Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Hoffman Tribune newspaper has a solid month of September - outlook is bright for the Hoffman-Kensington area's newspaper

Publishing a newspaper in a small town is truly a joint effort between that small town's citizens, civic organizations, government structures, and businesses - along with the staff of the newspaper.


With that in mind, a few changes internally have taken place at the Hoffman Tribune newspaper, as the editor has taken on sales/advertising duties along with the regular editing and photojournalism of the week-to-week activities around Hoffman/Kensington/Farwell.














As of Wednesday this week (Sept 30), the editor will finally be moved out of Belgrade as he looks towards working full time hours with the Hoffman Tribune.

(Ok, more like, now the editor can earn better compensation for the full-time hours he regularly puts in anyway at the Tribune!)

A stronger commitment to using submitted stories and photos from local residents will be one of the goals the staff at the Hoffman Tribune will work on as we come out of what was a very rough spell over the past 12-14 months.

As the editor (hopefully!) finds success bringing in new advertising, readers can look forward to seeing more pages published at least twice per month - whereas in the summer of 2009, eight pages was almost always the norm, with the exception of the August 13th issue leading up to the Hoffman Harvest Festival.

Enjoy the fall weather! I think summer's finally over!

Hanson Auctioneers hosting Real Estate Open House this Saturday (Oct 3) in Hoffman - Click on Ad below to enlarge and read more

Elvis sightings around Hoffman and Kensington! (See more by clicking on the photos below, and by checking out Page 9 of this week's Hoffman Tribune)




More information coming later this week! Stay tuned!

Tipsinah Mounds to hold "Tough Man" Golf Tournament

Tipsinah Mounds golf course will be hosting the Tipsinah Mounds Tough Man golf tournament on Sunday, October 11th. The tournament will consist of two man teams and the format will be a 2-person scramble on the front 9 and Chapman scoring on the back nine. Chapman scoring is a modified alternate shot format.
Registration will run from 11:00-11:30 with a shotgun start at 12 noon.

Flights and prizes will be dependent on the number of entries. The entry fee will be $30/person for members and $35/person for non-members. This fee includes a cart.

The tournament is being sponsored by the Tipsinah Mounds Men's League. The entry deadline is Friday, October 9th, 2009. Limit of 48 Teams.

Do one of the following to register:
1. Call (218) 685-4271 - Tipsinah Mounds Golf Course
2. Sign up at Tipsinah Mounds Golf Course
3. Contact Jody Brasel (218) 685-4811 or Kraig Hunter (218) 685-5188
rojo@runestone.net or kfhunter@runestone.net

Kensington Area Heritage Society will host a special forum and book signing on October 10 in Kensington

The Kensington Area Heritage Society has arranged a special forum and book signing to be held on Oct. 10, 2009. Scott Wolter, petrogeologist and author of the just released book "The Hooked X-Key to Secret North American History", will be presenting the results of his research concerning the plausible connection of the inscriptions on the Kensington and other North American rune stones with the Knights Templar. The documentary "Holy Grail in America", which has appeared on the History Channel, was based on Wolter's newest book.

Wolter's presentation will begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday October 10 and is expected to last about one hour. The author will be available to sign copies of his latest book following the presentation. This event will be held in Kensington's Community Center and the Society's museum/research center will be open before and after the presentation.

Questions concerning this or other Heritage Society events should be directed to:

Kensington Area Heritage Society
P.O. Box 54
19 Central Ave. N
Kensington, MN 56343
320-965-2573
kahs@runestone.net
www.kahsoc.org

Reminder - Don't forget! Final Hoffman Farmer's Market of 2009 coming this week Wednesday (click on ad below)

Friday, September 25, 2009

Incredible come-from-behind win for the West Central Area Knights football team, 18-14 win at Pelican Rapids

The memories from this game will live for years to come.

The 2-1 West Central Area Knights found themselves in a tough battle with a winless Pelican Rapids team on Friday night. The host Vikings were searching for their first in on Homecoming Night, and the Knights did their best to spoil the celebration.


After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Knights made it 7-6 on an Ethan Supler 55-yard touchdown run.

