Publish an obituary in Hometown Focus

WHAT IS PUBLISHED FOR FREE:

  • HTF will publish a full obituary and a photo (if desired) on our website free of charge.
  • HTF will publish an abbreviated obituary (no photos) in the print edition of the newspaper free of charge.

HOW TO PAY FOR A FULL OBITURARY:

  • A full obituary and a photo (if desired) published in the print edition of the newspaper is charged by the column inch.
  • Once HTF receives the obituary, photo and your request for a full obituary, we will provide you with the cost prior to publication.
  • Payment is due prior to publication and can be handled by phone if paying with a credit card.

The deadline for submission of the print edition obituaries (both full and abbreviated) is first thing Thursday morning, although sooner is always better.

Please email: editor@htfnews.us

HTF’S 5TH anniversary

KEEP PUSHING OUR BUTTONS!


This week is the fifth anniversary (woo hoo!) of Hometown Focus’s print newspaper. Some days it feels like we’ve gone from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds in a Geo Metro that might explode. Or in a Geo Metro that transfigures itself just before exploding into a…Toyota Prius. Our business was formed by brothers Jeff and Scott Asbach about a […]

A batty story for Hometown Focus’s fifth anniversary




In recognition of HTF’s five-year milestone I’m going to tell you a little story with a long prelude. Back in the early 1990s I owned The Cole Co. on the north side of the 400 block of Chestnut Street in Virginia. It was a small desktop publishing and copy shop. I bought paper from a supply company called Cole Paper […]

Rep. Metsa visits St. Michael’s Health Center



VIRGINIA – The staff, residents and family members at St. Michael’s Health & Rehab center were treated to a special visit by State Rep. Jason Metsa on March 26. Rep. Metsa took time from his busy schedule to tour the facility and hear from staff, residents and family members about the challenges that long-term care faces and also to reminisce […]

The way of all flesh: Mistress of mine




What I can’t understand about people is that after a thousand repetitions they continue to be amazed every time a public figure gets caught frequenting a prostitute or seeing a mistress. When people read the lavish presentations on the front page of the newspaper, when they read the sordid details, does it make them feel superior to, let’s say, Tiger […]

Registration open for summer sports in Mt. Iron



MT. IRON – The City of Mountain Iron is taking registrations for the summer baseball/ softball and tennis programs. Registration forms for all the programs have been handed out at the MIB elementary school and junior high school. Forms are also available at the Mountain Iron City Hall or on the city’s website, www.mtniron.com Registration forms and fees can be […]

Oops! We goofed



We published an inaccurate headline on last week’s column by Jerry McCormick. The headline read, “Monarchs arrive in the northland.” It should have said, “Monarchs are on the move.” The monarch butterflies aren’t here yet, but they’re on their way. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Silver Lake waterfowl and birds report



Here is Editor Jean Cole’s report on waterfowl and birds identified so far this spring on Silver Lake in Virginia, MN: Great blue heron, mallards, seagulls, Canada geese, trumpeter swans, common mergansers, hawks, and bald eagles. There are other ducks but I have been unable to get a for-sure identification of them so do not include them on this list. […]

VA and Ancestry.com partner to index historic burial records



WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has partnered with the internetbased genealogy research firm Ancestry.com to bring burial records from historic national cemetery ledgers into the digital age. The effort will make the collection—predominantly of Civil War interments—accessible to researchers and Ancestry.com subscribers undertaking historical and genealogical research. “We are excited to be able to share this wealth of […]

Off to the kitchen, readers!

We all must eat!


My friends Jan and Dave Merhar of Ely have traveled the world during the course of Dave’s long and distinguished military career. I asked Jan for some recipes, figuring that someone so well-traveled must have some favorite recipes up her sleeve. The only kicker was, the ingredients had to be available locally. She graciously obliged, with recipes from Heidelberg, Germany; […]

Theater returns to VHS with musical Anything Goes




Virginia High School has always been known for its outstanding music program. However, its theater program has been virtually nonexistent for 15 years. The recent revival of One Act plays in 2012 marked the new beginning of the Virginia High School drama department. Last year, the School Board generously decided to fund a fullscale musical which will bring theater back […]