Looking Back: 2020 Year in Review, part 1

January: The month started off the unique year of 2020 with the announcement of a mysterious Coronavirus-related pneumonia in Wuhan, China  early in the month, by the end of January the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency for only the sixth time in history.

In our communities, we had just finished up celebrating the holidays and we planning the annual McIntosh Blood drive held each year at the McIntosh Community Center. There were 54 volunteers who gave blood during the drive.

The East Polk County Quilts of Valor held their annual sew day, where members of the group get together and sew quilt tops that have been cut at a previous event.

The 2020 Win-E-Mac Spelling Bee was held with Jordyn Halstad winning the competition and moving to the Regional Spelling Bee held in Thief River Falls.

The Polk County Sheriff's Department along with members of the Minnesota State Patrol took on the Win-E-Mac 8th graders in a fun game of dodgeball where the 8th graders crushed it and came out the winners along with being great sports.

Lutheran Social Services began offering Senior Meal pick-up service on Tuesday's and Wednesday's in front of the McIntosh Community Center. Where members of the community can call ahead and order meals that are available for pick-up.

Win-E-Mac school hosted a Robotics Competition with 37 teams from 12 area schools in attendance. 

The Win-E-Mac One Act play was under new direction by teacher Andrew Hanson in 2020 and gave a great performance at Regionals in January.

February: By the 2nd day of the month global air travel was restricted and anyone returning to the U.S. needed to undergo a health screening. The U.S. declared a Public Health Emergency on February 3rd. 

Carlie Sanders and Dustin Osland were selected as the Win-E-Mac AAA award nominees for the sub-section meeting.

The Win-E-Mac 3rd graders made their annual trip to Sandhill Nature Center in Fertile to learn about winter survival skills.

Win-E-Mac teacher and coach Vance Kaupang was recognized by the Polk County Sheriff's Department for his heroic life saving response during a girls basketball scrimmage during the summer of 2019. Vance and Red Lake Falls High School coach Brian Remick were nominated for a Life Saving Award by Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman.

March: President Trump declares COVID-19 a National Emergency unlocking billions of dollars in federal funding to fight the disease's spread. The President also issued a travel ban on non-U.S. citizens traveling into the United States. The University of Minnesota launched a clinical trial to investigate whether hydroxychloroquine can reduce or prevent the severity of the infection. A 2 week Stay-at-Home order is issued for Minnesota residents to "flatten the curve" and schools and universities moved to distant learning.

The Win-E-Mac Junior High students performed a one-act play for community members, friends and family during the first weekend in March.

Jim Ferden was elected to the Minnesota Rural Education Association Board of Directors. Ferden is a long time member of the Win-E-Mac School Board.

Win-E-Mac closed down the school beginning on March 18th. Along with the school, most public buildings were shut down, nursing homes and Assisted Living facilities began restricting visits, and hospitals were no longer allowing visitors and alternate ways of communication became advisable.

The Clubhouse Childcare Center made treat bags for local law enforcement and emergency workers.