All Blood Types Requested at the Slayton Community Blood Drives
Slayton, MN - Community Blood Bank will host a community blood drive in Slayton, MN on Wednesday, November 20 at Murray County Central High School from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and at Murray County Medical Center from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to help local patients in the hospital during the fall months. All blood donations will go directly to saving patients’ lives in the Slayton area.
“The need for blood throughout the area is very consistent, with 540 units of blood being used in the area last week,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “This blood drive event helps bring awareness to the community about the need for blood as we approach the change in seasons. The hope is to bring about an increase in local blood supplies in order for us to be able to treat trauma, surgery and cancer patients throughout the fall and avoid a shortage in our community. We encourage residents to please consider donating blood when we are at Murray County Central High School and Murray County Medical Center on November 20.
Community Blood Bank supplies over 550 units of blood each week to people in the region. Among those who benefit from donated blood are trauma and burn victims, cancer patients and persons undergoing surgery. Donating blood is a simple way to save patients’ lives in the community. Without volunteer blood donors donating blood throughout the summer, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain an adequate supply of blood for our community hospitals.
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in good general health the day of the donation. Please bring an I.D. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. You can safely donate blood every 56 days.
For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call MCMC at 507-836-1286. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.
Talking Holiday Stress Management With U Of M
For many, the winter holiday season — filled with gift-buying, travel and entertaining — is the most stressful time of year.
Mary Jo Kreitzer with the University of Minnesota talks about why the holidays are stressful, and ways to prevent and manage stress.
Q: Why do we tend to experience stress during the holidays?
Dr. Kreitzer: One of the biggest sources of stress during the holidays is expectations – those that others have of us and those we impose on ourselves. Women, in particular, often feel pressure to bake, shop, decorate, host parties and coordinate schedules. Is essence, doing too much for too many over a short period of time. Quite literally, our schedules fill up and our pocketbooks empty.
Q: Are there ways to prevent holiday stress?
Dr. Kreitzer: I think one of the best strategies for preventing holiday stress is to plan in advance. Begin with asking the question, “What is most important to you and those around you?” Think about which activities, rituals and gatherings have the most meaning. Get input and don’t be afraid to make some changes. Ask for help! We don’t have to do it all alone – enlist others, set priorities, simplify and let go of perfectionism. I love the trend now to “gift” time and experiences rather than more stuff. And focus on flexibility. Don’t be afraid to change even the most hallowed holiday tradition if it is not working for you anymore.
Q: What are some physical things we can do to manage stress?
Dr. Kreitzer: It is so important over the holidays that we take care of ourselves. Get enough sleep, build enough physical activity into the day and plan our eating so that we eat healthy foods in addition to special treats that we may choose to indulge in. Moderation in eating and drinking is a great strategy.
Q: How can mindfulness play a role in reducing stress?
Dr. Kreitzer: Mindfulness, or being in the present moment, can be a superpower during the holidays. Sound easy? It is actually quite difficult. We spend much of our time either contemplating the past or anticipating the future. When we are in a mindful state, we are more attentive to those around us, we listen more, anticipate needs and enjoy the moment including the sights, sounds and smells of all that is around us.
Mindfulness can reduce stress in another way. When we gather with family and friends, there can also be tension that arises from old patterns, family dynamics, unrealistic expectations and poor communication. Mindfulness helps us be more self-aware and notice in the moment what we are feeling. When someone asks an embarrassing question or challenges something you said, instead of reacting by blurting out what is on your mind, notice how you are feeling. When we become anxious or angry, we can train ourselves to notice it in our body and can better choose how you want to respond. Choosing a response may entail removing yourself from the situation or deferring to engage in a debate or argument.
Q: As the founder and director, what are some resources from the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing that can help people manage stress?
Dr. Kreitzer: The Bakken Center’s website Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing is a great source of information on ways to improve the wellbeing of you and your family! There are also some great articles on Healthy Holiday Tips, Mindful Eating, Mindful Holiday Giving and When the Holidays Aren’t Joyful.
Mary Jo Kreitzer is the founder and director of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing and a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota. Her areas of expertise include mindfulness-based stress reduction, integrative therapies and healing practices and optimal healing environments.
United Way of Southwest Minnesota Hosting United Acts of Kindness Week November 18th-22nd
Participate with us and United Ways across the state of Minnesota, November 18th-22nd. This special week has been designated as United Acts of Kindness Week to promote volunteer engagement and to encourage kindness to others statewide.