Neither team scored until late in the third quarter, when the Vikings went up 14-6 with 1:43 on the clock.

Then with 5:10 left in the game, Knights' quarterback Colton Blascyk called his own number from four yards out for a touchdown run to cut the deficit to 14-12.

Blascyk then led a last-ditch touchdown drive in the final minutes, and his 10-yard pass to tight end Bryce Olson lifted the Knights in front 18-14 with only 12 seconds left in the game.

The Knights defense held on the kickoff and final possession of the game, as they improved to 3-1 overall in 2009 and 2-1 in the Heart O' Lakes Classic Conference.

Next week, West Central Area will celebrate Homecoming week, and no doubt the energy from tonight's win will help lift school spirit throughout the week. Next Friday the Knights host neighboring rival Breckenridge in the annual Homecoming game.

More information will be updated on Saturday from Friday night's exciting action.

Message to WCA district taxpayers

Absentee ballots for the WCA School District Referendum Election will be available on Friday, October 2.

You may request an absentee ballot by stopping by the District Office located in the Secondary School in Barrett; by calling or emailing Francine Hunter at 320.528.2650 or fhunter@wca.k12.mn.us. Election day will be Tuesday, November 2, 2009 with the WCA Secondary School Media Center as the polling place. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, November 1, 2009.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A message to the general public from WCA Choir Director Bryan Poyzer

Attention Choir Alumni of WCA, West Central, Hoffman-Kensington, Elbow Lake-Wendell, Barrett, Hoffman, and Kensington schools!


You are invited to join the WCA high school choirs on the field Friday night to sing the national anthem prior to the 2009 Homecoming Game. Wear your letterman's jackets and school colors!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

WCA Knights Volleyball Boosters fundraiser


How would you like to have a personally autographed volleyball and photo from an Olympian Gold Medalist? The volleyball boosters are selling tickets as a fundraiser for chances to win volleyball and photos - personally autographed by sand volleyball Olympian Gold Medalist MISTY MAY!


Five names will be drawn after the 2nd game of the Varsity match at every home event. Those five names will be put in for the grand drawing to be held on October 8th. Two grand prize winners will be drawn that night. Each will receive a autographed volleyball and photo. Tickets will be sold at all home matches. Varsity, JV, B, & C Team Volleyball players will also be selling tickets. Need not be present to win, but make sure that your name and phone number are printed neatly on your ticket so you can be notified if you are a winner!

The Knights volleyball's next home event is THIS Thursday, September 24, when they host the Perham Yellowjackets squad (4-6 overall) at the high school. Both squads are 2-0 in the Heart O' Lakes Conference.

Hanson Auctioneers hosting Real Estate Open House this Saturday in Hoffman (click on ad to enlarge)

A photo of the property (a front view) is below the advertisement.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Toms and Fernholz pace Knight runners last week

by Kris Beuckens

It was a hot and humid day for running on the hills at the Long Prairie/Grey Eagle Cross Country meet on September 14, but instead of giving in to the heat, the Knights worked through it and competed hard.

“Our boys and girls all ran hard today and we were pleased with their times on the tough course,” said WCA Head Coach John Van Kempen.

For the Knight girls, Kylee Fernholz appears to be getting into top form as the team rounds the corner toward the second half of the season. She ran right up there with the lead pack and finished in sixth place. Abby Peterson finished in twenty-sixth place, followed by Tee Rudnitski two spots behind, and Holly Van Kempen right behind Rudnitski.

“This was a tough course but our girls ran strong on the hills,” said Van Kempen. “We didn’t have any meets last week so we worked them pretty hard in anticipation of this course and those workouts appeared to have paid off.”

Mikaylah Stark finished in thirty-sixth place, followed by Ashton Blair in forty-first, Megan Andreasen in fifty-first.

“Four of our top seven runners are eighth graders and we’ve been so proud of how the girls go out and compete,” noted Van Kempen. “For such a young team, we do have a lot of varsity experience on their legs. The girls finished in fifth place of 13 teams, behind only some much larger schools that have proven programs.”

