This past week was full of many memories that satisfied my eternal optimism. Teacher of the Year On Tuesday, the Fillmore County Journal presented the first-ever Teacher of the Year award to Mary Hoiland, a 46-year veteran teacher of the Rushford-Peterson School District. For quite a number of years, our staff at the Fillmore County Journal has been talking about how … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Collaborative marketing equals community branding
Within the past two weeks, a new publication has appeared in the Chatfield area. The Chatfield Tourism Center has been the host of many tourists year after year, and the volunteers have been handing out publications for other communities such as Harmony, Lanesboro, and Preston -- but never anything for Chatfield. There wasn’t any promotional piece to promote the community, … [Read more...]
Journal Creative Director recognized as E & P Top 25 Under 35
Every year, the nation’s leading newspaper industry magazine Editor & Publisher recognizes the “Top 25 Under 35.” For 2017, out of all of the nominees from daily and weekly newspapers throughout the United States, Fillmore County Journal Creative Director Jana Boyum made the list, and deservedly so. Jana is one of only 25 individuals under the age of 35 recognized by … [Read more...]
Who will you nominate as the Teacher of the Year for 2017?
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions,” someone once said. That’s profound, if you stop and think about it. Who was your favorite teacher and why? Even as an adult, nearly everyone can name off the list of teachers they had for each grade. Undoubtedly, today’s children are our future leaders. Teachers play an important role in the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Daycare dilemma
We have a really big challenge in this area, that impacts both families and businesses. There’s a daycare provider shortage. The demand is far greater than the supply. I hear about it on a weekly basis from friends all the time. We recently tried to hire a person for a newly added position at our company, and I told her the biggest challenge she would face … [Read more...]
Wetterlings speak at MNA Conference
On Thursday, January 26, 2017, Fillmore County Journal Assistant Editor attended the Minnesota Newspaper Association Conference in Bloomington, Minn. While at the conference, Ellen Whalen listened to presentations from Pulitzer Prize winners from the newspaper industry, along with a presentation relating to editorial content management and audience engagement. On Friday, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… I’m sorry
First, thank you to Jerry Grehl and Jack Bratrud for their thoughtful perspectives offered on the Commentary pages of the January 30, 2017 issue of the Fillmore County Journal. Both of these local readers put me in my place, and I consider this a good thing. Based on the response from my original opinion piece about unions, I came to several realizations. We have very … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Unions are like expired sour cream
In March of 2015, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker finally addressed something that really needs national attention. Unions have overstayed their welcome in America, and especially within the public sector. Once upon a time, unions served a purpose. Between 1932 and 1954, union membership in America grew from serving 7.7% to nearly 35% of the workforce. Back in the … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Premiums cost Clinton election
Our 44th President of the United States of America said, early on, “If you like your plan, you can keep your plan.” Over-promised and under-delivered. I have watched and waited since November 9, 2016, when the world came to realize Donald J. Trump was elected to be the next President of the United States of America, before sharing my observations. If I had my … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our worst day may be somebody’s best day
As we approach the holidays, it presents an opportunity for us to reflect on our past, present, and future. And, reflection can often help us revisit what is most important in our lifelong journey. About 20 years ago, when I was fresh in the newspaper business, I worked at a large daily newspaper with over 250 employees. One particularly memorable day, a sales manager … [Read more...]