What can you do to promote or deliver an act of kindness to a family member, neighbor, customer and/or colleague? Document your acts of kindness and share them with us using special hashtag #LiveUnitedMN or email them to unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org.
We are asking that you plan to do at least one UNITED ACT OF KINDNESS for another individual. Challenge yourself this week and see what you can do to promote or deliver kindness. A little kindness makes a BIG impact.
Additional information and tools can be found at https://www.unitedwayswmn.org/UAKWeek.
Christmas Project
The Murray County Christmas Project is again planning to provide toys and gifts to over 300 eligible children in Murray County. We are accepting donations of toys and gifts for children 12 and under. Also needed are stocking caps and mittens. Monetary gifts are also accepted to help with the purchase of gift items. Please take your donations to the Slayton Shoe Repair In Slayton by December 1, 2019 or contact 507-530-1292 and we will schedule a pickup time for your donation.
Thank you for your support to the Murray County Christmas Project, your donations will be greatly appreciated by all who receive them.
Pelican Pontoon Pussycats
Tie One On with the Pelican Pontoon Pussycats at the Breezy Barn November 24th 1pm ~ Sunday (that’s our Funday)
Tie on an Apron and bring your mothers favorite recipe or YOUR favorite food mom made to Breezy by 1pm SHARP and PARTY LIKE A CROCKSTAR!!
~ PRIZES FOR COOKOFF WINNERS ~
Calling all apron clad Desperate Housewives to “Rock the Crocks”
Don’t worry if you can’t cook – you can still get in on tasting all the great culinary concoctions!
Proceeds will be going to Dave Ziemke who was recently diagnosed with ALS to help with medical expenses.
Slayton Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
The annual Slayton Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, November 10, at St. Ann’s Hall. This is a major fundraiser for the club which services community activities with special emphasis on youth support and development. Tickets are available from club members and can also be purchased at the event. This will be the 38th year that the club has held this fundraiser.
The breakfast is an all you can eat format featuring pancakes, sausage links, orange juice, milk & coffee. Cost is $7 for adults, S4 for children 6-12, and free for youth 5 and under.
Some of the activities supported by the local club include Cub Scouts, After Prom Party, MCC Scholarships, Camp Love’s Embrace, Wonder World, Punt-Pass & Kick, Jr. Achievement, Imagination Library, Head Start, MC Christmas Project, Children’s Miracle Network, ECFE, ECI, Hearts & Hands of Murray County, Youth Soccer, Slayton Fireman & much more.
Nobles Cooperative Electric Operation Round Up Distributes $14,085 into Local Communities
Worthington, Minn. - The generosity of Nobles Cooperative Electric member-owners continues to have an amazing effect on local communities. Even more astounding is the fact that tiny donations, an average of only 50 cents a month, are making these huge impacts. That over $354,000 since the program began!
Member-owners who participate in Operation Round Up allow the cooperative to round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar. This small change is pooled into large amounts that a volunteer trust board oversees. Every penny goes to those in need.
Here is the latest round of donations:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Quilters - The funds will be used to purchase sheets (flat) to use as backing for quilts. This request would purchase around 40 sheets. $400
Lake Sarah Quilters - To help in the purchase of materials to make quilts for individuals in need of comfort. $400
Our Lady of Good Council Quilting - Money will be used for the purchase of a sewing machine, boards for quilt frames, yarn, needles, threads, quilt tacks and broken clamp replacements. $400
Sillerud Quilters and Friends - Funds will be used to purchase materials and another sewing machine. $400
Brewster Senior Dining - To help pay the transporter from Lakefield to Brewster for Brewster Senior Dining patrons. $925
Community Christmas Baskets - Funds will be used to help distribute food, gifts of new warm clothing and new toys to needy families in Nobles County at Christmas time. $725
Ecumen Meadows - Request is to help with the purchase of Karaoke equipment (machine, TV, stand and microphones) and age-appropriate Karaoke CDs to enhance the memory care unit. $425
City of Fulda/Fulda Senior Center - For the purchase of a commercial dish washer sanitizer. Theirs is no longer working. Senior Dining provides meals to Fulda and Slayton. $750
Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of MN Meals on Wheels - To help cover the cost of meals for high risk seniors in Fulda and Slayton who cannot afford to contribute, but rely on these meals to maintain their health and independence. $1,500
Murray County Daycare Association - Requesting funds for 15 members at a cost of $45/person to attend a CPR/First Aid refresher course that is mandatory, along with one additional training at a cost of $150. $825
Murray County Food Shelf, Inc. - To secure an additional large chest freezer to properly store meat deliveries for clients. This freezer will allow them to provide more meat protein to their patrons. $625
Slayton Fire Department Relief Association - Seeking funds to purchase a new electric ventilation fan for their new pumper truck that will be delivered in September 2019. $1,125
