By Jenny Kirk The 2024 Minnesota Plowing Organization’s state contest is being held in Murray County on Aug. 23-24. Coordinator Ray Randall said the event is open to anyone and that it will take place at Jim York’s Farm by Lake Wilson.

The Murray County Board of Commissioners held the regular meeting on the first Tuesday of August. Commissioner Gunnink appeared by interactive technology from Marshall MN. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter informed the board of an upcoming update on the 20th in regard to the County Ditch 11 (Highway 30) repair costs. A claim for those expenses has been submitted to Mn DOT.

The regular meeting of the Murray County Board of Commissioners was held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had only four petitions for ditch repairs: One each in Ellsborough and Dovray Townships and two in Lime Lake Township.

Corey and Tash Munneke, of Rock Valley, la., began camping at Lake Shetek last year and fell in love with the area. However, when they visited, they noticed that the gas station on the corner of highway 59 and Valhalla Road was closed or didn’t have what they needed.

Slayton City Council held their regular meeting on August 5, 2024. The agenda was approved with one addition. The minutes and claims were also approved. There is a budget workshop coming up on August 22, 2024 at 5:30.

Hospice of Murray County appreciates donations given in July 2024 in memory of the following: Lane “Doc” Horn, Jim Klasse, Charles Caswell, Don “Harv” Harvey, Joyce Larson, Dorothy Kleven, Dale Rykhus, Jason Baune, Opal Soderholm, Peter Hoekman, Darrel Schipper, Jerry Pederson, Erma Huso, Rose Mary Schweigert Blessed be their memory.

Two Cents Worth of Common Sense The library books were due and needed to be returned. The question I posed arose out of the depths of personal experience—for what else is there for one to go on? It made perfect sense but the look upon the little one before me was telltale that they didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.

By Arnold Krusemark Several things are going on now and upcoming soon. Net week will be the annual Murray County Fair. In years past it has run 3 or 4 days. This year there will be six days of events - Monday until Saturday. For gardeners this will be a good time to exhibit your garden produce and maybe flowers. Prizes will be awarded for the best. This writer’s family exhibited in many years. This writer can remember quite a few times we exhibited and won a price or two. This netted a check for the winnings. Usually the check went for a kit of some sort from Buckle’s Variety. That kept us busy at least a few days building the kit. For other family members the prize check was a needed financial necessity and usually went for groceries and other family needs. As for the exhibits we’ve talked about some of the events - nice and catastrophic - which happened with our exhibits.

Years ago I read the story of a middle eastern police officer who caught a group of smugglers in a very unique way. The smugglers used donkeys to carry their illegal contraband into neighboring countries. They were almost caught one day but law enforcement was only able to capture several of the donkeys. Because the police officer knew his Bible and what the prophet Isaiah wrote, he caught the entire band of criminals. The way he did it was to keep food from the donkeys for several days and then turned them loose near the area where he captured them; they then led him to the smugglers hide-out. Isaiah 1:3 says, “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know. My people do not consider, or understand.” That is so true. Many people today are lost in their sin and wander in darkness and hopelessness. Jesus Christ created them and through His sacrifice on the cross He has provided an abundant life for all who repent and receive Him as Lord. Not only that, but He has provided us with a fantastic eternal future. From day one He declares us to be righteous (He is our righteousness), we are holy and sanctified. How great is that?! Now, He just desires that we follow Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, and as we do, we mature spiritually and become more and more Christ-like. Being a Christian gives us purpose and meaning to life. I have lived this life for nearly five decades and it is the best life you could ever imagine. Christ makes life worth living. Won’t you join His family today and be transferred from death to life?

Keep on watering. Weeds compete with flowers, trees and shrubs for needed nutrients, light and water.