A solution is reached

We congratulate the Blue Earth City Council and business owner Kevin Guilliatt for working together to make sure Guilliatt has the room he needs in front of his downtown store to display goods.

The council has extended the amount of sidewalk Guilliatt can utilize at his General Store, a popular draw for Blue Earth. We believe anything our area towns can do to help draw shoppers is important. And the change allowed for Guilliatt did not cost Blue Earth a dime. It just had to back off from being too rules-oriented.

A familiar face takes over

We extend our congratulations to Kathi Peterson, who has been named the new director of the Fairmont Opera House. Peterson steps in for Sharon Turner, who is battling cancer.

Peterson has been the administrative assistant at the Opera House for a couple of years, and performing many of the duties she now inherits. We wish her well.

As for Turner, we add our thoughts and prayers for her health, and we thank her for her service to the local institution that is the Opera House.

Volunteers come through

The Salvation Army in Fairmont was a little desperate earlier this holiday season. It lacked sufficient bell-ringers to help out with the charity's most important fund-raiser - the red kettle campaign - of the year.

Since the news of the situation broke in early December, area residents stepped forward to lend assistance. They made the difference, and now the Salvation Army is close to reaching its $22,600 goal.

The money raised helps fund Salvation Army programming throughout the year, and these are important services in the Fairmont area.

Don't forget about them

As we write this, the Midwest is getting blasted by a severe winter storm. Snow and wind have made for a white Christmas season indeed.

We know area residents are good about helping out others in times of trouble, so we encourage everyone to keep in mind those elderly folks or otherwise disabled people who cannot dig out on their own. Some of these friends and neighbors also might not know who to turn to in case of extended power loss and loss of heat.

For those able-bodied, hearty Minnesotans out there, keep these other folks in your thoughts. Thanks.