Bring your family to "A Day at the Rink" in Hoffman this weekend (Saturday)

A photo of the skating rink, taken this past December after the first few sheets of ice were laid down.

Come to the Hoffman Skating Rink at the City Park, from 11am to 2pm on Saturday for the Hoffman Commerce and Ag's "A Day at the Rink"

Lunch will be served (hot chocolate, hot dogs & chips).

Everyone is welcome!

NEEDED: Gently used skates

If you have any skates you would like to donate we would appreciate all sizes. Below are the sizes we need the most.

Grant County Wind Farm project runs into a minor snafu - but should be back "online" within a week

The Grant County Wind Farm project, a $40+ million investment by a number of local families in the Herman-Hoffman area, ran into an "electrical inspection" issue in mid-February. A state inspector found some problems with the electrical work on the towers and ordered them to be shut down until fixed.

The good news is, electricians are doing just that, correcting the problems, as I type this. The towers should be back online within a week or so, according to Wind Farm general manager Ed Persons.

A host of very odd rumors have been flying around Hoffman lately regarding the project. They are all untrue.

Two more businesses are at the Main Street Galleria in Hoffman

The top photo is of a few beautiful wood carvings from "Miller's Outback Craft Shop" - owned by Orrin Miller of Alexandria.

The second photo is of "Tutu Cute" - a princess/bachelorette and accessory display - owned by Tanya Winter of rural Hoffman.

























Stop in and check them out!

Boy Scouts' Pinewood Derby held on Sunday in Hoffman

Tribune photo by Brianna Olson.












Look for results and photos from the event in the February 25 issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.

West Central Area Knights wrestling falls to Border West 42-30 in Section 6A-semi-finals

The WCA Knights wrestling team finished the 6A playoffs with a 1-1 record, falling this afternoon at New York Mills high school to the Border West Buccaneers. Overall this season including playoffs, WCA went 10-7 in dual meets.

Read more on the matchup in the February 25th issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.

**Border West thrashed New York Mills 47-19 in the championship match.

More video clips from the legislative forum in Hoffman are being uploaded today on the Editor's Youtube page

Over a dozen video clips are being added to my Youtube page this morning and then again later Saturday afternoon.

The three clips that I posted yesterday have already received about a 1/2 dozen views each, which is impressive since the "views" at my Youtube page over the last few weeks haven't gotten much attention.

While you're at it, you can also view video clips from Thursday's Hoffman Commerce and Ag meeting, also held at Anderson's Dew Drop Inn. I believe I posted 10 or 11 clips from that meeting as well.

Thank you for being "engaged" in your civic duty to be an informed citizen!

Here's a shorter video clip from the forum.

Please come Sunday, February 21st to support local Hoffman resident Kristina Shiermeister

At the Hoffman Community Center, Pancake Benefit 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The following message is by Becky Reuter, of Hoffman.

"Kristina is my best friend and hunting buddy whom is battling her second round of breast cancer. She is a loving mom to her 6 1/2 month old son, Gage. She has a great sense of humor and has been very strong during this tough battle.

Most of her family lives far away and quite a few of her good friends will be gone during this benefit. I know she would greatly appreciate your love and support during this tough time. Please forward this to anyone else you know in Hoffman and the surrounding area so there will be a good turnout to make her feel loved by the community.

Please keep her and her family in your prayers!
Thank you for taking the time to read this."

Sincerely,
Becky Reuter

Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church hosting a community breakfast in Kensington on Sunday

Click on the photo to enlarge the poster.

Representative Torrey Westrom and Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen will be in Hoffman today for a Town Hall forum

The meeting is set to begin at 12:20pm at Anderson's Dew Drop Inn.

If you can't attend, you can watch video clips from the forum on the Editor's Youtube page: www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor


Below, District 11A Representative Torrey Westrom talks to the crowd at the forum on Friday afternoon.

Marty Seifert's governor bid is in trouble

A blast from the past, via the Nov. 2, 2006 Star Tribune: Gov. Tim Pawlenty questioned Dutcher's suitability as lieutenant governor.

"The campaign really is a job interview, and she has shown that she's unaware of one of the most important issues and economic tools for all of Greater Minnesota. And that's E85 ethanol," said Pawlenty.

