We send a huge thank you to the St. Paul Lutheran Church and janitor for getting it set up for the big day!
    The Bloodmobile people were very happy with the results. 86 was our goal and we got 120.  WOW!
    Congratulations to David Hagen who reached his goal of 11 gallons!
    Thanks again to the faithful registrations, observers and kitchen workers. Again, they did a good job. Also to St. Paul Ladies Aid for the delicious soup and bars which they brought for the workers,
    Thanks also go to Casey’s, Carl’s Bakery, Hardee’s and Economart for donating food for the canteen.
    Last, but not least, to the Legion for helping with set up and take down.  

Richard and Loretta Tjosaas,
  Bloodmobile Coordinators
Joyce Lewison,  
  Blood Recruiter
Granite Falls
 

    Federal Regulators were right to insist that Otter Tail Power deal with its Big Stone Coal Plant pollution.
    Unfortunately, state regulators at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission got their part wrong. The PUC voted to allow Otter Tail to invest nearly half a billion dollars of its customers’ money in Big Stone—rather than phasing it out and replacing the power with natural gas and renewable energy, a cheaper and cleaner alternative. These investments in a plant nearly 40 years old, commit Otter Tail Power to 40 more years of a coal-rich diet. Moreover, Otter Tail's customers are on the hook for the company's failure to diversify.
    To protect public health and respond to the public desire for cleaner generation, Otter Tail Power needs to make big changes to its energy mix. It currently gets more than 85 percent of its electricity from coal

   I was thinking of ways to not be stressed out at tax time. I decided to try something different. I was thinking all of us should try and visualize a place where it would be real relaxing.
    Although I don’t recommend a person to visualize while driving, we don’t need accidents (ha ha), I try and think about sitting in a lawn chair next to a lake or river with a fishing rod in my hand, listening to the water hit the shore. Another relaxing thing would be walking through the woods and trying to hear something, or lying in bed listening  to the crickets at night or listening to the birds early in the morning or to the wood crackle in a fire pit.
    When I think about these special moments, I feel healthier and more relaxed.

Jonathan May
Granite Falls 

    I am committed to providing the students of YME with a safe, clean, and comfortable learning environment.  It is the obligation of the School Board to act in the best interest of our students and the School Board felt that the improvements made to the YME School align with this obligation.
    I am disappointed that local politics have driven a costly lawsuit and the greatest shame of this is that our children's education will bear the costs.
    While the results of this lawsuit will provide an unnecessary challenge to meeting our obligation to our children, the interests of our students will continue to be the top priority and we will continue our dedication to providing our kids with a safe, clean, and comfortable learning environment.
    Please remember, there were taxpayers willing to provide our generation with an education and now it is our turn to step up to provide an education for this generation.
 
Grant Velde
YME school board chair
Granite Falls

    One week before reconvening the Legislature, Gov. Dayton and DFL leaders announced their plan to create high-quality, well-paying Minnesota jobs–the top priority during the 2012 session. The Jobs Plan is comprised of smart, targeted and proven strategies that will spark new hiring, get tens of thousands of Minnesotans back to work, and ensure that Minnesota companies and workers can compete in today’s economy.
    With 175,000 Minnesotans out of work, it is crucial for the legislature to pass the following components of this plan:
    •A New Jobs Tax Credit for small businesses, which will allow entrepreneurs to create jobs of the future with additional flexibility and capital.
    •Provide $2,000 grants for job skills training to 2,000 Minnesotans, based on in-demand jobs called for by local businesses.

   “A dancer’s heart beats in 8-count” was the theme of the sixth annual YME Dance Invitational held this past Saturday at YME.  Our hearts are very grateful to the many volunteers who gave their time and their many talents to make this competition possible.  
    We had close to 25 business sponsors and individuals who donated dollars, products, banners, door prizes, dance competition expertise, etc.  The many kindnesses expressed and support given made the day a success.

