The Mower County
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Vol. 52, No. 6
S outhern M inne S ota S hopper S , i nc . 3405 W. o akland a venue • a u S tin , M n 507-437-7731
The Ark Encounter April 20-25, 2026
INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR: Hosted by Pastor John Holt · Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation · 5 Nights Accommodations · 11 Meals: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners · Luggage handling (1 per person) · Ark Encounter and Creation Museum · National Underground Railroad Freedom Center · American Sign Museum · Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption · Patriot’s Landing · B&B Riverboat Dinner Cruise · Circa’ 21 Dinner Theater
$1399 per person/double
Selling Fast Call Today! 507-373-4705 travel1@4seasonstravel.net www.4-seasonsvacations.com
Valentine’s Day Gifts Couples Love to Share
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get out, dress up, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. This year, many couples are choosing gifts they can experience together— especially ones that support local restaurants, shops, and events.
A night out at a favorite restaurant never goes out of style. From candlelit dinners to casual date nights, sharing a great meal is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to celebrate. Pair dinner with dessert, drinks, or a stop at a local shop for a sweet treat or thoughtful gift, and you’ve got a Valentine’s plan worth remembering.
For couples who love making memories, experiences like concert tickets, comedy shows, or weekend getaways turn Valentine’s Day into something unforgettable. Even game nights, puzzles, or cooking classes can spark laughter and friendly competition—sometimes the best moments come from doing something new together.
From sweet treats to shared adventures, the best Valentine’s Day gifts aren’t just things—they’re moments. After all, there’s nothing more romantic than quality time with the one you love.
SHOP LOCAL
Day
Did you know?
��Energy + Efficiency Bites
✔ LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
✔ Sealing air leaks is often more cost-effective than replacing windows.
✔ Programmable thermostats can cut heating costs without sacrificing comfort.
✔ Insulation problems are one of the biggest sources of energy loss in older homes.
�� Comfort & Livability Facts
✔ Neutral paint colors help rooms feel larger and brighter.
✔ Updating lighting fixtures can completely change a room’s mood.
✔ Homes with organized storage feel bigger—even when they’re not.
✔ Replacing worn flooring can dramatically reduce noise inside a home. �� Maintenance Reality Checks
✔ Small cracks and gaps can lead to big repair bills if ignored.
✔ Water damage is one of the most expensive home repairs—and often preventable.
✔ Routine maintenance can extend the life of appliances by years.
SUDOKU
Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
Here’s How It Works:
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
