A Chat with Artificial Intelligence About Nicollet County Issues

By Robert Lawson Publisher 612-460-5851 info@nicolletcountyledger.com

This isn’t your typical interview. This past week, I sat down with an artificial intelligence chat bot called ChatGPT to see what kind of conversation we could have about Nicollet County and what we might be able to learn from the software. Here is the transcript from the conversation. The conversation starts a little vague but gets more complex and interesting throughout the conversation.

Robert Lawson

Can you tell me about how Nicollet County in Minnesota is dealing with increased pressure from lack of affordable housing?

ChatGPT

I am not aware of any specific information about Nicollet County, Minnesota and how it is dealing with increased pressure from lack of affordable housing.

Two joker cards are also hidden and if found, patrons receive a $50 gift card. Currently, one joker has been drawn so one is still available for anyone to win. Niessen’s is a chain of sports bar & grills in Minnesota. The next closest location is in Savage, near Burnsville off Hwy. 13 in the Twin Cities metro area. The location used to be the longtime home of another bar and restaurant called Whiskey River. It is located off Highway 99, near the bridge headed toward Cleveland when leaving town and just north of Kasota, also by the Saint Peter dog park within the edge of the city’s limits.

Nicollet Annual Fish Fry To Be Held

By Robert Lawson Publisher 612-460-5851 info@nicolletcountyledger.com

The annual fish fry hosted and sponsored by the American Legion Post #510 will be taking place on

February 4.

The event will take place on a Saturday for a weekend of festive fun and togetherness in the community. The group is also raising funds and awareness for Friendship Days, an annual community event in Nicollet.

The fish fry event will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be held at the American Legion hall at 715 N 3rd St. in Nicollet. More information about the event is available at nicollet. org, the official website for the City of Nicollet.

In general, the lack of affordable housing is a problem that many communities across the United States are facing, as the cost of housing has risen faster than incomes for many people. In order to address this issue, many communities have implemented a variety of strategies, including increasing funding for affordable housing development, implementing inclusionary zoning policies, and creating programs to assist low-income residents with rental assistance or home ownership. In addition, many communities are also working to address the underlying causes of the affordability crisis, such as a lack of available land for development, high construction costs, and restrictive zoning laws.

Robert Lawson

How are demographics in Nicollet County, Minnesota changing?

ChatGPT

I do not have specific information about the demographics of Nicollet County, Minnesota and how they have been changing recently. However, it is common for demographics to change over time due to a variety of factors such as migration, birth and death rates, and economic conditions. It’s important to note that demographic changes can have a significant impact on a community, affecting everything from the demand for housing and services to the types of businesses and industries that are successful. It would be best to access the most recent census data or any county’s demographic report to have a clear understanding of how the demographics have been changing.

Robert Lawson

What can you tell me specifically about Nicollet County in Minnesota in regard to change?

ChatGPT I apologize, I do not have specific information about demographic changes in Nicollet County, Minnesota as my train-

Continued on page 5

Gustavus to Establish Initial Master’s Program

By Luc Hatlestad (he/him/his) Director of Media Relations and Internal Communications Office

of Marketing and Communications

Gustavus Adolphus College

Until a few weeks ago, most people’s impressions of athletic trainers probably involved images like taping up players’ ankles or helping them stretch out a cramped muscle. But when the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a December Monday Night Football game and went into cardiac arrest, the emergency measures the trainers took that evening saved Hamlin’s life and spotlighted the athletic training field as a crucial component of the broader health care system.

Over five decades, Gustavus Adolphus College has graduated hundreds of professionals into athletic training careers, and now the College has decided to make its Athletic Training program the first in the school’s history to offer a master’s degree.

A combination of professional demand, national certification changes, and the school’s long history with the discipline drove this decision, and I’m happy to arrange interviews to discuss the move.

Gustavus Adolphus College has announced its first-ever master’s degree program for students interested in careers in athletic training and related fields.

The College’s new Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program will address current and projected labor shortages and changing national certification requirements for athletic training while capitalizing on the school’s nearly 50-year history of athletic training education.