When Marty Seifert introduced his running mate this past week, he flat-out lied to the public by stating that she knows what E-85 is. After reporters actually asked the lieutenant governor candidate (an Anoka County Commissioner) what E-85 is, she promptly flunked out on 3 or 4 questions about ethanol.

Commerce and Ag meeting being held today in Hoffman at Noon

The Hoffman Commerce & Ag meeting is today at NOON at Anderson's Dew Drop Inn.

See you all there!

Video clips from the meeting will be uploaded to the Editor's Youtube page later this afternoon. The link is: www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor

Both of my wrestling teams win Section 6A quarterfinal matches - WCA wins in a thriller, 33-33 with criteria advancing them to the Final Four round

What a finish!

The West Central Area Knights wrestling team advanced to the Section 6A Final Four round with a thrilling, come-from-behind win over Ottertail Central in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Facing a one-and-done result going into the heavyweight match, senior Jordan Haarstad earned an exciting first-period pin to tie the match at 33-33 after all 14 weight divisions were completed.

Border West (Wheaton/Herman-Norcross/Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley) won 63-12 over Parkers Prairie in another 6A quarterfinal match. They take on the #4-seeded WCA Knights this Saturday at 1pm at the New York Mills high school.

Read more on all of this in Thursday's Herman-Hoffman Tribune issue.

Prairie Lakes Coop annual meeting held today

The annual meeting of Prairie Lakes Coop is being held today (Feb. 16) at the Holiday Inn, Alexandria.













A large number of farm-related booths were set up in the banquet hall of the Holiday Inn, Alexandria.

Video clips from a few of the morning educational sessions at the PLC annual meeting are being uploaded to the Herman-Hoffman Tribune editor's page on Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor

Elk Lake Heritage Preserve's Individual 5-Stand Spring League coming in March

Dust off those shotguns at Elk Lake Heritage Preserve's Individual 5-Stand Spring League!

Shoot 6 different rounds of 25 between March 1 and April 11

Prize winners determined by Lewis Class system, with prize drawing for all finishers.

Register by Feb. 28 to save $!

Visit us online at www.elklakepreserve.com

To reserve your spot, e-mail: elhp@elklakepreserve.com or call 320-986-2200

West Central Area Knights girls basketball outlasts Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta in a 2-OT shootout, 80-78 final score

The WCA Knights girls basketball team earned a big advantage over Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta in the Sub-Section 6AA-West standings, defeating the visiting Tigers tonight 80-78 after two overtime sessions.

What a game! You can read all about it in the February 18th issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.

The Knights are now 17-4 overall, while the Tigers fall to 14-6.

WCA now prepares for a battle for second place in the Heart O' Lakes Conference, as they travel to Perham next Tuesday (Feb. 16) to face the 15-5 Yellowjackets. WCA is 12-4 in the HOL, while Perham is 12-3.

Hawley leads the HOL with an unblemished 14-0 record, 19-0 overall.

Ben Wade 4-H Blazers Valentine's Dinner has a great turnout on Saturday night in Farwell

You can view an online photo gallery of dozens of pictures from this event in Farwell by going to the Herman-Hoffman Tribune's photo gallery. Click here to find the link: http://hermanreview.com/Herman-Hoffman/home.html

"A Bad Year for Tomatoes" opens this weekend at the Alexandria Area Arts Association

For more information, call the AAAA Box Office at (320) 762-8300.

Community Breakfast coming to Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church in Kensington on February 21 (Editor says: What a deal!)

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Hosted by Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church in Kensington, Minnesota

We will be serving: Biscuits and Gravy, Crepes, Fresh Fruit, Kolacky and Pastries, Juice and Coffee

Cost: Adults $6.25; children10 and under $3.00

FEBRUARY 21st, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Come for the food but stay for the company!!

Douglas County American Dairy Association gives out free ice cream shakes at the Ag Show

...and Mmm Mmm they were good!











Here's a glimpse at the Lee Well Drilling booth.

In an unrelated sidenote, the WCA Knights wrestling team defeated Barnesville on Tuesday night by a 38-33 score in a Heart O' Lakes dual matchup.

Heading to the Alexandria Area Farm Show at the Viking Plaza Mall

Updates to follow.

