Hanska does it well

THUMBS UP: Hanska, New Ulm’s Norwegian neighbor to the south, is celebrating Syttende Mai this weekend. Syttende Mai, or May 17th, is the anniversary of the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814, which declared Norway a separate country from Sweden. It wasn’t until 1905 that Norway gained its full independence from Sweden, but May 17 is still celebrated as a national holiday.

Hanska has been showing its pride with Syttende Mai celebrations for many years, featuring a sold-out musical show each year, and a community celebration on Sunday. This year’s events include a car, truck and tractor show, the UFF DA Just for Fun 5K, entertainment in the park, and the parade at 12:30 p.m.

Congratulations to Hanska, which knows how to throw a party.

Safe at home

THUMBS UP:New Ulm earned some recognition this week, being named to the list of safest cities over 10,000 in population in Minnesota. New Ulm was 8th on the list, behind Edina and ahead of Farmington, according to the Movoto Real Estate survey using FBI crime statistics from 2012.

We know New Ulm has its share of crime, theft, drug use, and such, but for the most part we are pretty well behaved.

Orderly session

THUMBS UP: For the second year in a row, it looks like Minnesota’s legislative session will end on time with a minimum of the last-minute wheeling and dealing, or impasses, that have made sessions so exciting in recent year.

The session is set to end at midnight on Sunday, and the major bills have either been passed or have been agreed on.

Less rushing at the last minute usually means better legislation.

A good news story

THUMBS UP: You’ve got to love the story from New York this week of the three roommates who bought a lumpy old couch at a thrift shop and found over $40,000 hidden away inside it. The three returned the money to the 91-year-old woman who had stashed the cash, but whose relatives unknowingly gave the couch away while she was having health problems.

This is the kind of story that makes one believe there is still hope for the world.