REGIONAL REPORTRothsay, Minn.

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First term state representative and small business owner Jeff Backer was unanimously endorsed for a second term by western and northwestern Minnesota Republicans at the House District 12A Republican Convention held in Starbuck on Saturday, April 9. House District 12A runs from Rothsay all the way South to Backers home in Browns Valley House District 12A includes all of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties and the western half of Douglas and Pope counties.

“It is an honor to receive the support of local Republicans and their backing of my continued work protecting agriculture, ensuring our rural schools and nursing homes receive the resources they need, and standing strong for rural values,” Backer said.

Backer was nominated by Barry Nelson of Hancock and Ken Peterson of Breckenridge. At the convention, Backer spoke of his success passing bipartisan legislation to permit rural ambulance services to work jointly on scheduling and provide quicker response to medical emergencies in rural Minnesota, and of his goal to dedicate the state surplus to middle class tax relief and a significant transportation bill benefitting our rural communities.

“Once again, there will be a clear difference between my record and that of my opponent who was a lockstep supporter of the so-called “progressive” agenda of Democrats from Minneapolis and St. Paul. I welcome the discussion,” Backer stated.

The convention, chaired by Odell Christenson of Wendell was attended by over 55 delegates representing each of the seven counties in District 12A.

Backer is a member of the Agriculture Policy, Health and Human and Services Policy and Health and Human Services Reform Committees as well as a member of the Child Care Task Force.

Prior to his election to the Minnesota House, Backer served on Browns Valley School Board and was the former three term mayor of

Browns Valley. In addition, Backer has served as a volunteer EMT for the Browns Valley Ambulance Service for nearly 22 years. Backer is married and has one daughter. The family attends Zion Lutheran Church.

For more information about the Jeff Backer for House campaign contact Backer at 701-361-1909 or visit the campaign’s website at www.jeffbacker.com.

Jeff Backer Wins Republican Endorsemnt

By: Karin HaugrudSenior LinkAge Line® Specialist

Older Americans Month 2016: “Blaze A Trail”May is a month of fresh beginnings. Perennials bloom once again,

blazing a trail of bright color. May is also when we celebrate Older American’s Month (OAM), acknowledging the perennial contributions of older adults to our nation. The 2016 OAM theme is Blaze a Trail. The Administration for Community Living will use this opportunity to raise awareness about important issues facing older adults. It will also highlight the ways that older Americans are advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities.

Older Americans Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of community engagement as a tool for enhancing the wellbeing of older adults. Now is the time to Blaze a Trail to make the benefits of community living a reality for older Americans. Older adults are a growing and increasingly vital part of our country. The contributions they make to our communities are varied, deeply rooted, and include influential roles in the nation’s economy, politics, and the arts.

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.

Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the lives of community members.

Community service and volunteering are common ways to refer to this engagement. No matter

what you call it, older Americans are doing it, and in higher numbers than ever before.

Beyond helping the people around you, being involved in your community benefits you. From preventing mental health issues by engaging in meaningful work to the physical benefits of being active and social, civic engagement is a win-win. It is never too late to give back!

What are some ways to Blaze a Trail? Get involved! Opportunities are available that fit your lifestyle and how much time you want to give. If you are a morning person, the early shift at an animal shelter or reading to kids might be a good fit. Volunteering works best when you involve your interests and skills. If you want to help others more informally, think about driving neighbors to appointments, babysitting for working parents, or tutoring kids in your neighborhood.

This article is made possible with Older Americans Act dollars from the Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging. Call the Senior LinkAge® at 800 333-2433 to speak with a specialist about getting involved, or check out our website at MinnesotaHelp.info. MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help.

Motorists on Interstate 94 northwest of Fergus Falls will experience traffic shifts and lane closures beginning Monday, May 2, weather permitting.

Crews will reconstruct the bridge decks on I-94 over Otter Tail County Road 88.

For the first half of the project, all traffic on I-94 will shift to the westbound lanes while crews reconstruct the eastbound bridge. Traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction.

