Correction

A front page feature photo in Thursday’s edition misidentified a boy playing outside Wednesday afternoon along Tilden Street. His name is Jett Shumski.

Medicare enrollment assistance free

MANKATO — Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging will again assist Medicare beneficiaries with their 2020 Medicare health plan research and enrollment.

Trained volunteers will be available by appointment on Oct. 29 in the community room at Martin County Human Services Center, 115 W. First St., Fairmont. To schedule an appointment, call the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433. Medicare beneficiaries need to bring with them current insurance information, their Medicare card and their medications.

The 2020 annual enrollment period for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this time, beneficiaries can enroll in a plan if they did not previously enroll, or change to a new plan. Changes become effective Jan. 1.

Those who do not make changes by Dec. 7, in most cases, will not be able to change plans again until 2021.

For more information, contact the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433. The line is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging.

Teacher surprised with $25K

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Alison Ter Horst meant to be a guidance counselor, not a teacher, but once she tried student teaching she couldn’t bear to leave the classroom.

On Wednesday, Ter Horst was surprised with a $25,000 check at Washington High School in Sioux Falls as one of the nation’s top teachers, recognized in part for helping create a dual credit program that lets students get college credit if they enroll in a teacher preparation program after graduation.

Ter Horst was one of only 40 teachers selected nationwide — and the only one in South Dakota this year — to receive a 2019 Milken Educator Award, the Argus Leader reported. More than 20 South Dakota educators have been honored with the award since 2002.

The Milken Family Foundation uses the awards — dubbed “the Oscars of Teaching” — to recognize inspirational teachers who encourage others to join the field.

Ter Horst has been teaching for about 12 years but originally wanted to be a guidance counselor. She was on her way to earning a master’s degree when someone recommended she spend time student teaching in a classroom while she finished her courses.