While Labor Day signals the official end of summer, we're still enjoying listening to the crickets and canning fresh tomatoes. Soon, the crickets' song will slow, as will the tomato harvest. Right now, it's a time to savor.
One thing playing out right now is parade season. In the New Ulm Journal, we read that Godahl parade: Floats far outnumber residents. Yes, tiny Godahl boasts a population of 18, but each year, there's a parade with about 100 units. Some of the attractions:
Even though it’s an off-year politically speaking, the Brown County Republicans had an entry that also carried placards for State Sen. Dennis Frederickson of New Ulm and State Rep. Brad Finstad of rural Comfrey.
As for the Democrats, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and First District Congressman Tim Walz were represented in the parade, as well.
And there was music, lots of it. Six musical groups performed throughout the day, including a group from the Twin Cities and Wally Pikal and his band, fresh from a two-day engagement at the state fair, he said.
Congress resumes today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Classes are underway in MnSCU institutions, and with them, opportunities for internships. From the Winonan:
First District U.S. Congressman Tim Walz’s district office seeks interns at the Rochester office.
Students with a background in political science, public policy, business, journalism, economics, law enforcement, environmental studies, and any number of other fields are encouraged to apply.
Interns may be able to receive academic credit from their colleges and universities, depending on their program.
The internship is unpaid.
To apply or to learn more about what an intern does in the office go to: http://www.walz.house.gov/ConstituentServices/internships.htm.
Disregard the online application due date. The district office manager would like applications as soon as possible.
For more information call Alisha Kruger at 507-206-0643, e-mail ajkruger0272 {at} winona { dot} edu, or call the district office manager, Amina Arte at 507-206-0643 or e-mail amina.arte {at} mail.house {dot} gov.
Former Congressman (and current judge) David Minge, who once represented that part of the district that used to be in "the old Second," is on a roll when it comes to showing off region, the Marshall Independent reports. People from the Cities joined him on the tour. A sample reaction:
[Tim] Farrell, who serves as the president of the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council board, was joined by bikers from Minneapolis, Duluth and Slayton on a four-day trip that showed off wind towers, bike trails and county parks.
Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge David Minge, who went to high school in Worthington, helped put together the trip. He said it was a great opportunity to show off what southwest Minnesota has to offer. . . .
. . .Tazia Brunetti of Minneapolis didn’t know much about southwestern Minnesota — beyond small towns, farms and prairie land. What she found during the bike ride amazed her.
“It’s fabulous,” said Brunetti. “I didn’t know a lot about this area, and there are so many secrets. We were in Luverne, it’s such a beautiful town. We’ve learned about the wind towers and everything.”
The Worthington Globe outlines the trip's itinerary in Bike Minnesota group cycles through region. More about the ride's sponsor:
The Parks & Trails Council is an organization that has worked for more than 50 years to protect and expand Minnesota’s special places by acquiring critical land for incorporation into the state’s park and trail system. Funded by charitable contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations, the Parks & Trails Council has been instrumental in adding more than 8,700 acres of land valued at $15 million to key areas within the state’s vast network of parks and trails.
KEYC-TV reports that the tourism industry is healthy in Southern Minnesota in Local Tourism Over The Holiday Weekend. A couple is interviewed while enjoying Minneopa State Park, long a favorite, since some of our ancestors first settled in the area in the mid-1850s. (We can't remember where we read it, but Amy Klobuchar and her family spent a night in a Southeastern Minnesota B & B in order to encourage others to support the flood-ravaged area's tourism industry.)
The Preston Republican Leader illustrates the power of flood waters in Repair on lost segment of Root River Trail between Lanesboro, Whalan not expected until 2008. The North Branch of the Root River tore out a 120-year-old railroad bed and cut a new channel.
KAAL reports on another secret: Unions Reversing Downward Trend:
But there are signs that downward trend might be reversing itself.
The Department of Labor says full-time workers who belonged to unions earned, on average, 13% more than their non-union counterparts.
And that's always been a goal of labor unions.
The Strib opines Need workers? Help pay their tuition and praises UPS for providing tuition benefits for its part-timers. What the Strib doesn't tell you is that benefit is part of a union contract. UPS workers in Minnesota are represented by our friends at Teamsters Local 638.
Congratulations! Hanska Bullheads win class AA State Championship.
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