Southwestern Mental Health Center - $500 would be used to purchase 50 books to be distributed to families in need and $1,000 to be used for therapy equipment for the treatment of youth that have been exposed to trauma in Nobles County. $890
United Way of SW MN - The money would be used to purchase backpacks, Kleenex and disinfectant wipes for the 2020 Stuff the Bus Initiative to provide K-12 students with basic tools needed to learn and be successful. $825
Adrian Girl Scouts - The money would be used to fund an extra educational event at Rock Ranch (near Hills, MN) for horsemanship ($380) and a trip to Brookings Childrens Museum ($192). $450
Murray County Central Drama Department - Funds to install a cyclorama curtain at the back of the stage to improve the visual quality and professionalism of their community projects. $450
Murray County Central 2nd Grade - For the purchase of five Gaiam Balance ball chair stools to be used for flexible seating in the classroom. $495
True Friends - A grant will help offer programs and introduce new activities to ensure thorough staff training and maintain program fee afford ability. $425
Worthington Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol - Funds are sought to support training and expenses for: uniforms, SAREX, Wing Conference, transportation, STEM kit and Encampment. $875
Murray County Early Childhood - Funds would be used to purchase new book storage and a traveling library system. $450
Worthington Area YMCA - To support the Worthington Area YMCAs Strong Kids Campaign. A program that ensures no one will be turned away from Y programming and membership due to the inability to pay the established fees. $725
The Trust Board has set March 2, 2020 as the deadline for the next round of funding. The board will meet again in
April to review the applications. Interested organizations may call Nobles at 800-776-0517, e-mail nce@noblesce.com or visit www.noblesce.coop for an application.
Nobles Cooperative Electric has a strong commitment to the communities they serve, serving approximately 6,800 members in Murray and Nobles Counties.
American Education Week - 2019
During this year’s American Education Week—November 18-22, 2019—millions of educators, parents, students, and community leaders will join the National Education Association (NEA) in raising awareness about the critical need to provide every child with a quality public education. On behalf of the entire Murray County Central School District staff, thank you for your continued partnership and support in educating the children of our communities. American Education Week is an annual event commemorating education across the United States. This year is the nation’s 98th year in celebrating AEW. This week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are and have made a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. The theme of the week reflects upon the vision of calling upon all Americans to do their part in making public schools great for every child so that they can grow and achieve in the 21st century.
Our school district here at MCC, with its excellent reputation, continues to attract high quality new staff while retaining our exemplary, current personnel. As a collaborative team, we work together bringing expertise and a wealth of experience to students each day. The support of our families and the communities continues to play a key role in the district’s performance for which we thank all of you!
That support showed up again on election day, November 5th, when the operating referendum renewal vote passed by a margin of 91% to 9%. This 10-year extension generates the additional general education revenue that helps provide the programs and learning for the students that we serve. Schools have changed a great deal over the years and the cost of providing that quality education continues to rise. Gone are the one-room schoolhouses. Chalkboards have been replaced with electronic white boards, laptop computers are replacing textbooks, and there are a host of new skills for students to learn for the world of tomorrow. Today’s teachers have the awesome responsibility of teaching more than just the basic skills. They nurture and inspire children despite many obstacles. They help students learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation, and problem solving. All of these life skills help prepare students throughout their entire life. This is, however, a collaborative team effort and this week is a great opportunity for parents to discuss the importance of education with their children and to look for ways to reinforce the learning that is happening here inside the walls. The classroom is where students learn to think, solve problems, and cooperate with each other. These skills are critical in shaping the future of America and can also be reinforced at home and in the community. Research shows that education is a great predictor of personal and professional success later in life. American Education Week is also a great chance for parents to reconnect with their students’ schools and to look for opportunities to volunteer and support the schools and the curriculum.
MCC is again providing everyone an opportunity to celebrate public education with us and encourage you to attend the 12th annual American Education Celebration on Tuesday, November 12th in the new Central High School Practice gymnasium. This night will be reserved for honoring deserving students and adults from Murray County Central. Included in the honors is the Murray County Central Wall of Fame award that is given to recognize outstanding lifetime achievement by people that have supported MCC. We will also be honoring individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child receives a quality education.
