January 2022

Praire Notebook

Happy New Year everyone, May you enjoy a healthy, loving and respectful 2022! Seems like the fanfare of putting up the Christmas tree is a lot more thoughtful than taking it down and getting rid of it. Riding around town it’s not surprising to see a dried-out spruce tree lying in the snow outside the backdoor or in some cases still ablaze with lights through the front window a week or two after the holidays.

Milan Community Column

B-R-R-R. What a way to start a whole new year. And the dog still needs walking, as do I. But it has been brutal walking outside Saturday and Sunday mornings. I do layer and bundle up, but you can't cover your eyes. And this morning I had little droplets of ice form on my eyelashes. The walk was shorter than usual.

From the Editor’s Desk

This week we enter the first days of new ownership under CherryRoad Media. It's an exciting time with a lot to accomplish, and probably the most proper way to start a new year. I, myself, have become rather accustomed to January being a quiet month, with not a lot going on, and a lot of focus on the temperatures and snowfall. I find myself creatively stunted and usually start to dream of traveling to new places. However, this year there's a lot to do and it will be a busy month full of activity and new challenges.

Memory Care Corner

A New Year – and New Opportunities! A few days ago, we ushered in a new year. For some people, there were resolutions made.

More negative temperatures on the way through the week

It was a bitterly cold weekend across the state of Minnesota. We had the coldest air of the season to ring in the New Year. High temperatures on Saturday ranged from -8 to -18 F for most of Greater Minnesota. Overnight low temperatures early Saturday were from -15 to -25!

Minnesota Association of Townships announces 2022 Scholarship Program for HS juniors

The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to announce its 2022 Scholarship Program, which will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to high school juniors. All students currently enrolled in 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial school, or a home-study program, are eligible to apply for this program. Since its inception in 2001, the MAT Scholarship Program has had over 2100 submissions and 92 winners.

Ag Wetland Bank builds on success

A successful partnership between the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) led to a second round of federal grant funding for wetland mitigation on agricultural land, which is expected to satisfy demand for years to come. Work on the first grant is wrapping up. BWSR is receiving applications from landowners for the second federal grant it received.

Minnesota Starwatch January 2022

In January Venus emerges from its short trip between Earth and the sun to become a “morning star.” It begins a rapid climb over the southeastern horizon in mid-month, making its way toward much dimmer Mars. Try looking just before the sky starts to lighten on the 29th. Venus will be to the upper left of a thin waning moon and Mars will be between them, but closer to the moon.

SIXTH ANNUAL SHOP WITH A COP EVENT HELD

On December 17th, the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department, Clara City Police Department, and Montevideo Police Department teamed up for the 6th Annual Shop with a Cop event. Fundraising efforts are held leading up to the event each year to collect monetary donations for the children to purchase gifts for their families, have a spaghetti dinner, and supply some basic necessities. PHOTO SUBMITTED