Old is new in Sabin

If you're missing the days of ordering a cherry coke at the local drug store or enjoying the candy of your childhood, like Blackjack gum and Marathon candy bars, then Old 52 General Store in Sabin is the place for you. Brothers Mike and Chuck McWethy opened the store back in July, and it's already become a destination point for those wanting a small slice of bygone days.

Along with the hard-to-find candy favorites and a genuine old-fashioned soda fountain, the store includes groceries, a deli, a full line of hardware and a farmer's market. The store sells items from local businesses, too, like Spring Prairie Meats, Grampa's Meat and Lynn Brakke Organic Farms.

Next time you are heading to or from Moorhead, consider a short detour and take the Sabin exit. The Old 52 General Store is located at the corner of 52 and Main.

Breakfast in Breckenridge

In Breakfast at Tiffany's, whenever heroine Holly Golightly wanted to feel good, she would head over to the famous jewelers. In Breckenridge, breakfast at the Northern Grille was the feel-good thing to do on Oct. 10, when about 20 residents gathered with WCI staff to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the community.

It was clear fairly quickly that this assembly of city officials, businesspeople, civic leaders and concerned citizens loved their town, and expressed pride in what is being accomplished.

They talked about how the town draws people from miles around to take advantage of facilities like the Family Aquatic Center, the 4-H horse arena and the Bois De Sioux Golf Course. They raised up initiatives that have brought folks together to work hard to better their community, like the new Family Community Center, Project Breckenridge--whose work includes installing new playgrounds and park benches, planting flowers, and other beautification projects--and the current school referendum. They praised their healthcare, their early childhood and family education, their civic organizations and their schools.

They also identifed needs. Like more volunteers for Kinship, the area's youth mentoring program, more housing--especially for people over 55--and help for families struggling with mental illness, chemical dependency and other issues that are affecting their young children's abilities to learn and thrive.

All this and more was discussed--and the breakfast buffet was pretty darn good, too.

WCI holds several of these community meetings throughout west central Minnesota each year. Want to know when we'll be in your area? Contact Kim Embretson to find out.

You can help Browns Valley

A couple weeks ago, an ice-dammed river and a fast thaw caused about 60 homes in the town of Browns Valley, Minn., to be flooded.

Here are some organizations to help direct your volunteer assistance and donations:

• Lutheran Social Services
• Salvation Army
• Volunteer Reception Center, Browns Valley Public Library: 320-695-2315;
• Cash donations can be sent to the Browns Valley Long-Term Flood Recovery Fund, in care of Union State Bank, PO Box 334, Browns Valley, Minnesota, 56219.
• Red Cross in Browns Valley: 320-695-2313.