Gustavus will begin accepting applications for the program in fall 2023, and the first cohort of students will begin in summer 2024.

The Gustavus MAT program will prepare students for athletic training careers in a wide variety of settings, including colleges and secondary schools, in clinics and hospitals working alongside physicians and interdisciplinary teams, and in the military and industrial workplaces, among others. Consistent with its undergraduate programs, the Gustavus MAT program is built on the foundations of a liberal arts education, developing clinicians with the ability to critically think, analyze and utilize evidence, communicate effectively, and participate in interdisciplinary cooperation for the good of their patients and the field. Gustavus MAT students will get to work closely with Gustavus faculty and gain hands-on experience with student athletes across all 23 sports at the College. Gustavus will be the only college in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference currently offering this degree.

The athletic training field is experiencing a widespread labor shortage as its scope of work has expanded, and professional requirements are changing. As of 2024, the minimum degree requirement for national certification of athletic trainers will

Continued on page 6

By Kent Thiesse Farm management analyst kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com

Projected crop production profit margins for many producers in 2023 are likely to be much tighter as compared to 2022 margins. Commodity prices and gross revenue per acre for corn and soybean production increased considerably during the 2022 crop year and are likely to continue at solid levels in 2023.

However, expenses for crop inputs, such as fertilizer, chemicals, seed, fuel, repairs and labor are likely to be substantially higher in 2023, as compared to 2022 expense levels. The profit margins in the livestock sector also improved in 2022 but are also likely to narrow somewhat in 2023 due to increased production costs. Credit availability for agriculture should remain good for farm businesses that are on a solid financial base. However, both shortterm and long-term interest rates nearly doubled in 2022 as compared to a year earlier and could rise even further in 2023.

Financial volatility remains quite high in farming today. Following are some financial strategies for farm businesses to consider during these highly volatile times in the farming business:

Keep the “current position” (cash available) segment of the farm business strong.

• Pay attention to the level of working capital and the current ratio on your farm financial statement. During these times of improved profit margins is probably a good time to rebuild working capital in a farm business that may have been depleted in recent years.

Lafayette Ledger

100 Years Ago – Jan. 3, 1920

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Olson of New Sweden witnessed a pleasant gathering last Sunday afternoon and evening when all their children gathered with the old folks and celebrated a family reunion and in honor of their parents presented Mr. Olson with a fine upholstered rocker and Mrs. Olson with a gold ring. The meeting was a complete surprise to the old folks and it is needless to state that it was a most successful and pleasant one.

Clifford Landahl left Monday to attend Agriculture school.

W. A. Anderson visited at New Ulm Wednesday.

Oscar Lindquist was a business caller at Winthrop Tuesday.

Chas. Flygare and daughter, Mabel, left Monday for New Ulm where the latter had her tonsils removed.

Miss Edith Eckberg has been on the sick list with measles the past week, but is now improving nicely.

Miss Ethel Palmquist, one of the local teachers here last year, was a guest at the Rev. S. H. Swanson home last week. She left Saturday for St. Peter to continue her studies at the G.A.C.

Hilding Swenson and Herbert Johnson enjoyed a very pleasant day at New Ulm Sunday.

Robert Johnson called at the county seat, Gaylord, Tuesday, and secured his citizenship papers. His brothers, Ernest and Edwin Johnson, accompanied him.

Aug. Johnson and family have recently had a fine monument erected on their lot in the cemetery south of town.

Gutxke Bros. will be sporting a Ford, this summer, recently bought.

75 Years Ago – Jan. 12, 1945 for the past two years. On Friday she departed for California to be employed.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Johnson entertained relatives and friends Sunday evening in honor of Sgt. and Mrs. Russell Malmberg.

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Lindquist returned last week to Ames, Iowa, after a few days visit here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lindquist.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Ulrich of New Sweden are the parents of a daughter, born at the Union hospital, New Ulm, on January 3. The Ulrichs formerly resided in this village when he was the Case implement dealer.

