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To the Geneva Cancer Auction.

This coming weekend marks the start of the 40th annual Geneva Cancer Auction.

Since it started in 1985, the auction has brought in more than $2.32 million — last year alone it raised $165,000 — all of which goes to support cancer research.

Anyone who has been involved or attended will say not only has the event supported a good cause, but it’s a lot of fun, too.

People from all walks of life come out to check out the auction, and there will be all kinds of items for sale.

We encourage people to check it out if you’ve never been there and support the cause. The auction starts at 7 p.m. both Jan. 5 and 12 and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 13.

We’ve all been impacted by cancer in one way or another — whether that’s through ourselves, a close friend or a family member. Let’s get out and make this the best auction yet.

To Southern Minnesota Area Transit.

Congratulations to Southern Minnesota Area Transit, which next week will begin celebrating its decade of service in the community.
SMART came together on Jan. 2, 2014, through the consolidation of transit companies in Austin, Albert Lea and Steele County — Austin-Mower Area Transit, Albert Lea Transit and Steele County Area Transit — and two years later added Waseca. It now covers nearly 2,300 square miles and provides access to public transportation to over 125,000 individuals with a fleet of nearly 35 buses.

We thank all who are involved in the organization and who help provide this valuable service in the community.

There are many people in all of the communities who rely on this service to get to and from errands and health appointments and even to work.

We hope people who need transportation will utilize this service when possible.

To the first responders, hospital and nursing home staff who had to work on Christmas.

Hats off to the police officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, doctors and others who sacrificed time with their own families and friends to work over the holidays and make sure others in the community were safe and taken care of.

We thank them for their dedication to their jobs, whether it be responding to emergency calls at any time of day, helping others in their time of need or providing loving care to the elderly or afflicted.

Your efforts definitely do not go unnoticed.

We hope you have been able to celebrate with your loved ones another day this week or will do so this weekend.

To former Lake Mills athlete Caleb Bacon.

Congratulations to Lake Mills graduate Caleb Bacon, who played in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis for the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday.

Bacon was a standout athlete in both basketball and football during his time in high school, so it’s no wonder that a group of Lake Mills residents wanted to make the trip down to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis to watch Bacon play. Way to make your hometown proud.