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Funding Hurdles Won’t Stop Plans for New Child Care Facility
Issue #202
In this Marshall Area Insider issue…
☀️ Marshall, MN Weather - Sunny with a high of 0
🗞️ Funding Hurdles Won’t Stop Plans for New Child Care Facility
🗞️ A Century of Resilience: North Dakota Veteran Turns 108
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📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!
Funding Hurdles Won’t Stop Plans for New Child Care Facility
The city of Minneota did not receive a state DEED grant to help fund an expansion facility for Little Explorers Child Care Center.
Despite this setback, owner Jamie Gillund remains committed to moving forward with the project and is exploring alternative funding options.
The DEED grant, provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, supports business and land developments as well as workforce services.
For Fiscal Year 2025, the department received 60 applications requesting a total of $6.175 million but was only able to approve 25 grants.
Little Explorers currently operates a single facility in Ghent, which opened in January 2022. The center is licensed for 62 children, ranging from six weeks to 12 years old, and has been at full capacity for some time.
The waitlist has grown to more than 90 children, reflecting the ongoing demand for child care in the region.
Southwest Minnesota continues to experience a shortage of child care providers, prompting Gillund to explore expansion opportunities in other communities. Minneota City Administrator Robert Vidoloff has been an advocate for
A Century of Resilience: North Dakota Veteran Turns 108
Ray Curtis, a Minot, North Dakota resident, marked his 108th birthday on Tuesday, a milestone that places him among the nation’s oldest living World War II veterans.
Born on February 11, 1917, in Portal, North Dakota, Curtis has witnessed more than a century of historic transformations—from the early days of automobiles to space travel and modern technology.
Raised in a farming family, Curtis enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, originally planning to complete his service before the attack on Pearl Harbor altered his course.
Instead, he remained in the military, serving stateside before spending nearly a year in Germany. Over his five-year military career, he rose through the ranks, attended Officer Candidate School, and took on leadership roles in communications and infantry units.
Following his discharge in 1945, Curtis returned to farming in the Columbus area, continuing in the profession until his retirement in 1983.
He and his wife, Ellen, eventually settled in Minot, where he has lived ever since. Ellen passed away in 2014, and Curtis later moved into Minot Lodge Senior Living, where he remains highly active.
His commitment to physical activity has been a key part of his longevity. Even in his later years, he continues to lead card games, participate in bingo, attend exercise classes, and ride a stationary bike.
At times, he has even stepped in to lead exercise sessions when needed.
Family members, including two of his daughters, joined him in Minot for his birthday celebration. In total, he has five daughters, ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Beyond staying physically active, Curtis keeps a strong connection to his community and the world, maintaining a lifelong habit of reading. A longtime subscriber to the Minot Daily News, he has always prioritized staying informed.
Originally from Columbus, Curtis moved to Minot with his family in 1927, graduating from Minot High School (now Central Middle School) in 1935.
Before enlisting in the Army, he worked alongside his father and brother on the family farm. His military service saw him take on various roles, including communications officer and unit commander, before he was discharged as a commissioned officer.
Now, at 108, Curtis continues to credit his long life to staying active, engaged, and connected with those around him.
Upcoming Area Events
🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!
Saturday, February 22nd
2025 Mustang Gold Rush Raffle at R/A Facility at SMSU social hour starting at 6:00 PM
Tickets are $100/ person which includes entry into the event & into the reverse raffle.
Enjoy live and silent auctions, along with casino games and a variety of other fun games.
The grand prize of $5,000 is awarded to the last remaining raffle ticket holder.
$2,000 is awarded to the second remaining ticket holder.
3rd, 4th and 5th remaining ticket holders will each be awarded $1,000.
A $100 prize will be awarded seven other times during the raffle.
$500 will be awarded for the 350th ticket drawn.
Sunday, February 23rd
Brunch at the Wood Lake Community Center from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
free will donations
Wednesday, February 26th
2025 State of the City Address at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Upper Conference Center starting at 11:30 AM
Tickets are $20 for Chamber Members and $25 for Non-Chamber Members
Lunch included
Monday, March 3rd
Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM
For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support
Wednesday, March 5th (first Wednesday of every month)
Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall
Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available
For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143
Friday, March 7th
KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll
Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9
Saturday, March 15th
Downtown Marshall St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3:00 PM
Friday, March 21st
KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll
Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9
Saturday, March 22nd
Spring Fling Pet Event at Animal Health Center in Marshall from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
FREE Photo Booth: Bring your kids and / or pets for spring themed pictures
Free goodie bags for all pets
Free juice and cookies for humans
…and more!
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Marshall’s & Southwest MN’s Best Kept Secret:
Is Your Business One of Them?
We ❤️ local businesses!
We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts.
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