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Graduation season begins

It is the start of graduation season this weekend. Within the next couple of weeks, all local schools will be holding commencement ceremonies for their respective graduates. The first two local graduations are coming this weekend. Martin Luther College (MLC) will hold a commencement service at 10 a.m. Saturday at the MLC campus. Cathedral High School will follow with a graduation ceremony held at 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Church. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, in the MVL gym.

River Bend Education District’s graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, 1 p.m. at the Community Center.

New Ulm High School’s graduation ceremony is 7 p.m. Friday, May 29 in the high school gym.

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Unique, locally relevant play comes to the State Street Theater.

This weekend, State Street Theater will hold two performances of “A Life for the Revolution.” This is one of the more unique performances held at the State Street Theater for three reasons. First, these performances will be the English-language premiere of the play. “A Life for the Revolution” was written by German playwright Erich Becker and until now, has only been performed in German. New Ulm has the honor of hosting the North American premiere of the play. Second, “A Life for the Revolution” tells the true story of Ludwig Bogen, a New Ulm resident. Bogen began his life in Germany, fighting for freedom. He participated in the 1848 German revolution and served in the Frankfurt National Assembly. However, Bogen also faced persecution and ultimately immigrated to the United States and settled in New Ulm, where he became editor and publisher of the German-language New Ulm Post. It is rare to have a play performed in New Ulm that is also set in New Ulm. Third, playwright Erich Becker will take part in the two performances and will be on hand to answer questions about the production following the 2 p.m. performance of “A Life for the Revolution.” This is a wonderful chance to learn directly from a playwright on a story that has direct ties to this community.

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The MN Wild eliminated from the playoffs

The Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the playoffs in game five against the Denver Avalanche. A professional Minnesota sports team losing in the playoffs is nothing new; it seems to happen every season. However, this latest loss was especially devastating because in the last game The Wild were winning. They were up 3-0 in the first period, but somehow the Avalanche was able to come back to tie the game and then win in overtime. It is the kind of thing that makes a person believe Minnesota sports teams are cursed.