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Great changes in Marshall

For Father’s Day this past weekend, and on other occasions, I have received T-shirts with my favorite character on them: Snoopy. As it happens, the vast majority of those T-shirts are blue, my favorite color. So this time Snoopy stands with slit eyes and a big smile holding a flower pot with a small twig of a tree on which is perched his (and my) pal, Woodstock, singing a happy note. The message printed on the shirt is, “There is always something to be grateful for…”

When I was contemplating what to write in this column, that T-shirt came to mind and rather than resort to some blistering attack on actions taken by various politicians (and others), why not mention a few of the recent events here in Marshall that qualify as something for which I am grateful.

One of the first things that came to mind was what I had thought about writing a while back about how awful that mural was on the side of the Varsity Pub (Corner Bar), but I was saved from that scenario by the now replaced second edition of the Terence Fogarty painting, “The Spirit of Sport.” Maybe I can even wish that they have found some sort of protective surfacing that will help preserve its characters and colors. I am grateful that the other two murals on Third and Fourth Streets do not face the sun.

Not so far from the Spirit of Sport is the Memorial Park with both its tribute to 9/11 as well as its honoring of our military heroes: Veterans Memorial Park. If you Google 9/11 Memorial Park, be sure to add into your address — Marshall, MN. Yes, it is there and you also can find information on the Veterans Memorial Park as well. Though the Fagan Fighters are not quite a Marshall group, they are certainly in the area and did a great flyover at the dedication of the Veterans Park.

Liberty Park and Memorial Park both benefitted by individual contributions in addition to great community support. Individual Donors for both parks are themeselves memorialized by brick pavers with special bricks also donated on display at the Veterans Memorial Park: Truly showing the great spirit of Marshall people.

jtr

Another big project that is now nearing completion in Marshall and will result in improved function and appearance is the new City Hall. That project was not without its headaches, but perseverance by our city staff and elected officials has been worth the effort.

A little less noticeable by just looking around is the continued enhancements to our utilities. Those improvements should also be remembered as improving the environment as the city cuts back on its chloride discharge into downstream waters. (I hope I have that right!) I remember thinking last year during the time when Texas was having so much trouble with their power systems how grateful I was for the planning over many years that has kept our Utility Systems up to date.

Another item of improvement that many people may not have noticed is the upgrades to the restrooms in the various city parks. The buildings seem like they are now easier to keep clean and hopefully citizens will respond accordingly by keeping them that way.

Though slightly inconvenienced now and then, many thanks to the street repairs and infrastructure maintenance — I anticipate a better First Street, Camden Drive, and Country Club Drive and associated areas.

jtr

One of the great feelings for this community that I have is due to the cooperation of both public and private entities as well as the many volunteers who do so many things. One great example of this is the help of the YMCA and volunteers with education as well as sports. Coming up is a community activity that has been operating for many years, the Farmer’s Market that depends on government donations as well as the Schwan’s parking lot, the YMCA and other volunteers. The entertainment provided is a great asset for the community as well through the summer.

Similar volunteer cooperation is involved in the Loaves and Fishes Program providing many weekly meals in the area. Churches in general provide so many activities for their members as well as for people in the area.

The Park & Rec folks also have also helped organize clean-up of some of our public parks and areas to cut down on littering problems.

jtr

The Marshall Area Senior Center survived the pandemic and is now moving from virtual programs back to more in-person programs as the Marshall people have continued being vaccinated.

Lastly, my apologies if I left out one of your favorite programs for which you are grateful. I’m sure Snoopy thanks you for all of your best wishes.

Until next time: Oh, Fiddlesticks!

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