ROCHESTER, Minn. — Farms present many fire risks, and especially during drought it is critical to pay attention to these risks and take steps to mitigate them. An awareness of potential fire hazards on your farm as well as a plan to address them are key components in protecting your farm and your people. While these tips are particularly useful in times of drought (and increased fire risk), it’s also helpful to keep them in mind all year and in all weather patterns.

A local school needs to provide books for underprivileged students. A local hospice needs new equipment and a local fire department needs to raise money for pagers. You see these types of stories on the news and read them in the papers. What have they all got in common? Thanks to Nobles Cooperative Electric’s Operation Round Up program, the answer to this question is “help in time of need.”

Be sure to stop by the Murray County Water Resource booth in the Horticulture building during the Murray County Fair to test your knowledge of aquatic invasive species and enter to win a 45-quart Yeti Tundra cooler. One cooler will be given away each day on Thursday, August 19, Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21. You do not need to be present to win; however, you must be 18 or older to enter.

The Great Plains Tractor Pull will take place at the Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton on August 18, 2021 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. The Great Plains Tractor Pullers include pullers from throughout the Plains area.

In August we finally have the opportunity to celebrate an important anniversary - the 125th anniversary of our Slayton Fire Department! On Saturday, August 21st the fire department will be featured in the 1pm parade on Broadway Avenue. Vintage trucks and current vehicles from many regional communities will join the parade, and a free will donation dinner will be served at the fairgrounds. The Murray County Fair Board has even extended the hours of the open class and commercial buildings on Saturday so everyone has time to enjoy the entire fair for this very special occasion.

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Slayton, MN. Pastor Dale Degner.

Clean your garden tools at the end of the season. Make note of anything you may need to replace: string, labels, stakes, Sharpie pens, zip ties.

August is now half way over. Next week is the County Fair, and shortly the kids will be going back to school.

We hadn’t seen each other since we served as Scout Snipers in Vietnam in 1970. I hadn’t even spoken to ‘Frenchy’ in all those years. He was a French Canadian. He worked construction in New York and decided to see if he could find his ‘old buddy.’

Monday, Aug. 16: Ham Pasta Salad, Creamy Cucumbers, Fresh Fruit, Bar, Milk.