Columns

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

Starting a new chapter in life

Audio Article


“Parting is such sweet sorrow” is a partial sentence quote from the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the meaning of which I interpret as saying goodbye is difficult, but there are other good things to come. It is with torn feelings that I have made the decision to retire as a staff writer and columnist for Hometown Focus. […]

Abbi ’s Classics Corner

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A warm welcome with a review of Pride and Prejudice


Hello everyone, and welcome to the classics corner. You may be wondering, “What is Classics Corner?” Well, I hope to make it a place where you can come and read about books that fall under that slightly vague descriptor of “classic literature.” I know that is a term that plenty of people find daunting, but take it from someone who […]

February’s weather outlook

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Colder temperatures are anticipated


The statistics for 2023 have been finalized by the fine folks at National Weather Service Duluth. 2023 turned out to be 1.9 degrees warmer than normal. The year had two normal months, three colder-than-normal months, and seven warmer-than-normal months. “Normal” is our region’s average annual mean temperature of 39 degrees. Normal climate variability is two percent plus or minus that […]

Forest assisted migration is underway

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In Minnesota, 2.9 million acres need to be reforested


Dotted across the northern Minnesota landscape are about 25 farmers and nursery owners who are doing something you’ve likely never heard of. They’re growing tree seedlings for the Forest Assisted Migration Project, begun in 2020, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Duluth. What is forest-assisted migration, and why do we need it? Well, assisted migration is the movement of […]

Ely is Frozen with delightful Disney magic and music

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ELY – Winter has finally arrived here in northern Minnesota in all her splendor casting her icy spell. This past week we have had Arctic-like temperatures nearly every day, which has been quite shocking. Everything is draped in capes of winter white. It was perfect timing for this weekend’s splendid performances of Frozen: the Broadway Musical here in Ely! I […]

Healthy for Life

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A new year… keep figuring it out one way or another


Welcome to the year 2024! And to the month of January that wouldn’t let us escape winter any longer without a bunch of snow and below zero temperatures. With the new year ticking away, hopefully people are still thinking about keeping and making resolutions. The main focus of our Hometown Focus edition this week is on health with alternative healing. […]

Massage For HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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How massage integrates with holistic healthcare


For this health edition, I found myself thinking about what I thought holistic healthcare was. To be honest, I had never really given it too much thought. To me, holistic is something healthy, something good for your well-being. It is something that, if applied to your life, could help you reap benefits of good health. Beyond that, nothing earth-shattering. So, […]

Do your dragons provide motivation or amotivation?

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“When it comes to fighting for your dreams, be a dragon. Breathe fire.” -Richelle E. Goodrich As I sit here in the afterglow of Christmas, I reflect on 2023, which has made its exit. What a year 2023 was! It began with me shedding tears when my youngest daughter moved to Michigan. Shortly after, I found out she was expecting. […]

Hats off to a new year!

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The end of a past year, ushered in by the beginning of a new, has always seemed to give a person a sense of change, hope, and better times ahead. Was it because the previous year was so intolerable? Perhaps for many it may have been, and the look forward to change would certainly be welcome. For others, it may […]

2024 Arrowhead Ultra 135 takes place January 29 – 31

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Push that voice in your head aside and move forward!


INTERNATIONAL Fall: “What time is it?” “It’s 6:50. Do you have everything packed?” “Yes, but will you check to make sure everything is secure?” “Yes, please check my gear, would you? Thanks.” “Thank you.” The racers are gathered at the starting line, anxiously awaiting the signal. “Semoga berjaya. Perjalanan yang selamat.” (Malayan) “Bonne chance. Voyages en toute sécurité.” (French) “Good […]


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