News

I guess I’m a closet romantic – Valentine’s season (the first two weeks in February) has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The focus on love and showing others that we love them feels warm and wonderful.

Sharla Bengtson helps community members who signed up for a free lefse making class held at the Kilowatt Community Center last Wednesday. Bengtson showed participants the tips and tricks for how to make the best batch of lefse, and participants were able to take a couple of pieces of lefse home. Watch the video of the class by following the QR code that accompanies.

Alee Services participated in the Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 4th. Alee Services was represented at the Polar Plunge from several of the counties the that Alee Services provides services for. Jumping for Alee Services Clarkfield were Heather and Mark Claeys, Shawn Giles, Hayden Johnson, Gabby Fonkert, Cydney Manning, Gaven Manning and Sally Westre. The Polar Plunge was held in St. Peter. The money raised by Alee Clarkfield will go to support the State Special Olympics and the Granite Falls Special Olympics equestrian program. Mark and Heather Claeys raised $600 themselves. They were the top fundraisers from Clarkfield. The whole Clarkfield group raised $1,845.

Submitted by Myrna Stölen A note from Myrna: Add nuts if desired. One cup of alfalfa sprouts can be added to the bar dough, and baked in a 9x12 pan for cake.

Darrell Bittner, owner of Fish on Target, LLC, originally opened his business with a different plan in mind for it than what it has evolved to today. Because of his own interest in the sport known as cornhole, Bittner discovered an opportunity to apply for and become a regional director of the American Cornhole League in the state of Minnesota.

Vicar of Healing Waters Lutheran Parish, Lutheran Seminary Student Dallas Willard, an American philosopher, wrote in his book The Divine Conspiracy, “Who teaches you? Whose disciple are you? Honestly. One thing is sure: you are somebody’s disciple.” I think that is what Moses is really asking as he sums up his almost three-hour sermon in our reading from Deuteronomy on the 6th Sunday After Epiphany. Moses was getting close to the Promised Land. But right before he gets there, God lets him know that he’s going to die and never make it. Moses decides to take the time to go over all the laws and rules that the people need to stay right with God. Moses has been with these people for over forty years. He knows them well. He knows how they react when faced with hard times. He knows how weak they are when faced with trials. He knows they struggle with worshipping the one true God. So, Moses tries to make his last words to the people as simple as he can. Choose life—that’s what Moses said.

A Community Conversation event regarding the local efforts towards dementia-friendly community collaboration was held at the Kilowatt Community Center on Tuesday, January 31st where the community was welcome to participate in discussions to learn more about the programs offered with the help of the organization COMPAS, based out of Saint Paul.

Hazel Run resident Melissa Stevens wanted to see the park in her community improved, and decided to take action on the idea, approaching the Hazel Run City Council last summer to find out what could be done to provide a safer, fun playground for area kids. The council agreed, with the existing park being older, and located in an area where kids would have to cross a busy road, and next to an abandoned elevator. Thus, a decision was made that not only a new location for the park would be sought out, but that new playground equipment would also be found.

An upcoming event, titled “Starter Cocktail Making with Paul Drees” is scheduled to be held at The YES! House located in downtown Granite Falls. The YES! House is a communal space for people to come together to learn all kinds of art forms, such as the art of making cocktails. This event is beginner-friendly and from The YES! House’s Learn From Your Neighbor Series.