Frontier Spirits of Minnesota

There is no doubt in my mind that an adventurous spirit resides within the people of Minnesota. Whether you have been here for generations or if you’re a new resident, starting fresh and facing the unknown takes courage and a sense of adventure. I have been at many locations in Minnesota where the brave men and women who had settled this great state still watch over the living.

Good news for aficionados of history, the open road and small-town America.

After three years, the Yellowstone Trail Association is once again issuing copies of its newsletter “The Arrow” The first issue, found here, is free. Future issues are available with membership.

The association was founded to help preserve the history of the road.

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we identify the building. Post your guess, or send it to [email protected]. A correct answer is applied toward a doctorate in Chaska History. (Not really, but if you believed that, you probably had a slim chance of guessing it correctly anyway.)

At last, American Idol Season 9 seems ready to finally kick the bucket. It's on the floor, writhing around, blood hemorrhaging everywhere. The doctors are shaking their heads and throwing their hands up in the air. There's nothing they can do. The family has been convened. The priest is on his way. It's only a matter of time.

With just two weeks to go before Idol crowns this year's winner, the contestants tackled "Songs of the Cinema." Unfortunately the night played out more like a cheesy horror flick than an epic blockbuster. What else can explain why the final four would choose songs from such a-maz-ing movies like "Free Willy" and "Caddyshack"? Is anyone else in pure panic mode here? I just don't think this season can be saved.

So next week's theme is "Songs of the Cinema" - or, if you've seen the actual list of songs the contestants have to choose from - "Thirty-four not-so-great songs you've heard in movies in the 70s and 80s."

I want to say thank you to the Community of Chaska, and especially to my clients as we approach the third anniversary of Expressions of Wellness Massage here in beautiful downtown Chaska.

As a way to say thank you, I will be having two specials. For new clients we are cutting prices for the entire month by OVER 25%.

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we identify the building. Post your guess, or send it to [email protected]. No prizes, only bragging rights!

Let's turn back the clock one year. Oh yes, 2009. To quote Ol' Blue Eyes himself, it was a very good year. At least when it came to American Idol it was. The top five took on the Rat Pack (i.e. it was Standards night). Eventual Season 8 champ Kris Allen gave us a tolerable "The Way You Look Tonight." Alison Iraheta dazzled with a smokin' hot "Someone to Watch Over Me" (still in high rotation on my iPod).