April 2025

Beyond Reason: A breezy situation…

My daughter rummages around in the toy closet a lot. She inspects. She considers. She uses a broomstick to loose toys higher up so they fall to her. She studies those. Then, for reasons unknown, she settles on one. Today, again, she chose a kite.

Memory Care Corner: Happy May Day!

How many of you grew up celebrating May Day? I remember my older siblings talking how they would fill paper baskets or cones with treats and bring them to neighbors and friends. Once the baskets were prepared, you would set them down on the neighbor’s steps, knock on the door, yell Happy May Day, and run! If the gift receiver caught you, then you would have to give them a kiss! I even have nieces and nephews who remember their grandmother (my mom) running after them-and almost catching them!

This Happened Here: Life is for fancy little hats…

After she rolled into the handicapped spot outside a Stillwater restaurant, my mother hesitated. I waited for whatever she was about to ask; we’ve had a lot of conversations in front seats over the years, usually when parked, for whatever reason.

Montevideo Police Reports

*Editors note: Due to space issues all traffic stops of a regular nature, medical assists and assists with transporting inmates have been excluded from this report.

Spring testing underway at Montevideo Schools

At last week’s meeting of the Montevideo Schools Board of Education, High School Principal Tanya Maethner provided an update on Spring happenings in the high school, noting that, for “many reasons”, students’ education is interrupted during the 4th quarter of the school year. “Some days, oursuper talented students are heading off to State competitions - Boys Basketball, Knowledge Bowl, and FFA, while others are rocking the musical, solo, and ensemble contests and earning high accolades. Some days the weather creates havoc with roads and travel, some days the weather is so nice it creates a muddy mess, and some days are perfect for field trips, assessments, and end-of-year activities! Whatever the reason, this season is both fun and challenging for high school students and staff alike,” she said.

Zempel named historical society Hall of Fame Honoree for 2024

At last week’s annual Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, Arnold Zempel was named the 2024 Hall of Fame Honoree. Zempel was born in Montevideo and attended country school at District 74 for five years until it closed in 1960. He then attended Sanford School for sixth grade, before attending grades 7-10 at Montevideo High School. Zempel went to the “new” high school for grades 11-12, graduating in 1968.

Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project committee presents at Historical Society banquet

Last week, the Chippewa County Historical Society’s Annual Banquet included a presentation on the Riverside Sanatorium that housed tuberculosis patients in Granite Falls from around the area. The presentation was given by members of the Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project, including Mary Kelly, Peggy Kvam and Carol Heen, who have been working on the project since January of 2023. The committee has worked to create a public tribute to honor Dr. Kathleen Jordan’s dedication to human rights and humanitarian services including her medical testing of children throughout Minnesota to work towards eradicating Tuberculosis. In 2024, the committee held an event attended by over 930 people to honor Dr. Jordan’s legacy, and worked with area schools to include the work in lesson plans. At the Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, the committee highlighted some events for 2025, including a KFAI Broadcast in April, launch of a YouTube Channel, a display at Chippewa County Heritage Days in May, and Swensson Farm in September.

Montevideo takes on Morris/Chokio-Alberta in double-header

Last Tuesday, the Montevideo Thunder Hawks Varsity Baseball team took on Morris/Chokio-Alberta in a double-header game, taking a loss 1-6 and 4-12. Leaders in the game included Ben Gunlogson who was 2-for-4. Complete scoring follows: