Month: August 2021

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Connie Nelson of Hallock has been awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award. Nelson is a talented visual artist and performer in our area. 

Connie has a strong history in the arts. She organized and exhibited at the Hallock Art & Wine Walk. She painted numerous murals, including ones for the City of Kennedy, C&M Ford, the Hallock Telephone building, Two River Golf Clubhouse, the City of Hallock, personal commissions, and others in progress. She has exhibited art in many NWMAC exhibits and has an enhanced artist listing with the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council. 

Connie has also been active in the theater arts. She acted, directed, or designed sets for numerous performances in the Hallock Community Theater, Stephen Community Theater, 42^nd Street Theater in Kennedy, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in Santa Rosa, California, Always Patsy, Sod House Production of Enemy of the People, and the Kittson Central One-Act Play. 

Connie’s community and regional involvement include serving on the NWMAC Board of Directors, 42^ndStreet Theater Board of Directors, International Theater Festival Board of Directors, Hallock Community Theater Board of Directors, Cornerstone food pantry volunteer, City of Hallock Strategic Planning Committee, and Ladies Golf League Treasurer.

According to Hallock Main Street Board Member and Hallock Business Owner Cheri Reese, “Connie captures the quirkiness and warmth that IS Hallock – both in her art and her approach to making it. She brings something playful and unexpected to her projects that very much appeals to people across the spectrum — she makes the familiar fun again.”

The late Kay Rosengren, who served on the NWMAC Board with Nelson and lived in Hallock, described her as “an outstanding muralist. There are many places where Connie has brightened both interior and exterior surfaces. She approaches each endeavor with enthusiasm, originality, and careful planning.” She went on to say that Connie’s stage presence is “a treat for her audience.”

Fellow actor Tom Silewski said, ”Connie is a ray of sunshine. You can have 100 people on stage, and she’s the one who will stand out. She has a glow about her that catches everyone’s eye. There’s only one Connie. She’s unique – she’s talented at art, singing, acting, and she can climb a telephone pole.”

When asked about the impact of the arts on individuals or society, Nelson explained that “the arts, in general, have many purposes. There’s the entertainment factor, but there are some things in visual arts, theater arts, or writing that can really make you stop and think about serious issues. The arts can make you more introspective and really enrich your life. They help you get to know who you are.”

The Northwest Artist of the Year Award is given each year to recognize artists within our seven-county region who stand out in artistry. This award can be given to any discipline artist, including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. “Of the Year” Award winners were nominated by area residents. This award comes with a cash award of $500.00. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from the McKnight Foundation. 

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Crookston Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Olson released an August Community Communication earlier today on behalf of Crookston Public Schools. Below is the communication.

 

Greetings from Crookston Public Schools!

While I had hoped for a completely normal start to school, the events of the last few weeks have indicated that we will have to put some safety measures in place as we begin the school year. What I am extremely excited about is the scope of our conversation compared to last year. Last year at this time, there were concerns about whether or not in-person instruction could even happen. This year, that is not even a discussion as we have learned that we can hold in-person instruction safely with scaffolded mitigation strategies. What was reconfirmed to us last year was that in-person instruction was by far better for students both academically and social-emotionally. While academic knowledge is far more accessible with the in-person model, even more so, is what is known as the hidden curriculum in schools. The hidden curriculum is often the skills that employers look for in employees that, while not always purposefully taught, is a byproduct of people working together. Employers seek employees that have the ability to work well with others, exhibit problem solving skills, and have the ability to work as a member of a team toward a shared goal. We continue to see evidence of the importance of in-person instruction and we are excited to be on the cusp of a somewhat “normal year” this year. 

Strategic Plan 

As we move into this next academic year, our emphasis at Crookston Public Schools will be on advancing our strategic plan as a school district. Our strategic plan consists of four core values: 

• Communication
• A culture of high expectations
• Relationships
• Exceptional systems of support

We have attempted to increase our communication to you as community members and parents through various communication platforms such as social media, apps, regular communications via district contact system, and regular communications to our community. We also continue to emphasize the importance of relationships throughout our school community both individually and corporately. We have endeavored to build high quality relationships with our students and parents. Our district has also made it a priority to collaborate with various partners in our community such as the University of MN Crookston, the City of Crookston, CHEDA, Tri-Valley as well as other organizations in our region that align with our mission and add value to our community. 

This year, our focus is on creating a culture of high expectations. We have reviewed some of our practices and current expectations both internally and externally as we look to create a culture of high expectations. The definition of the word “culture” is the “set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization”. At Crookston Public Schools we hope to have high expectations embedded into the fabric of our organization. We must devote ourselves to high expectations for ourselves in all programs and activities that are under the umbrella of Crookston Public Schools with excellence as the standard not the exception. We also want you to realize that this takes time as we evaluate our programs, activities, and curriculum to meet this standard of excellence. Seldom does lasting change happen overnight and I want to be clear that this will be a process over several years as we continue to evaluate our programs, make adjustments where needed, and continue to have high expectations with excellence as our standard.   

Crookston Public Schools has also initiated work around exceptional systems of support for our students by making significant investments in our Title I program as well as investing in our intervention program at Crookston High School. At the end of last year, the School Board doubled the Title I instructional staff to provide additional support to students who are struggling in the subjects of reading or math. In addition to this we have also continued our intervention program at Crookston High School for students who need additional assistance in 7th and 8th grade. At the 9-12th grade level, we are in the process of revamping our curriculum and expectations for our Alternative Learning Program. 