There is much to celebrate in our schools. Murray County Central schools have continued to outperform the state averages on such indicators as the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests in Reading, Math, and Science. We reached an all-time high average score on our ACT scores, our high school graduation rates far exceed the state average and for the past several years, our district scores at or near the top of all schools in Southwest Minnesota (both large and small) in these measurement assessments. Murray County Central schools set high expectations for students and have been successful in meeting those goals.
Again, we appreciate your continued support and partnership in educating the children and youth of the MCC community. We also want to express our gratitude to the business and community partners for their commitment to educating area students. Finally, commendations, recognition, and thanks to our team of excellent and caring staff members with whom you entrust your children each day of the school year.
Joe W. Meyer
MCC Superintendent
Direct Loans
FSA offers direct farm ownership and direct farm operating Loans to producers who want to establish, maintain or strengthen their farm or ranch. FSA loan officers process, approve and service direct loans.
Direct farm operating loans can be used to purchase livestock and feed, farm equipment, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance and other costs including family living expenses. Operating loans can also be used to finance minor improvements or repairs to buildings and to refinance some farm-related debts, excluding real estate.
Direct farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, enlarge an existing farm, construct and repair buildings, and to make farm improvements.
The maximum loan amount for direct farm ownership loans is $600,000 and the maximum loan amount for direct operating loans is $400,000 and a down payment is not required. Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer’s ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years.
Please contact your local FSA office for more information or to apply for a direct farm ownership or operating loan.
COURT QUEEN OF PEACE #1558
Court Queen of Peace met with 18 members present on Oct. 22, 2019 beginning with prayer, flag pledge and thank you’s to those who attended Monica Stoderl funeral, the Living Rosary, the memorial for Vonnie DeYonge’s son, John DeGreeff for making the poster stand, those helping with CDA Sunday, and Barb Surprenant and LaRue Robinson for the evening’s meal. Mary Meaden and Marti Engelkes were welcomed as new members.
Father Thien Nguyen asked us to look around us and thank God for all the gifts that make us happy. Jean Eich reported 72 members with a few left to pay dues. Joann Halbur encouraged the group to support the ‘Baby Bottle’ Campaign which supports financial assistance to women who choose adoption or parenting rather than abortion. It is amazing the amount of money in coins that can be put into a baby bottle. Lee Crowley made known our newest seminarian, Isaiah Olsem, a local young man from Fulda. Marcie Cowan, Faith Formation, will be offering “The Best Advent Ever” beginning Dec 2. Currently 12 CDA members are studying the book of John. Barb Surprenant, legislative chair, gave the good news and bad news about abortion issues.
Thirteen students will be confirmed on Nov. 2. Several Daughters volunteered to furnish bars for the reception afterwards. A gift from CDA will be given to them.
White Ribbons Against Pornography (WRAP) will take place Oct 20-27. Volunteers will pass out white ribbons before Mass in Iona, Lake Wilson and Slayton.
St. James will celebrate their 60th anniversary. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Marlys Knuth or Joyce Risacher.
A Christmas tree will be decorated at the Dinehart-Holt house. It needs to be decorated by Nov. 7. Several volunteered to assist Pat Spartz with the Irish theme.
Meals On Wheels will take place Nov. 4-8
The program featured Lynn Johnson who initiated a discussion about senior housing in Slayton. There was much discussion and many suggestions about how to proceed.
The November meeting on the 19th will be the memorial Mass at 5 PM for deceased members of the CDA and KC’s.
Good News
By: John Stenen
Many years ago a lay minister in England walked fifteen miles through heavy rain to deliver his sermon to the few who would come to Church on such a day. He began his opening prayer with: “Almighty God, we thank Thee that it is not always as bad as this.”
We all have less than ideal times in our lives when things can be really rough, but can we still be thankful for all the blessings we have received from the hand of God?” God’s Word says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18).
God loves it when His children have hearts full of praise and thanksgiving for all that He has provided. This is what giving glory to God is all about. We’re to live righteously, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Living clean moral lives, and serving God each and every day as we show our love for Him and our fellow man. Imagine what life would be like if we all would live like that.
Often times, people cannot be happy and thankful for the things they have because of what they do not have. That’s a pretty poor attitude to have.
I am so thankful for the life that God has given me. I’m not just thankful for all the ‘stuff’ I’ve accumulated, but for the privilege of living in this great nation, that has had God’s grace poured upon it these many years. I am thankful for the freedom and liberty I’ve enjoyed that has been purchased by veterans and the many who gave their all. I’m thankful for the wonderful family and friends that I am blessed with; and above all, I am thankful for all that Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross of Calvary. There is eternal life for all who trust in Him and serve Him. A Happy Thanksgiving Day to you all!