Tribune editor learns firsthand the first-class services of Glacial Ridge Health Systems, in Glenwood

Last week Friday, I had an emergency appendectomy done at the hospital in Glenwood, Glacial Ridge Health Systems.

Their website is: http://www.glacialridge.org/

Needless to say, I've been out of it for the past few days! Today I dragged myself to work hoping to get something done.









More to follow on Wednesday. Part of tomorrow (Feb 10) I hope to spend time at the KIKV FM Farm Show in Alexandria. Look for blog updates from that.

West Central Area schools closed for Monday, February 8

A wicked winter storm is hunkered down over most of Minnesota as of Monday morning.

It's gonna be a wild day - definitely a good one to work from home if you can!

Should've driven a Chevy, perhaps?

This Ford Explorer was sitting in the ditch on Friday morning around 8:15am a few miles west of Glenwood.

Minnesota Farmers Union sets 2010 legislative priorities

Minnesota Farmers Union sets 2010 legislative priorities

With grassroots input from its farmer-membership, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has set priorities for the 2010 legislative session. These include: protecting agricultural portions of the state budget, addressing property tax concerns, and promoting energy legislation. The 2010 legislative session begins Thursday February 4.

“This legislative session will be about the state’s budget shortfalls and how we improve the economy and create jobs”, said Doug Peterson, MFU President. “MFU will be working with our farmers to ensure that rural Minnesota is represented in those discussions.”

Agriculture makes up a very small part of the states $36 billion budget, yet agriculture makes up somewhere between 20-30% of the jobs and wealth in Minnesota. MFU will work to make sure that cuts the state needs to make to address the over $1 billion budget deficit does not do undo harm to rural Minnesota and the farming sector. MFU will also work to ensure sound funding for food safety, energy, livestock, sustainable and organic programs, and continue our work toward eliminating bovine tuberculosis from Minnesota.

MFU also will continue to work on the Green Acres property tax program which saw more changes last year and continues to have issues that need to be addressed. In addition, some parts of the state have seen extreme increases in the market value of agricultural land, and MFU is working on addressing ways to stabilize values for farmland.

Three energy issues are also on the plate for MFU this year, including: working to increase property owner rights regarding eminent domain for power line and pipeline projects; addressing issues with wind easement contracts; and working on the state net metering law to foster the growth of more on-farm energy projects.

These are just some of the issues MFU will be working on in the 2010 legislative session. For more information, go to, www.mfu.org.

Minnesota Farmers Union (www.mfu.org) is a nonprofit membership-based organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers, as well as rural communities.

Republican caucus held in Hoffman on Tuesday night - Seifert sweeps Governor straw poll

A faithful group of nine individuals from the Hoffman area attended the caucus. Governor candidate Marty Seifert won the straw poll, taking all nine votes.

Videos from the meeting will be posted to the Editor's Youtube page on Wednesday.

**Videos have been uploaded on Thursday from that evening to the editor's Youtube page.

Don't forget! Tonight (Tuesday) is precinct caucuses - DFL meets in Barrett, Republicans in Hoffman

The DFL party will caucus at the Barrett Community Center. Registration is at 6pm, with the county convention to begin at 8:00.

The Hoffman area Republicans will meet at the Hoffman Community Center beginning at 7pm.

It's the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America!

Click on the link to learn more:

http://scouting.org/100years/100years/

This month the Hoffman-Kensington Boy Scouts Troop 475 has a couple big events planned, this Saturday February 6 and on Sunday February 21.

Updates on the Herman-Norcross Boy Scouts troop will also appear in Tribune issues this month.

The Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber welcomes Scouts from throughout the region to the 47^th Annual Glenwood Scout Fishing Derby this weekend. This is a great event for Scouts and Scout Troops who will enjoy a number of activities as well as fishing. The Community may join the Scouts at the Saturday evening Spaghetti Supper from 5 to 6:30 PM at the Minnewaska Area High School Cafeteria. The Hoffman-Kensington troop will attend this event.

Be sure to read this week's issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune, hitting the newsstands on Wednesday afternoon!

Hoffman Lions gather at district meeting in Alexandria on Sunday

Read this week's Herman Hoffman Tribune to learn more about what took place the Lions District 5M4 meeting at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria. Photo by Donn Olson.