Outside Looking In
Not just fires
Often, we think of fire fighters as only being called when we need a fire extinguished. But they do so much more than that, all on their own time.
A perfect example of this is when there was a diesel fuel leak last week. One fireman I talked to last weekend explained the many things that they assist with, emphasizing it with "We get called for just about everything."
It's one of those jobs that we take for granted. We expect them to be there when we need them, but otherwise don't give them much of a thought.
While there are many wonderful people who volunteer their time and services for various needs, how many of these volunteer jobs can you suddenly be called away from your family or work in order to perform that service?
Several people in town contacted me about the diesel fuel leak that had trickled down into a small stream. The story seemed to take on a more disastrous turn with each passing day. Yes, it could potentially have been a tragedy had the fuel traveled into the river and eventually into the city's water supply. But the members of the fire department performed admirably and took all the right steps to contain the problem, including calling in specialists that have worked with this type of a leak.
We do take the volunteers of the fire department for granted. When called upon, they answer.
City Garage Sale
The weather is finally warming up so it's time to start cleaning out your garage, closets, attics and other areas to try and get rid of items you no longer need at the annual City-Wide Garage Sale.
Coinciding with the Spring Blowout that several businesses are involved in, the City-Wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 6 this year. Some residents will be holding their garage sales before and after that date, too.
Anyone interested in advertising for the garage sale, the Mascot will be printing the ads starting two weeks before the sale. Email me at scott@thomabooks.com or stop into the Mascot office if you want to advertise your garage or yard sale.
Spring Blowout
The Spring Blowout, which will be held on Saturday, May 6 is similar to the annual North Pole Extravaganza in November with vendors, lunch and more held at Bethel Fellowship Church, and sales and door prizes at several local businesses.
Any business that wishes to advertise its sales or specials should contact the Mascot in the next two weeks.
Last year, eight businesses took part in the Spring Blowout, as well as 10 vendors.
With the Spring Blowout and City-Wide Garage Sale happening on the same weekend, it entices more people into town which benefits everyone involved.
Spring sports
Maybe the Minnesota High School League should change spring sports to kayaking, snow shoveling, snowball fighting or ice fishing instead the baseball, softball, track, golf and clay target. At least then the sports season could start on time.
It's frustrating for athletes and coaches having to practice indoors for several weeks and then suddenly cramming an entire regular season into one month. The Clay Target team was the first to get outdoors, practicing at the Sportsmen's Club for the first time last Thursday. A large area was snowblowed so shooters had a place to stand and take aim at the clay targets.
The baseball and softball teams are practicing in the gym, but it's just not the same as being outside. The golf team has been practicing putting at Fit 24.
There have been years when all of the spring sports team have been able to practice outdoors in March and even have played some games before April. Not this year, though.
The Minneota baseball team's opener was originally scheduled for April 11, but was cancelled. The new opener is slated for Thursday, April 13 in Minneota against Canby, but that could be postponed. The team then travels to Edgerton for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15.
The Minneota/Canby softball team's opener on April 12 was moved to May 5. Now the opener is set for Saturday, April 15 in Ortonville.
The Minneota clay target team's start has also been delayed due to inclement weather conditions. They will begin competition this week.
The Canby/Minneota track and field team has had two indoor meets and are expected to start the outdoor season this week in Luverne.
The Minneota golf teams, which also had its openers cancelled, are scheduled to host the first Camden Conference meet on Friday, April 21 at Countryside Golf Club.
For years, the MSHSL has pondered moving spring sports into the summer months as some other states have done, but because of other activities such as JO volleyball, Legion and Junior Legion baseball, the recent arrival of Legion softball, various sports camps, and other summer activities going on, it's never quite worked out in Minnesota.
With temperatures finally climbing, spring sports season might finally get underway soon.
Let the games begin. Finally!