Category: columns

  • COLUMN: To age firmly like the mighty oak

    COLUMN: To age firmly like the mighty oak

    This is my Sunday column for the July 15, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. To age firmly like the mighty oakBy Aaron J. Brown The other day I went into a coffee shop to do some work on my computer and I noticed that the row of seats by the power outlets were…

  • COLUMN: Poor man’s apocalypse

    COLUMN: Poor man’s apocalypse

    This is my Sunday column for the July 8, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. As you may have noticed last Monday night’s storm knocked out power throughout Itasca County where I live. We didn’t have power back until later in the week, so I’ve been slow to resume blogging because of the backlog…

  • COLUMN: Bugs of the Modern Democracy

    COLUMN: Bugs of the Modern Democracy

    This is my Sunday column for the July 1, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. I’ve rounded up Iron Range Fourth of July parades, street dances and fireworks displays here. Bugs of the Modern DemocracyBy Aaron J. Brown Two years ago I depicted an historical reenactment of the Continental Congress as it would have…

  • COLUMN: When the water comes

    COLUMN: When the water comes

    This is my Sunday column for the June 24, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Those who would like to do something to help the people in Duluth, either financially or with your time and effort, should go here. When the water comesBy Aaron J. Brown Like most folks we’ve encountered leaky basements in…

  • COLUMN: Celebrating modern dadhood this Father’s Day

    COLUMN: Celebrating modern dadhood this Father’s Day

    This is my Sunday column for the June 17, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Happy Father’s Day! Celebrating modern dadhood this Father’s DayBy Aaron J. Brown It’s Father’s Day today, or as I like to call it: ME DAY. Then again, I like to think of every day as ME DAY, so the…

  • COLUMN: Northern Minnesota’s awkward dance with summer

    COLUMN: Northern Minnesota’s awkward dance with summer

    This is my Sunday column for the June 10, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. This is based on a shorter piece that aired on “Between You and Me” last week on Northern Community Radio. Northern Minnesota’s awkward dance with summerBy Aaron J. Brown The other day the dog went outside and barked her…

  • COLUMN: Iron Range political universe to change in 2012

    COLUMN: Iron Range political universe to change in 2012

    This is my Sunday column for the June 3, 2012 Hibbing Daily Tribune. Iron Range political universe to change in 2012By Aaron J. Brown When my father turned 30 I said, “Dad, you’re eligible to run for the Senate!” My goodness, I was 7. That’s the kind of kid I was. But dad, a mechanic…

  • COLUMN: New book helps close old cultural gap

    COLUMN: New book helps close old cultural gap

    This is my Sunday column for the May 27, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Anton Treuer appeared as a guest in the April 7 Bemidji edition of the Great Northern Radio Show. New book helps close old cultural gapBy Aaron J. Brown When I was preparing to do my radio show in Bemidji…

  • Before the Iron Range, there was iron Waynesboro

    Before the Iron Range, there was iron Waynesboro

    Hello to all the new readers who heard me on MPR this morning. Ahhh, who am I kidding? Hello, old readers. We’ve been talking about the way that mining affects communities, for better and worse. Here on the Iron Range it’s not hard to see the impact of mining, both in the changed landscape and…

  • Hill of Three Waters

    Hill of Three Waters

    This is my Sunday column for the May 20, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. My visit to the Hill of Three Waters took place a year ago. While photography is forbidden at the site, I did snap this photo of the entrance to the hill to show what the forest looks like. Hill…

  • COLUMN: Sticking to the planner

    COLUMN: Sticking to the planner

    This is my Sunday column for the May 13, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Sticking to the plannerBy Aaron J. Brown Living in the north woods one learns whatever you leave on the kitchen counter when you drive to town might as well have been hurled into an intergalactic wormhole. It is gone.…

  • COLUMN: We don’t get it; any of it

    COLUMN: We don’t get it; any of it

    This is my Sunday column for the May 6, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. A version of this piece aired on Northern Community Radio’s “Between You and Me” Saturday morning. We don’t get it; any of itBy Aaron J. Brown Long ago there was such a thing as a “mainstream” in American culture.…

  • COLUMN: Death by Sitting

    COLUMN: Death by Sitting

    This is my Sunday column for the April 29, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Death by sittingBy Aaron J. Brown As I sit here now I realize I’m going to die soon. I mean, sooner than later. I mean, sooner than I would if I were standing right now. And how am I…

  • COLUMN: A magnetic pull to the future

    COLUMN: A magnetic pull to the future

    This is my Sunday column for the April 22, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. I’ve included some photos I took during my visit to Magnetation that did not appear in the newspaper. A magnetic pull to the futureBy Aaron J. Brown Along the shore of the Lind-Greenway Pit a rusted steam shovel stands…

  • Dylan’s Minnesota story shows poetry in motion

    Dylan’s Minnesota story shows poetry in motion

    This is my Sunday column for the April 15, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. I read a shorter version of this piece on Northern Community Radio’s “Between You and Me” Saturday, April 14. Dylan’s Minnesota story shows poetry in motion By Aaron J. Brown This 1978 quote from Bob Dylan opens the March…