Preschool

Over the course of this summer we have added an additional Preschool Teacher to meet the demand for our growing Preschool Program. Our program currently has 106 students registered which makes this the largest preschool enrollment that Crookston has ever had. The Preschool Program has grown over the last few years and has become a significant part of our students’ educational journey. 

I am proud of the progress that we are making in our schools and I am proud of our staff that have worked so hard to make our schools a better place for kids and families! I also want to say thank you to our community for your continued support of Crookston Public Schools! Together we can and will achieve the excellence that we desire! Go Pirates!

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Minnesota reported 1,754 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, August 30, with Polk County having only 4.

All the data from the Minnesota Department of Health is below.

Data is for cases that were tested and returned positive. All data is preliminary and may change as cases are investigated. Many data points are collected during case interviews. Data presented below is for all cases, regardless of interview status. Data for cases pending interview may be listed as “unknown/missing.”

Positive PCR test results are considered confirmed cases. Positive antigen test results are considered probable cases.

All probable cases get the same public health follow up and recommendations as cases confirmed by PCR tests.

Testing

Total approximate completed tests (cumulative)	11,391,772
Total approximate number of completed PCR tests (cumulative)	10,324,265
Total approximate number of completed antigen tests (cumulative)	1,067,507

Total approximate number of people tested (cumulative)	5,041,034

Minnesota Case Overview

Total positive cases (cumulative)	646,094
Total confirmed cases (PCR positive) (cumulative)	596,664
Total probable cases (Antigen positive) (cumulative)	49,430

Total number of health care workers (cumulative)	44,709

Patients no longer needing isolation

Patients no longer needing isolation (cumulative)	625,274

Deaths

Total deaths (cumulative)	7,805
Deaths from confirmed cases (cumulative)	7,376
Deaths from probable cases (cumulative)	429
Deaths among cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities (cumulative)	4,542

Total non-laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 deaths (death certificate) (cumulative)	93

Hospitalizations

Total cases hospitalized (cumulative)	35,038
Total cases hospitalized in ICU (cumulative)	7,130

Case Demographics

Age

Gender

Race & Ethnicity

Likely Exposure

Not all cases among health care workers have a likely exposure as health care staff.

Residence

Cases by County of Residence

County of residence is confirmed during the case interview. At the time of this posting not all interviews have been completed.

Residence Type

• MN DOC: COVID-19 Testing of People Incarcerated in MN Prisons

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The Polk County Highway Department would like to invite the public to the naming of the Bernie L. Lieder Bridge. The re-naming of the Gentilly Bridge to honor former Polk County Engineer/NACE President/MN State House of Representative Bernie L. Lieder will take place on September 7, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.

Due to the ceremony, traffic will be detoured on CSAH 11 and CSAH 46 starting at 12:00 p.m. on September 7, 2021.

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The Minnesota State Fair’s tenth Military Appreciation Day will take place Tuesday, August 31, and provide an educational opportunity for all fairgoers to learn about Minnesota’s military community. This year’s theme is honoring the service of the past, present, and future. 

“The Minnesota State Fair is a great opportunity to bring our community together to show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our state’s veterans and military families,” said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General. Military Appreciation Day is presented by USAA (United Services Automobile Association) and coordinated by the Minnesota National Guard.

The Governor’s official proclamation of Military Appreciation Day commences at 10 a.m. at the Minnesota State Fair’s Leinie Lodge Bandshell. The program will include remarks by senior leaders of Minnesota’s military community and concludes at 10:25 a.m. with a flyover of C130 Hercules from the 934th Air Force Reserve. 

There will be nearly 50 educational booths located at Dan Patch Park, along with entertainment on the Dan Patch Park stage from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Programming includes a 9 a.m. performance by Johnny Holliday, 11:00 performance by country artist Sailor Jerri; live recordings of Minnesota Military Radio Hour, and a 3:30 p.m. performance by the Red Devil Rock Band.

The Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band will perform at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The State Fair’s 2 p.m. parade will include a formation of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Companies.

The State Fair offers discounted tickets ($11 rate) for military members, veterans, and their families on August 31 with documentation at the gate.  For more information on the Military Appreciation Day at the State Fair go to http://www.mnstatefair.org and key word search ‘August 31’ or ‘military’.

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Crookston Ox Cart Days Committee – Many, many thanks to the community of Crookston and visitors from afar that attended this year’s Ox Cart Days summer festival August 16-22. The 100+ events kept the committee (and guests) racing Monday thru Sunday and, though it seemed chaotic at times, I think it’s safe to say most everyone had a great time.

While the third week in August lived on in 2020 it wasn’t the same without all the events and entertainment, and 2021 definitely made up for that. First it was a packed Eagles Club for Taste of Crookston then to a full Downtown Square for circus entertainment, next to the Crookston Sports Center for a weather location change for Community S’mores, then back downtown for Saturday’s street dance with Snake Oil. Looking out at the crowd any night at any event there were smiles galore. Mission accomplished.

There were definitely some challenges, too, with event cancellations/postponements due to the drought and city water restrictions, the last-minute weather changes, lack of staff and supply issues for some of our vendors, and family health matters causing this year’s chair (myself) to be gone during critical planning times. All of these things combined caused some heartache and extra work for the committee, and I’m forever grateful and thankful that they stepped up to the plate when this festival needed it.

Over the past few years the committee has learned a lot and with a new chair for 2022 (Libby Boucher) comes new opportunities.

To Crookston, the Red River Valley and beyond: Please continue to support this awesome week of events with your attendance at events, your partnerships, your sponsorships and by spreading the word about our town’s celebration.

The post LETTER TO THE EDITOR – OX CART DAYS COMMITTEE SAYS THANKS TO THE CROOKSTON COMMUNITY appeared first on KROX.