Afternoon news digest: cabbage rolls edition
We've been working on a project and thus are late to post. Our apologies.
A Worthington Globe reader writes in Letter: A sacred place, indeed:
When I enjoy a multicultural gathering such as the Visit of the Three Kings, I do feel that Worthington is a sacred place. As Christians we are called to practice hospitality.
I also know that for hospitality to be sustained, the Christian values of justice and compassion are essential.
God’s desire for justice confronts us with issues of cheap labor driving down wages, of identity fraud, of border security, and of taxation for the additional cost of social welfare, medical care, and education. God’s desire for compassion requires our response to people in desperate situations, to the limited and length process to obtain legal visas, to the exploitation of vulnerable people, and to a means of earned citizenship that promotes civic participation and community stability.
The paper had reported on an Epiphany celebration in Community gathers to celebrate Three Kings Day:
The three kings at Sunday’s celebration were representative of Worthington’s diverse community. Aliet Rong, a refugee from Sudan and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gustavo Martinez of St. Mary’s Church and Jeff Ling of First Covenant Church carried gifts to the wooden manger at the front of the room. . . .
. . .Many local churches, businesses and individuals contributed to Sunday’s large event.
“The community responded in providing gifts for this celebration,” Kolander said. “This is a great way to get people together. People from different cultures can learn about other countries’ traditions.”
The story of the Epiphany has been one of our favorites, ever since we heard a sermon by Rodger Broadley pointing out that the Wise Men are the only people in the birth narrative outside of family members who understand the meaning of the star. Their insights came after years of study; as fans of due diligence and research, we were delighted to learn that there's more to an epiphany than a mere hunch or inspiration.
We're doing some reading about immigrant integration and English Language Learner programs right now, and the praise for Worthington made us remember something* we'd once read about Deep Valley, Minnesota, Maud Hart Lovelace's thinly fictionalized version of our birthplace, Mankato:
Lovelace has understood what it is to be an American broadly enough that the boundaries of Deep Valley can expand to include both its German American members and the Syrian Americans who live "over the big hill" from the rest of Deep Valley, but become at least partly integrated within it. Lovelace understands Americanization, at least overtly, as involving commitment to American ideals and political principles rather than conformity to Anglo American cultural norms, so that, at least in theory, Deep Valley's "foreigners" can be welcomed and celebrated as true Americans.
My Danish grandfather went to Americanization classes with some of the real "Syrians" (actually Lebanese) on whom Lovelace based her community. However, since he knew English pretty well already, he satisfied his zest for knowledge by learning Arabic from his new friends. I grew up eating kibbeh and yabra (cabbage rolls), as well as open face sandwiches.
Amy Klobuchar is enjoying rural hospitality on her swing through rural Minnesota. Marshall Independent editor Dana Yost says Klobuchar flashes humor in Marshall speech. The Worthington Globe reports Klobuchar lists goals during Worthington visit.
The New Ulm Journal reports Board to offer its thoughts on Hwy. 14.
To the east, the Winona Daily News notes that Pfeilsticker pleads guilty to DWI. As we had written at the time her arrest became public:
. . .this might not be the time for Pfeilsticker to try for office again.
We hope Pfeilsticker rethinks her decision to stay in the race for the House 28B seat. Trust can be regained (we know many friends and public officials who've done it), but it takes a bit longer than a handful of months to demonstrate a renewed commitment to responsibility.
It's not up to us to take others' inventory--only Pfielsticker can do that for herself--but sometimes character means putting aside ambition for a while. Those who will point to what they perceive to be bad behavior on Steve Drazkowski's part in defense of Pfeilsticker are arguing that two wrongs make a right. They do not.
Meanwhile, gentle readers: designate a responsible driver, call a taxi or a sober friend, or stay put when you've been enjoying liquid celebrations.
We're going to go hunt up some lamb, rice, and cabbage for a pot of yabra tonight.
*Mills, Claudia.
Diversity in Deep Valley: Encountering the "Other" in the Betsy-Tacy Series
Children's Literature - Volume 32, pp. 84-111
