Looking Back: 2020 Year in Review, part 4

October 2020: Johnson & Johnson halts recruitment for its phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial for its COVID-19 vaccine halts vaccine trial over a patient’s unexplained illness but then restarted trials again.

The Shoppe's of McIntosh held a Flea Market Flip competition on Main street. There was a huge response with 6 entrees and many visitors to vote for the winner. Winning the first of it's kind contest in McIntosh were the mother - daughter team of Heidi Haaven and Ann Vesledahl with a remake of an old door into a hat tree.

Covid Food Assistance Program food boxes were distributed to area families who could pick them up outside of Win-E-mac School. The partnership was made up of Grace Community Food Shelf, Win-E-Mac School and the Polk County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. Boxes were distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The Polar Beach Snowmobile Club of McIntosh spent some sunny fall days out on the trails that the club manages doing clean-up and maintenance, including installing new signage.

McIntosh Fire and Rescue Squad members Toby Strom and Luke Syverson visited Win-E-Mac School for Fire Prevention  Week. They brought a fire truck, equipment to show to the Kindergarteners, 3rd graders and 4th graders.

Halloween was celebrated in McIntosh with a Trunk - or - Treat event in downtown McIntosh. Community members parked their cars along the streets, decorated and passed out candy to kids who came out for trick - or - treating fun.

November 2020: The CDC urges Americans to stay home for Thanksgiving amid national spikes in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The agency recommends that people avoid mingling with people who have not resided in their household for the last 14 days. 

The Win-E-Mac School Board had 5 candidates vie for 4 seats, candidates were Jim Ferden, Davin Swanson, Sarah Strom, Joel Smeby and Tyler Brekken. Election day was Tuesday, November 3rd.

The Quilts of Valor group in East Polk County honored many local area Veteran's with quilts in honor of Veteran's Day, though there were no ceremonies, the group was able to give out many quilts, including quilts to Jim Paulson, Bill Malwitz, Bruce McWilliam, Rodney Emerson and Walter Pederson.

Win-E-Mac Patriot Varsity football ended their short but successful season with the last game being held the night prior to the Governor's order to end all high school sports for the season. 

Win-E-Mac School moves Junior High School and Senior High School students to 100% distance learning after Thanksgiving break due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Polk County.

December 2020: An FDA advisory panel endorses the first COVID-19 vaccine. A day after the panel votes, the FDA agrees to an EUA for the Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine, allowing shipments to begin; vaccinations of health care workers begin within days. The FDA issues the second EUA allowing shipments of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to begin. The Trump administration announces it will buy an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine. The recently discovered novel variant found a week prior in the United Kingdom is detected in a Colorado man in his 20s with no travel history. Scientists say they are concerned, but not surprised, since viruses are known to mutate.

McIntosh celebrates with A Very Merry McIntosh event downtown. Stores stayed open late and there were shoppers out looking for the perfect Christmas gifts.

Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education and Lutheran Social Services, LSS Meals were able to provide any community member in need with 5 frozen meals and snacks for the Chirstmas season.

The Clubhouse Childcare Center spent the Friday before Chrismas caroling up and down the streets of McIntosh. 

Win-E-Mac Seniors Felicity Andress, Kobe Hamre and Gavin Haskett signed letters of intent to play basketball and football at various colleges in the region. 

Win-E-Mac Patriotd, Gavin Walker and Gavin Haskett were named to the MN Football Coaches 9 Man All State team and Bryer Strom was named an All-State Honorable Mention.

Felicity Andress and Gavin Walker were names Win-E-Mac's Triple A Award nominees.

Patriot Volleyball team members Mia Thompson and Paige Breckel were named Academic All State for the 2020 - 2021 season.

Win-E-Mac announces plans to move to a hybrid learning plan in January of 2021.