March 2022

Yellow Medicine County Recycling Program

Plastic bags. Plastic case overwrap. Plastic items in general? Why are plastic items such an issue with recycling? Why is plastic recycling so hard? The answer is not as simple as we would like it to be. Plastic bags as well as plastic film have very little value as compared to recycled cardboard. Plastic bags and plastic film, if resold as a commodity, would be worth pennies on the dollar while cardboard is worth hundreds of dollars. The same goes for any other kind of item made of plastic.

Read MoreYellow Medicine County Recycling Program

Notes from the Granite Area Arts Council

I teach two sections of freshmen learning Academic Writing at SMSU, and in class, I often find myself waxing rhapsodic about goings-on in Granite Falls. As a result, at least two of my college students watched our sketch comedy show and emailed me to share their favorites (the one involving a large foam dinosaur head / the one about our cat Zeke and her romantic history with Frank Sinatra). Time will tell re: the impact this has on my professorial dignity, but at least they seemed to have fun, as did our fantastic crowd at Bluenose on Thursday – thanks to everyone who came!

Read MoreNotes from the Granite Area Arts Council

Meet your local business community

Editor’s Note: “Meet your local business community” is a new feature of the Advocate Tribune that aims to better connect our community to the people behind the businesses and services in our local area. To participate in this feature, contact Jessica Stölen-Jacobson at jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad.com

Read MoreMeet your local business community

Group of BRE teachers embark on learning opportunity for new tools in literacy

In February, a group of nine teachers at Bert Raney Elementary School began a professional learning course that was designed to provide instructors of reading, spelling, and language skills courses more tools and skill-sets to bring to their classrooms. The program, called LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) is offered through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), with funding available to licensed Minnesota educators. Bert Raney Elementary was notified in late December that the program was available. They were able to apply to be considered, and were notified that their nine staff members were approved to start. The program will run until June of 2023.

Read MoreGroup of BRE teachers embark on learning opportunity for new tools in literacy

Ritalka, Inc. celebrates 25th anniversary

When Kevin Wald started Ritalka, Inc. in March of 1997, it was housed in a single room of his home – a house built by C.A. Fosnes in Montevideo. At the time, Wald says he had no grandiose plan for how large the company could grow but knew he wanted to try his hand at being an entrepreneur. Wald, who had grown up in Pierre, South Dakota, was a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. He had started his career in Los Angeles, where he worked on ballistic missiles for land and submarine launch platforms. From there, he moved to Minnesota, completing his MBA at the University of St. Thomas and moving into a career at a company in Benson that was on the brink of becoming Case New Holland. “I knew they were getting ready to sell. I had already worked for a large corporation back in the 80s. I wasn’t excited to be with a large corporation, and so I decided I wanted to try the entrepreneurial thing,” Wald says.

Read MoreRitalka, Inc. celebrates 25th anniversary

Beyond Reason

Frazzled, ROB rushes into the coffee shop, immediately recognizes FATHER TIME on the opposite side of the café, sitting in a booth. Rob crosses to him quickly and sits.

Read MoreBeyond Reason

ALC students explore careers virtually

On Monday, the Minnesota Valley Area Learning Center hosted a virtual reality experience in which students were able to get a taste of what various skilled trades jobs involve through the use of virtual reality headgear and a handson traveling truck that is set up for augmented reality experiences. The company working with the ALC is titled Big Ideas USA traveled from New Ulm for the day. Inside the truck, the students were able to wear virtual reality headsets, while also holding the tools of the trade, such as a paint sprayer. Inside of the classroom, students were able to wear headsets that had around 26 different skilled trade tasks that could be sampled through virtual reality programming.

Read MoreALC students explore careers virtually