For the boys, junior Kyle Toms dueled back and forth with Little Falls runner Preston Zimny and finally finished in second place. Alex Toms finished in seventeenth place, followed by Neil Hyttsten in thirty-fifth and John Olhoft just one spot behind him. Bryan Starner finished in sixty-second place followed closely by Gage Odegaard and Tyler Severance.

“The boys finished in sixth place overall against some teams we will be seeing the section meet to go to state. Although we were hoping for a top five finish for the team, the boys had some good times on the difficult course in some hot weather,” noted Coach Van Kempen. “It was a good challenge for us to see where we are and where we need to go to challenge these teams, both individually and as a team. We feel like we are so close to getting over the hump to be a consistent team.

For the junior varsity boys, Carson Hunter finished in thirtieth place, followed by Alex Dahlen in forty-eighth and Kent Kjesbo three spots behind him. “We’re hoping that some of these boys can step up and add some punch to the varsity team as the season progresses.”

For the girls’ junior varsity, Marissa Skinnemoen finished in thirteenth place of the thirty-two runners.

The junior high boys were again led by seventh grader Jacob Rakozy finishing in seventh place. He was followed by Cory Wentland in twenty-fourth place, Tyler Schill in thirty-first and Niklas Strobel in thirty-seventh. For the girls junior high, Katie Poyzer received some hardware for her tenth place finish and Andrea Duncan finished in eighteenth place.

The Knights also competed last Thursday at New London – Spicer’s Little Crow Golf Course.

The girls finished in seventh place of the fifteen teams at the meet and were without the services of top runner Kylee Fernholz who could not run due to sickness. Then, to make matters worse, Tee Rudnitski slightly sprained her ankle during the race. “To finish where we did was better than I could have predicted with the health issues we had,” said Van Kempen.

Eighth grader Holly Van Kempen was our top runner in twentieth place. She was followed by Abby Peterson in thirty-first place, and Megan Andreasen in thirty-eighth.
“Megan really ran a great race as she knocked off more than two minutes from her previous race,” said the WCA coach. “Mikaylah Stark finished in forty-fourth, followed by Ashton Blair in forty-fifth and Rudnitski two spots behind Blair.

“There were many teams from our section there so maybe we can sneak up on some them in the section meet next time with our squad at 100 percent,” noted Van Kempen.

Kyle Toms again looked comfortable in winning the boys portion of the race. “As usual, he ran a smart race, hanging with the front runners and saving his energy for the end.” He ended up winning by twelve seconds which is a pretty good margin in a 5K.
Alex Toms placed seventeenth overall, Neil Hyttsten finished twenty-fourth and John Olhoft twenty-ninth. “John and Neil have been very close in every race so far, finishing in the top third of competitors which really helps our team score well,” said Van Kempen.

The boys finished in third place of the fifteen teams. Van Kempen said the team’s goal was to get over the hump of just finishing in the middle of the pack at these meets. “we’ve proved that we are capable of doing that for both the girls’ and boys’ teams. It looks like we may need to adjust our goals as the season progresses.”
Brian Starner finished in fifty-first place to round out the scoring for us as they only count the top five runners. Tyler Severance followed closely, finishing in fifty-sixth place and Gage Odegaard came in three spots behind him.

For the junior high, Katie Poyzer again ran a good race, finishing in fourteenth place of the 31 runners. “Katie has consistently been running with the front pack at these races.”

The boys were led by seventh grader Jacob Rakozy who finished in ninth place of the 46 runners. Cory Wentland finished in thirtieth place and Tyler Schill finished in thirty-ninth place.

For the junior varsity, ninth grader Andrea Duncan finished in twenty-second place and continues to improve as the year progresses. The junior varsity boys were led by Carson Hunter who placed fourteenth followed by Alex Dahlen in twentieth place, Kent Kjesbo in twenty-ninth and Niklas Strobel in thirty-fourth.

The Knights’ next action will be on Saturday, September 26 at The Milaca Megameet which is the largest high school cross country meet in the United States. There will be a few hundred teams competing from as far away as Colorado.

Editor's note: Due to severe space limitations in this week's Tribune, this story can be found on this blog.

