News

St. Mary’s Environmental Science students watch as MSU geology professor, Dr. Bryce Hoppie, tests water chemistry and collects a sediment core sample from the bottom of East Sleepy Eye Lake (the slough). Hoppie leads an ongoing watershed study for the City of Sleepy Eye and when possible allows the Environmental Science students to observe and follow the progress of the study. Pictured from left: Dr. Hoppie, Maya Nelson, Katelyn Fromm, Hannah Pelzel, Logan Mickelson, Joey Herzog, and Liz Schwint. PROVIDED PHOTOS

In his column this week (see page 2) Mayor Wayne Pelzel is full of news about plans for this year's celebration of the City of Sleepy Eye's 150th Anniversary. On Sept. 18, 1872, the early streets of Sleepy Eye were platted by Walter Brackenridge and Thomas Allison and early the next morning the two men went to the Brown County Courthouse in New Ulm to register the plat and our little town was officially created.

The February EDA Board Meeting provided some more positive information and results for the board members to consider relating to EDA programs, activities, and involvement from the past and current programs that the organization has funded. One revolving loan fund loan saw its last payment made, which currently leaves only two other loans outstanding with that fund. Seven new loans were distributed over the past 12 months from the Business Assistance Fund which is for building rehab work or business startups. I reported to the Board that there are three more applications that the EDA Finance Committee will be reviewing and making a recommendation on to the full EDA Board in March. I have also distributed an additional three applications that are currently being completed by another three businesses in our community!

State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) will seek re-election in the new House District 15B, which contains all or parts of Brown, Redwood, and Blue Earth counties, and the Lower Sioux Community. Torkelson has represented much of this area for the past seven terms, but a new redistricting map – required after every census to meet state population patterns – changed the boundaries.

The Brown County Historical Society invites the public to attend 'DO TELL - Notable Women of Brown County' on Tuesday evening, March 22 at the New Ulm Country Club. Dinner at 6 p.m., Program at 7 p.m. Dress up like the photo “Gossip Girls” and qualify for a door prize drawing.

Welcome to my little but ever changing world. After graduating from seminary I went to Japan to serve, doing the same things as any Japanese pastor would do. At first I had a great deal of language and cultural training—and after they let me loose, I knew just enough Japanese to be, “dangerous.” However, little by little I was able to preach, teach, council, and do my pastor stuff just fine, I just didn’t look Japanese. Because I wasn’t Japanese, we all knew that I would only be welcomed into the Japanese circle to a certain point, I would always be known as ‘that’ foreigner. I worked hard on learning the language and respecting the culture and therefore I was respected and accepted.

A year ago, when in person pancake breakfasts were out, the Knights of Columbus came up with a new idea for their annual project to benefit a local cause. The KCs held a Teddy Bear sale to benefit Lennon Ludewig, a little boy diagnosed with cancer. The specially designed Teddy Bears were sold in Sleepy Eye and raised funds to help the Ludewig family. • The project was so well-received that the KCs decided to do it again this year. KC member Brian Braun said their organization was touched by the story of little Ellanor Siefkes, who had a bone marrow transplant, that was in the Herald-Dispatch at the end of December and reached out to her parents to offer a special Teddy Bear sale to help them with expenses. • Braun, who met recently with Ellanor’s dad, Caleb Siefkes, said Ellanor is doing better every day as she recovers from her procedure. He said if she continues to do well, she could come home as soon as Monday, Feb. 28.