A prayer for the new year (from a service at my church):

By Shannon Fiecke

In the hope of providing more rides and better service, Scott County Transit is taking steps toward merging its operations with Carver County.

The Metropolitan Council plans to give the neighboring counties a $281,602 grant to use toward combining systems and expanding service to people with disabilities.

The goal is that by combining resources, the cost of each ride will lessen for both, making it more affordable to increase existing services.

This Toastmasters group meets in New Prague the 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month at New Prague City Hall.

All are welcome. We have members who are residents of Belle Plaine, Jordan, New Prague, and Northfield.

Contact Mary Swanson at 952-492-3688

Are you a bottled water snob?

Winter brings us many surprises. By the definition, surprise means something unexpected. So what does Mother Nature give us that is unexpected?

Viola Kohout, 83, of Litchfield and formerly of Faribault and the Jordan area, died on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 at the Augustana Lutheran Home, Litchfield.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 10:30 a.m. in the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, with the Rev. Craig Breimhorst officiating. Interment will at be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.

Visitation will be at the Boldt Funeral Home on Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. and also on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service.

Ten years ago, construction plans were being laid for the Radermachers to build a Cub Foods store in Shakopee.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Jan. 3 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

The Minnesota Twins look a little short on catchers this year, despite having what I would call the best catching tandem in the major leagues in Mike Redmond and Joe Mauer.

Jose Morales, who batted 1.000 in a very short major league appearance last year, is also on the Twins 40-man roster.

As of today, there are 22 catchers listed on the minor league rosters of Twins' affiliates. Six of them are on the Single-A Beloit Snappers, and five of them are on the rookie-league Gulf Coast League Twins.

Do you like the tap water provided by the city of Jordan?

Minnesota Twin Glen Perkins received a membership to a local hunting club for Christmas this year.

The Stillwater native pitched in relief for the Twins baseball team last season.

He is a member of Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Spring Lake Township. The club is located at 3300 220th St. E. and can be reached at 952-226-1155.