Madelia Miracle

THUMBS UP: This time last year, the eyes of the state were focused on Madelia, where a devastating fire had ripped through a block of the Main Street business district. What was going to happen to those eight affected businesses? To the town itself? How could they bounce back from that?

This year the Madelia Miracle is answering those questions. The business owners, with grit and determination and concern for the community, not just themselves, all decided to rebuild. Thanks to support from the community, donations from friends and strangers, and a promise from Governor Mark Dayton to cut through red tape, they were able to get back to work and support their employees while the rebuilding effort got underway. Today a modern, attractive street of new business buildings has arisen from the rubble field of a year ago.

We salute the people of Madelia for their courage and determination. Now, we hope the Minnesota Legislature will make good on the bonding and tax relief that should have been passed last year, to make the miracle complete.

Saluting academics

THUMBS UP: It’s great to salute and encourage our young people in their activities. A lot of time and energy is spent on student athletics, but it is also important to recognize those in the academics and the arts.

We have been happy to publish pictures of area schools’ Knowledge Bowl teams. This week the New Ulm High School Knowledge Bowl teams took on an extra challenge, traveling to the statewide Academic WorldQuest competition in St. Paul. The WorldQuest competition tests the students’ knowledge of global issues and foreign policy.

Congratulations to all.

Best wishes to Dayton

THUMBS UP: We may not always agree with Mark Dayton politically, but we hope all Minnesotans will be heartened by the positive prognosis his doctors have given him for his recently diagnosed prostate cancer.

Doctors said this week it was caught early, it hasn’t spread, and should be easily treatable and curable.

We wish the governor a successful treatment and a speedy recovery from this disease.