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Simmet, residing three miles south of Lafayette, was baptized Sunday afternoon by Rev. Leo Krzmarzick. The name given was Gregory Richard.

The Lafayette-Bernadotte 4-H club will meet at the Henry Martin home this (Friday) evening.

Mrs. Kenneth Hagberg of here, accompanied by Miss Eleanore Kahle of New Ulm spent Monday and Tuesday in Minneapolis.

50 Years Ago – Jan. 15, 1970

Those entertained Sunday evening at the Walter Karstad home were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Eckberg, Mr. and Mrs. Christ Loock and Mrs. Helen Karstad.

The Bernadotte Home Extension Group met Monday afternoon at the Douglas Webster home. The lesson on Foreign Cookery was given by Mrs. Duane Eckberg and Mrs. Kenneth Martens. There were twelve members present.

The Lafayette Home Extension Group will meet this Thursday at the Leroy Rathmann home at 7:30 p.m. The lesson on Foreign Cookery will be given by Mrs. Rathmann and Mrs. Melvin Hacker. Each is to bring a German recipe.

Mr. and Mrs. Warren Johnson were Sunday dinner guests at the Fred Rodewald home in New Ulm.

Mr. and Mrs. Les Kowba of Minneapolis were visitors January 3rd at the Warren Johnson home.

A baby girl was born Sunday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Sullivan of Lafayette.

The Cornish Willing Workers met for their home extension meeting at the Mrs. George Schmeising home. The lesson was on Switzerland and Fondue Cookery. Twelve members were present.

Pvt. Robert Hamann returned to his base at Ft. Jackson, S.C. on Monday last week after spending a three week furlough here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Delton Hamann.

Carolyn Gieseke returned by plane Monday to Bell Flower, Calif., after spending the holidays at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Gieseke.

Mr. and Mrs. Otis Mueller spent the weekend at Rochester with their daughter, Mrs. Michael Hatch.

Nicollet Leader

115 Years Ago – Jan. 14, 1905

Wm. Ginkel has commenced with his ice harvest this week.

C. F. Mason, of St. Paul, rural route inspector, was inspecting the Nicollet routes early in the week. He predicted that Route No. 3 would be soon established.

A number of Nicollites enjoyed a sleigh ride to Hebron Thursday evening. They attended the “Shadow Social” given under the auspices of the “Thimble Bee” at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Allen.

Our Marshal has had considerable trouble this cold weather to keep the water works in first class condition, it is no snap, any way you look at it, and especially in cold weather.

100 Years Ago – Jan. 10, 1920

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Karpen of Swan Lake on Monday.

Miss Anna Dorn of Minneapolis is the guest of relatives in town since Thursday.

Rev. C. J. Albrecht of New Ulm, visited at the Rev. F. Koehler home the first of the week.

Otto Stege left on Tuesday for Max, North Dakota, where he has secured a position in a bank.

Chas. Sondag has purchased the old Wm. Sondag farm in Brighton township consisting of 173 acres. Consideration $16,500.

The seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Kettner slipped and fell on Monday, sustaining the fracture of one of his legs.

County Commissioners O. C. Karstad and T. O. Haugen attended the annual session of the county board, at St. Peter, this week.

A number of ladies agreeably surprised Mrs. Fred Volk Tuesday evening in honor of her birthday anniversary and spent a pleasant evening.

The first annual meeting of the Nicollet Electric Company was held on Thursday evening when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: J. C. Rabe, president; J. C. Zins, vice president; Ed. C. Johannes, secretary-treasurer; Louis Dahms and A.P. Anderson, directors. With the increased consumption of electricity during the coming year, it is hoped to put the company on a paying basis.

Miss Rosina Dallmann returned from New Ulm on Thursday after a two weeks stay with her grandmother, Mrs. Fred Becker, Sr.

85 Years Ago – Jan. 12, 1935

Lester Vinson and Miss Martha Quast of Gaylord spent Sunday at the Walter Wilking home.

Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Boerger and daughter, Miss Jewel of Kasota, were Sunday visitors at the F. W. Muesing home.

