Last Wednesday, the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Southwest Minnesota Careers and Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans joined forces to host a Jobs and Resource Fair at the Montevideo Community Center. The goal was to draw those seeking employment from throughout the area to meet with potential employers to learn more about what their companies offer.
WCCO’s John Lauritsen was the guest speaker at the Granite Falls Area Community Foundation Awards Banquet last Wednesday evening. Having grown up on a farm in the Milan Area, Lauritsen shared ruminations of his experiences growing up in the local area and how that has shaped his perspective today.
Public hearing time was set aside at the last meeting of the Montevideo City Council in order for guests to discuss the proposed 2022 Improvement Project. The City Engineer recently prepared a report on Proposed 2022 Construction projects in the city, including work on Ashmore Avenue from 17th Street to 24th Street, 24th Street from Ashmore Avenue to Washington Avenue, Eichelberger Avenue 4th Street to Sixth Street, and Sixth Street Ost Avenue to Wolfe Avenue. No citizens were in attendance at the meeting, however, it was noted by City Engineer Mike Amborn, that a few conversations had been had with citizens in those neighborhoods who were described as having questions, rather than concerns about the project. The resolution Resolution ordering final plans and specifications and solicit solicitation of bids passed.
MRA Breakaway roping champion Katie Bell returned to Lee-Mar Ranch to offer a roping clinic over the weekend. Bell hosted clinics last year at the Ranch and assisted Tony Gable with roping clinics the year prior. Bell has two more clinics scheduled at Lee-Mar in the coming weeks. “We’ll have one on the 26th and another on the 27th and then after that, she’ll be on the rodeo trail so we get to follow her and see what she’s doing,” says Lee-Mar Ranch Manager Vicki Patterson.
Last week, when MMS Principal Shawn Huntley was notified by the buildings and grounds supervisor that two of the school's three custodians were out for medical reasons, Huntley decided to send an email out to staff to let them know to have grace and that some things may not get done. In response to that email, Sixth Grade Science Teacher Jill Arnold decided to make a request to the students in Study Halls, visiting the classrooms to ask if any of those sixth and seventhperiod students would be willing to volunteer to help get the work done.
The Montevideo City Council recently made the decision to end their contract with CEDA, an organization that provided the City with a Community Development Coordinator, instead, deciding to hire the position inhouse for the first time in years. At last week’s City Council meeting, the council announced the hiring of Jack Gottfried as the new Montevideo Community Development Coordinator. Gottfried officially started with the City on January 10th.
Throughout Minnesota, High Schools have provided a Moot Court/ Mock Trial program that allows students to learn about and experience the various aspects of the legal system. Montevideo High School has not had such a program, historically, but will be introducing one very soon. Katherine Lee reached out to the Community Education program about the possibility of starting Moot Court/Mock Trial as a Community Ed program, and work began on setting it up. “I am pretty excited to offer the program and I appreciate the support I have received from Community Ed,” says Moot Court/Mock Trial Instructor Lee. “It is important that rural students have knowledge of the possibility of being lawyers, and that you can have a successful law practice or successful legal career in rural areas.”
On Thursday, February 17th at 1:00 p.m., the Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program (GF-LAH/BNP)) in conjunction with the Montevideo Area Memory Loss Network (MAMLN) is presenting a free virtual Remember Project event featuring “Steering into the Skid.” This special program helps family members, caregivers, local businesses, and the broader community engage in conversation around dementia and the most well-known form of memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease.
Early Childhood Screening will be happening on February 9th and 10th at Salem Lutheran Church. In Minnesota, Early Childhood Screening is required before a student starts kindergarten, and provides a snapshot of how a preschooler is growing, developing, and learning. The free screenings can detect possible health or learning concerns, to allow caregivers the opportunity to find assistance for the children before they start kindergarten. If a child is identified as having areas that they need extra support in, the Early Childhood Screening program will work with families to secure the proper support such as speech services, or early learning programming to practice social skills. “The learning and growth in children from birth to age five is such an important time when they first learn how to interact with others, including peers, teachers, and families, and also begin to develop interests that will stay with them throughout their lives,” says Early Childhood Screening Coordinator Kris Christopherson.
Grieving and Dementia When we think about someone grieving, we often associate that when a death has occurred. In talking to my caregivers, however, many express that they are already grieving even though their loved one is still alive.