Bluff Country Reader

Alaska promotes going outside and staying awhile

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:33am

“So you’re back?”

“Here I am, I think,” I said in response.

“Why did you go to Alaska?” a friend asked.

“To visit Haines.”

“An underwear factory?”

“No, Haines is a beautiful city and borough in southeast Alaska.”

“What do you go there for if you’re not looking at underwear being made?”

“To see the bald eagles,” I say. 

“You can see them here.”

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO MG OWNERS

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:31am

Maybe it’s because people who own MGs are a little unique. Or, maybe it is because the MG marque is unique. Maybe it is because MGs are no longer manufactured. For whatever reason, I really do feel that an inordinate number of happy occasions and circumstances come to MG owners.

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO MG OWNERS

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:30am

Maybe it’s because people who own MGs are a little unique. Or, maybe it is because the MG marque is unique. Maybe it is because MGs are no longer manufactured. For whatever reason, I really do feel that an inordinate number of happy occasions and circumstances come to MG owners.

Reminder: City dump in Spring Valley for brush only

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:21am

We have been residents of Spring Valley going on eight years. We moved here from Rochester as we were attracted by this quaint, lovely town. Although we both work in Rochester, we can't wait to come “home” at the end of the day. Our children and grandchildren love coming “to the Valley” to spend time for holidays, weekends and Ag Days (they wouldn't miss it!). In short, we love our town and what it has to offer.

Enough is enough

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:08am

Neighbors in the Newburg area and beyond have been clear for months: we want the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to follow the law and order an environmental impact statement for Catalpa Ag, the gigantic 5,000-sow hog operation proposed in Newburg that would put our drinking water, property values and health at risk.  

On Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center, we have our last chance to express our concerns directly to the MPCA and demand an EIS before Commissioner John Linc Stine makes a decision. 

MPCA to hold meeting on additional test results for proposed swine facility in Fillmore County

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 1:16pm

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will hold a public informational meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4, on additional investigations for the proposed Catalpa Ag swine facility in Fillmore County. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center, 201 Main St. South. The agency will present the findings followed by time for questions. The MPCA will accept comments on those additional investigations through Dec. 11.

Age Well at Home hosting special program for caregivers

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 2:33pm

Richard lovingly cares for his wife of 63 years as she slips deeper into the depths of dementia.

Janet checks in daily with her elderly parents to be sure their needs are taken care of.

Following her husband’s severe car accident, Mary was cast into the role of caregiver as her husband navigates life in a wheelchair. 

These scenarios are what one may first identify with when answering the question, “Who is a caregiver?”

Chatfield ‘Chain Gang’ almost 40 years strong

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 11:19am

The “Chain Gang” for Chatfield High School football games got a little “ink” on KTTC-TV and on Facebook (Bicknese and Berry, I believe).

It’s stories like this that remind us how much we have to be thankful for in our community. Teamwork, dedication and partaking and supporting the community you live in helps more than you’ll ever know. Here’s my own shout-out to the Chatfield “Chain Gang!”

From KTTC: “Football season is coming to a close, state tournament play is underway, but it’s time to take a look at an unheralded group of individuals on the field.

Take Thanksgiving camaraderie outside for Black Friday

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 11:18am

Well, that’s a surprise! I just looked at a calendar and saw that Thanksgiving falls early this year, on Thursday, Nov. 22 – basically a week away! I guess it’s no wonder those ads for Black Friday shopping deals keep showing up in my email inbox.

You’ll want to remember that Black Friday, Nov. 23, is actually a good day to get outdoors and skip the frenzied shoppers at the malls. I mean, you’re doing the great majority of your shopping locally, right? So, getting outside lets you enjoy nature, with the added bonus of working off the stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Beavers modify environments to create ecosystems

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 11:16am

I was slaving away in Beaver Dam, Wis. The city was named for a beaver dam located in a stream flowing into the Beaver Dam River. The area had been known as Okwaanim, Chippewa for beaver dam.

Beaver dams are built by beavers to provide ponds as protection against predators such as coyotes, wolves and bears, and to provide access to food in winter.