As summer days turn into evening, many parents pull out a book or two to read to their kids at bedtime. This is important because studies consistently show that reading at a young age drastically improves a child’s educational trajectory. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) we know it is important to invest in early literacy efforts as a long-term strategy to support lifelong success.

To the Editor,
I never thought I'd see the day when I would take offense at an item in the Dodge County Independent. Until now.
Ed Fischer's July 28 cartoon titled "World Production Inc." was offensive and untrue. It depicted multiple babies coming down a conveyor belt contrasted with very sparse production of food and medical care.

Minnesota voters will go to the polls next Tuesday to cast their ballots in the State Partisan Primary. For voters who live in the 1st Congressional District there will also be a Special Election.

I do something now that I never thought I’d do. When I get the paper on the computer, I regularly check the obituaries. 
First, I check to see if there are any names I recognize. After that I compare their ages to my own. It is always a relief if the deceased is at least 10 years older than I am. But as with most of my friends, it also heightens the reality that I have more birthdays behind me than ahead of me. 

I was getting ready to leave my house and go pick up Carla. We frequently go out on Friday nights and tonight we had reservations for the Hubbell House. Just as I was going out the door, my phone rang and it was Sara (future daughter-in-law). As she spoke, I could tell she was in pain. Sara explained that she injured herself while hiking with the kids.

The middle school students were staring at me, puzzled. I had asked them a simple question, “What are the greatest commandments?” Finally, one spoke up, “Don’t murder?” I shook my head no. “Don’t steal?” Nope.