Articles

Margaret's Musings: Ask not…

Opinion
In Wisconsin it was most likely a gray November day, the weather is not what I remember. As an 11-year-old, I remember the trembling voice that announced our president had been shot. I was in sixth grade and initially, we did not know if he was fatally wounded.

True to its mission, Ciranda continues to grow

Ciranda, founded in 1994 in Minneapolis, moved to Hudson in 2001. Since then the company has become a major player in the business of importing, certified organic, sustainable and fair trade agricultural products.

• Ciranda’s cocoa buyer Eckhart Kiesel in a cocoa field
• Team members of Ciranda
• Ciranda logo

VIDEO: Romney-Ryan Real Recovery Road Rally

A crowd of several hundred waited outdoors at the Hudson Victory Center late Saturday afternoon to see and listen to an impressive list of speakers who seem to inspire and rally the crowd.

• Mayor Rudy Giuliani
• Governor Walker in Hudson
• Romney-Ryan Real Recovery Road Rally

Hideaway 4 opens in Hudson

It all started in 2000 with an entrepreneurial spirit and a small convenience store in Minneapolis. When veterans returning from the Middle East started asking for hookahs and the accessories that go with them, Wael “Wally” Sakallah added a small inventory to his convenience store.

• Wael “Wally” Sakallah, owner of Hideaway 4

Central Bank construction continues

The construction on Central Bank’s new facility continues after a short delay waiting for steel to arrive. It is located on the northwest corner of the Vine Street and Carmichael Road intersection. The new building will have 5,650 square feet on the main level and 2,450 on the lower level. The lobby will have four teller windows and the building will feature three drive-up lanes.

• Central Bank

Vine Street Studio coming soon

Dreams do come true, especially if you are Jane Nichol and Lisa Townsend. “We were dreaming about a place like this,” said Nichol, whose business, the Stone Soup Gallery, was formerly located in the old Hudson post office building. “This place has so much character,” said Townsend. “When the price was right we (Townsend and her husband) decided to buy it.

• New home

Hudson Mower Doctor’s clients still have someone to turn to

A few years ago Mike Brew retired from driving truck and warehouse work. He discovered that he was not destined to relax. He started repairing small engines, a skill he’s had since his youth. “I always did this,” said Brew, who tinkered with snowmobiles, 4-wheelers and motorcycles while he was growing up. Brew, a St. Paul native, has lived in Hudson for seven years.

• Mike Brew
• Bird Houses

45th Parallel sign is gently repaired

It was truly a labor of love when Brian Rosenberger decided an icon from his childhood needed a facelift. Rosenberger’s dad Richard helped construct and install the geographic marker noting the 45th parallel north location. Recently, he, with the help of his friends, completely restored the historic sign which was installed in 1989.

• 45th Parellel sign

Opinion---Standing on the edge of history and world war…

The year was 1979. The peace accord between Israel and Egypt had been signed in March. There was a heady feeling of relief. A few short months later, in November of the same year, the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was taken over by 300 to 500 Iranian students.

Quilt Shop attracts visitors from a wide area

Sewing has been a lifetime pursuit for Linda McDougal, who at the age of five was already learning the craft. “I have sewed all my life,” said McDougal. “My mother taught us everything she knew.” All you have to do is stop in the Sew Little Time Quilt Shop on 212 Walnut Street to see the results of her lifetime passion.

• Quilt Shop quilts
• Shop owners

Columns

Margaret's Musings: So what does $4.4 million buy these days?

My ears perked up last week, when a small article appeared in the Hudson Star-Observer announcing the bridge would be painted this summer. That would be our “Bridge” -- the one I have to admit to being pretty close to.

Margaret's Musings: Tiny body — big voice now silent

From the very beginning our cat, A.P.(Associated Press), showed us incredible tenacity. A.P., even though during the last years of his life he was brought back to life more than once, never seemed to want to leave us until last week.

• A.P.

Margaret's Musings: Mickey and Me

It is hard to tell when exactly this affair of over 50 years started. This year, the land where we met is celebrating its founding after 55 years. The ‘government’ runs smoothly, cleanliness is number one and no one is privy to the inner workings, even the public restrooms are discreet and nearly invisible.

Margaret's Musings: Singing - using your built-in musical instrument

Ahhhh!!! It is the time of year when I am privileged to witness, what I have come to think of as the great equalizer, the human voice in song.

Margaret's Musings: How will you be remembered?

I was home recently visiting with family friends of my parents’ generation when I discovered a high school classmate of mine had died within the year of cancer.

Margaret's Musings: Moonpies and more

If it’s October, it means I will be on the road to one of six regions of the United States that make up the Great Dane Club of America. Like any other hobby, it is the gathering of the clan, sort of like a gigantic family reunion.

Margaret's Musings: Favre — Welcome to Minnesota and neighboring Western Wisconsin

Okay, I have probably admitted in this column before, that the only sport I knew much about growing up was football. I seem to remember spending a lot of Sundays in front of the television with both my parents, cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

Margaret's Musings: Giving - why do it?

Whether you have deep pockets or just a little change rolling around, giving and volunteering in America, and particularly in Hudson, is a tradition. It is one that is not shared worldwide.

Margaret's Musings: Diversity makes for better community

Recently I did a story and photo package on the Junior Diversity Club. While shooting the photos I saw a young girl scamper out of the mini-van eager to get to swim lessons.

Margaret's Musings: 4-H — an experience worth exploring

Ahhhhh!!! It is county fair time. As a youngster, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to join 4-H. It still remains in my mind one of the premier youth organizations in the United States.