THUMBS UP

Community rallies around Michaela Howk

Ever since news that former New Ulm resident Michaela Howk was injured in horrible hit-and-run accident on New Years Day, the community has rallied around her and her family. Howk’s injuries will require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation and extensive physical therapy. It is also expected her home will require modification as she recovers. The community responded with donations to a Go Fund Me page set up to cover these expenses. Within two days over $41,000 was raised for Michaela. As of Jan. 10, donations have reached $57,000. In addition to the Go Fund Me donations, New Ulm area veteran groups donated $4,000 the Howk family. These donations are reminder of community strength in the face of tragedy.

THUMBS UP

Sewing for Sight returns for a 13th year

Saturday, the St. George Parish Center will again host the Sewing for Sight quilting retreat. For 13 years the retreat has served as a fundraiser for the Foundation for Saving Sight, which helps restore vision to living in the San Lucas-Toliman Mission in Guatemala. In the 13 years since the retreat began, it has raised $189,000 for San Lucas. The hope is the retreat will break $200,000 this year. Each year Sewing for Sight sets up a fundraising goal to help buy equipment to send to the San Lucas clinic. In 2025, the next equipment purchase will be a diagnostic instrument for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The OCT would benefit diabetic and glaucoma patients. Sewing for Sight is a wonderful event that continues to improve the lives of people in San Lucas, while allowing local quilters to enjoy their hobby.

THUMBS DOWN

2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record

Whether monitoring agencies around the world have confirmed 2024 was the hottest year on record, surpassing the previous record holder, 2023. The Earth is getting warmer and the results are not great. The wildfires threatening Los Angeles are just the latest example of what climate change has in store for our country. For a more local example, look to the recent flooding in the Mankato area. The combination of two years of drought followed by one year of excessive rain led to significant erosion and ultimately partial failure of the Rapidan Dam. In New Ulm, the last two Christmas seasons in a row were marked more by rain than snow. It is too early to say whether the warming trend will continue in 2025, but as long as we remain in denial about climate change, things will only get worse.