Murray County Foundation Makes $2,000 Grant To Slayton Area Cub Scouts
The Murray County Foundation (MCF) has made a $2,000 grant to the Slayton Area Cub Scouts. The purpose of the grant is to help enrich the experiences of members of the Cub Scout Pack and help make scouting affordable for youngsters in Murray County.
The funding was made possible by both local donors and alumni of the County who have memories of valuable experiences gained from scouting. A number of donors mentioned with appreciation the great community spirit that centered around early scouting initiatives in the ‘50’s and 60’s and fun times in scouting such as:
• Volunteers who donated time and material to construct the scout building
• Volunteer scout masters like Ken McCord, Birney Hill and Norm Cote
• Energetic mothers who helped with Cub Scout Dens
• Overnight campouts with fire building contests, ‘smores’ and hobo dinners
As the annual popcorn fundraiser continues for scouting, it is the hope of the Foundation that the grant will inspire others to be generous with support of current scouting programs and with donations to the Foundation for the future of the community.
The purpose of the Murray County Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Murray County, Minnesota through charitable perpetuation of youth programs, community improvement and scholarships for higher education.
More information about the Foundation may be obtained by contacting the Foundation President, Steve Laible by email: laible@comcast.net.
Medicare Open Enrollment is Here
Mankato, MN, October 16, 2019 - The 2020 Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and ends on December 7. Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director with the Senior LinkAge Line®, wants people to remember, “This is the time of year people on Medicare should review their Medicare plan options for 2020.” She added, “Taking time now to do your research can save you money and help you to find coverage based on your situation and your healthcare needs.”
The Senior LinkAge Line receives calls every year from people who failed to review their plan changes for the coming year. Since Medicare changes every year, the Senior LinkAge Line recommends that each person review their options for the coming year and open and read every piece of mail received from Medicare, Social Security and their current plan. Annual plan changes can include:
Medicare Part D:
Premium
List of medications covered by your plan (formulary)
Medication restrictions such as adding prior authorization and quantity limits
Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
Pharmacy network
Medicare Advantage and Cost Plans
For plans that include Part D the list above will also apply
Coverage area
Premium
Out-of-pocket maximum costs
Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
Provider network
Covered-benefits and restrictions
Use the new revamped Medicare Plan Finder tool at www.medicare.gov to compare your current plan with other plans available in 2020. This will help you plan for the coming year and give you confidence and peace of mind.
If you need Medicare help, contact the Senior LinkAge Line, a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging. The Senior LinkAge Line is Minnesota’s federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and the place to call for non-biased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-333-2433 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Dr. Anthony Nwakama to Provide Comprehensive Orthopedic Services at Murray County Medical Center
By Michael Ladevich
Interim CEO
Murray County Medical Center
Murray County Medical Center will continue to offer Orthopedic services with Orthopedic Surgeon, Anthony Nwakama, MD. Dedicated to the surrounding area for nearly two decades, Dr. Nwakama offers this community a wide range of specialized orthopedic treatments of sports injuries, total joint replacements, tendon repairs and fracture fixations.
“MCMC has a top-notch staff and wonderful surgical facility,” stated Dr. Nwakama. “I truly look forward to providing comprehensive orthopedic services to this community.”
Dr. Nwakama has performed more than 2,000 successful total joint replacements and completes more than 100 artificial joint replacements every year using advanced and minimal invasive techniques. He also performs hundreds of arthroscopic repairs related to sports injuries and other problems of the knee, shoulder, wrist, hip, elbow and ankle.
A graduate from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, MN, Dr. Nwakama is certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Association. He is also an active member of the Arthroscopic Association of North America and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeries. Additionally, Dr. Nwakama has completed research and publications in orthopedic surgery.
He resides in the Marshall area with his wife and six children.
To book an appointment with Dr. Nwakama, please call 507.929.7696.
United Way Campaign Update
United Way of Southwest Minnesota announces that $145,954.91 in donations and pledges have been recorded to date during the annual fund-raising campaign. This equates to 24% of the $600,000 campaign goal.
These donations exemplify the heartfelt support of people coming together to help their friends and neighbors. Funds will be invested to impact lives while inspiring and motivating positive action. Currently, more than 52,600 local people are being served through United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) initiatives, community partner programs and partnerships
By giving to United Way you join the fight for the health, education and financial stability of everyone in southwest Minnesota. Your donation to UWSWMN will go to work to improve the lives of people living in 35 communities, 24 schools across 8 counties.
