Orion has always been my favorite constellation and with the SeeStar S30, it is most definitely my favorite to photograph! Orion is 1,344 light years away and is 24 light years across! A light year is the distance light travels in one year, which is about 5.88 trillion miles! The Orion Nebula, also called M42, is included in a very large system called the Orion Molecular Complex and includes several other nebulae. (astrobackyard.com) This nebula in the photograph can actually be seen without a telescope.

third round of the Vets Club soup contest, which was sponsored by Ward Plumbing and Heating, had five fantastic soups! Winning the night was Brittany Benzing’s ham and potato, followed by the taco soup from Tony Hanson. Marry me chicken soup prepared by Chelsea Fuhrer and taco soup made by Tina Anthony tied for third place. Suzanne Schultz made a creamy carrot soup. The last preliminary round will be held on January 30!

The 82nd Coronation Hearts in Wonderland is set to crown its royalty on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. at Valentine High School.

The Freeman Family of Thedford welcomed their son, Rio Jess Freemanx, January 2, 2026. Lil Rio was 8lbs and 4 oz and was 21 inches long. He had three siblings waiting at home for him, including six year old Rylee, four year old Rhett, and two year old Rayana. Rio is the son of Hadli and Tanner Freeman. He is the grandson to Eve Millar of Valentine, and Jess Millar of Crookston; along with Greg and Mellissa Freeman of Dunning, NE. And, he was the first baby born at the Cherry County Hospital.

Date: January 8, 2026 Goal: 97 Total units collected: 104 and with 104 units collected, there’s potential for 312 patients to benefit!! Single units: 67 Power reds: 19 for a total of 37 units Began with most appointments filled; schedule is very fluid; numbers were fluctuating due to illness in area. Deferred: 11 Canceled: 4 - notification on the day before helped to try to fill those canceled times! No-shows: 1 Beds: 12 Staff: 10-12, staff from other sites joined us; very adequate staffing! Rapidpass: 68 out of 95 used Rapidpass for 69% New donors: Dana Ramm; and several of our 12 new donors from last blood drive returned to donate again.

Ryan Connot was vacationing with his family on St. Croix in the U.S.