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News from the week of March 15, 2000Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

Ag expert: 'Throw away textbooks, normal isn't normal anymore'

Analyst says 1999 was 'not bad year at all'

Keynote speakers Jerry Gulke and Dr. Ron Plain laid it on the line last Thursday for farmers attending Southwest State University's 16th annual farm outlook seminar.

“If you couldn't make money last year, you ought to take a look at it,” said Gulke. “1999 was not a bad year at all.”

“The world is changing extremely fast,” said Plain, who spoke about structural changes occurring in the pork industry. Those who figure out how to adapt will be the survivors.

Plain is a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri with expertise in livestock marketing, farm management and swine production.

Gulke owns Strategic Marketing Services, an information and analysis firm providing marketing strategies for agribusiness clients throughout the United States. He operates a 2,000 acre corn, soybean and wheat farm in northern Illinois. This is the fourth year the analyst has been invited to speak at the seminar.


City awaits judge's ruling on sewer bid

The city of Tracy's $1.5 million sewer and water improvement project planned for this eyar is in limbo because of a legal challenge.

A Montevideo firm, Schoep and Sons Construction is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the City of Tracy from awarding a construction contract to Scott Olson Digging of Huron, S.D. Scott Olson Digging was the apparent low bidder on the project when bids were opened last month.

Until the legal issue is resolved, the City of Tracy cannot move forward wit its sewer project. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has set at Oct. 31 deadline for the completion of the project.


Chess Club moves up

Young chess masters sharpen thinking, aren't rooked on fun

Chess is one of the greatest games ever invented.

So says science instructor Roger Benson, organizer of a local chess club for elementary students. Benson began playing chess when he was in junior high school, and has been a fan of the game ever since.

“It makes you think, plan ahead and face consequences,” said Benson of the game where two players maneuver chessman on a checker board in an attempt to capture their opponent's king.

Last year the club attracted a dozen students. Numbers this year more than doubled, with 27 participants in the after-school activity.


Spring Expo

About 30 exhibitors are expected at the Tracy chamber of Commerce's Spring Expo Saturda. The event runs from 9:30am until 6:30pm in the Tracy Prairie Pavilion. No admission is charged. Exhibits will focus on family health, farm equipment and services, home improvement ideas, automotive services and food.

Lunch will be served by the Tracy Hospital Auxiliary. Several demonstrations will be held throughout the day.

The Spring Expo is a continuation of the chamber's Farm and Home Show. The name was changed to Spring Expo and the event was moved from a Tuesday-Wednesday affair to Saturday.


Knowledge Bowl team advances to region test

A Tracy Area High School (TAHS) Knowledge Bowl team has qualified for regional competition.

Team members are: Chris Gervais, Kara Nelson, Mark Freeburg, Nicole Wilking, and Eric Nelson. The team finished 8th out of 23 teams participating at the Sub-Regional Knowledge Bowl Competition Monday in Marshall.

A second TAHS team—comprised of Alison Tanghe, Randall Bornitz, Kim Bornitz, Ryan Peterson, and Tony Stephens— finished 20th out of 23 teams.

Regional competition is at Southwest State University on April 5.


Tita says this is last year for boutique

Tita Welu says this will be her last year at Tita's Boutique.

"I want to retire," explains the long-time Tracy business owner. "Running a store takes a lot of time."

Her intention is to be closed by Jan. 1. Although she will still be getting in some new merchandise, her plan is to gradually reduce inventory through an on-going retirement sale.

A native of the Philippines, Welu has been a part of area business for four decades.