Crews will reconstruct the westbound bridge deck later in the summer.

Flaggers will control traffic on Otter Tail County Road 88, when necessary.

Work is expected to last through late October.

Speed limits on I-94 will be reduced to 60 mph through the work zone. Motorists are reminded that violators will be fined a minimum of $300.

This project re-uses the existing beams and bridge substructure. The new bridge decks will extend the life of the bridges and result in a smoother road surface. This project helps ensure MnDOT’s transportation system will continue to serve the state for many years.

For Minnesota statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

I-94 Bridge Work Begins Near Fergus Falls

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood and help save lives in honor of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

Each year, the local and global impact of the Red Cross mission is celebrated on May 8, the birthday of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement founder Henry Dunant.

Currently, donors of all blood types are needed to give and help save hospital patients’ lives. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients across the country.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1 800 RED CROSS 1 800 733-2767.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Henning• May 3, 2016: 12:00-6:00 p.m.,

Community Center, 607 Second Street.

Fergus Falls• May 11, 2016: 1:00-7:00 p.m.,

West Ridge Mall, Former Hallmark Room, 2001 West Lincoln Avenue

• May 12, 2016: 1:00-7:00 p.m., West Ridge Mall, Former Hallmark Room, 2001 West Lincoln Avenue.

May 13, 2016: 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., West Ridge Mall, Former Hallmark Room, 2001 West Lincoln Avenue.

How to donate blood - Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1 800 RED CROSS 1-800 733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license

or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Celebrate World Red Cross Day By Donating Blood

UCare To Hold Informational Meeting

This month, UCare will host informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare health plan options. UCare for Seniors has more than 80,000 members across Minnesota.

To register for a meeting or obtain more information, call 1-877-523-1518 toll free.

UCare For Seniors health plan informational meetings:

• Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. Essentia Health EMS Building - Conference Room, *Includes EssentiaCare.

- 225 Park Street, Detroit Lakes.• Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30

p.m. Alexandria Senior Center, 414 Hawthorne Street, Alexandria.

• Wednesday, May 25 at 11:30 a.m. GrandStay Hotel & Suites, 114 W. Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood.

A salesperson will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1 877 523-1518 toll free TTY 1 800 688-2534 toll free.

“Medicare 101” MEETINGS Medicare overview, not UCare health plan information:

• Tuesday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m. Essentia Health EMS Building - Conference Room, 225 Park Street, Detroit Lakes.

• Monday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m. Ortonville Community Center, 200 Monroe Avenue, Ortonville.

American Legion Auxilary Met On Thursday, April 7

American Legion Auxiliary of Ellingson/Brenden Post #376 of Rothsay met Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the

Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN at 1:00 p.m.

Several poppy posters from local school students were judged. Winners were Chase Balken-first place, Summer Wigdahl-second place and Samuel Danielson-third place. All posters will be on display at business places throughout Rothsay and also at the community center on Memorial Day. Memorial Day is May 30, 2016.

At 2:00 p.m. Auxiliary members who assisted residents at the veterans home with bingo were Phyllis Morrill, Betty Magnusson, Elaine L. Balken, Elaine M. Balken, Avis Wiese, Margaret Brenden, Lou Opsahl, Tracy Balken and Joy Toso.

The next meeting scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2016 at Westfall Apartments.

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ROTHSAY REGIONAL

REPORT

The Rothsay Regional Report is a monthly publication printed by Papermaker, Inc., a Minnesota corporation with the main office in Barnesville, MN. The Rothsay Regional Report is mailed monthly from the Rothsay, MN Post Office at regular third-class postal rates.

The publication is issued free of charge to those in the trade area or may be purchased for $15.00 per year by those living outside the trade area.

To order a subscription of if you have any questions about advertising rates, please contact us at PO Box 203, Rothsay, MN or you may call us at our office in Barnesville at 218 354-2606.

Eugene A. Prim Editor-Publisher

Rothsay Regional Report