One hundred columns.
When I pause and let that number sink in, it feels both surreal and deeply rewarding. After countless hours of writing, researching, editing, and even doubting myself, I am proud to present my 100th column—a milestone that invites reflection, celebration, and gratitude.
This journey began during the great Covid debacle. In March 2020, in the middle of a time where the world was thrown into something out of a science fiction novel, I decided to begin the enormous task of sifting through years and years of my parent’s photographs that had been sitting in bins in my basement. I discovered the app Photomyne and dove head and feet first into scanning my parent’s memories recorded in visual form.
I was impressed with their camera prowess and their choice of subjects they recorded for posterity. My father worked for the DM&IR Railroad and captured many photos of trains, the rail yard, and coworkers. A few of these I shared with local artist Joe Baltich, and he captured them in incredible likenesses in acrylic on canvas.
My mother worked for the Oliver Mining Company and used her camera to catch moments in time during active mining operations in Ely from the 1940s and 1950s in Ely.
I had discovered the Facebook page, “Remember Ely and Winton When…” and knew at once that my parent’s photos needed to be shared for others to enjoy. Luckily, my parents were diligent about labeling the subjects, dates, and people caught in the snapshots.
I kept busy for weeks and was totally engrossed in bringing to others what my parents had in their treasure trove of Kodachrome captured moments in time. I found several photos from the gone forever Pipestone Falls Resort where my mother worked as a cabin girl in 1939. After I put them on the Ely/Winton Facebook page, I got a message from Nick Wognum, owner, and editor of, “The Ely Echo,” showing interest in these photos of the long-gone Pipestone Falls Resort. He asked if I would contact him and so I did.
Nick and I got to talking about the deep history of my parent’s photos. As we chatted, I told him of how I discovered my talent of writing when my then husband had multiple strokes during a surgery that evolved into a 94-day hospital and rehabilitation stay. I had recorded a daily diary of my then husband’s recovery on the site CaringBridge.org.
He mentioned that he would love it if I would write for him, which meant for the “Ely Echo.” I laughed aloud and inquired, “And what would I write about?” Nick quickly replied, “Whatever you want.” We said our goodbyes and he asked that I let him know if I was interested in his request.
My own column? Are you kidding me? What did I have to offer? How do I start? How do I do this? Believe me, the questions bombarded my every waking moment, and I lost sleep over the challenge.
I sat on the idea for a few days and knew this was an opportunity I could not turn down. I threw all caution to the wind and sent him a text that I was interested in taking on the challenge.
After I settled into the idea of “my own column,” I started a list of things I could write about. My mind was racing. I never stop thinking. It is a curse, but then I discovered that how my creative mind runs was truly a gift. I have also been blessed with a good sense of humor and the ability to find laughter in any situation.
I lamented over what I would call this column and landed on, “Miscellaneous Musings by FunGirlDi.” It was perfect to suit this new road I would be traveling down to write about “whatever I want.”
When I worked at 3M years ago, I was traveling to Wausau, Wisconsin with my supervisor, Jim Halverson. I was driving and we were talking about the Minnesota Vikings game the previous day. I switched the subject so fast from football to asking Jim if he liked salami cheese. He looked at me and started laughing because of the random change in our conversation.
What I did not share with him that while we were football chatting, I saw a billboard on the side of the road for a Wisconsin cheese shop that featured their most famous salami cheese. About the same moment, a helicopter flew over us and Jim just added to our conversation, “There goes a helicopter.”
From that moment on, every time I would switch topics on a dime in a conversation, Jim would always interject, “Do you like salami cheese? There goes a helicopter.”
That randomness is a constant in my brain. I cannot help it. My brain function I believe is why I have been able to sustain and turn out consistent columns.
Yes, my columns are long. Evidently, I have a lot to say. There have been many times when I write a column, close my laptop and go back hours later to read what I have written and I am left speechless. Countless times I do not remember writing what I read in front of me. It is like I go into a trance, and it just comes out. I have used words in my writing that I swear I did not even know I knew.
I have been approached by people telling me how my writing resonates with them, their feelings, and their predicaments in their lives. A handful of women have told me that I put into words what they were feeling but could not express it. I made them feel like they had a connection with someone and they were not alone.
These comments cement the belief that my talent for writing is a gift from God and was given as a tool to help others. I take my writing seriously and the responsibility of this column has swung from me thinking I have a place of honor to now knowing I am absolutely a conduit for God.
I am proud to say I write for the “Ely Echo.” It makes me happy that my talent brings forth joy, but along with that I have learned about humility. Humility teaches us wisdom. Humility is the virtue that keeps us grounded in the truth about who we are.
At its heart, humility is not thinking less of myself – rather it is thinking of myself accurately. Humble people recognize their gifts and strengths, but also, I have learned limits and the need for others. There is no pretending to be small and no need to be grand either.
Humility opens us up to growth. When we admit we do not know everything, we become students of life again. We always have something to learn.
I have freed myself from comparison of measuring my worth against others to now focus on faithfulness and effort to becoming a better version of myself. I have learned to celebrate other people’s successes without any bit of diminishment of my person.
Humble people listen more. Listening is a learned behavior and one I struggle daily to become more proficient with. I have learned it is not necessary to win every conversation and apologize when I know I am wrong.
Humbleness is an anchor to God. Living the right relationship with God is imperative to our happiness here on earth. I acknowledge all good things come from Him and depending on His grace has been life changing for me.
One huge unveiling for me has been understanding that humility has a quiet strength to it. Humility gives you strength without arrogance. It gives you honesty and leadership without domination. Slowly I am evolving into a more solid and peaceful being.
My earliest columns were experiments. I wrote about topics close to my heart, from everyday observations, historical subjects, and cultural trends. Over time, my writing has evolved — sometimes organically, sometimes with deliberate intention. I learned to hone my voice, and to be transparent about my perspectives. I discovered the power of vulnerability and authenticity in writing.
The discipline of writing regularly sharpened my skills and forced me to think deeply about topics that matter. My most memorable columns are those that sparked conversation, evoked emotion, or helped someone feel less alone.
I have embraced growth and my opinions have shifted, my style has matured, my self-righteous indignation has softened, and my confidence has grown. Being open to change has been essential. I have learned it is okay to stumble and not every column was a hit. Some may have missed the mark, but each one taught me something valuable.
My most favorite moments have been when I have received a heartfelt correspondence from a reader who connected with a deeply personal column. I have interviewed experts and learned something new that changed my perspective. I have learned, when writing about a topic outside my comfort zone, it opened new areas of passion for me.
With this milestone, I am more inspired than ever to continue writing, exploring new subjects, and deepening my engagement with readers. I plan to challenge myself with subjects that inspire me.
Special thanks go to Nick Wognum, who I admire more than I can ever express. Unless you see him in action, no one knows what he goes through week after week to turnout an incredible product. He is in a thankless job, but one that so many in our community and beyond rely upon. The staff of the Ely Echo, writers and Nick have won many awards for the wonderful journalism and efforts to keep a small-town newspaper alive. Currently in the age of electronic everything, Nick deserves more than a pat on his back for what he does with consistent, award-winning results.
To those of you who subscribe to the “Ely Echo,” thank you for helping to keep this wonderful publication afloat and to making these 100 columns possible. I am deeply grateful to every reader who has taken the time to engage with my writing—whether you have read one column or all one hundred. Your support and encouragement have meant everything. This journey would not have been possible without you.
Here is to many more conversations, stories, and moments of connection. Whether you are a long-time reader or new to my work, I appreciate you being part of this community. As I write this, there goes a helicopter and I still like salami cheese.
