
From the Editor’s Desk
Last week I wrote about my trip to Fort Drum, New York to watch my son’s military promotion ceremony. I mentioned that one full day was spent on the ceremony and everything involved with it, and my final day in Upstate New York was spent helping him learn how to shop like a real broke adult, and helping decorate and organize his home. The day in between all of that (trip days bookmarked by two long, terrible flight days), we spent going on an adventure that we decided needed to be an epic one.

Speaker discusses ideas for rural communities to fill empty buildings
Last Tuesday evening, area leaders gathered at the Pioneer PBS station in rural Granite Falls to hear a presentation given by Deb Brown, of Iowa. Brown is a co-founder of SaveYour.Town, a business designed to develop strategies to not only save, but grow small towns. The presentation was hosted by the Upper Minnesota River Valley RDC and Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF).

Montevideo girls swim team competes
On November 11th and 13th, the Montevideo girls Swim Team traveled to take part in sections. On the 11th, they traveled to Hutchinson for the Section 3A preliminaries.

Shop local this holiday season with unique holiday offerings
Editor’s Note: Each week in November through December, the newspaper will be featuring area businesses to support shopping local this holiday season, as well as some creative gift-giving ideas that support local organizations and businesses.
“Oh, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” (Psalm 107:1)
This hymn that most of us know as the Doxology is attributed to Thomas Ken, a Pastor who wrote this sometime in the late 1600’s. Wow, since that time we have been praising God as we go on our way out into the world.
CHURCH SCHEDULES
Assembly of God, Clarkfield SUNDAY: Sunday School 9 a.m.; Worship 10 a.m.; Evening 7 p.m. Wednesday: Teens 5 p.m.; Young Explorers 6:30 p.m.

Beyond Reason
A New Discovery University of Glasgow, Scotland. 1848.

Teaching kids about giving
On the quest to raising good humans, I realize that most people tend to use the holidays as a teachable time for kids. We encourage the need to do good for others who might have less than we do as we donate food, toys, money and help in our communities and beyond. We do this on overdrive in November and December because these months are within the “season of giving.” And while I wish this was more of a year-round notion; I still jump on board with my own three kids to embrace the season as a time to do for others with no expectation of gain. Many of the best ways to help others costs nothing at all, aside from some time and effort.

Memory Care Corner:
In my last article, I explained what sundowning was and some ideas on how to lessen sundowning symptoms. I explained the importance of reducing the stimuli during the evening hours, keeping the house well lit, and planning more active days, as the person who rests all day could likely be more restless at night.

News from Milan
Is spring coming soon? I’m already DONE with winter.and it isn’t even here yet. Figuring out what long underwear and hat and gloves and socks to wear to stay warm when I walk Patton in the mornings is getting to be a nearly impossible chore. Clothes that keep me warm in the morning are too warm by afternoon when I’m mostly indoors. I know, it’s tough to be me.