12-gauge gun for sale

FOR SALE: 12-gauge Mossberg with slug barrel. $200 or B/O. Call (320) 815-4877.

Invitation to all WCA voters - *Special Levy meeting tonight (Tuesday) at the WCA High School Auditorium - other meetings scheduled as well

The West Central Area School District would like to invite you to attend any of the community meetings listed below to hear about and discuss the West Central Area school district operating levy referendum election coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
The school district would like to give details as to why the district is asking voters to revoke the current $950 operating levy and replace it with an amount at $1250. Please plan on attending one of the meetings, as we believe it is important to receive input from community members in regards to this issue.

Meetings in the Hoffman Tribune coverage area:
• WCA Secondary School Auditorium, Barrett - Tues. Sept 22 at 7:00pm.
• Hoffman Community Center - Tues. October 6 at 7:00pm.
• Kensington - WCA South Elementary Library - Tues. October 13 at 7:00pm.
• Barrett Community Center - Thurs. Oct 29 at 7:00pm.


Other meetings with individual organizations will also be scheduled.

Don't miss out! Next installment of the Hoffman Farmer's Market - this Wednesday night (click ad below)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Runestone documenary to be aired on The History Channel on Sunday night

“The Holy Grail in America” is scheduled to air on The History Channel tonight, Sunday, September 20, at 7 p.m. and again at 11 p.m.

Footage taped locally includes a re-enactment of the digging up of the stone at the Kensington Runestone Park. The crew also taped at the Olaf Ohman home in the park and at the Runestone Museum in Alexandria.

Take in a few scenes from the University of Minnesota-Morris "Cougar Fest" on Saturday afternoon at Big Cat Stadium - video clips at the bottom

The event was advertised on Page 5 of the September 17th Hoffman Tribune. (And yes, that is Hoffman resident Keith Swanson in the second photo, doing play-by-play in the pressbox on KKOK radio with Paul McDonald.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Views and a video clip from Wednesday night's Sing-a-Long at Immanual Lutheran Church in rural Barrett















The outside view of this rural church, with the country landscape in the background at all angles, is simply majestic!




The view of Bullfrog's Pot Roast buffet/salad bar on Tuesday this week (the Editor took in a hearty meal for Noon lunch)

Further below on this website, you can view an advertisement showing their full buffet menu... the ad is also found on Page 2 of this week's Hoffman Tribune.

Solem Church Preservation Association (rural Kensington) invites all to Fall Harvest Festival this Sunday, Sept 20 at 2:00pm

Solem Preservation Association welcomes all to their Fall Harvest Festival on Sunday Sept 20 at 2:00pm. Featuring Marvin and Marlys Jensen telling of their exciting journey in Tanzania and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Followed by dessert and coffee.

Solem Church is located north of Kensington on Douglas County Road 3.

Noteworthy: Hanson Auctioneers hosting an event this Saturday in rural Hoffman (click on ad below to enlarge)

Vikingland Library System coming to Hoffman-Kensington-Farwell next week, September 23

VIKINGLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM will be in Hoffman and Kensington on Wednesday Sept 23rd from 11:30am to Noon at Farmers State Bank in Hoffman and from 12:30pm to 1pm at First State Bank in Kensington. They will be at the Farwell Post Office from 1:10pm to 1:30pm.

Photos that go with September 17th Jim's Journal in the Hoffman Tribune

Descriptions of the photos -
• Photo 1: This 1906 novelty postcard is real tanned leather and is Dalum’s oldest Hoffman card with the 2 cent stamp still holding.
• Photo 2: This card shows the Kensington School that was built in 1897 and destroyed by fire in 1911. The date at the bottom is when Dalum bought it on the internet.
• Photo 3: This greeting card was sent from Kensington by C. O. Lund to Mrs. Ackson in Alexandria on March 6, 1913, thanking for Christmas gifts received three months earlier.
• Photo 4: An Aug. 13, 1909, card shows the Hoffman depot, the water tank, and the train refilling its reservoir.




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Have you noticed any Elvis sightings around Grant County?

