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Minnesota Nice?
What is Your Opinion?
Okay, I've been thinking ( and you all know how tiresome I can be when I start thinking) about that "Minnesota Nice" statement we all like to brag about. Is it true? Are the people in Minnesota generally nicer than people in other states?
Last week the United Way of Duluth sent out their newsletter with a video attached. It is an excellent video and one that depicts a situation I find myself in while driving in Red Wing quite often. Take a few minutes if you can to watch the video it's guaranteed to make you smile.
On the very same day, I read this Facebook post from a lovely young woman I am lucky to know.
"So I was in line at Target, two lanes open and both very backed up with most people heading to the line on the left, in the right lane there was an elderly man in a motorized Target cart a few people behind him. The man was struggling to get the things out of his cart; bread mostly, and bottles of medicine. His hands were shaking and he couldn't reach well. No one next to him was even paying any attention so I politely nudged my way past them and said, "Would you like a hand with that?" You'd have thought I handed him a hundred bucks! He was so appreciative and I could feel the change in attitude of the people in line behind him. They stopped their conversations, and I can only assume they realized they should've been offering their help and now felt ashamed. When I was done helping him, I turned to reclaim my place in line behind the o
thers and they all said, No, no, you go ahead..."
Everybody needs help sometime..."
If everyone in Minnesota is so nice, why did only one person step in to help?
I was in Chicago for the weekend and except for a little more honking and road rage than we typically see in Minnesota, everyone there was very friendly.
So I am asking all of you for your "nice" experiences.
Please send them to me to be printed (names will not be printed if requested) in next weeks newsletter and let me know if you think Minnesota nice is fact or fiction!
Maureen Nelson
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Minnesota nice is the stereotypical behavior of people born and raised in Minnesota, to be courteous, reserved, and mild-mannered. The cultural characteristics of Minnesota nice include a polite friendliness, an aversion to confrontation, a tendency toward understatement, a disinclination to make a fuss or stand out, emotional restraint, and self-deprecation[1]. It can also refer to traffic behavior, such as slowing down to allow another driver to enter a lane in front of the other person. Critics have pointed out negative qualities, such as passive aggressiveness and resistance to change.[1]
Although the term is generally considered to be Americentric in nature, the positive traits typical of this stereotype are also generally applied to neighboring Canadians.[2]
Wikepedia
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Reuse Your Old Computers
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Your old computers don't belong in a storage closet, landfill or recycling center. They belong in the community, creating new opportunities to local low-income families and senior citizens.
PCs for People has refurbished over 14,000 computers since 1998. They refurbish computers for eleigible low income recipients so they can enjoy the personal, economic and educational benefits of personal computer ownership.
PC's for People will be coming to Red Wing . Working with United Way, sponsored by a grant from HBCI , they will be at United Lutheran Church September 5th, 6th and 7th. The staff at Hope Coalition is busy identifying families who will receive computers but we need your help as well.
We are currently looking for computers in working condition, (drives will be wiped clean and a new version of Windows installed) with a Pentium 4 or newer processor, - generally this means less than eight years old.
Accessories needed include keyboards, mice, power cords and monitors. Older CRT screens are accepted but must be in working condition .
uw-gwp.org or donate@pcsforpeople.org |
Back to School Preparation
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The last few days of summer are to be
savored, including activities like family vacations or hanging out with friends at
the pool. Squeezing every moment of freedom out of summer is what you and
your kids want to do, but nothing ruins that feeling of freedom more than ending the summer in a panic while trying to get ready for school! A few simple preparations during the last few weeks of summer will help ease the transition:
* Establish a realistic routine with reasonable bedtimes and wake ups. Start doing this at least two
weeks before school, even if you are on vacation.
* Take time with each child to organize his room and study area. Let your child take part in getting his room ready for the school year.
* Get the list of school supplies for the year. Make gathering school supplies a fun time.
* Host an end-of-the-summer party with games like a water balloon toss or relay race to help your kids reconnect with some of their friends before the school year starts.
* If your child has concerns about "playground politics" like rumors, cliques or bullies, help him come up with positive ways to handle situations.
*Visit the school and discuss how to handle class changes, locker organization and lunchtime.
* Set up house rules and consequences with your child about homework, phone privileges and curfews.
* Help your child find out about new opportunities, such as clubs, sports and elective classes.
* Make sure that your child's immunizations are up-to-date.
* Be sure that you are relaxed and happy about the new school year - your children take their cues
from you.
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Thank You
to all of you who have donated food over the summer. You make our lives easier and children's lives so much better.
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Associated Bank
Used Book Sale to Support
Packing for the Weekend
August 20-31
Associated Bank Lobby
Hard Cover Books $2
Paperback Books $1
To donate books or for more information contact
Sue Ellen
651-385-1678
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You are invited to a Party! Bring the Whole Family!
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Friday, August 24th
5 pm to Midnight
At the Emery Farm
(Old Happ-E- Hills Farm)
W7698 210th Ave
Hager City, WI
Activities include:
Hog Roast
Petting Zoo
Happ-E- Hill Train Rides
Wagon Rides
Family Games
Silent Auction
Live Music provided by
Trigger Happy
Admission
Free Will Donation
all proceeds go to
The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
For more information call
651-764-4724
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DEADLINE NEARS
Blandin Leadership Program
The deadline is approaching to get your application in. August 27th is the last day to apply for this exciting opportunity! The leadership retreat is scheduled for November 5-9, 2012 at Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN and the follow up workshops will be held on February 12-13, 2013 and May 7, 2013. If you are interested in applying for the Blandin Community Leadership program, contact the United Way office or visit the Blandin website |
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United Way Chili Cook Off 
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Mark your calendars for Thursday
September 27th
Our Annual Chili Cook Off will be held at Treasure Island Casino. Lots of new fun planned with judging spots being auctioned of, more prizes then ever before and more!
Watch for more details each week right here or
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