From Tom and Sharon Schwarze
Lucy Clouse
Troy and Brandi Magnuson
Dwight and Donna Bordson
Greg and Sandy McCormick
Greg and Bridget Peller
Arthur and Linda Benjamin
All of Hutchinson

We, the neighbors of Nan Crary on Grove Street in Hutchinson, recommend your vote for Nan as District 3 county commissioner in the primary election on Sept. 9

Since coming to town with her husband, Mike, and their family in 1996, we have come to know and respect Nan not only as a neighbor but also as a community member and a county official.

From Steve Sherman
Candidate for Hutchinson City Council Seat 3

As I walk around Hutchinson and talk to people I have been asked this question: “Why are you running for City Council?” My answer is that I am running for Hutchinson City Council because I want to work for lower property taxes. In a time when all of us are tightening our budgetary belts at home, we as a city need to reduce spending and limit additional projects in order to give tax relief to the citizens of Hutchinson.

From Joan Nott
Hutchinson

Every day I am becoming more embarrassed about being a woman. When I go into bathrooms in stores and other public places I cannot believe the mess I see.

Girls grow up to be mothers, the people who are mainly responsible for keeping our homes clean and neat. This does not give you men permission to cop out on helping in these chores.

What is happening in our homes today, are we as parents falling down on our jobs? What needs to change here? By the way, how are the men’s bathrooms looking?

The recent news that biologists had discovered a large bird die-off at Pigeon Lake along State Highway 15 north of Hutchinson aroused an old complaint from some local residents. There’s only one place to view the lake’s rookery, and it’s a poor place at that.

The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce calls Hutchinson “Minnesota’s Hometown.” Mary Christensen was “born and raised” in Hutchinson and believes that gives her a perspective of the community that would serve her well if she is elected to the City Council.

Brad Jacobson had to run for Hutchinson City Council. His wife, Jackie, clearly laid it out for him.

“She turned to me one day and said ‘You either need to stop being upset about this stuff or go help make changes,’” the manager of the AmericInn said.

As someone in the hospitality industry, Jacobson said he sees the impact of this country’s economic difficulties everyday. The City Council needs to account for that in its decisions, the Detroit Lakes native said.

Dennis Bergquist, a retired Ridgewater College dairy herd management instructor, has become the Hutchinson area’s unofficial ambassador to the world. But one country — Guatemala — seems to have grown especially dear to his heart, as shown by the six trips he has made there in recent years.

By Mary Schroeder, University of Minnesota Extension

Birthday and other parties are great opportunities for family and friends to come together and celebrate. With the increased cost of food and entertainment, a birthday party that doesn't cost too much may seem impossible. There are several easy ways to make these celebrations healthy, active and inexpensive.

Alvin Anderson, 96, of the Lake Jennie area, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, at his residence in Dassel.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel. The Rev. Doug Pierce will officiate at the service with an interment of the urn at the Lake Jennie Covenant Cemetery.

A time to gather with family will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of arrangements.

By Carol Ann Burtness, University of Minnesota Extension

It is important to do research before deciding whether or not to use a smooth cooktop for home canning. If we surveyed 10 people about canning on smooth cooktops, we would get 10 different responses with some success stories, but also some horror stories about jars not sealing and damaged cooktops.

The National Center for Home Food Preservation encourages home canners to consider the following issues:

By Marcia Endres, University of Minnesota Extension

There is increasing interest in automatic milking systems in the U.S., even though the cost-to-benefit ratio is not yet as good here as in some European countries. But it is a lifestyle choice that is attractive to some producers.

A verbal threat made with the backing of a shotgun one night last weekend escalated into a near riot situation on Hutchinson’s Echo Drive the next night.

According to Hutchinson Police Lt. Dave Erlandson, officers were called to an apartment building in the 200 block of Echo Circle about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. A man was allegedly making threats against two people and allegedly had possession of a shotgun in the nearby parking lot.

By Nathan Winter, University of Minnesota Extension

This year the Minnesota State Master Gardener Conference will be in Hutchinson. This conference is a great opportunity for Master Gardeners to update their education on horticultural topics and for a chance to learn more about horticulture through tours.

Lucile Sander, 73, of Hopkins, sister of Hazel Sitz, died Friday, Aug. 1, in Hopkins.
Family services will be at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online condolences may be directed to www. hantge.com. Click on Online Condolences.

From Mary-Anne Olmsted-Kohls
Hutchinson

In your Extra! feature article about the young rock group, Last Man Standing, your staff writer was looking for reasons why these boys would be so musical at such a young age. She naturally sought to ask about their heritage, falling into the same myth as most that musical talent is inherited. However, the true fact is — all children are born musical and that it’s at birth that this propensity is at its peek.

