Do you remember how excited you were when you heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? Yeah, me neither. But, HIPAA has impacted all of us in many ways we may not even realize. Companies had to become compliant with the HIPAA Security Rule by April 21, 2005. That was nearly 14 years ago. The whole reason HIPAA was introduced related … [Read more...]
Neighbors
By Ken Sawle Rushford, MN When my daughters were young, and found themselves in a situation that seemed overwhelming, I would say, “Take a deep breath and a few steps back from yourself.” It seems like vague or simplistic advice, but using a few moments to calm yourself often helps to put things in a warmer light. I’d like to be able to say the same thing to the nation as … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Depression and suicide among farmers
By Maddie Smith 1 (800) 273-8255... This is what Fillmore County dairy farmers read on the bottom of their milk checks each time they sell their freshest shipment of milk — the suicide hotline number. As striking as this fact seems, few people consider the significance of the mental health of farmers. Anxiety, depression, and suicide are serious concerns for farmers … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The clock is ticking
January 19, 2019, is approaching fast. Unfortunately, we are just days away from the iconic Branding Iron of Preston, Minn., closing its doors. KAAL6 News recently broadcast a feature highlighting the dilemma of Baby Boomers wanting to retire from owning their business, but not able to do so because they can’t find a buyer. Our Preston Area Chamber of Commerce/Preston Area … [Read more...]
Fear not!
Americans like “new beginnings”! I hung this year’s calendar on the wall and admired the picture for this month of two cardinals in the snow. (January 1, 2019 ) We pause to assess where we are, who we are and what our goals will be in the coming year. We are grateful to the holidays which renewed the spirit of hope. The power, the engine that has provided the impetus to … [Read more...]
Interfaith dialogue, yet another perspective
By Flip Huggenvik Big Spring, MN I am compelled to respond to the commentaries written by Judy Ellestad Sayed and Aaron Schwartzentruber on interfaith dialog conversation...compromises between the Christian faith and the Muslim faith. “Can’t we all just get along?” Ha! Members of both faiths have strong convictions and some, like Judy, believe we can listen to the other … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Local horses rise to fame
By Anna Erickson On a farm outside of Mabel, Minn., a team of Belgian draft horses rose to fame earlier this winter after a video of them went viral on the internet. Molly and Prince are a 13-year-old brother and sister who are very well accustomed to pulling heavy loads. In December 2018, truck driver Josie Swartzentruber’s semi truck became stuck when the slippery road … [Read more...]
Gratitude
Now that we are past the busyness of the holiday season, I am reflecting on what a wonderful year 2018 was for southern Minnesota. It was a year that renewed my optimism for the future of our unique part of the state. I was once again humbled by the generous people of our 20-county region who make our work at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) worth every … [Read more...]
Interfaith dialogue, another perspective
By Judy Ellestad Sayed Charlottesville, VA While perusing the online December 31, 2018, issue of the Fillmore County Journal, I read the commentary by Aaron Schwartzentruber in which he contends that interfaith dialogue compromises the Gospels of the New Testament, especially if dialogue is between Christians and Muslims. My personal experience with interfaith dialogue … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our second family
This past week, members of our newspaper staff attended a funeral at Root River Community Church in Rushford, Minn., to pay our respects to Peggi Redalen. Peggi worked in advertising sales for the Fillmore County Journal since way before my wife and I purchased the company in 2009. And, she had worked for the Rushford Tri-County Record for many years prior to joining the … [Read more...]