2019 Year in Review, part 2

April: 

In April, Matt Bartz was recognized by the Fosston Tri-Coop for 9 years of service on the board of directors at their Annual Meeting held at Ventures in Fosston. Due to poor weather conditions in March, the University of Minnesota Extension Services held Dairy Days in April at the McIntosh Community Center.

The 129th Annual McIntosh Fireman’s Ball was held in April. This year, for the first time, the Fire Department offered a supper, held at the Fire Hall, prior to the dance that was held at the Coop Bar & Grill. Bernie Marshall retired in 2019 from the fire department after 18 years of service to the community.

Mark & Joan Lee were honored as Outstanding Farm Leaders in East Polk County by the Red River Valley Development Association. The couple was selected due to their impact on the farming industry and their service to their community for how they have lived and worked to enhance the quality of life in Northwestern Minnesota.

McIntosh Community Club held their Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Erickson Park for the kids to enjoy a fun time gathering Easter Eggs and visiting with the Easter Bunny. The First Annual Father-Daughter Dance was held at Win-E-Mac School. The theme of the evening was “A Night to Remember” which was appropriate due to the fun time had by fathers and daughters alike. Dinner and dancing took place and the night was a great success.

The McIntosh City Council and McIntosh Economic Development Authority refinanced Poplar Meadows Senior Living, the municipally owned facility on the East side of McIntosh.

Win-E-Mac students performed the play “Sleeping Beauty” for the Community as part of a sponsored program by WEM Community Education and organized by Prairie Fire Children’s Theater.

May:

Spring clean-up took place in both Winger and McIntosh in May. The City of McIntosh offered dumpsters for household items and construction material for residents to dispose of unnecessary items they had stored on their property. The City of Winger had volunteers from Ultima Bank and Titan Machinery available to haul out items and pick up the streets and ditches in the City on Saturday, May 18th.

Win-E-Mac School prepared for the end of the school year, and held Spring Concerts in the Elementary, Junior High School and High School for family and community members on three separate evenings.

The Academic, Athletic and Fine Arts Banquet was held at Win-E-Mac School. The evening is spent with High School Seniors and their families and friends as they receive scholarships and recognition for their accomplishments during their school years. Supper is served and the awards ceremony follows. The Seniors who attended received over $100,000 in scholarships.

Prom was held at Win-E-Mac School in May. The theme for the evening was “A Mamma Mia Party” and 25 couples attended the event. 

Win-E-Mac School was selected as a finalist in the Minnesota Timberwolves “Our Courts. Our Future” contest. The winner was chosen by public votes and would have included a rehab of the current outdoor basketball court which as built in memory of Randy Helgaas, who, as a Senior at McIntosh-Winger High School, was injured in an accident and lived out his life as a quadriplegic in a wheelchair.

The Win-E-Mac Class of 2019 graduated on Saturday, May 25th with friends and family present at the Ceremony. The class Valedictorian was Aries Qualey and Salutatorian was Hannah Smeby. Each year the students choose a speaker and the class chose Vance Kaupang to speak for their graduation celebration. There were 25 students in the graduating class.

A Memorial Day event was planned for both Winger and McIntosh. The Winger area Fengestad Solie American Legion Post 200 hosted a program at the Winger Community Center followed by a Ceremony in the Memorial Park with a 21-gun salute, Taps and the National Anthem performed by the Win-E-Mac Marching Band. In McIntosh the Friends of the Veterans group held a program in the McIntosh Community Center with a speaker and songs from the McIntosh Community Choir, followed by a White Cross Ceremony held in front of the former McIntosh School. Those in attendance could then return to the Community Center for alight lunch served by the ladies of the Friends of the Veterans group.

June:

McIntosh Senior Living held their first training program in their new facility on Main Street. The Senior Living facility recently opened a Certified Nursing Assistant training center with other training sessions to follow. The classes are taught by Carissa Affeldt and the first class graduated 7 students.

Retiring from the First National Bank of McIntosh in June was Paulette Kringlen and Nicole Grande retired from the First National Agency of McIntosh at the same time. The bank held a retirement party for both ladies on a Friday afternoon.

Summer Fun at the Library in McIntosh while kids enjoyed plays and fun with setting off film canister rockets fueled by Alka Seltzer and a bit of water.

Dale Balstad of the Winger Lions was presented the Melvin Jones Award at the local Winger Lions. The Melvin Jones Award is one of the most prestigious awards within the Lions Club International. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the backbone of the foundations. Dale was nominated for this award by Tim (Bunny) Anderson for Dale’s years of dedication to the Winger Lions.

Winger Days was held at the end of June. The day was filled with many events including a Car and Tractor Show, Farmers Market and Flea Market. The Car Show was dedicated to the late Lynn Lucken for his impact on the local racing community as well as the classic car “guys”. The day ended with a Winger Lions Fish Fry at the Winger Community Center.