I hope you aren’t tired of reading about Medicare Open Enrollment yet! It really is an important time and there’s so much information that I could probably fill a page and still wish I had more space. Each year I meet with people who have never participated before and so I’d like to share what happens at the appointment.
First things first – come one, come all to the Murder on the Yellowstone Trail mystery dinner at the Rock on October 28th and 29th, 5pm! Tickets – $45 for a meal and a show ($35 for students) – are available at granitefallsarts.org/ murder-mystery-dinner, as well as at the Volstead House Museum, the Rock, and the Bluenose Gopher. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume to this joint fundraiser for the Arts Council and the Granite Falls Historical Society – either 1920s-style or Halloween attire will suit. There will be prizes for best-dressed, as well as a 1920s photo booth. This writer can attest: reading the proposed menu made her quite hungry. Our resident artist Leah Cook has had, yet again, a busy week. She shared one of its highlights: “While driving through town, Carol from the Mercantile spotted a kids’ ATV/ buggy someone put out with the trash and turned around to get me the address. The owner and I weren’t able to fit it into my car, so I was able to get a neighbor-favor from a retired professional truck driver with a pick-up, who scooped it up and dropped it at the ag welding class. That was a score all the way around.” Why was Leah thrilled to find a child-size ATV on the side of the road? Its smallish wheels will make a great base for a Wonder Box – the movable, magical pieces of physical art she’s teaming up with YME students to create and then install around town. In addition to supervising teens flying drones over the river, singing alto with the Building Bridges choir, and more, Leah’s been actively scrounging. If you have any of the below items to donate, she’d love to hear from you! Leah says, “People can call or text me at 207-3166776 or pass word on to me through anyone. I’ll work out whether it matches what we need and make any arrangements.” Here’s what she needs: - More Wonder Box bases. Wheelbarrows, little garden wagons, skateboards, broken mowers: anything with wheels or skis and a low center of gravity!
United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) has kicked off their annual fundraising campaign, and this year’s theme is Live United to the Power of Five. The Power of Five shows the value of community and that every effort can go much further by working together.
Congratulations to Jon Klemensen who married Shelley Friesen last Saturday, Oct. 15th at 4pm at the Story Family Farm by Kenyon, MN! Lisa Klemensen & her children attended her brother Jon & Shelley’s wedding.
Volkfest Warning: This column, starting with the title, will require some German. Even if you’re just reading silently, feel free to mispronounce them in your head.
We’re getting closer to the Great Minnesota Cook-Off, thus I’ve been working on plans, and organizing, hoping for a good turnout and a fun event for all. As I’ve been preparing I’ve been thinking about what kinds of things we really exclusively call Minnesotan. It was Betsy at Bluenose Gopher Public House that brought to my attention that we really refer to certain desserts as “bars” as a Minnesota thing. I had no idea.
Paid Election Letter When Tim Walz ran for governor four years ago, he made a promise that if elected he would work for “one Minnesota.” He made it clear that as governor there would be no rural and urban divide and that governing would not be about Democrats versus Republicans and partisan bickering. He said that Minnesota is best when Minnesotans work together for the common good.
Xcel Energy Customers in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Renville, Swift, or Yellow Medicine County have a new opportunity to “go solar” and reduce energy bills by joining a co-op solar garden being developed just west of Clara City by Minnesota-based Cooperative Energy Solutions. People are invited to learn more about the co-op solar garden at an upcoming informational session on Thursday, October 27 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo (220 S 13th Street).
The funeral service for Harold Jeseritz, 95, of Hutchinson, formerly of Wood Lake, will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at St.
Jerry Ostensoe, 71, of Granite Falls passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022, at his home with family at his side after a long struggle with ALS. Memorial services will take place Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 1 p.m.