John Doucet has returned to Minneapolis to resume his studies at the Diesel Motor School after spending the holiday vacation with relatives and friends here.

Oscar A. Swenson left Wednesday for St. Paul to attend a meeting of the Creamery Fire and Tornado Insurance Company.

Dr. and Mrs. M. C. Anderson attended the regular dental meeting of the Mankato District Study Club at Mankato Tuesday evening.

Miss Lydia Engel returned home last Sunday after spending a two weeks’ vacation with her sister, Mrs. Fred Schumacher of Redwood Falls.

25 Years Ago – Jan. 12, 1995

After spending fall semester in China, Nicollet High School graduate Angie Stoffregen wouldn’t mind going back. The English secondary education college major would like to teach at the university where she studied.

Kari Grunst and Jeff Grommersch were chosen to reign over Snow Week festivities at Nicollet High School.

Mary Compart was elected president of the Trinity Ladies Guild at the annual meeting on Thursday, January 5. Janet Unnasch was elected secretary. Each office is for a two-year term.

Christmas Dec. 25th dinner guests of Delrose Bode were: John and Ingrid Bode of Hanska; Don and Judy Maas of Lake Crystal; Mrs. Ginger Grotham of Hanska, Jeff Bode of LaSalle and Scott and Janelle Flowers of Courtland.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gronholz, Joshua and Erin, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gronholz, Zackary and McKenzie of New Ulm and Jay Gronholz and friend of Worthington spent Christmas Eve with Mrs. Deb Gronholz and Jackie at Brooklyn Park. Deb’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ritz of Truman were also guests.

Dennis and Jane Rolloff of Shakopee and John and Ingrid Bode of Hanska are spending ten days sightseeing in Mexico.

Catherine Gjerde spent Christmas Eve with Jerry and Sandra Wersal and family at Mapleton. Additional guests were: Gene and Corinne Wesley, Tim, Tara and Chris of Mankato, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Gjerde and family of New Sweden, Mr. and Mrs. David Gjerde and Megan of North Mankato and Rose Vetter of Mankato.

10 Years Ago – Jan. 14, 2010

Playing the Norseland Lutheran Church organ on its rededication day were: Lisa Quist, Margaret Annexstad, Lydell “Fred” Struck, Howard Nolte, and John Baumann.

Many from the area attended the Snowmobile Radar Run on Swan Lake Sunday afternoon. Warmer weather was the highlight of the weekend but the wind was still icy.

• It is usually a better option to use excess cash revenues from the farm operation to pay down shortterm farm operating debt rather than to make significant extra payment on term loans.

• If there are any excess crop revenues from 2022 grain sales beyond repayment of the 2022 farm operating loan, it may be best to prepay some 2023 or 2024 crop expenses.

• Remember to account for CCC grain loans, financing with crop input suppliers, short-term loans from family members, etc. when analyzing the working capital for the farm operation.

Look at ways to manage production costs and other expenses.

• Try to be an optimum-cost producer — thoroughly analyze seed, fertilizer, chemical, etc. crop expense decisions for 2023 crop production and look for ways to manage those input costs.

• Be cautious when making reductions in crop production costs, so as not to significantly impact yield potential — optimizing crop yields is still very important to the bottomline for farm profits.

• Be cautious about paying excessive cash rental rates on rented land and make sure that rental rates are still profitable. Also try to negotiate reasonable rental rates with existing landlords.

• Negotiate flexible lease contracts with agreeable landlords that sets a manageable base rental rate, with the opportunity for a bonus rental payment if final crop prices and/or yields increase.

• Review other direct and overhead expenses in the farm operation

Rev. and Mrs. G. R. Morgan attended the Methodist Ministers group meeting at Redwood Falls, Monday. They also called on friends in Morton.

Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Swanson, Mrs. Harry E. Hedren and sons, Cpl. Merle and Thomas, of Winthrop, Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Swenson were entertained at dinner Saturday evening at the Ben Paulson home.