   The Minnesota Falls Dam is in discussion regularly these days, and that is as it should be.  Last week’s Advocate Tribune covered the attempt to form a Joint Powers Committee to explore cooperation between Chippewa County, Yellow Medicine County and the City of Granite Falls.  It also discussed Granite Falls Energy’s river intake problem if the dam is removed and the Granite Run  golf courses’s dilemma if their irrigation water is depleted – to say nothing of the change in scenery along the river.

   The best of memories are often made of good food, good friends and a slice of time together and all of these were enjoyed at the annual tea put on for the Food Shelf on Wednesday, the 4th of January, at Jean Fagnano’s home.
    The Food Shelf was the recipient of many pounds of food and monetary donations from this wonderful effort. The food at the tea was excellent and the decorations were grand.
    This is a special thank you for all of the efforts of everyone involved and the people of the area that made donations.        What a great way to start a new year.

Linda Bukowski
Food Shelf Coordinator
Granite Falls

    The Granite Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is at our new location inside the K.K. Berge building at 807 Prentice Street.  As anyone knows moving can be a rather arduous undertaking, but with the wonderful weather and help from the following individuals the process went quite smooth.
     A big thank you to city employees Brian Norman and Greg Wilkening for helping to move the large, not-so-fun to move pieces of furniture. And thank you to Brad Hall for helping, truckload after truckload, to move all the boxes and miscellaneous items.
     The Chamber greatly appreciates these individuals for their time and their assistance.
    Thanks Much,

Nicole Zempel
Granite Falls

    A YME Alumni Panel took place on Tuesday, Jan. 12 for YME students through the JET (Jobs, Education, and Training) After School Program.
    Thank you to our wonderful alumni representatives Ashley (Hoffman) Soine, Frank Redner, Jr., Tressa Erickson, David Eckhardt, Steven Kvam, and Lindsey Kurtz. The students and staff present enjoyed learning about your experiences as students at YME and at your respective colleges.

    We would like to say thank you to our friends and supporters who have given donations to The Salvation Army during the recent counter kettle drive. A special thank you to all of the volunteer bell ringers. You did an awesome job! The Christmas Fundraising Campaign accounts for nearly 75% of its annual fundraising totals.
    The year-round programs depend on these funds.
    The continued generous support of the community provides funds that stay local. Emergency voucher assistance and back to school supplies are some of the numerous programs that fill a local need.
    Your generous support has helped make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Kay Bestland
Yellow Medicine Co. Coordinator
Granite Falls
 

    I was intrigued by a recent article(s) in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (12/18) on the Tom Emmer flap at Hamline University.  It appeared that Tom Emmer was to be hired as an adjunct “Executive in Residence” Professor, according to emails written by the Director of the business program and by the Dean of the business school.  Another email, written by an associate dean for academic affairs, stated that “Emmer . .  will be joining School of Business as an Executive in Residence.”  However, because of a “very vocal few” (words from the dean of the business school) professors, Hamline University did not hire Emmer.
    Apparently, these professors didn’t like Emmer’s conservative politics, particularly his anti-same-sex marriage stance.  One particular professor, an associate professor in the business school, said that Emmer’s views “directly conflict with school values.”   Yet, Emmer’s views fit in with the mission policy which states that Hamline University is “committed to . . . developing . . . a climate that promises a responsible, civil, and open exchange of ideas.”

    The Echo Blood Drive was held Tuesday, December 20th.  We fell short of our goal of 42 units, collecting 34 units.
       Thanks to our volunteers, Amy Hoepner, Janet Werner, and Jamie Miller.  Not only do these gals help at the blood drive, they also put in many hours calling and contacting donors.  Thank you also to the callers from Wood Lake.
    Thank you to Echo Alliance Church for the supper for the Red Cross workers and our local volunteers. The Christmas "goodies" were tasty!
     A special thank you to our blood donors. There is a shortage of blood and your "gift of life" helps families in need this holiday season.
    Happy New Year.

