It’s a busy time around Becker and our neighboring communities. Santa, Mrs. Santa and their dutiful elves are racing about in their sleighs, distributing gifts and joy of the season. The Methodist church ladies have prepared their cookies.

 

Cinderella, the charming college-quality production at BHS, is making its final runs for the public. Our Staff Writer David Hannula comes back to the office literally shaking his head in amazement at the quality of the production - the people the district attracts to head up the plan - and the people from within to stage it for the public.

 

With its high school musical performances, Becker High School is setting itself apart as a high-quality school environment for the arts. Of that, we are so proud.

 

So, there are the Becker Methodist ladies with their cookies.

 

And the seniors with all their activities - and the Chamber - and the Expo Committee, getting ready for next year’s event in late January.

 

The Becker Community Center has a full slate of events - just refer to their recent flyer outline the schedule. 

 

Can’t say we should be bored in Becker, huh.

 

Congratulations to all the high school sports teams for their outstanding efforts this fall.

 

And there is a reason why the Bulldog football team continues to win: They plan to win; they don’t just plan to perform; they plan to win. It comes with the top-quality coaches Dwight Lundeen has been able to attract.

 

Planning to win. We can construct our lives around that one, whether it be on the football field or any other endeavor we’re involved in.

 

Football isn’t the most important part of the school year. But from my vantage in editing weekly newspapers covering high schools for the past 40-some years, I find there is no other catalyst jump-starting a good school year than a winning football team.

 

It promotes a “We can achieve” mentality, and the “we” is important because team members are important in football and every other endeavor we take part in our lives.

 

And as a community, living through and supporting the young life of Bulldog Runningback CJ Schwintek, who lost his beloved mother during the season, but with support of team and coaches, continued his life, helping the Bulldogs win the title.

 

That story, we feel, is the best story around. We’re proud of the young man and those around him for support.

 

Being the all-star, as in football or in Cinderella, is about helping those around you realize your potential to make it the best-possible production. 

 

And in the classroom, too.

 

Have we yet strongly suggested you do some of your holiday shopping locally?

 

The prizes are on the shelves of your local stores.

 

And these local store owners are are on the front line, donating for every local charitable cause and paying property taxes so the schools and city and others can operate with fluidity, if I may use that term.

 

Monticello’s big box stores don’t pay a lick to help Becker with its local taxes. Just thought we’d remind you.

 

 And of all the efforts to remind us of the Christmas season with live nativity scenes, of Mary and Joseph and the Baby and the Wise Men, who travelled from afar.

 

I wonder if the Methodist church ladies had a cookie table outback?