Among the dozens of stories we publish weekly at the Citizen-Tribune, the vast majority are about fun, interesting and good-spirited citizens within our communities. None more so than this week, when Staff Writer Penny Leuthard sat down with the Clear Lake Lions and Fire Department to learn their story of cooperation in securing and using a life-saving defibrillator.

 

It was in each sense of the word a life saver.

 

The Lions, in response to a request by the Fire Fighters, supplied them with the special defibrillator.

 

It was put to best use recently when the Fire Fighters responded to a distress call from the Perkins family of Clear Lake.

 

Their use of the machine saved Sandy Perkins life. And this week, the Perkins joined with the Lions and Fire Fighters to extend a hearty “thanks.”

 

(See Penny’s story which appears on the front page of this week’s issue.)

 

There are many reasons why we people live in smaller communities, among them having the ability to help their neighbors.

 

To know their faces - and to help in trying times.

 

That they did. It’s nice to give them a pat on the back for another job well done.

 

Our staffs are putting the finishing touches on the 2017 edition of the Clearwater-Clear Lake Community Guide, to be distributed about Memorial weekend.

 

Inside, you will find informative and fun stories about interesting people in our communities.

 

And, thank you to all the businesses and organizations who placed ads in the Guide. You are the reason it happens each year. 

 

From May 12-26, I will be traveling again with my Inland Press Association - this time to Scandinavia.

 

We’ll land in Denmark, then tour northward to Sweden and Norway.

 

I’m told Sweden is undergoing an interesting issue; their government is (mandating) renting out all available second homes owned by citizens to the government and making them available to refugees from the Middle East. We’ll find out how well that’s going.

 

I wonder how well that would go in America.

 

And, we’ll ask the question of many Norwegians. Norway recently was rated the happiest country in the world.

 

America, by the way, dropped in the rankings from 12th to 14th. We know why that’s happening.

 

Among other issues, America carries a great weight in being the protector of the world.

 

Should we be more isolationist - or should we be more involved?

 

It’s a question I will also ask of the Norwegians - and the Swedes and the Danes. Might get some interesting answers.

 

We’ll talk about those things on my return.

 

We are asking all high school graduates in the Clear Lake and Clearwater areas to fill out the form inside this issue band submit a picture so we can include you in upcoming graduation features.

 

Becker students, your graduation information is being taken care of by the high school, unless you are an early graduate.

 

So, please get your graduation information in. Thank you.