It’s no secret the long months of quarantine this past year caused a few of us to....expand. In late winter local accountant Brad Bergerson of Jacobson and Bergerson PLLP in Slayton noticed his reduction of activity was beginning to add a few pounds to the bathroom scale. He asked his coworkers Katie Jacobson, Kim Eisfeld, Steve Haugen and Wanda Van Eck if they had the same concern, and when they admitted they did Brad suggested a solution. “I told them we would match our collective weight loss with a donation to the Murray County Food Shelf,” said Brad. It’s been a fun challenge for the five office staff, and in the first two months of the challenge (March and April) they lost a total of twenty-three pounds. The challenge ended on July 31st, with forty-eight pounds lost for the team! But their loss isn’t just healthier for them, it’s a benefit for the community. Brad proudly stated, “It’s good for us and good for the food shelf!” Because they doubled the match in the last two months of the challenge, the Jacobson and Bergerson firm finished by multiplying 70.6 pounds lost to $5 per pound resulting in a total contribution of $353! It’s been a motivating incentive for the staff and one they hope will inspire others to try.

During summer, our families are spending a lot more time outdoors, which means we have a much higher chance of coming across dreaded ticks. Whether it’s from hiking in the local state parks or sitting under the tree reading a bookticks are everywhere, and it’s important we know how to handle their bites.