Support Friday’s Dodge County Stroll

It’s that time of year again. The first Friday in August has become the annual date for the Dodge County Stroll, the local version of Relay for Life.
Relays for Life take place throughout the United States as a time to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer as well as supporting those who are dealing with cancer and those who have survived cancer. The event also gives recognition to those who have supported others going through the struggles.
This year’s Stroll is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. It begins at 4:30 p.m. with an invitation-only event for cancer survivors and the public events getting started at 5 p.m. with the opening of the Silent Auction. At 6 p.m. there will be opening events including survivor and team laps around the fairgrounds.
Teams will be on site throughout the evening with activities and food to raise funds.
Highlight of the evening, of course, is the luminary ceremony and walk featuring lighting of the luminaries, the HOPE sign and the walk led by bagpipers.
The goal of all of this is to raise money for the American Cancer Society to provide services for those being treated for cancer and for research to find a cure.
This is the 31st year that Dodge County residents have joined in the effort.
Very few people can say they have never been touched by cancer — whether they themselves have had cancer or loved ones or friends have had it. The Dodge County Stroll is definitely worth supporting.
While the Stroll is the highlight of the fundraising efforts, events have been taking place all year.
The most recent efforts have been a Belgian Waffle Breakfast last Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson, sponsored by the St. John’s Warriors Relay Team and Monday’s efforts by the Just Like Home School Age Child Care students.
The DCI would like to give a special round of applause to these kids, kindergarten through sixth grade, who were selling lemonade in front of their building on Main Street in Kasson.
The kids had a goal of making $2,500 which would be split between the Relay for Life and Heart Works.
Marlo Bungum, one of the co-owners of Just Like Home, said the two organizations were chosen because some staff members and parents have had cancer and one little boy at has been diagnosed with the congenital heart problem.
Early reports were that $2,200 had already been received.
Congratulations are certainly in order for the kids and staff at Just Like Home.
Byron schools get grant for meat processing class
A story on the front page of this week’s DCI reports that the Byron School District has been awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to start a class called Meat Processing 101.
The idea is that the school will develop relationships area businesses so students could have internships that would give the students an idea of the kind of job opportunities that would be available and see if they are interested in a career in the industry. The class would begin in the 2024-2025 school year with teachers working to generate interest among students in the food and nutrition class this year.
These are practical types of classes that expose students to real life jobs. In a time like this when there are not enough people going into the trades they offer a real benefit.
Area still seeing drought conditions
On still another note, last week’s Drought Monitor showed that most of Olmsted County and a small portion of Dodge County were in the Extreme Drought category while the rest of the area is in a Severe Drought classification. Last week’s sporadic thunderstorms and rainfall were helpful but more rain is needed as the area is still below normal in precipitation.