Articles written by Francy Chammings
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They're sharing Lilly's hearing journey
Storytime at Cloquet's Public Library has been an integral part of Katie Beck's schedule ever since Stella, her 5-year-old daughter, was born. So, when children's librarian Keiko Satomi suggested...
Wanted: a place for lost dogs and cats
In August, Carlton County will have been without an animal shelter for four years. That's not OK, says a new group of concerned citizens. Now called Carlton County Animal Rescue, the group has been... Full story
Across a century, print shop remains
Rebuilding Cloquet after the 1918 fire spurred not just growth of the wood products industries, including paper production, but also what are known as "spin-off" developments. The Northern Printery,...
Francy That: Thank goodness we have a local newspaper
We know as citizens of Carlton County that we are very fortunate. We live in one of the most bucolic domains of nature populated with magnificent forests, crystal clear streams, and multiple lakes... Full story
Wood City Quilters scratch an itch for stitch
Some of us may remember learning about the pioneer days when the women settlers would gather every so often for a quilting bee, a day of camaraderie and sewing. Even though our 21st-century lifestyle... Full story
Francy That: Farm stories show the value of local agriculture
For the past several months, I have had the privilege of interviewing and writing about a few of the farmers in Carlton County. Summer is an extremely busy time for them, but they graciously sat...
Family keeps tradition alive at 100-year-old farm
In 1976, Roy and Rose Aho decided to sell their dairy cattle and quit farming. Roy had been hired full-time at the paper mill (now Sappi). With small children to care for, Rose could not manage the... Full story
A branch off the area CSA farming tree
In 2005, Rick Dalen and his wife Karola had the opportunity to start their own Community Supported Agriculture business under the tutelage of John Fisher-Merritt, founder of the Food Farm in... Full story
Holding on despite dairy trends
"I am one of a dying breed," said Peter Laveau during a recent interview at his farm. He is referring to his occupation as an independent family dairy farmer. In 1990, the state numbered just under... Full story
Lands: Muse and music on the farm
Some folks come to farming through family generations, finding themselves tilling the soil on acres cleared and planted by those whose DNA inhabits the cells in their bodies. Others arrive on the... Full story
In a changing world, savoring our farms
Sometimes we hold a treasure within our reach without an awareness of its value and, as the refrain from the song "Big Yellow Taxi" goes, "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you don't... Full story
Francy That: It's rinse, repeat on discord -but don't let that dash hopes
It comes with age, not wisdom necessarily as the Bible says, but rather an ability to recognize and fathom the depth of the divide facing our democracy. We have been here before, in the lifetimes of... Full story
Francy That: Newspapers have another life in novel home projects
As I wrapped my canna lily bulbs in newspaper to prepare them for winter storage, it dawned on me that I have taken the multi-purpose factor of already-read newspapers for granted. We have explored...
It's nice to have a local paper
We know as citizens of Carlton County that we are very fortunate. We live in one of the most bucolic domains of nature populated with magnificent forests, crystal clear streams, and multiple lakes...
Victims, witnesses have a friend in court system
Being a victim of or witness to a crime is something we all hope to avoid. But should that situation befall the residents of Carlton County, it is reassuring to know there is an individual working in... Full story
Political climate divides by color. Choose purple
Minnesotans have had an affinity for the color purple ever since the NFL Minnesota Vikings chose purple and white as their franchise colors and Prince cried “Purple Rain.” Throughout the... Full story
Guest column: In the garden, effort fertilizes
I am breaking the first rule of writers: "Write about what you know." Even though my husband and I have raised gardens for 50 years, my knowledge of the plant world remains quite incomplete. I come...
Lay cornerstones in the community
Our town, your town, my town. There are many small communities with a history which are questioning the future. Public television in Duluth recently aired the documentary “This Town,” which...
MEMORIAL DAY: Healing from war comes - in time
On Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who have died serving in the U.S. military. While Esko's Dale Erickson survived his stint in the Korean War, he came home a different person. "Some Marines... Full story
More than hens and roosters
It was April 7. Not all of the patches of snowdrifts and snowbanks had disappeared yet. The garden was too wet to step foot in, especially after the previous night's thunderstorm, but peeking through...
Find your stride at North Country Ride
They have fought in wars, plowed endless fields, delivered mail, and helped build civilizations for centuries. Their strength is still a measure of how powerful our machines are, and yet, their...
We are the answer
As 2019 begins, many of our old problems and challenges remain: gun violence, wars, homeland security, health care costs and too many more to name here. For most of us, the solutions to these conundru...