Rumor has it that there was an Elvis sighting at Barrett Farm Supply - take a peek on Page 7 of this week's Hoffman Tribune!

U.S. Farmers See Their Income Plunge 38% As Recession Grips Agriculture - Huffingtonpost.com

After some of the most profitable years in a generation, American farmers have seen their incomes dwindle as the recession begins to weigh on food prices. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning on the sad state of the heartland, which had been largely insulated from the downturn in 2007 and 2008.

How bad is the drop in farmer's incomes? The Agriculture Department reports that U.S. farm profits will dip 38 percent this year alone. (For some context, the S&P 500 index is up just over 10 percent this year.) Here's the Wall Street Journal:

”The Agriculture Department said it expects net farm income -- a widely followed measure of profitability -- to drop to $54 billion in 2009, down $33.2 billion from last year's estimated net farm income of $87.2 billion, which was nearly a record high. The drop in farm prices is likely to lead to a slower increase in food costs for American consumers, economists say."

As food prices decline, even staple-producing dairy farmers are hemorrhaging money. Bloomberg picks up the story:

"'I haven't talked to a dairy farmer who isn't losing money,' said Jim Goodman, an organic-milk producer who farms 500 acres about 70 miles northwest of Madison, Wisconsin.

Farms with at least 1,000 cows are losing $30,000 to $40,000 a month, Goodman said. Revenue from dairy products may fall 34 percent this year to $23 billion, while the value of meat animals will drop 11 percent, according to the USDA. "

As the WSJ points out land values are still dropping, which has reduced farmers' chief source of collateral and made it difficult to borrow. )This is assuming, of course, that banks are actually lending at normal rates.) More from the WSJ:

"Gene Gourley, who raises 60,000 hogs every year on his farm in Webster City, Iowa, is losing as much as $30 on each hog he sells. He said Thursday that he is rethinking plans to buy a trailer for hauling feed to his livestock. 'With hogs losing so much money, you're basically burning up anything you could have saved," said Mr. Gourley.

"You just don't have the equity to go buy new upgrades.'"

Editor proud to advertise the following event: Cougarfest! Coming this Saturday at the University of Minnesota-Morris athletic complex


The Hoffman Tribune editor was a student at the University of Minnesota-Morris from 1996-2001.

Bullfrog's in Hoffman now serving breakfast, as well as Lunch & Dinner buffet (click on ad below)

Main Street versus Wall Street: One Year Later

In the pool halls, the hustlers and the losers
I used to watch em through the glass
Down on Main Street.

-Bob Seger

We're at the one-year anniversary of when Wall Street collapsed and Washington politicians bailed them out.


All the events of the last year proved at least one point: Wall Street and Washington don't understand what is happening on Main Street.

The people in Washington are pushing the line that they saved us from "something even worse." Like what?

No one on Main Street is buying it. Watch a Main Street crowd boo when a politician defends the bailouts.

Wall Street firms are calculating their next big bonuses. In the meantime, people on Main Street are suffering. Unemployment is high and uncertainty is higher. All the "happy talk" from the elites of Washington and Wall Street is not going to make it go away

People are not going to buy houses and cars until they feel secure about their jobs and their futures. Unemployment remains near 10%, but the people in Washington decided to go on to other topics.

If you get people back to work, the economy will fall into line.

It always does.

I get upset at the mantra that Ben Bernanke is some kind of savior. President Obama, like many Washington insiders, bought into this farce and into giving Ben another term of being Federal Reserve Chair.

Maybe Ben has learned from his mistakes and maybe we won't get another depression/recession next time.

I was critical of Bernanke long before he was appointed. I wanted someone in that post with real life experience. Bernanke missed all the signs that a recession was coming. He followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, in assuming that Wall Street would regulate itself.

I liked to ask Ben and Alan, "How is that working for you?"

Actually, it worked out for Bernanke. He's getting another four years. The rest of us will be paying for his mistakes long after he is gone.

All of the people in charge of the economy have one thing in common: they have never run a business. Geithner, Bernanke, Dr. Lawrence Summers (and even President Obama, for that matter) have never met a payroll or had a business loan that they were personally responsible to repay.