Miss Betty Karstad, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Karstad of Bernadotte, resigned her position at Powers in Minneapolis, after being employed there in the offices

A lady who has been visiting relatives hereabout was heard to say the other day, that, if she lived in Nicollet she would advocate for a curfew ordinance, seeing as there are too many young people out at night when they should be in bed. We back her up in that, and hope that the City Dads will draft one this year.

A young fellow from St. Peter was in our sanctum the other day and made several complaints as to the coyness of the feminine gender out this way, saying that he had been living at a farm near the village for some three months, and had not become acquainted with a single young lady. We could only theorize out that all the ladies around there must have been married, or he must have kept himself up on the top shelf out of the reach of leap year inspirations.

Fred Stolz, Henry Epper, Anthony Epper and Jake Schuck were guests of the Skelly Oil Company at a meeting and banquet given in the Loyola club rooms, at Mankato, Wednesday.

Mrs. Lena Zins, son George and Miss Marion Juberien motored to the twin cities Wednesday for a couple of days visit. George attended the Hardware and Implement Dealer’s convention held in Minneapolis.

With all but some 70 checks being received, disbursements started last Friday on $46,548.08 in second installment payments to corn-hog contract signers by the federal government. Nicollet is one of 11 counties to receive the first checks on the second payments. These checks form part of the first million to be paid by the federal government on the second installment of corn-hog money.

Lafayette Nicollet Ledger

Marcie Flygare of rural Winthrop and Molly Erdman of rural Courtland were named to the Fall 2009-10 Academic year Dean’s List at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Flygare is the daughter of Duane and Carol Flygare and is a 2008 graduate of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. Erdman is the daughter of Dan and Sue Erdman and a 2006 graduate of Nicollet High School.

Even with snow blowing around outside, the Courtland City Council opened its January 7 meeting with a public hearing. A number of residents from Mary Lane and Riverview Drive were in attendance to hear plans for extending water and sewer service to their area. Joe Duncan of Bolton and Menk was present to explain how water and sewer service are to be expanded. He also touched on the benefits for both the residents and the city as a reason to go ahead with the project.

After way too much snow over the last month, the light snow that fell overnight – accompanied by fog and frost – made for some beautiful scenery.

Alan Thompson of Nicollet was named to the Dean’s List for fall semester 2009 at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Fulltime students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for the list.

fAmiLy LiviNg focus

Prevent Identity Theft

Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota

Identity theft and account fraud continue to make the headlines. They happen when someone steals personal information such as your bank account number or Social Security number and then poses as you, either cleaning out your account or running up debt in your name or both. The threat is real. The government estimates more than 400,000 people are victimized by these crimes each year. Your bank works hard every day to ward off these threats, but maximum security is possible only with your help. Here is what you can do to stop these crimes before they happen to protect your assets and your good name.

Do not give out financial information such as checking and credit card numbers and especially your Social Security number on the phone unless you initiated the call and know the person or organization you’re dealing with. Do not give that information to any stranger, even one claiming to be from your bank.

Report lost or stolen checks immediately. Your bank will block payment on the check numbers involved. Also, review new deliveries of checks to make sure none has been stolen in transit.

Store cancelled checks and new checks in a safe place.

Notify your banker of suspicious phone inquiries such as those asking for account information to “verify a statement” or “award a prize.”

Guard your ATM (Automated Teller Machine) PIN (Personal Identification Number) and ATM receipts. Thieves can use them to access your accounts. Do not throw away financial solicitations that arrive in your mailbox. Tear them up so thieves can’t use them to assume your identity. Tear up or shred any

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Question: Can someone please tell dealers or inform people that their auto lights do not work during daylight hours? Or put it on those digital signs along the interstates? I did not know this when I bought my 05 vibe and someone told me that. So when we had these storms and fog, there are people driving without lights at all or no tail lights and when it is a white or silver vehicle makes it worse.

Answer: We have been fighting that battle for many years now and I hear about it all the time from people. I have always taught motorists to drive with their headlights on at all times, even during the day, so they can avoid the whole issue of when to have headlights on. Even if you think you have headlights on all the time, you might not. Turn them on manually; then you will know for sure.