If you haven’t been by the Historic Elgin Hotel and Bed and Breakfast lately, you should. The railing has been installed on the upper level and it looks incredible.

How fortunate Marion is to have the Cloutiers as owners of this historic building and taking such care in maintaining and preserving it.

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And if you haven’t been by the city building lately to look at the auditorium, you should. Gene Winkler, with money from Marion Advancement Campaign, has been diligently working on the flooring, installing a wooden floor above the concrete to make the floor level and more conducive for meetings and receptions.

If renovations weren’t taking place, that wonderful building would not have been used and eventually deteriorated.

Next will be lighting, paint, and carpet. We can’t wait to see the finished product and see it attract visitors to our community.

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At Monday’s city council meeting, city developer Doug Kjellin commented that parts of a free-flight airplane, lost at last year’s competition, was found by a local farmer who contacted the owner and returned it to him. The owner of the plane was impressed with the local people wanting to help and someone was actually willing to go out of their way to return the plane..

We don’t think about it too much because that’s what most of us do here.

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And speaking of lost planes, there was a glider lost at this weekend’s competition. A competitor from Colorado Springs lost it Sunday as it traveled from the airport to town. The plane has bright orange wing tips with black stripes underneath. There probably isn’t going to be a name on it but if it is located, let Doug know so he can return it to the owner.

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Since I’ve been partially incapacitated the past six weeks with a broken leg and on crutches, it has been an interesting study of human nature of people’s reactions to me.

There are times when people seem annoyed by me, as if I’m causing them distress. Me causing them distress? And then there are those who open doors for me and show patience as I struggle to go about my business.

Thank you to those who have assisted me.

Kudos to Carlsons’ Grocery for having a motorized shopping cart. It has been a tremendous help to others and me.

— Susan berg