Esther was a lifetime member of the Granite Falls VFW Auxiliary and managed the VFW in the 1980’s. Douglas and Esther completed Project Turnabout, Growth group and eventually becoming Growth Group facilitators while attending AA and Al Anon. Esther worked at several business over the years, including H&R Block, Granite Falls Bank, and Geske Home Improvement. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow. Esther was active with her quilting and embroidery clubs in Minnesota and Texas; Doug referred to her hobby as her ‘therapy’. Esther was an avid reader and she enjoyed traveling with Douglas until their mobility made traveling difficult. Five years ago, they sold the property in Minnesota and relocated to Harlingen, Texas. Esther survived by their three children: Brenda Gates of Maynard, Kirby Schmidt of Renville, and Douglas Jr. (Darla) Schmidt of Montevideo, nine grandchildren: Christopher, Elizabeth, Garrett, Dustin, Crystal, Nathan, Carrie, Chelsea and Jasen; one greatgrandchild Bexley; siblings: Ina Geske, Richard (Karen) Geske, Wayne Geske, Bob (Naomi) Polzin, Pat (Janice) Geske, Ronnie (Claire) Geske, Bob (Cynthia) Steinbeisser, Glenn Geske, Nelia Gary;

Beyond Reason

The 90s Decades are like snowflakes. They’re white and pointy, and all a little different.