September 2022

From the Editor’s Desk

Last week my son was able to take leave (basically vacation time in the military) and travel from Fort Drum to his hometown to spend some time with family. After a 10-month deployment to the Middle East, he had a lot of photos and stories about camels and dust storms to share.

Wildwood Montessori celebrates second year

Wildwood Montessori School with Childcare recently held an open house on August 30th to celebrate the start of their second school year. The Montessori School’s vision is, “To create a sustainable, rural-based, quality Montessori school with childcare that is the pride of Montevideo and the Upper Minnesota River Valley.” The school with childcare has a long-term goal of serving 42 students and eight to nine staff with a part-time director. They welcome children from the ages of infancy through six years old; infants are six weeks old – 16 months old, toddlers are 16 months old – 33 months old, and preschoolers are 33 months old – six years old. “We all love each other. We all love our families. We’re here for the kids. We’re here to nurture,” said Jennifer Johnson, the teacher for the infant room. School days for all children at Wildwood Montessori are from 8:30 am – 3 pm; they also offer before care from 7:30 am – 8:30 am and aftercare from 3 pm – 5:30 pm. The school can be reached by calling (320) 321 – 1307.

Montevideo tennis team defeats YME 4-3

The Montevideo tennis team defeated YME at home last Tuesday evening. Scoring from that game follows: Singles: Cami Myers vs Hope Stark (YME) 3-6, 4-6 Brooke Lindeman def Liz Ross (YME) 6-0, 6-0 Megan Macciewski vs Hope Foy (YME) 0-6, 2-6 Reagan Diggins vs Emma Keller (YME) 1-6, 0-6 Doubles: Ashley Klossen, Annie Marquardt def Abigail Jiminez, Brianna Nelson (YME) 6-0, 6-0 Gwyn Smiens, Jenna Fitzkappes def Sarana West, Katelyn Luepke (YME) 6-3, 6-4 s Carlee Axford, Avery Albrecht def Breea Johnson, Reagan Streich (YME) 6-0, 6-1.

Autumn Experience Series: Sam’s Pumpkin Patch

Jessica Stölen-Jacobson Editor jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad. com With the weather beginning to shift to a more autumn-like feel, and hints of leaves changing color more each day, local area residents may be looking for ways to experience all the season has to offer in the local area.

Beyond Reason

A Conversation with Creeping Charlie Rob Perez steps out his front door and, surprised, stops in his tracks. Rob finds himself facing a patch of Creeping Charlie, a kidney shaped leaf with scalloped edges.

Prairie Notebook

Fried green tomatoes is one thing, but under- ripe green tomatoes clinging to the vine as we enter the month of September? Not acceptable! Seems there are two camps in town: one has nice, plump, fiery-red tomatoes; the other, still harden, unripe green orbs clinging steadfast to the plant. What’s going on? Turns out the culprit may be the extreme hot weather we had earlier that put the brakes on some plants moving towards ripeness.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

OF THE WEEK Note from Myrna: This recipe comes from a collection of recipes from World War II. Sugar was rationed, and every family got tokens they needed to use to purchase sugar.

WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs receive large donation

WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs last week received a $25,000 gift from First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation as part of their inaugural Believe in Local grant campaign. These funds will be deployed to provide support to any victim of domestic violence. “We are incredibly appreciative of First Interstate’s generosity and support,” said Becci ten-Bensel, executive director of WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs. “This donation helps us to further our mission of protecting and assisting victims of domestic violence. We’re thankful to have dedicated partners like First Interstate helping us to strengthen Lyon county.” First Interstate Bank launched the Believe in Local campaign to celebrate the Bank’s longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Forty nonprofit organizations across the Bank’s expanded 14-state footprint will receive a $25,000 gift in support of their mission. WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs was nominated by local First Interstate employees and selected from a pool of over 400 nominees thanks to its alignment with the Bank’s philanthropic goals. “Giving back to the places we call home is central to who we are as a community bank,” said Kelli Kurth, retail manager for First Interstate Bank. “Our Believe in Local grant campaign captures our core values in action and is the ideal way to celebrate the nonprofit organizations that deliver the greatest positive impact. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to further support WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs in its work to better the communities of Southwest Minnesota.”