News

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.

On July 27, middle school and high school students from all over Minnesota learned about science through hands-on experiments and projects in ag/environmental science, chemistry, engineering, health science and food science at University on the Prairie. Hosted at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton, the program serves as an avenue to connect personnel from universities and professional industries to rural youth.

Jessica Stölen-Jacobson Editor jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad. com Well-known local musician and songwriter Jerry Ostensoe passed away on August 29th, at his home near Hawk Creek just outside of Granite Falls.

Another Monday holiday, so not a lot to report. I would have more concerning the conversations we have over coffee at Milan Beach, but my life has been threatened if I reveal the topics that we discuss on a regular basis. I know, I shouldn’t allow myself to be bullied by these ladies, but they are my friends and I would like to continue to merit their friendship, so my lips are sealed. The plan is to have Sunday services lakeside at Lac Qui Parle, but that always depends on the weather. We may or may not have had it there.

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.”

com Last week, the Montevideo- area Wellbriety group hosted an event at Smith Park in honor of National Overdose Awareness week. The Wellbriety movement is a large movement of peer-led support groups around the United States that work along with a combination of AA and NA traditions and principles combined with a Native spirituality and culture emphasis to provide support for persons in recovery from drugs and alcohol addictions.

Jessica Stölen-Jacobson Editor jstolen-jacobson@cherryroad. com Kari Thompson Torgerhagen recently made a discovery among her grandmother’s possessions of a Special Edition of the Montevideo- American News from May 7th, 1945 in pristine condition.