Only in New Ulm

This October marks two years since my diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer to the liver. This usually would make a person sad, but not me. When I think back, I can’t help but smile. My life was flipped upside down, but all of you have supported me in such glorious ways to help me stand up strong. I am fighter and a warrior now, as you all have believed in me, and made me believe that I am worthy and very loved. We all are worthy of this kind of love.

I have been adored by this community, at such incredible, uplifting events. Thank you for the financial help with my ongoing medical bills, whether it was at the “GoFundMe” and “Bliss Bulbs,” to “Blisstock” and “Find Your Bliss, Just Dance.” “New Ulm’s Kitchen and Bath Tour” and “Bliss Stomp” and all the other mini “Bliss-ism’s” from t-shirts to tattoos!!

Thank you to the people who so generously gave their time, talents, and treasures to execute all of these successful, blissful events! The committee’s for these events went above and beyond for me, I am blown away by the glory of it all!

Thank you to my loved ones who have made meals, watched my kids, were caretakers during treatments, cleaned my house, windows and yard, and showered me gifts and talents! You all have the most special place in my heart.

Thank you to all my clients who are patiently waiting for me to heal, I can’t wait for the ability to share my energy once again through massage!

Thank you to all those who have prayed for me, and I ask that these please continue as I begin a new path on this journey. Immunotherapy did not work for me, and won’t be an option moving forward. I am beginning a hormone therapy that I hope, God willing, will give me more blissful years with all of you! I believe God is healing me through all of you, and we are all connected by His love.

I am not able to say, just yet, that I am cancer free, I know I am a fighter and survivor of these last two years. What an unbelievable ride it has been! I am so grateful, and feeling “Blissed” only in New Ulm, MN.

Eden (Bliss) Kalk

Woodstock Fundraiser Appreciation

The Grand Center for Arts and Culture would like to extend a big thank you to all who helped to make our Woodstock 50th Anniversary Celebration and fundraiser a big success! With the help of so many we raised almost $10,000 to help fund our live music series that occurs throughout the year.

A special thanks to Schell’s Brewery and Johnson Brothers for providing the drinks, Lola’s for the Food and the use of her Food Truck and to all of the musicians who played, including Joe Tougas, Scott Sparlin, Terry Sveine, Lee Weber, Bruce Melzer, The Organic Cowboys, Steve Vonderharr and Kit Kildahl.

In addition, thanks to all who attended, to the live auction donors and to The Grand board and staff as well as the many other volunteers who staffed the day and made this a fun community event.

Tour of Manufacturing

The South Central Workforce Council exists to aid employers in finding skilled workers and to help individuals locate good, stable jobs in our South Central region of the state. One of the most phenomenal ways to match employers and potential employees is to bring them together in the actual workplace. This is precisely what happens during the Tour of Manufacturing event. This year we are so grateful to Booth Welding, New Ulm Precision Tool, Parker Hannifin and SpecSys in New Ulm who graciously opened their operations for tours on Thursday, October 3rd and Saturday, October 5th. Many area residents and high school students were able to actually observe the magnitude and precision of these state of the art manufacturers. Thank you for opening your doors and sharing the very interesting work that you do!

Sincerely,

Deb Barnes, Chair and Diane Halvorson, Executive Director, South Central WorkForce Council

Diabetes Walk

The 5th annual New Ulm Diabetes Walk, sponsored by the New Ulm and Lafayette Lions Clubs, was held this past Saturday at the Civic Center in New Ulm. This year 160 walkers participated in the walk raising approximately $16,000. Corporate donations and sponsorships for walk expenses make it possible for 100% of these funds to be used for research to find a cure for diabetes and to provide scholarships for area juvenile type-1 diabetics to attend summer diabetes camp.

Funds are sent to the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation to help fund research projects at the University of Minnesota and to Camp Sweet Life Adventures for their summer camp program near Maple Lake, Minnesota.

This year’s walk was dedicated to the memory of Whitney LeGare, a Lafayette area native. Whitney died in May from complications of Type 1 diabetes, one day before her 25th birthday. Her family and friends honored her memory by forming a large Walk Team and participating in this year’s walk. The New Ulm and Lafayette Lions Clubs and members of the New Ulm Diabetes Walk Team would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s walk a huge success.