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News from the week of October 18, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Helping hands at harvest

Neighbors & friends bring home Bill Minnig's last crop

It was a harvest Bill Minnig would have been proud of.

His best fields produced a golden bounty of 170 to 180 bushels of corn an acre. Even the rolling, rocky fields produced yields his father could have only dreamed about.

Yet Bill Minnig might have been even prouder of his neighbors Saturday.

Dozens turned out on a sun-dappled October morning to harvest Minnig's corn crop. Within three hours, an army of combines, grain trucks and wagons moved 37,500 bushels of corn from the field to grain bins.

“You don't realize just how many friends you have until something like this happens,” said Ardyce Minnig. “These are all just super people.”


Railroad warns against right-of-way trespassing

Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad representatives remind the public that trespassing on railroad right-of-way is not permitted.

Jerry Bryant, DM&E track foreman in Tracy, said a considerable number of hunters were seen walking along railroad tracks recently. The DM&E does not condone or allow the public on its right-of-way without written permission, he said.

“No one is allowed on railroad right-of-way unless they have a written permission slip in their pocket from the (railroad) vice president.”

The issue, Bryant said, is one of public safety and insurance liability. The railroad does not want anyone hurt on its property and the DM&E doesn't want to increase its liability exposure by having unauthorized people on its property.


Walnut Grove pageant honored as one of best tourism events

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in Walnut Grove reached another milestone this week.

For the third-straight time, the pageant has made a Minnesota Office of Tourism “Top Ten” list.

John Edman, Minnesota Office of Tourism director, announced that the Wilder Pageant was selected as one of Minnesota's Top Annual Group Tour Festivals and Events for 2001-2002.

“This is a great honor,” said Errol Steffen, Wilder Pageant committee member.

The outdoor pageant is based upon stories written by Laura Ingalls-Wilder in her book “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” The pageant tells the story of the Charles Ingalls family making a new life for themselves on the virgin Southwest Minnesota prairie in the 1870s.


Big crop leaves grain storage tight

A big crop has many area elevators bursting at the seams.

Some elevators have turned to temporary storage.

Corn started getting piled on the ground at the Cenex-Harvest States elevator in Tracy last week.

"Just way too much crop and not anywhere to put it, so we have no choice but to put it on the ground" is the way Tracy co-op manager Bob Anderson put it. "Of course, we are always looking for more storage space and the vehicles to do the moving. Right now, it's just on the ground."

Anderson said the lack of space is due to a large grain crop coming on the heels of last year's large crop. Many farmers are also reluctant to sell at this point due to low prices.


Kiwanis donations boost Children's Miracle Network

A service project took on extra meaning for Tracy Kiwanis Club members last week.

Kiwanians learned first-hand about the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), a club-sponsored cause. Last year, Tracy Kiwanis members gave $600 to the Children's Miracle Network, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of ill or injured children.

“When a child suddenly becomes sick with a life-threatening illness, or is injured in an accident, it is a traumatic event for any family,” said Laurie Knutson, director of the Children's Miracle Network of South Dakota.

The goal of the Miracle Network is to make a difference in children's lives, Knutson explains.


Sunday school children return at Tracy Lutheran

There was a lot to be happy about at Tracy Lutheran Church Sunday.

Triumphant hands shot into the air as Pastor Marlene Elmstrom led the Sunday schoolers in song for the congregation's "Rally Sunday." Rally Sunday traditionally heralds the beginning of a new season of religious education at Tracy Lutheran. but, due to extensive renovations and improvements of the church beginning this spring, the return of Sunday schoolers was delayed this fall.

"I am certainly pleased with the turnout of kids here today," stated Pastor Elmstrom, "Considering the amount of flu going around town right now, there is a really good attendance here today and we are always so pleased to see that."

"Now, all we need are the dividers for the classrooms. They haven't arrived as scheduled and God only knows when they'll get here!" the minister laughs.