National Veterinary Technician Week is the perfect time to recognize the dedicated professionals who are essential to every veterinary clinic: our licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs).

   LVTs are the backbone of veterinary medicine, combining technical expertise, compassion, and teamwork to provide exceptional patient care. Their responsibilities extend far beyond assisting veterinarians. They obtain patient histories, perform laboratory testing, take radiographs, monitor anesthesia, assist in surgery, administer medications, provide nursing care, and help

educate clients about their pets’ health. They also monitor hospitalized patients, maintain medical equipment, manage treatments, and help ensure the clinic operates efficiently and safely.

   Behind every smooth appointment, successful surgery, and comfortable recovery is often an LVT working diligently behind the scenes. This National Vet Tech Week, we are immensely grateful for our licensed veterinary technicians for their skill, dedication, and unwavering compassion! Veterinary medicine, and our clinic as a whole, simply wouldn’t be the same without them!

   This content was provided by the Harmony Veterinary Clinic Team located in Harmony, MN. For more information, contact 507-886-6321.

   Fall is a beautiful time to enjoy the outdoors and the perfect time to prepare your home for winter weather!

• Schedule furnace maintenance, replace air filters, and check your thermostat batteries.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries as needed.

• Clean Your Gutters this helps reduce the risk of ice dams.

• Check your roof for missing or damaged shingles prior to ice & snow season.

• Check windows and doors replacing worn weatherstripping and seal drafts.

• Wash windows and screens. Lock windows when closed for a better seal during cold weather.

• Insulate exposed pipes and seal drafts near plumbing. Add extra insulation wrap if needed.

• Remove garden hoses from exterior spigots.

• One final yard cleanup includes mowing, landscape cleanup, and storing lawn furniture and summer toys.

• Service your snowblower and get those shovels and ice melt ready to go.

   A little preparation now can help prevent costly repairs, save energy, and make those cold Minnesota winter days more comfortable!

   Professional guidance makes your move smoother and less stressful, reach out with your real estate questions to: Roxannejohnson@remax.net

Roxanne Johnson, Harmony, MN

Ph: 507-458-6110

   We have seen brakes last from 20k miles to 80k miles which is quite a range. The short answer is, there isn’t a set number of miles brakes last. There are many factors that play into brake life. If you wait until the last minute to slow down harshly, your brakes will wear out faster than slowing down lightly over a longer distance. Pulling a trailer also wears out your brakes faster. There are also factors that don’t have anything to do with your driving. Type and weight of the vehicle can make a big difference on how long your brakes last. Some safety systems on modern cars such as lane keep assist can use brakes to operate, which will wear out the brake pads faster. Quality of parts also plays a factor. If the brakes you use were the cheapest you could find online, they will not last as long as original equipment are designed too last.

   This content was provided by James Hagen at Total Care Care located in rural Preston, MN. For more information, call or text 507-322-4057 or visit

www.yourtotalcarcare.com.

No. But an air purifier can. There IS a difference!

Filters capture pathogens. THIS Purifier nullifies pathogens.

Testimonials:

• “A very skeptical husband allowed his wife to purchase our product. Their townhome had water damage and mold issues. She was on many medications. She noticed a remarkable improvement in her health in just 3 days! Reduced allergy medications. Eyes are not as puffy. Rashes are gone. Skin condition overall has improved.”

• “Even after professional mold remediation, the air in our home still felt heavy and hard to breathe. That’s when I discovered the science behind this air purifier and was immediately convinced it could help. Within just a few days of using it, I noticed a real difference—I could walk up the stairs without getting winded, and the air felt noticeably lighter and cleaner. It’s the best and safest purifier to protect your family.”

   For your breath of fresh air, contact Clavonne today at 507-254-1121.

Website: drivetohealth.com

Email: drivetohealth@gmail.com

   There’s a retirement strategy focused on building enough financial independence to retire early or gain greater flexibility over your career and lifestyle. It’s called FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early

   FIRE resonates with some people because, in addition to early retirement, it encourages intentional spending, disciplined saving and investing, and thoughtful planning for the future.

   But retiring early comes with important trade-offs. Future expenses may change, healthcare coverage will need to be replaced before Medicare eligibility and you’ll likely need to rely on personal savings for longer before Social Security benefits begin.

   It’s also important to remember that popular rules of thumb may not work for everyone. Early retirement often means your savings need to support more years of spending and inflation, so your strategy should be tailored to your goals and circumstances.

   Whether your goal is early retirement or simply greater financial freedom, a financial advisor can help you build a personalized plan.

   This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Maggie Schoepski, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 507-867-1460. Member SIPC

   Preventing bad habits starts with teaching your puppy what you want them to do, rather than simply correcting unwanted behaviors. Puppies are constantly learning, and behaviors like jumping, chewing furniture, and begging can quickly become habits if they are repeatedly rewarded.

   Start by managing your puppy’s environment through supervision, crate training, and baby gates to prevent trouble. Establish consistent rules from the beginning so everyone in the family follows the same expectations.

   Just as importantly, reward the behaviors you want to see more often. Praise your puppy for settling calmly, greeting people politely, checking in with you, and choosing appropriate toys.

   Remember, your puppy isn’t born knowing how to behave in your home. Good manners develop through patience, consistency, and clear guidance. Want to get your puppy off to the right start? Sign up for our Puppy Class to build a strong foundation for a lifetime of good behavior!

