Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

A Wisconsin historical marker on a wayside south of the peak tells the story. (Chris Hardie photo)

Story of Decorah Peak reveals rich history

Chris Hardie, Contributor February 27, 2022

History and geology sometimes come together to tell fascinating stories, such as the rocky outcrop just outside of Galesville known as Decorah Peak. Standing 1,161 feet above sea level, Decorah Peak...

Chris Hardie dons a shirt worn in his youth that he still wears today.

Don’t throw it out, wear it out

Chris Hardie, Contributor February 20, 2022

I pulled some old clothes from the closet the other day because I had some chores to do. Chore clothes have always been old clothes to me. Once I’ve put a T-shirt, shirt or a pair of pants through...

The Franklin Store in 2021, now used as a residence. (Chris Hardie photo)

Reader memories fill in details on general stores

Chris Hardie, Contributor February 13, 2022

The small general stores that served our rural communities have all nearly vanished, but they certainly have left behind vivid memories. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the general stores located in...

Buckets filled from a hydrant are carried 182 steps to water animals after the waterer froze.

The sound of winter

Chris Hardie, Contributor February 6, 2022

If below-zero temperatures had a sound, it would be this: the clang of an iron maul striking the frozen apron of a manure spreader. Our recent cold snap — we dipped close to 30 below zero in my neck...

Two bare spots in the snow indicate deer beds in the woods. Deer can bed down for hours or even days if the conditions warrant. (Chris Hardie photo)

The annual urge to hibernate

Chris Hardie, Contributor January 30, 2022

It’s always this time of winter with the cold and snow that the prospect of hibernation seems pretty darned attractive. After all, I have a lot of hyperphagic practice already in place by the additional...

A button marking the historic cold on Jan. 9, 1977, in Rice Lake. (Photo courtesy of Jack Daniel)

Cold-weather column stirs memories of frigid day

Chris Hardie, Contributor January 23, 2022

Apparently, there’s nothing like a cold-weather story to warm up memories from folks in Wisconsin. Last week, I posted a link on the Facebook group Forgotten Wisconsin to my recent column about Jan....

Chris Hardie’s barnyard animals gather at the feeder on a morning when the temperatures were minus 20. (Chris Hardie photo)

The day Wisconsin froze to 60 below zero

Chris Hardie, Contributor January 16, 2022

Old memories become blurry with the passage of time, but a particularly cold Sunday 45 years ago that stands out for me was memorable across western and northern Wisconsin. I’ve written before about...

Chris Hardie was trapped on the roof when the ladder fell down. (Sherry Hardie photo)

Stranded on the rooftop

Chris Hardie, Contributor December 12, 2021

‘Tis the season for holiday lights and while I’m no Clark Griswold, I’ve always enjoyed putting up a few exterior decorations. The interior holiday decorating I leave to my far more capable...

Chris Hardie and his 9-point buck and an 18-inch antler spread shot opening day, Nov. 20, 2021. (Ross Hardie photo)

A sweet end to a successful hunt

Chris Hardie, Contributor December 5, 2021

The trees were silhouetted by the light of the waning but still large Beaver Moon as I slowly made my way down the hill toward my hunting spot. It was shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, the opening...

Half of this blue hubbard squash is big enough that Chris Hardie could wear it on his head. (Chris Hardie photo)

Bountiful squash, a tire blowout and reader response

Chris Hardie, Contributor November 28, 2021

The garden harvest season is long over, but we’re still enjoying the bounties. Sort of. A few weeks ago, I wrote about harvesting our winter squash, including a couple dozen blue hubbard squash....

Chris Hardie’s deer stand is ready for 2021 hunting season that opens Saturday, Nov. 20.

Making scents of deer hunting

Chris Hardie, Contributor November 14, 2021

I learned a new word the other day referring to the desire of hardcore deer hunters to be in their stand as the fall breeding season heats up. Apparently, a “rutcation” is when you set aside...

The view from atop Brady’s Bluff in Perrot State Park.

A view steeped in history

Chris Hardie, Contributor November 7, 2021

As we stood atop the bluff some 460 feet above the river, I was struck by the breathtaking vista before us. A few weeks ago, my wife Sherry and I hiked to the top of Brady’s Bluff in Perrot State...

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Founded 1901
Chris Hardie