Contributions can be made online at www.UnitedWaySWMN.org<http://www.UnitedWaySWMN.org> or mailed to UWSWMN, PO Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258. The annual campaign runs through January 31, 2020. Together, Let’s Help Our Home.
Dust off your Musical Instrument and Mark Your Calendars!
Hey all you past, current, and “wanna be” Community Band Members: Practice for the Slayton Area Community Band’s Christmas Concert is beginning! All instrumentalists interested in Community Band are invited to try it out by coming to the rehearsals and then joining us for the Christmas concert. Rehearsals will be Tuesdays October 29th, November 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th at 6:30 at Christ Lutheran Church.
Mark your Calendars! The Community Band Christmas Concert will be Sunday, December 1st at 3:30 PM at Christ Lutheran Church. Snow date is Dec. 8th. Watch this paper for more details in the near future!
Do you play saxophone? The Slayton Area Band is looking for a Tenor Saxophone player and we have the saxophone for you to use! If this sounds like a fit for you, contact Mike Helgeson at mike_helgeson@mcc.mntm.org TODAY!
Pelican Pontoon Pussycats
The Pelican Pontoon Pussycats 17th Tatortot Hotdish Cookoff! It’s time to start thinking of THE best Tatortot Hotdish ~ Get your recipe cards out, put your creative cooking hats on and come on out and whoop it up with the Pussycats!
Bring your favorite TAT0RTOT HOTDISH to Breezy to be judged by 1pm or just come and enjoy the food and have some fun... (open to all to compete!)
Sunday (that’s our Funday) October 27th 1pm SHARP!
Tots for a TOT!
Proceeds from this Cookoff will be going to Mike Rose & Katie Benson’s granddaughter Lillian Johannes Warrior Princess to help with medical expenses. Lillian Jean was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, She just completed chemotherapy for treatment. Between trips to Children’s Hospital and medical bills Nate and Alyssa will have a financial burden.
Farmers Considering FSA Marketing Assistance Commodity Loans
Challenging markets have generated increased producer interest in use of farm-stored Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL), administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farm-stored grain loans provide interim financing for producers to help meet cash flow needs without having to sell commodities when markets are at harvest lows. The MAL term is up to nine months and allows producers marketing flexibility until more favorable market conditions emerge.
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) interest rates for commodity loans disbursed in October is at 2.75 percent. The Murray County FSA crop loan rates for 2019 are as follows: Wheat (HRS) $4.16, Soybeans $6.08, Corn $2.10, and oats $2.04.
A producer may settle a non-recourse MAL prior to loan maturity through repayment or by forfeiture to CCC following loan maturity. Producers with grain under loan that will be sold prior to maturity can request a marketing authorization from FSA which gives them approval to deliver the mortgaged collateral to a designated buyer before the loan is repaid. When a marketing authorization is issued and grain is delivered to market under the authorization, repayment is required from the elevator. Mortgaged grain should not be moved without prior approval from the FSA county office. Delivery of farm-stored commodities for forfeiture to CCC can only be made to an approved warehouse under UGRSA following loan maturity. FSA will work with producers to coordinate deliveries to warehouses at customary delivery points. CCC will determine the loan settlement value based upon the quantity and quality of grain delivered. CCC established premiums and discounts will be applied to grain forfeited for settlement. Should there be a deficiency on loan settlement due to quality or quantity repayment is required based upon the difference between the loan rate and determined settlement value. Interest would apply on all settlement deficiencies calculated from loan disbursement through the repayment date.
“Producers are encouraged to plan ahead when filing for a commodity loan as loan dispersal takes a few days to process and disburse,” said David Schreiber County Executive Director in Murray county.
To initiate a loan application, producers must certify stored quantities of commodities for which MALs are being requested, including storage location, bin number, bin circumference, height of grain, test weight, moisture, and any quality concerns. The quality of the commodity in farm storage must be maintained throughout the term of the loan. Producers are responsible for both the quantity and quality of the loan collateral while it is under loan.
For more information regarding Marketing Assistance Loans and FSA programs, contact the Murray county FSA office at 507-836-6-8567 or visit fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.
“USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).”