   This content was provided by Carla Ladd at Ladd K9 located in Preston, MN. For more information, contact 507-951-7398 or visit www.LaddK9.com.

   In America, productivity is core to who we are—for good reason. We have accomplished an astounding amount in 250 years. However, we have lost some values that once set us apart.

   Remembering the Sabbath is—ironically—the commandment we have forgotten, the one we are almost proud of breaking. We are impressed by people who never take a day off, as though constant work measures character.

   The truth is, your work will never be finished. There will always be another bill, another project, another responsibility. If you wait until everything is done, you’ll never stop.

   We often mistake distraction for self-care, seeking relief through entertainment when what we really need is rest.

   Sabbath requires something deeper: trust. Trust that the world can keep turning without your constant effort, and that your worth isn’t measured by productivity.

   What’s the point of working so hard to build a life you never stop to enjoy?

   This content was provided by Bethany Grace at Waniya Healing located in Lanesboro, MN. For more information, contact 612-790-7101 or visit www.waniyahealing.com.

   A funeral celebrant helps guide the funeral service and works closely with your family to create a meaningful tribute that reflects the life, values, and personality of your loved one. For families who do not have a church home or a pastor, a Funeral Celebrant can serve in that role, providing compassionate guidance and leading the service in a personal and meaningful way. Before the funeral, our Certified Funeral Celebrants meet with you to learn about your loved one’s life story and help design a truly customized service. They can write, or assist in writing, a tribute, eulogy, or remembrance and will work alongside your family to select readings, music, and other elements that honor your loved one. We have Certified Funeral Celebrants on our staff and have seen more families choose this style of service as a way to create a personalized and memorable celebration of life.

   This content was provided by Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service located in Lanesboro, Rushford, Chatfield, Winona, Houston, St Charles and Lewiston, MN. For more information, contact 507-467-2130 or hofffuneral.com.

   Living in Minnesota, we all know winter can be tough on our vehicles! After 12 years in the car business, here are a few things I recommend checking before the temperatures really start dropping.

   • Check your antifreeze! Make sure it’s rated for our cold Minnesota winters. If it freezes, you could end up with some expensive engine damage.

   • Check your heater! Make sure it’s blowing warm air. Sometimes, flushing a plugged heater core can help get things working properly again.

   • Check your tire pressure! Cold temperatures cause tire pressure to drop, so make sure your tires are properly inflated.

   • Stay on top of your oil changes! Fresh oil helps keep your engine protected and running smoothly.

   • Keep a blanket in your vehicle! If you get stranded, it could come in handy while waiting for help.

   These are simple things that can make a big difference when winter hits!

   Stay safe and be prepared out there!

   This content was provided by Josh Lewis at Top Gear Auto Sales located in LeRoy, MN. For more information, contact 507-324-1800 or visit

www.topgearautosalesllc.com.

   With colder weather moving into southern Minnesota, now is a good time to make sure your heating system is ready for winter.

   One of the simplest things homeowners can do is check their furnace filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow, makes your furnace work harder, and can lead to costly repairs.

   Having your furnace serviced before winter is also a smart investment. During a maintenance visit, a technician can check the burners, heat exchanger, safety controls, and overall operation of the system. Catching small problems early can help prevent a breakdown when you need heat the most.

   For homeowners who heat with LP gas, don’t forget to check your propane tank level. Make sure you have plenty of fuel and schedule a delivery before the cold weather arrives.

   Don’t wait until the first below-zero morning to find out there’s a problem.

   Call and schedule an appointment with Vis Plumbing and Heating to see if a heat pump is right for your home. Call at 507-467-2240 or 507-886-2008. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly.

   A rotten egg smell is usually caused by hydrogen sulfide gas, sulfur bacteria, or, in some cases, your home’s water heater.

   The odor is most common in private wells and may be noticeable only from the hot water, only from the cold water, or throughout the entire house. Determining when and where the odor occurs is the first step in identifying the source.

   While the smell is unpleasant, the solution isn’t always the same. Different causes require different treatment methods, which is why proper water testing is important before recommending equipment.

   Whether the issue is sulfur, bacteria, or another water quality concern, identifying the source helps ensure the right treatment is installed the first time.

   If your water has developed a rotten egg odor, a water analysis can determine what’s causing it and the best way to address it.

   Schedule a free water consult with Nate at CulliganBetterWater.com or call 452-3600.

   I have invested in billboard advertising for our company in the past, as it can be an effective method of advertising.  From my experience, there are a few key points to consider.

   Always pick a good location.  Nothing blocking the view.  High traffic area, but in a location where people have to stop at a traffic light or stop sign.

   I usually only see about 1 out of 20 billboards that have great imagery and wording.

   Make sure you have strong imagery and keep it to six words or less.  With billboards, less is more.

   I’ve seen what looks like an entire postcard of information on a billboard.  Travelers have less than two or three seconds to digest your message, so keep it short.

   The other thing to consider is that after someone has seen your billboard 20 times, it becomes a part of the landscape.  So, make sure your message has staying power that will help build your brand awareness.

   As a business owner, if you ever want to chat about marketing, feel free to call me at 507-765-2151 or e-mail me at

jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com.