March 2022

Around 15 years ago, a group of community members formed a committee to explore the idea of providing an after school program for parents in need of a safe place for their kids to spend time who were not yet old enough to be home alone. The program initially started as a branch of the Boys and Girls Club, but after some years it was determined that the cost of membership was too much, and so the group transformed to today’s Chippewa Valley Youth Club.

On Monday evening, the Montevideo High School hosted a Jazz Concert that included performances by the Montevideo High School Jazz Band as well as the SMSU Jazz Ensemble with guest drummer Allison Miller. The community was able to listen to the sounds of the SMSU Jazz Ensemble’s special guest drummer Allison Miller due in part to a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council. Miller is a New York City based drummer, composer and teacher. She has been a three time Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department among being named best of in a variety of polls as a solo drummer and member of a band. She teaches at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, as well as workshops, and camps in NYC. The musical performance by the SMSU Jazz Ensemble featured an exploration of music by female composers, including numbers such as “Crystal Cove” by Patty Darling and “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” by Lillian Hardin Armstrong. Photos by Jessica Stolen-Jacobson

On March 22nd, Celtic Cross Massage opened in a space located inside Cornerstone Chiropractic in Montevideo. Cindy Miller has been a licensed massage therapist for over 15 years, and recently moved to town, relocating her massage business from Fridley to Montevideo.

Autumn Lee, of Sunshine & Whiskey Filling Station in Watson chauffers the St. Patty’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Marv Garbe. This year’s event was organized by volunteer Deanna Hodge. Photo by Jessica Stolen-Jacobson

Dryer Doctors LLC found its beginnings in 2017, when Josh Bauman, John Keller, and Leon Fokken, all co-workers at Custom Ag left to work for Northern Grain, and only a year and a half later, Northern Grain closed its doors. “We had calls from farmers saying we don’t care if you’re working at Walmart - you’d better figure this out because this fall when we have harvest, you’re going to be in my yard,” says John Keller. “So out of necessity for the farmers, we just said ok.”

I’m Kelly Hosek and I’ve been living in Montevideo for 16 years; I grew up just a town over. I’ve worked for Montevideo American News for almost 7 years and have seen a lot of change and transition. The one thing that hasn’t changed, is that I am and will always be, a small-town girl. Being a part of Montevideo American News has allowed me to be a real part of the community and get to know my community members. Working with our business customers has allowed me to know my community in a very personal way.