No corner of the world has been untouched by the global coronavirus pandemic. And nothing more clearly demonstrates the ongoing Nakba (Arabic for “catastrophe”) for the Palestinian people than Covid 19.

Every May 15, Palestinians and their supporters commemorate the Nakba, events during which Zionist forces violently drove nearly a million Palestinians from their homes throughout 1947 to 1949.

“Personal Stories of the Nakba (The Catastrophe)” will be 1 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2021. This NJP-produced video features three Palestinians sharing family stories from that time. Normally held in person in Bridge Square in downtown Northfield, the commemoration presented by Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel will be held online this year because of coronavirus concerns. Click here to register.

Northfield, MN (March 19, 2021)-

Mayor Rhonda Pownell revealed six Mayor for a Day Essay Contest winners during the State of the City Address, which premiered March 15 on the City of Northfield YouTube channel and Northfield Public Broadcasting. City Administrator Ben Martig introduced the students during the program. Mayor Rhonda Pownell and Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Peterson White selected the winning essays based on creativity and originality.

This year’s essay question focuses on leadership traits. The students were asked, if you were Mayor for a Day, what three leadership character traits would be the most important to have to be a great leader for the City of Northfield. Please give an example of how a leader that you have learned about in history has led with the three character traits you selected. 

The winners are:

Northfield Reads is focusing on Indigenous People this year.  The last event of the year will be on Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, via zoom.

Sue Garwood, director of the Rice County Historical Society, and the Reverend Canon Robert Two Bulls, Missioner for the Department of Indian Work and Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Church will talk about Indigenous people in our area in the past and present.  Adults and students are encouraged to attend.    Participants need to register on the Northfield Public Library website, mynpl.org, to receive a zoom link.  Click on "events", "virtual events," and then click on the April 13 event to register.  Questions?  Contact Corinne Smith at  f.corinne.smith@gmail.com

Northfield authors Joy Riggs and Susan Hvistendahl will be participating in the Cabin Fever virtual edition of the Deep Valley Book Festival on March 6-7. Riggs will be involved in two live and one pre-recorded panel discussion. Riggs is the author of "Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters." Hvistendahl's books are "Milestones and Memories of the St. Olaf Band" with co-author Jeffrey Sauve and three Historic Happenings books about Northfield, St. Olaf and Carleton. This free family-oriented festival is for book lovers of all ages. For further information and to get links to events, go to www.deepvalleybookfestival.com 

The 45th Annual Lucia Fest was not held in person this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the Northfield Swedish Club invited local families to celebrate the Swedish Christmas season safely in their own homes.

The event is typically held the Friday before Lucia Day (December 13), and includes a potluck supper, a pageant with Lucias and their attendants, the singing of Christmas carols, and folk dancing around the Christmas tree.

Five young women were selected to serve as this year's Lucias. They are:

• Libby Brust, a senior at Northfield High School. "I haven't finalized my college plans yet, but I plant to study either microbiology or biochemistry next year. I've enjoyed participating in the Sankta Lucia celebration for many years, and my favorite Scandanavian holiday tradition is decorating gingerbread houses."

Win BINGO at every park you visit!

Watch the Icicle Meltdown Promotional Video and start your challenge today! Register for the Icicle Meltdown Challenge HERE!

(Press release from the Northfield Education Association)

NEA 2020 Northfield School Board Candidate Endorsement

We, the teaching staff of the Northfield Education Association, have a keen interest in the upcoming school board election. An endorsing committee, at the direction of the membership, has been given the task of screening candidates to make recommendations for the four open seats. The following value statements serve to offer perspective in guiding our decision.

We believe…

1. A school board member must see the Board as an oversight and policy-making body as opposed to one that manages the daily workings of the district. Through its efforts it affirms and sets goals for the district that align with the goals of the community, the school personnel, the realities and constraints of what can be done, and a sense of how to sustain quality.

Voters can vote early using an absentee ballot. Absentee voting for the November 3 General Election begins on September 18, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the City of Northfield is encouraging voters to vote by mail using an absentee ballot for the upcoming elections.