News

Tradition of storytelling brings stories over generations together

Storytelling has always been a part of Walter LaBatte Jr.’s life. Growing up in the Upper Sioux Community, Walter says that there were many childhood evenings spent listening to his father’s stories. “When I grew up, we didn’t have electricity, and so the only entertainment we had was my dad telling us stories,” Walter recalls. “We have a mythical creature called Unktomi, which means spider, and he’s a trickster. There are tons and tons of stories and he would tell us those Unktomi stories at night. These stories had morals in them. Because he was a trickster, he would do bad things, and through telling those stories they were sending a message how to act, how to behave.”

Redeeming a Porcupine

I’m writing this on January 6. Some folks are observing an event which took place in our nation’s capital last year. Some folks are observing an event which has been celebrated for centuries, the Epiphany of our Lord. Some are probably in both sets of observers. The Epiphany of our Lord took place because events like last year flow out of hearts turned in on our selves (please take the time to note the nuances in this sentence). This devotion is intended to cover both sides of the aisle and those who have no aisle. Like Jesus, it’s for all people.

Home Plate opens for practice this month

a facility, but to the Montevideo baseball coaches, a different approach made more financial sense. The two set to work talking to other stakeholders, and found partners in the project in the Watson Honkers Baseball Association, as well as Todd Ricke, Vice President at J&D Construction. “It’s been a really good relationship to bring the two organizations together to do something really positive for both of our programs,” says Coach Brandon Raymo.

Minnesota Starwatch January 2022

In January Venus emerges from its short trip between Earth and the sun to become a “morning star.” It begins a rapid climb over the southeastern horizon in mid-month, making its way toward much dimmer Mars. Try looking just before the sky starts to lighten on the 29th. Venus will be to the upper left of a thin waning moon and Mars will be between them, but closer to the moon.

Ag Wetland Bank builds on success

A successful partnership between the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) led to a second round of federal grant funding for wetland mitigation on agricultural land, which is expected to satisfy demand for years to come. Work on the first grant is wrapping up. BWSR is receiving applications from landowners for the second federal grant it received.

Minnesota Association of Townships announces 2022 Scholarship Program for HS juniors

The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is proud to announce its 2022 Scholarship Program, which will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to high school juniors. All students currently enrolled in 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial school, or a home-study program, are eligible to apply for this program. Since its inception in 2001, the MAT Scholarship Program has had over 2100 submissions and 92 winners.

More negative temperatures on the way through the week

It was a bitterly cold weekend across the state of Minnesota. We had the coldest air of the season to ring in the New Year. High temperatures on Saturday ranged from -8 to -18 F for most of Greater Minnesota. Overnight low temperatures early Saturday were from -15 to -25!

Memory Care Corner

A New Year – and New Opportunities! A few days ago, we ushered in a new year. For some people, there were resolutions made.

A look back – 2021 year in review

From new businesses opening, to retirements, to the return of events after a year of COVID-19 shut-downs, here is a look at the headlines that dominated the front page of the Montevideo-American News in 2021.