Judy Miller and Jane Garvin
Echo Blood Mobile Coordinators
 

    In this season of Christmas, we pause to remember the people and events in our lives for which we are thankful. These blessings come in many forms and often touch our professional life as well as our private life. Recognizing the many blessings I have enjoyed this year, we want to give special thanks to a group of people in our community who have touched the lives of many of the students at YME.
    Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Diane Fagen (Fagen Foundation), John Virnig (Granite Falls Bank) and other supportive community members, we were able to once again conduct a summer school program at YME.  And while a summer school program may not seem like such an important endeavor to many people, it is, in fact, a critical element to the educational success of many students who might not otherwise earn their degree and graduate with their classmates.

    I felt inspired and compelled to write again.    It seems once again my eyes have been opened.  To me the circle of life is about unity – back in the olden days there was a lot of unity back then.
    Back then everyone helped each other out. Several years ago, I had a vision. I visioned being in the middle of a circle. I asked a friend, “why”?
    And he told me, “Everyone is giving you support.” Sometimes I feel like I’m on the outside of the circle.
    Is there any unity?
    Where are you?
    On the inside, or the outside?
    Bless each and every one of you and your family this holiday season. Good day.

Jonathan May III
Granite Falls 

   The Clarkfield Blood-mobile is happy to report another successful draw on Tuesday, December 6, when 48 units were collected. We had one first time donor, Maggie Weaver; Karl Kaatz received a six gallon pin; 15 double red units were collected and we had eight deferrals.
    A big thank you to all our donors, and our workers who are willing to donate their time at this busy season of the year and give the gift of life.
    A big thank you to Clarkfield Lutheran for hosting the draw; it is very much appreciated.
    Thank you to the Assembly of God Church ladies for serving the canteen and Augustana Lutheran ladies for the supper. The workers really appreciate this very much. Special thanks to the Clarkfield Legion for helping with the take down.
    The Clarkfield Blood-mobile team wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
    You will be able to ive the gift of life again on May 1, 2012.

Phyllis Lettau
Clarkfield Bloodmobile 

   This explanation of the federal debt talks puts it into a perspective that I can understand. It was published in the “Washington Times”.  This was written by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries:
    •U.S. tax revenues: $2.15 trillion
    •Federal budget:  $3.8 trillion
    •New debt: $1.65 trillion
    •National debt: $15 trillion
    •Recent budget cut: $38 billion.

     Then he put it into numbers we can understand, like your own income and expense, etc.  Take this into your banker and ask them to borrow more money:

Hi! We wanted to write a letter of thanks for giving our teacher ~ Mrs. Hinz ~ money to buy more books. She told us about the grant she applied for from the Granite Falls Area Community Foundation and we were excited to learn that she received one.
    Her goal was to purchase books to link our present dreams to those from the past.  We suggested to her that she purchase those books as iBOOKS on our own classroom lab of iPADS! 

    I read and have heard on the news that Minnesota now has a surplus of money and not the huge deficit they had projected (nice accounting work). And now there is talk again of using the surplus on a stadium for the Vikings.
    Why don’t they (the state) return the money to where it came from, our schools.  

Jay O’Connor
Granite Falls 

    I am blessed when I can see the Christmas lights.
    To me, when I see the green light, I think of the green pine tree, and I also think of the green grass on Calvary’s Hill where the cross stood, and then I see the red bulbs and I think of the blood that stained the cross. I see the blue light and I think about the blue sky above. I can imagine one of these days we all will fly through the skies. When I look at the clear bulbs I think about the light coming down from heaven, the light that showed the three wise men where Jesus laid.
    I feel warm inside when I look at the Christmas lights. Whenever I look at the lights, I feel relaxed. There’s something magical in the air at night, so let’s not take Christ out of Christmas this year.
    Merry Christmas to all and  Happy New Year, too.
    Note to all: This will be my final commentary until I get done with  my book. This is Jonathan May III.  Good day.

Jonathan May III
Granite Falls