All spent a lot of time on Wall Street. I wish one of them had spent a few minutes on Main Street.

On Main Street, you don't get to use the taxpayers' money as collateral. If you screw up, your own money is riding on the outcome.

Like many people on Main Street, I was opposed to all the government bailouts. If my small business goes broke, we close the door and find another way to make a living.

I want everyone to play by those rules.

I have a buddywho works in construction. He hasn't built a house since February. His family is struggling and he is behind on his bills. I don't see anyone on Wall Street weeping for him.

Bailout recipient John Thain dropped a million dollars decorating his office at Merrill Lynch. Maybe he will hire my friend when he wants to install another $35,000 commode.

You can blame the economic crisis on bad decisions. But those decisions were influenced by Wall Street trying to legislate its way into easy profits.

I heard a lot of talk about campaign finance "reform" during the campaign. I have not heard a word since then. Washington does not want the easy money from Wall Street to stop. There's even a Supreme Court case recently argued that could open even more the spigots of big money from corporations to politicians.

Robert Kaiser wrote a great book about Washington lobbyists called Too Damn Much Money. If you want to see how we wound up with "too big to fail" companies, read that book.

It was already hard to defeat an incumbant congressman or to change the regulatory process. The flow of Wall Street money makes it even harder.

We can't pass alaw that will stop the flow of money. They tried it with public funding of presidential campaigns and it became a joke. President Obama opted out of the system and suffered no negative political ramifications.

I usually don't agree with my fellow Kentuckian, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, but we both are opposed to the concept of campaign finance limits and public financing.

I don't want people to think that "reform" is being accomplished when it is not.

People who want to get around the system will figure out how to do it.

If candidates can't accept political action committee money, like-minded people will give individual checks. If candidates can't receive individual checks, contributors give to a political party. If corporation's can't give money directly to a candidate, they start a political action committee.

No matter what the roadblock, someone finds a new solution. If Wall Street wants to give to a candidate, some smart lawyer is going to figure out how to make it happen.

Funneling money is the ultimate "too big to fail" business.

I sound pessimistic, but I'm not. Bad economies eventually become good economies. The bailouts prolong the pain. It would have been better to take the hit on the economy all at once, rather than racking up trillions in deficits.

I can see signs that people on Main Street are paying closer attention to what is happening in Washington. It could be that getting money from Wall Street will cost politicians an election, instead of greasing the skids to victory.

It's like any fight. Main Street will get Washington's attention the first time someone is knocked to the canvas.

People are still being distracted. I've seen more publicity about Michael Jackson, death panels, Taylor Swift and the guy who yelled at Obama than why businesses can't get loans.

As we get nearer to the election season, it will be in Washington's interest to find out what the people on Main Street are saying.

It will be in Main Street's interest to make sure their voices are being heard.

Don McNay, columnist at www.donmcnay.com

Big news at Bullfrog's Bar and Grill in Hoffman (click on ad below)

Monday, September 14, 2009

Detailer position open at Valu Ford of Elbow Lake

Job opportunity: Valu Ford of Elbow Lake is currently accepting applications to fill a position in our Detail Shop. This is a fulltime position with full benefits. Experience preferred but not necessary. Will train the right individual. Please apply in person or send resume to PO Box 1003, Elbow Lake 56531.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

A couple scenes from the Stacy Polzin McIntyre Memorial Tournament in Morris - WCA Knights were one of 12 teams participating

The tournament was held at the University of Minnesota-Morris, hosted by the UMM Cougars volleyball team.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Ken Anderson Pancake Feed benefit this Saturday morning (Sept 12) at 7am ('til 11am) at the Kensington Community Center




A dear business man, family man, and friend to many will be having a pancake benefit on his behalf this Saturday (Sept 12) in Kensington at the Community Center. Farwell-area nursery owner Ken Anderson, who is in the midst of a fierce battle with cancer, is the guest of honor for the Kensington Lions, who are sponsoring the pancake feed beginning at 7am.

Some moving around and new additions at Hoffman's Main Street Galleria

Stop in and check it out, in friendly downtown Hoffman!

