Dear Friends,
I hope you’ve been enjoying your summer days. I can’t believe school is already starting and autumn is just around the corner! I have had the opportunity throughout the month of August to get out and around to area communities and attend local events and have enjoyed talking with many of you. I will share some of those visits with you below, as well as other legislative and local news.
Hope you enjoy your week!
Peggy
August Community Visits
I had the opportunity to get to many area communities the past few weeks, as well as spend a lot of time at the Freeborn County Fair. It was especially fun to see some of my former first graders at the fair – some of them quite grown up now with children of their own – and also watch former student Olivia Ellsworth show her prospect heifer and win an award at the cattle show. I enjoyed scrumptious meals at local fire department fundraising dinners, including Blooming Prairie, Alden, Clarks Grove, and Emmons. In addition, I enjoyed attending Wind Down Wednesday in Albert Lea (Colter had a great time there too!) and Kernel Days in Wells. I was able to chat with many area people along with way and enjoyed it greatly. That is how I learn most: hearing from all of you!
Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services Energy Tour
Last week, I had the privilege of spending a good part of a day with Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services (FMCS) for a bus tour of power generating sites in our region. Joining me for the tour were legislators, local government and community leaders, local business representatives, and coop board members. We visited a number of sites, including Freeborn-Mower/Dairyland Power’s pollinator plot in Twin Lakes, Waste Management’s landfill (where they convert methane gas into power) in Lake Mills, IA, the Barton Wind Farm In Kensett, IA, and the Goose Lake solar array in Albert Lea. It was a very interesting and informative tour. Thank you to FMCS and Kenric Scheeval of Dairyland Power for helping us to become more informed about the generation of power in our area!
Revive the South Side!
I recently had the opportunity to be part of a local community effort to help spruce up a house on the south side of Albert Lea. I joined some members of my church and members of our community in painting the exterior of a local house there. This effort was part of a local business and church collaboration called, “Revive the South Side.” Thank you to all those who turned out to help. We got a lot of work done and had a lot of fun while doing it!
Foster Sibling Bill of Rights – Heartwarming Video
You may recall me talking about a bill I chief authored back in 2017, The Foster Sibling Bill of Rights. It became law in 2018. Of all the bills I’ve chief authored as a legislator, this is definitely one of my all-time favorites. The YMCA recently produced a beautiful video chronicling the story of the bill and the young people involved, all foster children themselves. You can click HERE to watch the video.
I know the story will touch your heart as much as being part of this whole effort touched mine. It was a true honor to work with these amazing young people who helped push this legislation through from beginning to end, as well as the YMCA and the MN Department of Human Services. Thank you to Bree, Viv, and Sasha for being brave enough to take a chance, for making your voices heard, and for ultimately making a difference in the lives of every foster child in this state!
Wells Loses Beloved Community Member
Last Friday, the people of Wells said goodbye to a special man and beloved member of the community: Jason Niebuhr. Jason, at thirty-nine years old, died tragically in a roll over vehicle crash a week ago. I attended Jason’s memorial service in Wells on Friday, along with a packed church full of caring community members, friends, and family.
I first met Jason a few years ago at the Wells Rifle and Pistol Association, of which I am a member. I came over to help build a handicapped ramp for the gun range building. Jason, also a member, was there helping too. Jason was a member of many local organizations and helped out around the area often. He also owned and operated a computer and TV repair service. I ordered Dish Network service through Jason and he came over to Albert Lea and set up and installed my system last year.
By the way, Jason has been totally blind since the age of two. When I first met Jason working at the gun club site, I thought, “Is this man really totally blind? How can he be helping with the carpentry work, fix computers, and operate his own business like this?” I soon learned the answer to both questions by getting to know Jason more throughout the past few years. First, yes, Jason is totally blind. And, the answer to the second question is this: Jason did not let his disability define his life. He chose to define his own life despite his disability.
I admired Jason tremendously. Jason was a hard worker, brave, kind, determined, and he didn’t let his blindness get in the way of his dreams or his relationships. He looked at his disability as an inconvenience - not a handicap. I recall a time when I picked Jason up at his home in Wells to give him a ride to a local celebration we were both attending. I was unsure how to get to the site from his house. Jason, who of course couldn’t see a thing, was the one who guided me there as I drove… turn right, take the next left, etc. What a guy!
Jason lived life to the fullest. He was an inspiration to many people, including me. I am going to really miss seeing him when I come over to Wells. Jason and his guiding white cane were steadfast and beloved fixtures in that community. May his memory serve to be a witness to the human spirit that one can conquer any hardship or disability with a can-do attitude like Jason had.
Rest in peace, Jason Niebuhr. See you in heaven one day!
