Opinion
- November 29, 2023There’s an urgent need for child foster families – and adoptive homes as well. In 2022, 11,235 children in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care. For children who left out-of-home placement, 20 percent were adopted by families, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you’ve ever wondered about fostering children or adopting children from foster care, here’s what you…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterNovember 29, 2023Spending time with my grandchildren over Thanksgiving brought home the fact that they never sit still. If they needed to get somewhere, they ran. Running, to children, is second nature. Running, to an adult, means relearning what used to come naturally. I want to regain that carefree feeling of my childhood, where I could run for what seemed like miles with very little effort. For several…
By RIck Peterson, general managerNovember 29, 2023
By Brenda Winter, columnistNovember 26, 2023Peeking over my folded hands, I watched Mom and Dad pray the blessing spoken at our family’s meals for more than 60 years. “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.” It was November 2022, just a few days before Mom passed away. One end of the large table held our meal, the other end a pile of newspapers, magazines and papers pertaining to the diagnosis. Dad’s…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 26, 2023Question: The first snow storm of the season seemed to catch a lot of us by surprise. Can you talk about what to do to be ready for winter travel? Thank you and be safe. Answer: You are correct, and it comes down to being prepared. While summer months are the deadliest on Minnesota roads, wintertime leads to the most crashes and poses safety risks and hazards. Here are some tips to help stay…- November 15, 2023Shop online safely this holiday season The holiday season often brings a surge in cyber-attacks, and local banks are alerting customers of threats to watch for and tips to navigate the online world safely during the holidays. Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals posing as legitimate entities, often via emails or messages. They aim to trick recipients into revealing…
- By Lori Sorenson, editorNovember 15, 2023The October calendar had barely turned to November when I noticed my first twinge of holiday angst — the realization that I haven’t recovered from July and here we are on the cusp of another holiday season. It doesn’t help that I’m getting older and time is indeed flying faster. It doesn’t help that news deadlines hurtle us perpetually toward the next big holiday. (I requested second-grade…
By RIck Peterson, general managerNovember 15, 2023I misplaced my phone the other day, and you won’t believe where I found it. I’ll give you a couple of hints. I was using the phone as a flashlight, so think dark space … or in this case, a dimly lighted space. Hint No. 2: I was working in the back garage at the office. Hint No. 3: I had completely covered up the phone so you couldn’t see it without uncovering it. Hint No. 4: After covering up…- November 08, 2023Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. This year Veterans Day is on Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s a holiday honoring all service members. Nov. 11, 1918, was considered the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” and was called Armistice Day. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterNovember 08, 2023Several times I’ve watched Chelsie Hermsen’s YouTube videos. I’ve learned she is funny, poignant and a realist. Never mind she uses a wheelchair and her cerebral palsy slows her speech. The spunky 38-year-old started her own channel in March, regularly producing and posting videos. Her goal: To reach 300 subscribers. She currently has 65. I don’t know Chelsie personally and only became aware…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 08, 2023Question: What is the difference between careless or reckless driving? What about “exhibition driving”? Answer: In general, the difference between reckless and careless is that “reckless” is generally “intentional” or the driver “should know” that the driving behavior could injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless driving - This involves a motorist who’s aware of…- November 01, 2023As weather turns cold, homeowners and renters can take steps now to save money, save energy and stay warm. The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers resources for home weatherization and energy efficiency. There are easy steps to weatherize and make your home more energy-efficient. Among the low-cost, simple steps for saving energy you could do: Insulate: •Add plastic film over windows…
By Brenda Winter, columnistNovember 01, 2023With eyes big as saucers, our granddaughters surveyed the scene before them. We were at The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, about an hour from where the girls live. Grandpa and I had set aside time for this very adventure – a day trip to this “one-of-a-kind theme park attraction that showcases a full-size replica of Noah's Ark, the vessel that saved his family and all the animals…
By Rick Peterson, general managerNovember 01, 2023So on most Monday mornings around our office, conversation usually starts with “Did you have a nice weekend?” Oftentimes the response is based on the weekend weather or maybe how the Vikings did. This past weekend the weather wasn’t all that great, and while the Vikings won, they lost their quarterback for the season. My weekend, however, based on weather and football was nothing short of…- October 18, 2023Last week families and volunteers “Painted the Prairie Purple” for Dementia Awareness Week, which culminated with a Dementia Walk Saturday in Luverne City Park. The efforts are dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of dementia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. Dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from disorders affecting the brain.…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterOctober 18, 2023Members of the S7 Wellness Group (which includes me) have been challenged this month to get more individuals signed up for our virtual health group. For each new member we attract, we’ll receive $100 — that we can split with the new member. I thought I would give the challenge a try and completed the required Facebook posts about my own wellness journey that began a year ago. At that time, I…
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