Valu Ford/Valu Chrysler of Morris has the following trucks for closeout sale (click to enlarge the ad)

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A few thoughts on the car bailout issue

Auto makers need to start selling cars in the 3000-4000 pound range that get 40 miles per gallon or more - this is something the public must demand! Don't buffalo me or anyone else to think that the car makers don't have the technology to do this. Any other type of discussion is just a distraction from what the real problem is = new cars get terrible gas mileage in relation to what cars did in the 1980s and 1990s.

The public should be up in arms over this issue - we should NOT need the government's heavy hand to demand such a thing.

A second thought - the "Cash for Clunkers" program has eaten the lunch for numerous used car dealers, and it didn't really help out smaller new car dealers either. At the same time, it did inject some cash into the hands of people who aren't connected to Wall Street - and that is a good thing.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Is this not the most horrible thing you've ever heard? Toddler from Wheaton dies from injuries received during a "fight" at a church!

http://www.morrissuntribune.com/event/article/id/18829

Follow the link to the story.

Have we lost our minds in this country? We are very close to the edge, I'm afraid.

Knights football victorious in season opener, 20-7 win at B-B-E

The WCA Knights football team won their second straight season opener, with a convincing 20-7 win at B-B-E on Friday night.

More will follow later.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Missing Dog alert

Missing: Brown and white Dachshund. No collar. Ran away on August 26. Please call (320) 986-2868 or (320) 310-5469.

Hanson Auctioneers hosts Metal To Money auction Friday morning

A couple video clips at the top








Thursday, September 3, 2009

State Fair Takes Precautionary Measures with 4-H Program

The Minnesota State Fair, in partnership with Minnesota 4-H and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), has canceled the remainder of the 4-H Arts-In and Ambassador programs scheduled for the 2009 State Fair.

From a total of 120, 17 members of these two 4-H groups developed flu-like symptoms and were sent home earlier during the fair; four of the cases have been confirmed as novel H1N1 influenza.

The remaining participants in the two 4-H programs were sent home earlier today to limit additional transmission and suppress possible new illness among 4-H members arriving later today. The Minnesota Department of Health recommended this action to help reduce the cycle of infection among the 4-H program participants.

“Our commitment is to keep our 4-H youth safe,” said 4-H State Program Leader Dorothy McCargo Freeman. “Minnesota 4-H is very concerned about the health and well-being of its members. We will continue to monitor our youth very closely and will take appropriate action when necessary. With the exception of some leadership and performing arts programs, all other 4-H activities will continue as originally scheduled.”

“It is important to point out that it is perfectly safe for people to come to the State Fair. We do want to remind people that if you are sick you should stay home. It is also a good idea to wash your hands frequently and cover any coughs or sneezes,” said John Stine, Assistant Commissioner of Health at MDH.

“The 4-Hers are very disappointed with our decision,” said Jerry Hammer, executive vice president of the fair, “but we would rather err on the side of caution than to take a chance with the health and well being of these young men and women.”

Further information on the novel H1N1 virus is available on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website at www.health.mn.state.us. MDH can also be reached at (651) 201-5414.

Grant County youth who were scheduled to attend encampment 3 at the State Fair were notified this morning about the influenza situation; and it was left to the parents to make the decision if they still wanted their children to attend the 4-H State Fair Encampment for 2 1/2 days. Six youth are attending, plus two others are going just for the judging sessions.

Any further questions directly related to the State Fair and 4-H should be directed to Wendy Huckaby at the Minnesota State 4-H office 651-239-7554.

Other inquiries locally regarding the H1N1 virus can be directed to Stevens Traverse Grant Public Health 320-589-7425, or the Elbow Lake Office at 218-685-5301. Additionally, please check out the www.flu.gov for up-to-date flu information.

Anyone looking for preparedness information for yourself, your family, or your business can contact Grant County Emergency Management at 218-685-4967.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

A few items I couldn't squeeze into the September 3rd issue of the Hoffman Tribune

(Top 2 photos) - Kensington and Hoffman participation in the Donnelly Threshing Bee parade over the weekend. (Bottom photos) Sights from the WCA South Open House held on August 27th.