Opinion - Cottage Grove Journal

Mark Walters caught this smallmouth bass on the first cast of his fishing/camping trip on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage.

Hello friends, This week I spent three days camped on an island on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage with my golden retriever Red. This trip was a bit unique as I hit some pretty harsh weather but still … more

By Mark Walters | 6/20/25

My View: The path to excellence

One morning each week, my alarm goes off much earlier than usual, and I leave the house early for work. The best thing about getting going at that time is the great AM radio that you can dial in from … more

By John McLoone | 6/18/25

My View: There’s only one of me

I think I’m actually being too good of a husband. I may have gone above and beyond my husbandly duties. Problem is, I’m hoping I don’t have a hard time getting things back to the … more

By John McLoone | 6/12/25

Letter to the Editor: Why I’m Leaving Minnesota: A Former Civic Leader’s Farewell to a State in Decline

By A.J. Janssen Former Chair, Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission, City of Cottage Grove Minnesota was once my home — a place I believed in, served, and hoped would be better. But over … more

6/6/25

My View: Embodies the spirit

I’m envious of people who have artistic talents. A few software versions ago, I felt I could hold my own in graphic design. A few years back, however, I alerted anyone who needed to know … more

By John McLoone | 5/28/25

My View: It better be covered

I lived through the heart attack that, thankfully, wasn’t. Some background: By virtue of winning, or losing, the genetic lottery, I landed firmly on the McLoone side. Men are bald, carry a … more

By John McLoone | 5/20/25

It better be summer now

I don’t know how it happened, but somewhere in the last couple months, I turned into an old man. Winter, I believe, aged me. I feel like I went into it with at least a little vim and vigor. … more

By John McLoone | 5/13/25

My View: Catholic Education

By the time this hits print, there could be a new pope. It’s unlikely that the 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine chapel will arrive at a choice that quickly, but stranger things have … more

By John McLoone | 5/7/25

My View: Maybe put a sweater on

The older I get the cooler I get. I’m not talking about cool, like I was in high school, with my hair feathered back and collar up. I’m talking about temperature. At some point in life, I … more

By John McLoone | 4/24/25

My View:

By John McLoone | 4/21/25

My View: Skating away

I thought you were supposed to get wiser as you get older. I think I’m getting dumber by the decade. For days last week, weather alerts were popping up on my mobile device alerting me … more

By John McLoone | 4/3/25

My View: Grandma said ‘yes!’

We were invited to the social event of the season Sunday. It was perhaps an event that shows the season of our lives at least. It wasn’t any St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Partaking in … more

By John McLoone | 3/20/25

My View: Road tripping

My kids have changed. First of all, they aren’t kids anymore. They’re adults. It used to be at this time of the year, we’d be scheming some kind of a family trip. Now, our travels … more

By John McLoone | 3/12/25

My View: Remember Little Fat Boy

I grew up in less politically correct times, to say the least. When I was a kid, you had to do chores, even if it meant walking a five-mile paper route when it was 10 below zero. Your dad pretty much … more

By John McLoone | 3/5/25

My View: Culinary adventures

I’m preparing myself to go on a culinary adventure, to a place I’ve never before been. Our purchases of eggs these days are pretty sporadic. I think we went through one $5.99 dozen of … more

By John McLoone | 2/27/25

Letter to the Editor: Bring balance to the 833 So Washington County School Board

To the editor, District 833 Parents United invites interested residents to apply for endorsement as a candidate for the 833 So Wash Co School Board election on Nov. 4. We are a group of parents, … more

2/21/25

My View: Mission accomplished

We took a long, fulfilling journey through the snow Saturday. We had an event planned a few weeks in advance. By midweek, it looked like it may come victim to the weather. Last week, I wrote about … more

By John McLoone | 2/11/25

My View: Typing with Bobby Knight

Many young men in their formative years took time in their school schedule to learn worthwhile pursuits. Me? I learned to type. I was fastest on the keyboard in my class. Other fellows … more

By John McLoone | 1/8/25

"The Financial Report Card: How to understand and calculate your Net Worth"

As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the months ahead. While resolutions often center around health, relationships, or career, focusing on … more

By Jack Syryczuk | 12/31/24

The World According to Mark

I have opinions. I have also learned, through experiences, a great many things. And I have a great many things to learn. I also have a great many things that I know very little about, but I have a … more

By Mark Tabola | 12/25/24