June 2025

Fischbach visits Granite Falls

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach recently met with the Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce. They had a roundtable-style discussion where the congresswoman heard from small business owners and community members about the issues and concerns affecting their community.

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Letter to the Editor

On behalf of the Western Fest Committee, we would like to extend many thank yous to Granite Falls and all the surrounding communities, near and far, for their support of the Western Fest PRCA Stampede Rodeo – the 2nd Largest Rodeo in MN!

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“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.” Psalm 29:3

Charles Hummel was a Christian educator, author, and leader who was best known for his influential booklet titled “Tyranny of the Urgent.” The booklet is basically a reflection on time management and spiritual priorities. Hummel talks about the tension between what is urgent, meaning the things that demand our immediate attention—and what is important, meaning the things that truly matter in the long run. Though this booklet was published in 1967, he saw that many, even then, lived under constant pressure, reacting to urgent tasks while neglecting deeper, more meaningful commitments like prayer, relationships, and purposeful work. Hummel challenges readers to resist this “tyranny” by seeking God’s guidance every day, allowing “divine priorities” to shape how we spend our time. One of his key insights is that “the need itself is not the call”—just because something feels demanding, like it needs to be done immediately, doesn’t mean it’s what God is asking us to do. Instead, he encourages intentional living rooted in discernment, rest, and trust. In his booklet he said, “When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him….” and “Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy…” and “The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.”

Read More“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.” Psalm 29:3

Notes from the Granite Area Arts Council: Hats Off to June…

By the time this column goes to print, the weather will almost certainly have changed. However, I would like to note that these words come to you from an outdoor desk and a ridiculously beautiful June day, the kind I think about longingly, oh… six months from now. The other Solstice may be dark, but it carries with it the promise of this time’s never-ending sunsets, afternoons with soft grasses and butterflies whispering about and seventy-degree temperatures and near-cloudless skies.

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This Happened Here: Notes from the B Line…

[This week’s “This Happened Here” is courtesy of a Minneapolis writer, data analyst, and comedian who is also known as my brother Joe Hennen. Its “happening”: last Saturday June 14th. Its “here”: an extremely slow-moving bus making its way from Minneapolis to St. Paul, a line whose maiden voyage, I’d argue, had big Titanic vibes. I am glad Joe survived to write this column… and also that he told us all of this after he was safely home. Insofar as it’s possible, I hope you enjoy this tale of slowly-escalating danger and the beautiful stubbornness of the human spirit. –Jessie Hennen]

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