News

THEOLOGY IN THE TRENCHES

It was the turn of the head that caught my eye as the little girl in the pew just ahead reached for her mama’s face. Turn the mama did—smiling at the child in the pew. She beheld the face of her child, and attentive to it she was. Gentle this mama was with her child desiring her attention.

BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE TRAININGS TO BE OFFERED N-PERSON & VIRTUALLY

Source: Melissa Runck, Extension Educator – Beef Production Systems, University of Minnesota Extension, (507) 372-3900 ext. 3904, mkrunck@umn.edu University of Minnesota Extension will host Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings both in-person and virtually in the spring of 2025. Producers attending any of the free workshops will receive a three-year BQA certification.

GOOD NEWS

By John Stenen Years ago, an elderly minister of the gospel was admitted into the hospital with a serious illness and was not expected to live. Many who loved him desired to visit but he refused all but one. This friend that he allowed to visit him, had hardened his heart against the gospel and refused to give his life to Christ. When he came into the pastor’s room, and greeted him, he said, “I’m surprised to find out that I am the only visitor you allowed, what makes me so special?” “Well my friend, I will tell you,” he said. “I fully expect that very shortly I will pass on-to my reward in heaven. I will see all my other friends one day, but you will not be there, so I wanted to say good-bye to you now for I will never see you again.”

DONATE BLOOD AT MURRAY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER ON FEBRUARY 4TH

Slayton, MN- Make it a habit to donate blood in 2025. Give blood at Murray County Medical Center on Tuesday, February 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. To schedule a donation, log onto cbblifeblood.org, select “events”, and February 4. As a thank you gift, those who donate will receive a $15 D.Q. gift card. Please bring an I.D. with you to your donation appointment.

NAPS (SECOND HARVEST)

Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) in the Slayton area, sponsored by Second Harvest Heartland distribution will be held at the office of A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota – Murray County at 2989 Maple Rd., Slayton MN. Distribution will take place on Thursday, February 13th, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm. Remember if you cannot be there, please have your proxy pick your items up for you. For more information, call Joyce at 507836-8705. If you want to know if you qualify for this program, please call Second Harvest Heartland at 800-365-0270.

MEET AUTHOR DOUGLAS WOOD AND ENJOY ‘NOTHING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 – Douglas Wood, often referred to as Minnesota’s ‘renaissance man,’ will be visiting Slayton on February 4th, 2025 to share his unique perspective on the importance of doing nothing and the deep connection between nature and the human spirit. With a remarkable career spanning multiple disciplines, Wood is an accomplished author, artist, musician, naturalist, and wilderness guide.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR I attended the community meeting on the four day school proposal and was surprised at the low turn out. This is something I think people should be very knowledgeable about as this affects our community.

2025 FRIDAYS WITH A FORESTER ZOOM SERIES

Join the University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss some of the key issues and questions around forest and woodlands facing Minnesota landowners. These online sessions will be very informal, open to the public and free of charge. Each session will start with a brief presentation, followed by a discussion framed around participants’ questions on the topic. Each zoom will be from 9 to 10 a.m.

LOCAL GRADUATE HONORED FOR HER TEACHING

Beth LeTendre Oolman, a 1985 graduate of Slayton High School (now Murray County Central) was recently named the Northwest Iowa Regional Teacher of The Year by the Iowa Department of Education. She was one of nine to be selected for the honor which celebrates excellence in teaching throughout the state.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOCUS OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. County Highway Engineer Randy Groves requested approval to dispose of surplus equipment via online bids. The 1970 forklift no longer meets OSHA requirements. It is being replaced with the prior approval of the board.