The Fall Clothing Exchange will be held this Saturday, September 19th from 9 a.m. to Noon. All items are FREE.You may bring items in on Friday, September 18th from 7 to 9:00 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. This will be held at the Hoffman Community Center. Bring usable clothing!!! The perfect time to clean your closet.
Muriel
Hoffman and two other current Minnesota Horizons communities were honored for their efforts to reduce poverty, develop leaders, and engage local residents in decision-making. Sebeka and Menahga were also among those communities recognized at a September 6th Minnesota Community Pride awards ceremony at the Minnesota State Fair.
All award winners
In the Small Communities Division (up to 999 residents), the city of Hoffman (Grant County) was named runner-up for its project “Breaking Down Barriers and Revitalizing Hoffman.”
Hoffman accepts award
In an effort to welcome newcomers, support local business, and reduce poverty, Hoffman has undertaken a number of community-led initiatives: townhome development, creation of a farmers market, rehabilitation of a softball field, coordinated community-wide block parties and weekly suppers, a clothing exchange, and a revitalized “ambassadors” program to welcome new residents. Hoffman is pursuing these initiatives in partnership with area churches, businesses, Prime West of Alexandria, and the Minnesota Twins.
Hoffman has 5 new Action Teams which are all meeting on a regular basis.
JOIN WITH OTHERS TO CREATE CHANGE - Bonnie Bender has headed up this committee and they have created a volunteer group to help elderly and poverty people clean up and mow lawns.
INVEST IN BASIC COMMUNITY RESOURCES - Dustin Steenblock is the chair of this group and are working hard on getting quotes on putting new playground equipment in the park.
HELP PEOPLE MEET THEIR URGENT NEEDS - Muriel Krusemark and Scott Dalum are spearheading this group and are creating a free pickup of usuable items on August 22nd and September 26th. Items will be set at the curb on these Saturdays and anyone can pick up what they need free. The next day the local Thrift Store will pick up what they want and the rest will be given to the Salvation Army. This committee is also creating a resource list for all residents of county and city help available.
FOCUS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, YOUTH AND SCHOOLS - Suzi Olson and Jessica Mueller are heading this committee and are also working hard on revamping the City Park with more items for the playground. Another group is working on a day care andafter school program.
CREATE MORE AND BETTER JOBS - Janee Strunk has done an awesome job of creating a new web site for Hoffman and that committee is working on tryingto come up with ideas or more employment.
The 61st Annual Hoffman Harvest Festival will begin on Friday, August 14th with History Hut Exhibit an the Classic Car Show beginning at 1:00 p.m. After several other events there will be a city vs country softball game at 7:00 p.m. Saturdayhas many activities incuding city wide garage sales and a new event, hog wrestling in the City Park from 2 to 4 pm. Sunday has a outdoor worship sesrvice in the park, a pork chop dinner at noon and the annual Harvest Festival Parade at 1:30. Other details can be found on the Hoffman Website: hoffmanmnhomestead.com/index.html. Hope to see you there!
Muriel
A huge crowd was on hand at the Hoffman Community Center this past Saturday. It was nothing less than a smashing success.
Once the meeting was completed, the group was entertained by the wonderful singing talents of Cassie Wiesner. After some light-hearted songs were performed by Cassie and the crowd, the meal was served. Local farmer Jeff Swenson and Farmers State Bank President Kevin Hammer served up freshly-grilled hamburgers for everyone.
The final tally was 133 participants in the meeting.
HOFFMAN BLOG
Did you know we have over 2,000 books in our Hoffman Volunteer Library at the Hoffman Mall located at 203 Main Avenue? We have divided into several rooms and expanded the categories. The new area is especially aimed at early childhood, junior fiction and young adults. We have the beginning of a DVD & Video collection. We also have great books on Minnesota wild life and sports. In our collection of fiction we have mystery fiction, adventure fiction, sports fiction, science fiction, romance fiction and western fiction.
The young people’s room is developing into an activity area for little people to sit at their small table and chairs and look at picture books, color & create and also to watch children’s videos on screen. If you visit the Wellness Center you may check this out.
How fortunate we are to have been the recipient of so many current best sellers. If you have good books or videos that you have read/watched, please check with us if you would like to share them with our community.
The third week in April will be National Library Week, We will be having recognition of this with displays, tours and coffee. –jholl
Pictured Above - Sonny Bartell, Below - Orlo Thompson
6 great country western acts entertained many Hoffman and surrounding area residents on Saturday evening at the Hoffman Community Center. The Hoffman American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary sponsored this event. What a great evening of entertainment.
Leadership plenty training was completed by 20 members of the Hoffman community. An enthusiastic group of leaders have scheduled a meeting for April 15 where they will have a potluck supper and discuss concerns and possible solutions to issues associated with the Grant county food shelf. Thank you to all of those who participated and especially the leadership plenty leaders.
On Sat. Mar. 14th Hoffman held it first clothes exchange program, with much success. I believe getting the word out to more people for the next exchange, which will be in August, should be a big priority, since we had some clothes left over. Some very nice clothes of all sizes, were still on the tables, and they will be going over to the Corner Store. So if you didnt make on the the 14th go over and check them out. And once again thanks to all who brought in donations and to those who volunteered their time.
In the picture are Eunice Eblen and Karla Nadgwick. They are sorting and folding clothes and getting prepared for the clothing exchange.
-SD
Get Moving Hoffman Seniors!
Word on the street has it that Silver Sneakers and the Wellness Center (both not-for-profit organizations) have signed an agreement to work together for qualifying health classes and work-outs on equipment in the Hoffman Mall.
This is aimed at folks aged 65 and over who are covered by Medica and Humana Insurance. The qualifying policy holders will be contacted by their insurance carrier and sent the information to begin their active membership. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota preferred gold policy holders of all ages have been and are still currently covered.
Health insurance companies are beginning to look in a new direction—that of keeping in good health/shape and not waiting to repair our bodies after some damage has occurred. The health classes will have trained instructors and will be held in the front area of the Mall, formerly in the location of “Second Hand Duds” on 203 Main Avenue. jholl