Minnesota Valley Community Concert Series 2025-26

The Minnesota Valley Community Concert Association (MVCCA) has worked for over sixty years to bring music and cultural experiences to West Central Minnesota. This exposure to quality performances supports, promotes and enriches music learning and appreciation. MVCCA Board and membership wishes to share with the community their passion for a variety of entertainment ranging from classical to choral to tribute acts to comedy and much more.

Live Well, Age Wisely: A Purple Ribbon Experience…

When I was five years old, my family moved from Tracy to Brookings, South Dakota. We often attended rodeos at SDSU, but I don’t remember ever going to a county fair and wasn’t in 4H. Thinking back on my younger adult years, I remember going to a county fair once or twice but, if I’m being honest, I was there for entertainment and good-looking men, not exhibits! Last year, I took the Friday afternoon of the Swift County Fair off work to listen to the polka band performing there and see what all the county fair hype was about.

Ask a Trooper: 2024 Dodge Durango…

I was recently issued a 2024 Dodge Durango, replacing my 2019 Dodge Charger. Dodge discontinued making the Dodge Charger for a few years but is supposed to be coming back. State Patrol’s main squads are Dodge Durango or the Ford F-150. The State Patrol issues new squads to troopers when the vehicle reaches approximately 120,000 miles.

Beyond Reason: Dear You-Know-Who…

I believe it was Justin Bieber who once asked: Is it too late now to say sorry? I can’t tell you his conclusion because I have not listened to the whole song. I mean, I’ve started the song and it’s come to an end, but the mind wanders. That said, after a quick search, it seems like J.B. left the issue vaguely unresolved. To me, that sounds unsatisfying and dumb. So I kept searching and those on the internet that say they know assure me: it is generally never too late to say sorry. This teaches us the answer you’re looking for is out there if you’re just willing to look.

$1.35 Million Available for Farm to School in Minnesota

Minnesota schools, early childhood education (ECE) centers, and licensed in-home family child care providers looking to serve locally sourced meals can apply for funding now through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Farm to School and Early Care Grant and Local Tots Cost-Share programs. The grant and cost-share program both offer reimbursement for local food purchases of Minnesota grown and raised foods.

This Happened Here: Small Cast, Big Parts…

In season one of a certain HBO show – one whose name I’m not sure I can say in a community paper – Sarah Jessica Parker’s columnist character is at a party and gets hit on by another writer. That smarmy fellow is played by the actor Justin Theroux. This will become important.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…” – 2 Corinthians 5:17a

Week three in my August series of The Continuum of Creation: Faith and the Land, again helps us to see how creation is ongoing. This week the main topic is not just creation, but re-creation and transformation. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This amazing “new creation” comes through our faith in Christ. And faith isn’t a one-time thing, but a process that continues over our entire life growing and evolving.

Fall-like weather for the weekend

Flooding was a big problem earlier this week across the state, after heavy rainfall hit Minnesota over the weekend into early Monday. Some locations reported over 10 inches of rain over the weekend.

Council renews joint powers agreement with state

At the August 4th meeting of the Montevideo City Council, the council approved a resolution to allow Chippewa County to retain voter operations funding totalling $1,229.98 from Montevideo precincts. City Manager Robert Wolfington explained that the county handles election equipment maintenance, which the funds are intended for.