From the Editor’s Desk

More storms. At this point, we’re so used to the storms it almost feels more like “ugh, this again” rather than “oh no, a storm!” I woke up to the piles of tree branches everywhere Thursday morning - trees on cars, trees on houses.

SUMMER STAYCATION SERIES

On the warmer days, take advantage of a day out with your friends in Granite Falls, where there are outdoor art scenes to enjoy, but also the opportunity to catch a break from the heat in the shops and eateries.

Locals travel to Maynard for 4th of July festivities

The small town of Maynard put on a big display of fireworks on the 4th of July. The show kicked off right at 10:00 pm. The fireworks show was preceded earlier in the day by Maynard’s annual 4th of July parade. Photo by Cynthia Christians

James Stromenger

James Stromenger, 81, of Willmar died Wednesday, June 29, at CentraCare Willmar Care Center. His funeral service was 11 a.m.

Wilma Mae (Jenkins) Schmitz

Wilma Mae (Jenkins) Schmitz was born on June 14, 1937 in Org to Garold and Marjorie (Killen) Jenkins. As a young girl, Wilma had a special affinity for horses, especially her black and white pony, Midnight. She attended school in Worthington before eventually meeting and marrying Leo John Schmitz on April 10, 1954. The couple were blessed with six sons: Kenny, James, Ronald, Robert, Leo, and Art and resided in Org before moving to multiple states over the course of several years, following Leo’s work in construction. The family eventually put down roots in Boyd in 1969, settling into family life.

Ralph Heidorn

Ralph was born on January 22, 1944, in Wadena. He was baptized in Wadena and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in his hometown of Verndale. He graduated from Verndale High School in 1962. He then attended North Dakota State University on a track scholarship where he ran the 440-yard dash and the hurdles. In September of 1964 he met Wanda Eckert of Sebeka. They celebrated a December 18, 1965, wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka. They resided in Roseville for four years before Ralph returned to college at Mankato State University where he earned a degree in Industrial Arts education. Ralph and Wanda’s children, Tricia and Chad, were born in Mankato. In 1972, Ralph accepted an Industrial Arts teaching position at Central Middle School in Montevideo. He and Wanda enjoyed the community and decided to plant their family roots, building their country home in which they have lived since 1977.

Letter to the Editor

As former physicians in Montevideo, we still care about your health. Vaccines have been life-saving, and life-changing since their discovery - saving money from the ravages of polio, death or serious complications of mumps, measles, chickenpox, meningitis, hearing loss, and developmental and other ramifications of German measles (Rubella). Shingles cause severe pain that can be very prolonged and most cervical cancers are caused by a virus - they can be prevented with vaccines. The COVID-19 Vaccines have been relatively rapidly developed, but extensively tested and safe. There are many “alternative facts” regarding the vaccine (these are discussed in detail at the cdc.gov site - a nonpartisan agency backed by scientific evidence). Over one million Americans have died of COVID and from a study of cases from January 2021 to April 2022, it is estimated that there have been over 300,000 vaccine-preventable deaths.

Beyond Reason

I mustache you a question. I always thought of the world as kind of divided into two camps: Us and Them.