July 2025

From the Editor’s Desk

As it goes sometimes, all of the best intentions can fall to the wayside when things get busy. I had been accumulating the necessary items needed to work on a project to accompany my photo exhibit that will go up this fall in the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council gallery, and finally had all of the necessary supplies to work on botanical printing of native plant species found in the public lands that are featured in the photo exhibit. Alas, I had big plans for the weekend to get out in nature and collect some of the plants to work on the project, but, as a volunteer also, I ended up being the one to not have out of town plans for the weekend - thus, the entire weekend was spent volunteering.

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Granite Falls Area Community Foundation Endowment Fund Memorials Received During January-June 2025

The Granite Falls Area Community Foundation (GFACF) would like to recognize the following Memorial gifts given to GFACF Endowment Fund from January 1 to June 30, 2025. Memorials to the GFACF Endowment Fund help the Foundation provide grants to local/area non-profit organizations for special projects that benefit the community. Memorial gifts may be sent to GFACF, P.O. Box 143, Granite Falls, MN 56241 or donated online: www.granitefallsfoundation.org

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USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to agricultural producers in Minnesota impacted by recent severe weather

Agricultural operations in Minnesota have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather including tornadoes, derecho winds, hail, lightning, and flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

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Beyond Reason: July…

Germany is efficient. France is flirtatious. Canada apologizes for being in your way, even though I don’t know anyone on their way to the North Pole other than Will Steiger. But America? If you want to understand America, skip the textbooks or history lessons. At a distance, just observe the month of July.

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Live Well, Age Wisely: Does my insurance plan have extra benefits I’m not using?

In the last few years, insurance companies have begun adding new extra benefits to their Medicare Advantage plans. While most have included some form of hearing, dental, and vision coverage for years, many now offer an over-the-counter allowance for qualifying purchases. Some even have special discounts or coupons for food. A number of people who have these benefits aren’t using them- because they aren’t aware that their plan includes them!

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