Bresson's bravery

Thumbs up: In the words of a family member, Marshall Police Officer Kathy Bresson saved lives last week of the family who Bresson made evacuate their home when she spotted a fire. Bresson went upstairs to make sure two children sleeping in a bedroom were also evacuated. Bresson's supervisors and colleagues have already praised her effort, and no doubt some formal recognition will come.

Library information

Thumbs up: Marshall city administrator Ben Martig explained well Tuesday night the city's options for financing and handling a proposed new library project. Martig was receiving material for his presentation late Tuesday afternoon, and while some of the information was new to the council and library officials that night, both groups now have better information to discuss the need for about $1.5 million to complete the project, options for public hearings and others.

Hoping for better attendance

Sideways thumb: This gets a sideways because of last year's response and the hope this year's will be better. The public may not have received much word last year on the Lhotka, Timmerman and Day Motorcycle Tour and that's probably why so few people turned out to watch the tour pass through the region. This year, the word has been spread better. The tour started four years ago to honor soldiers who died while serving including Jason Timmerman, a Cottonwood native and Minnesota National Guard member. The tour will pass through Marshall at about 11:15 a.m. Saturday and drive through the downtown, past Legion Field park and on to Channel Parkway before heading down Minnesota Highway 68 toward Ghent. The tour passes through Ghent, Minneota, Taunton and Porter and into Canby. From Canby it will turn from Highway 68 onto U.S. Highway 75 toward Madison. Line the highway or Channel Parkway in Marshall and the highway in other towns on Highway 68 to show support.

Missing McMahon

Thumbs down: The sidekick of all sidekicks died this week. Ed McMahon was a fixture on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson for 30 years. We may also remember McMahon for his American Family Publisher sweepstakes pitches and his role in the TV show Star Search, a 1980s show that American Idol resembles. McMahon was comfortable, much like the recliner or couch from which many of us watched him. His death is a reminder we, some of us more than others, are all getting older.