The elections are over with the next big event of the year coming next week — Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends over a holiday meal and be thankful for all that we have.

The recent announcement about someone winning the $2 billion power ball lottery, makes people wonder what they would have done with that much money if they had won. Buying a yacht, taking an around the world cruise, or taking your whole family to Hawaii may come to mind.

The election is over, at least that is my assumption. The deadline for writing this article was before the election counting process has been completed. However, although I am writing this article before the counting and court cases have been concluded, I can tell you who is going to be in charge. And it is not because I am psychic or prophetic, but because I know the One in charge will remain the same.

Over the years of serving as president of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), I have noticed that foundations, of which there are many in our state, are often touted as organizations that do grantmaking. However, I know that grantmaking is often just the tip of the iceberg of what foundations can offer the communities they serve.

To the Editor:
Over two decades ago, Dodge County and several townships were tasked with the challenge of responsibly completing a plan to locate a new dairy in our community. This project as it was originally planned, had it been allowed to be completed, would have been a destination/tourist/research facility which in many regards too numerous to mention here would have been a very welcome addition to our rural/urban community.

For several years, the idea of going on a trip was put on the back burner. But finally, my wife and I decided to make a long-anticipated trip out east.