UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, March 18th: Clarkfield Fire Department presents Hazel Run St. Patrick’s Dance 2023 featuring the Honeybadgers. Bring your own bottle, setups available. Doors open at 8 p.m. Prizes/ food/live music. At the Hazel Run City Hall.

Kilowatt Community Center News

Submitted Healthy Tip of the Week: A sore throat is most often caused by a viral infection, which usually resolves on its own. But the scratchiness is uncomfortable, and swallowing worsens the irritation.

CRYSTAL “TICO” BLUE

Crystal “Tico” Blue, 59, of Granite Falls passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at her home. Celebration of Life was held Friday, March 10, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Granite Falls. Following the service there was a gathering at Tolley’s. Visitation was held 12 - 1 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Crystal Kay Blue was born on December 28, 1963, in Marshall, the daughter of Elmer “Chris” and Mayvis (Christensen) Etrheim. She grew up around Marshall, Hanley Falls, and Granite Falls and attended Granite Falls High School. In her younger years her brother Billy could not pronounce her name and started calling her Tico, which stuck as a life long nickname. In the mid 80’s Tico obtained her GED and enrolled at Granite Falls Vo-Tech, earning her degree in machine tool in 1990. She started working part time at Chandler Industries during school and has continued to work there for 30+ years. Tico had a way with words and made new friends everywhere, always one to help whenever people asked. She enjoyed cooking and made huge holiday meals so she could pack up meals and bring to people who didn’t have family near - Thanksgiving was always her favorite. Tico enjoyed gambling and participating in pool league. She enjoyed long weekend trips to pool tournaments, casinos, and occasionally Vegas. On one special trip in the fall of 2014 her friends, Jamie, Lori, Greg, Gary Dean, went to Vegas and then Jamie and Gary Dean surprised her by renting a car and driving her out to California to see the ocean as they knew how much she had wanted to see an ocean all her life. Tico is survived by her children, Tawnya (Scott Anspach) Anderson of Montevideo, Tremayne Blue (Jen Holien) of Clarkfield; brothers, Earl (Donna) Craig of Clarkfield, Ricky (Jane) Craig) of the Twin Cities; as well as other relatives and friends; and her cat Baby Boy. Tico is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mayvis; brother, Billy Etrheim; niece, Melinda Craig. Arrangements a

SBA Deadline April 10 for Minnesota organizations to apply for Working Capital Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in Minnesota that April 10 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans for economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 8-13, 2022. PNPs located in the Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Morrison, Nobles, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine are eligible to apply. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

New free open art class on Thursdays

Cynthia Christians Reporter cchristians@cherryroad.com Granite Area Arts Council is starting a new open art class for the public to come in to enjoy. Beginning on Thursday, April 6th from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Granite Area Arts Council will be holding two open art and coffee groups. They are highly encouraging the public to come drop in for coffee, art, and conversation. It could also be a great opportunity to meet others in the community who enjoy similar hobbies.

Local Foods Forum to address opportunities for farmers & eaters March 23

Farmers and eaters in the Upper Minnesota River Valley will have an opportunity to come to together and learn about the opportunities involved in growing the local foods economy on Thursday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Table 212 in Montevideo (4490 US-212). Lunch will be served during the Land Stewardship Project’s (LSP) Upper Minnesota River Valley Food Forum, and a social hour will follow the event. The event is free, but RSVPs are required. To reserve a spot or for more information, see bit.ly/LSPFoodForum or contact LSP’s Scott DeMuth at 612-767-9487 or sdemuth@landstewardshipproject. org.

Customers encouraged to monitor natural gas meter and furnace vent

With the snow fall totals inching toward winter season records across Great Plains Natural Gas’ service territories, the company is encouraging customers to inspect their natural gas meter and furnace vent areas to make sure there is not a buildup of snow and ice. Customers are encouraged to clear the snow and ice away from the meter set and the furnace vent area.

Change the Outcome substance use disorder event planned for the public

The local task force of volunteers from organizations such as Prairie Five, the Montevideo Police Department, the City of Montevideo, 6W Community Corrections, and a local judge that was formed in order to access the services of a collaborative effort nationwide to address opioid addictions in rural communities has recently completed the first traveling event of their months-long participation in the program.

LINDA C. BLACK HOROSCOPES

Nancy Black, Tribune Content Agency TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (03/16/23). Fortune follows initiative this year. Pamper yourself for high performance with regular personal rituals. Resolving communication breakdowns this winter leads to surging springtime profits. Adapt study or travel plans around summer barriers, before shared ventures harvest autumn abundance. Make hay while the sun shines.

4-H connects youth to careers in veterinary science

Southwest Minnesota 4-H in partnership with Ridgewater College held a Junior Vet Kids Camp on February 11 at the Agricultural and Veterinary Science Department on campus in Willmar for 52 youth from Southwest Minnesota.