McLeod County Republicans will provide legislators' stand on issues and refund information at the Republican Party booth during the McLeod County Fair Wednesday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 17.
Drawings will take place for daily and weekly prizes for adults and children; and ice water will be offered at the booth.

These legislators will be available at the booth:
• Sen. Steve Dille: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-17.

For the second time in two weeks, there will be a definite orange glow eminating from rural Hutchinson this weekend. But instead of farmyard full of orange Allis-Chalmers tractors at the Orange Spectacular in Acoma Township, fans of vintage farming equipment will see orange from dozens of J. I. Case tractors gathering at the Heatwole Threshing Show.

The Heatwole Threshing Association’s 29th annual event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10, on the club grounds six miles southwest of Hutchinson on Walden Avenue, in Lynn Township. The show is free.

A dozen McLeod County girls were selected to the State Fair Line Up during the annual 4-H Fashion Revue July 29 at Hutchinson’s Peace Lutheran Church.

Contestants were evaluated in purchased clothing and constructed clothing categories on such criteria as general appearance and design of the outfit and the learning involved in selecting the garments.
The state fair lineup in purchased clothing includes: 1. Ashley Lukes, 2. Alicia Ku

Cheers to the more than 100 volunteers who helped with the Food Outreach Program sponsored by Common Cup Ministry on July 17. Because of your efforts more than 700 households (2,400 people) were served with food and products. Cheers to the 3M Volunteer Match members of the Hutchinson Area Health Care Auxiliary for purchasing the truckload of product. Blessings to you all.

Bev Bonte, director
Common Cup Ministry, Hutchinson

Jeers to the Hutchinson Softball Board for their work this year, particularily in the 14-and-under division. Hopefully you have learned from your mistakes.

Cheers to all the girls and teams who overcame every obstacle put in their way to have a fun and successful softball season. I hope you all continue to play softball in the summers to come, and good luck to the teams who qualified for the state tournament.

Abigail Popp, Hutchinson

Cheers to the Karg family and the Upper Midwest A-C Collectors Club for allowing us to host the meals at Orange Spectacular as a fundraiser for our school.

Immanuel Lutheran School
Children of Grace Preschool, Hutchinson

I recently had the opportunity to visit Hutchinson to attend my 60th high school reunion. When speaking with my fellow classmates, the subject of $4 a gaIlon gasoline came up. Having it been known that following my Air Force retirement in 1978 I had been engaged in the oil and gas production business in Midland, Texas, some of my classmates suggested that I was a part of the high-price gasoline problem.

From Don L. Martin
Hutchinson

Recently Sen. Obama has been traveling around the world visiting heads of state trying to make some political points for himself.

However, it seems he again revealed his patriotism when he chose to cancel an already-scheduled visit to wounded soldiers in a military hospital in Germany saying it would be too political. What a great commander-in-chief he would be for our troops!

The 27th annual Farmfest begins today. If you farm, or are concerned about farming, this three-day extravaganza 62 miles southwest of Hutchinson is for you.

More than 35,000 people attend each year to learn about everything from new technology and equipment to conservation and government farm policy. The event is one of five regional agricultural trade shows throughout the Midwest and Texas produced by Cygnus Expositions.

Hutchinson residents Lisa and Steve Synstelien didn’t know that when they bought their miniature horse, Thunder, they were getting two horses for the price of one.

After they got Thunder home, they found out she was pregnant. And baby Starlet was born May 18. Starlet wasn’t an ordinary miniature horse though, she was smaller.

Lois Dettman, 76, of Acoma Township, McLeod County, died Sunday, Aug. 3, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Acoma Township, with interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, and from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson, and one hour prior to the services Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online condolences may be directed to www.hantge.com.

LeRoy A. Hoof, 80, of Richfield, died July 30.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 7625 Chicago Ave. S, Richfield.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Interment will be at Dawn Valley Memorial Park, following the service.

Arrangements were with Morris Nilsen Chapel in Richfield. Online condolences are available at www.morrisnilsen.com.

Ervin Wendlandt, 88, of Hutchinson, formerly of Winthrop and Brownton, died Monday, Aug. 4, at the Winthrop Good Samaritan Center in Winthrop.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Penn Township, with interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Hantge Funeral Chapel in Brownton, and will continue one hour prior to the services Friday, at the church.

The Hector Kitchenettes band will perform at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Aug. 5, at Evergreen Apartments in Hutchinson. This “kitchen band” is made up of 8 senior ladies who play various kitchen utensils from pie tins to a microwave-bacon plate and spoon. Their goal is to put a smile in everyone’s hearts, so they spice up their half-hour performance with knock-knock jokes and tap dancing. The public is invited to the performance.

Wayne Reinitz, 74, of Penn Township, rural Glencoe, died Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Arlington Good Samaritan Center in Arlington.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton with interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, and from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton.

Online condolences may be directed to www.hantge.com.