Are you living your values? We got to thinking about this question because there are times when the world seems to be so upside down. People feel that their values are being tested.
I am disappointed as I read the letters in the newspaper for Oct. 14. Our nation has become great for many reasons, but a major factor has been the education of citizens and strong belief in facts, information and knowledge. Unfortunately, that history seems to be losing favor.
I believe taxpayer funding of education for school kids in K-12 is extremely important. I know there are many good and dedicated teachers in public schools and it is possible for kids to get a good education.
In a paid letter to the editor that was featured in both the Chaska Herald and the Chanhassen Villager this past week, some concerns were raised about the amount the district spends per student, as well as the inflation factor that is included with the referendum question. (“Biggest negative…
Homeowners in the Eastern Carver County School District will be expected to pay approximately $240 a year more with the upcoming referendum. The ECC School District website estimated enrollment for the 2022-23 school year is 10,825. However, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated …
I was distressed by the statement by the top elected officials of Carver and Chaska taking sides with the Easter Carver County School Board regarding the recent heated debate (and actions) by parents in front of the board objecting to mask mandates ("We're truly better together," Oct. 7).
Looking for a good book to listen to? Carver County Library offers great choices for audiobook users including audiobooks on CD. While most feature one narrator, some titles feature a “full cast” recording of the book.
It’s hard to beat this time of year. The cool days, the colorful trees and pumpkins. Ya, that’s right, pumpkins. I find pumpkins fascinating. Especially the history of pumpkins. You might agree after reading about this amazing vine.
Have you ever reached the point where you feel you’re getting close to “empty” and your tank needs to be refilled? We’re not talking about your gas tank here. We’re talking about the human energy tank that keeps us going.
It’s not often I write openly to you in this way — speaking about current events in the health care industry and specifically at Ridgeview. The last editorial I shared was November 2020 in which I addressed the first COVID-19 surge. At that time, I acknowledged that you may be “COVID-message…
My name is Eric Songer. I have been a teacher in the Eastern Carver County School District since 1997. I have also been a Chaska resident since 2004. I have two kids who go to school in this district.
In response to "We have to do better," written by School Board Chair Jeff Ross, I agree 100%. We have to do better. Doing better starts with regaining control of the school board from those who choose to force our kids to wear masks at school, despite having zero evidence to support their use.
The basic question on the ballot will read: District 112 proposes to increase the School District general education revenue by $550 per pupil, subject to an annual increase in the rate of inflation.
Cooking in the Kitchen returns Saturday, Oct. 16. Join my daughter, Morgan, and I with special dog guest, Duke, as we take advantage of the library’s cookbook collection and feature a delicious recipe. We’ll be live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. or catch it later the Library’s YouTube page.
Carver County Library’s Adult Services Team is hosting photographer and author Wing Young Huie for a conversation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Are you feeling increased stress these days? If so, you’re not alone. Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. Turn on any news station and you’ll see that today’s chronic stressful events have taken a toll on society as a whole. On an individual level, people of all ages are suffering an…
Adding native plants to your yard can help wildlife thrive, improve lawn health, and protect lakes and rivers.
Editor’s note: Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson and Chaska Mayor Mark Windschitl issued this joint message last week.
One of the cherished aspects of what we call the “American Dream” is home ownership. It signifies a level of achievement that epitomizes the “dignity of work," planning and responsibility.
On Nov. 2, Eastern Carver County School District will be asking our community to vote on an operating levy.
There’s an inspirational poster in our district office: “I touch the future. I teach.” That quote is from Christa McAuliffe, a gifted teacher from the Space Shuttle Challenger. Those words resonate with Eastern Carver County Schools employees who invest their lives working with the youth of …
I support the District 112 school referendum. I urge you to vote YES!
To our Eastern Carver County Schools superintendent, School Board, educators and staff:
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and an important time to recognize and stand up for victims and survivors.
When it comes to confusing common names for animals, I think the American elk has got to be near the top of the confusing list. This came to light last week when I was in northern Montana to film and photograph elk. I ran into a guy from Europe who was also looking to capture images of elk, …
Club Book returns at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 with an online presentation by Dan Piepenbring, author of “The Beautiful Ones.”
We may be getting some rain, and the temperature is turning cooler, but make no mistake we’re still in a drought. Our Environmental Services division monitors the impact of the drought on the region’s water resources, and the Mississippi River is one place where the lack of rainfall is appar…
Have you ever done some remodeling? The goal of remodeling is to make things better than they were before. To do that, sometimes the old has to be torn away in order for something better to take its place. Which means things may get worse before they get better.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen, a Chaska family physician, according to an interview in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, is calling for civil disobedience against the COVID-19 vaccine and wearing masks. He is asking all of us to ignore vaccine and mask guidance intended to stem…
With the Nov. 2 referendum fast approaching I feel it is important for our community to focus on facts versus fiction, which historically have come in the form of disinformation campaigns.
If you watched our school board meeting from Sept. 27, you saw a community divided.
This column space is generally reserved for athletic achievement and community reflection. After spending more than a decade writing for the Chaska Herald and Chanhassen Villager, the people I've met, the stories I've shared, I feel a strong connection to the community.
Recently, the owners in our neighborhood met for an orientation about the Neighborhood Watch Program. The office who presented the information was very good on the value of the program and how it can increase the safety in our area.
October’s darkening skies provide a backdrop for planetary maneuvers and the unending stream of stars across the celestial stage.
October is Teentober or Teen Read Month. Teentober is all about fresh starts. If you are 12-19 years old, you can have up to $10 in fines waived from your account for the month of October. Stop in at any Carver County Library and ask library staff for a waiver beginning Oct. 1.
We recently came across a saying, attributed to Ziad K. Abdelnour, that we liked. It goes like this: "Life is like a camera. Focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don’t work out, "Take another shot."
In last week's column ("Brought together by a love of baseball"), I failed to mention a few important thank you’s related to the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament.
Here to serve you — the people of Carver County.
Standing in a small clearing, deep in the northwoods of Minnesota, I was telling the participants in my black bear photo workshop some of the more interesting natural history facts about the American black bear.
The “digital divide” has become an increasingly critical conversation in today’s ever-shifting tech landscape, especially in wake of the past year and half’s isolating pandemic.
When I was a student at Chaska Middle School (back when there was just the one), our district held a very important referendum.
This is in response to Dave TenEyck letter to the editor ("Why not build tunnel under Hwy 41," Sept. 2).
When you published your article on,"Rollercoaster for child care," (Sept. 2) you dropped the ball. You should have included the effects on Carver County licensed in- home child care providers.
Do you remember where you were at the time of the collapse of the Twin Towers 20 years ago? We do. With the recent 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Towers catastrophe, we watched the TV replays of the disaster and what unfolded immediately afterward. We thought about the phrase, “Never f…
Service to your children is my life’s work. From the moment I began student teaching at Chaska High School in 1990, to current preparations readying to teach freshman English, my work is to serve your children.
Our church’s “Black Lives Matter” flag got stolen, and we don’t know by whom. Maybe it was an errant teenager bent on some random vandalism; I was a teenage vandal myself a couple times.
Whether you are looking to get outside or stay cozied up at home, Carver County Library has family friendly programs planned for you. Take a stroll and read a story at Chaska’s StoryWalk on Saturday, Sept. 18 anytime between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
I’m back! This month, I wanted to touch on something that has been, honestly, life-changing. Getting my driver’s license!
What difficult decisions are you trying to make? Maybe you go back and forth trying to decide what’s best for you.
