New ownership

THUMBS UP: The Lord moves in mysterious ways, it is said, but there’s not a lot of mysery in the move that Grace Community Church is making into the former United Church of Christ. It’s just a matter of good people putting their heads together to do something good.

When the United Church of Christ congregation voted last year that it was time to dissolve, it made plans to share its asset among needy and deserving organizations. One of its assets was the church building at the corner of Third South and Minnesota Streets, built in 1973. As it happens, the church with no congregation is going to a congregation with no church. Grace Community Church, an Evangelical Free Church whose members have been meeting in the New Ulm Community Center.

The UCC agreed to sell the church to Grace Community Church for a dollar, and the deal was completed on Friday, but not before UCC ussed its leftover church repair and upkeep fund to spruce it up for the new owners.

What a fine example of caring and cooperation. We need more of that in these days.

Nicklasson’s closing

THUMBS DOWN: Another iconic New Ulm business has decided to shut its doors. This week Nicklasson Athletic Supply announced it is going out of business, shutting down its retail operation and selling its school and association supply business to BSN Sports.

Nicklasson’s, founded by Hank Nicklasson in 1946, has been supplying athletic gear, outfitting Little League teams and high school teams all these years. How many kids got their first baseball glove, or skates there?

We wish the owners a happy retirement, but they will be missed.