Today the nation honors the "drum major for peace" - the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights leader committed his life to equal treatment for jobs and education using non-violent protests.

Celebrations of King's life through plays, lectures, and other activities are happening throughout Indiana.

Jody Heaston is the state's Department of Natural Resources Indiana State Park volunteer coordinator. She suggested another option as an example of giving back to the community.

"On Martin Luther King Day, DNR properties are looking for people to be a volunteer," said Heaston. "People can come out to our properties today, walk our trails, walk around our lakes, pick up sticks and litter if they would like to. It's a day on, not a day off."

Heaston said volunteering is self-directed. She added that people can show up and hit the trails with a broom or shovel to clear away trash or sticks, and clear picnic areas and shelters of snow.

If you're interested, find the park of your choice on the IDNR website. The Indiana State Parks system manages 24 parks and eight reservoirs.

King believed community service promoted unity, addressed social issues, and uplifted neighborhoods - ways he viewed as avenues to change.

Heaston encouraged families to come out and work as a team on the MLK Jr. Day of service.

"We will find something for individuals, families, groups, civic groups, youth groups, businesses," said Heaston. "We'll find something for you to do."

Park staff accept volunteers during park hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the year.

The DNR says volunteer efforts are most productive during daylight hours, which are ideal for taking scenic photos for social media.

And if cold temperatures are stopping you, Heaston said sign up now to donate time when the weather warms up.

Minnesotans gathered at the state Capitol last night for a candlelight vigil for Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, after she was assassinated early Saturday. People close to her hope her legacy inspires acts that benefit communities all over.

Following the shooting attack that left Hortman and her husband dead, the couple's adult children issued a statement urging residents to honor their parents' memory in a variety of ways. One of them is to plant a tree.

Anne-Marie Hendrickson, director of development of the nonprofit Tree Trust, said they accept donations to replant groups of trees in Twin Cities neighborhoods devastated by invasive species, and added the Hortmans' home city is a good fit.

"We do have a relationship with Brooklyn Park," she said. "So, you know, maybe it's all the funds raised, for instance, as a result of their deaths could be used to replant trees in a Brooklyn Park park. And volunteers would be engaged to come out and plant those trees."

Rep. Hortman's two decades in the Legislature, including several years as House Speaker, is being described as one of the more impactful careers at the State Capitol. Lawmakers from both major parties have noted her strong commitment to improving the lives of Minnesotans. The family statement concluded with a request for people "to do something, whether big or small," centered around community improvement.

Michael Nicklow, CEO of Let's Plant Trees, said they have plenty of volunteer opportunities, including memorial plantings.

"It's a beautiful thing to do to carry on that legacy, of course, and trees are a beautiful thing - not only for our generation but for future generations, mostly, " he said.

LeAnn Thiner, co-director of the Worthington Christian Church Food Shelf, said operations like hers could always use volunteers with aging staff members stepping down, and added that helping to ensure your neighbor has enough food to eat is an excellent way to show they're supported by their surrounding community, no matter the size of the volunteer job involved.

"Volunteering at a food shelf is a very rewarding thing to do," she explained. "The people come in here, and after you've gotten to know them for a while, they come and say, 'Hi, how are you doing?' They always say thank you."


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Eight Wisconsin cities, including four rural communities, will receive improvements to help make their communities more livable. Eleven grantees collectively received more than $100,000 in funds to implement quick-action projects this year through AARP Wisconsin's Community Challenge.

Jennifer Stephany, executive director with Creative Downtown Appleton Inc., is a past recipient that used the funds to install a seasonal "parklet" - or mobile patio - in an area that lacked these amenities. She said the aluminum parklet is handicap accessible and includes three tables and six chairs, with planters and herbs for public use.

"So it's rosemary and basil, and we even had some kale in there, and we take care of watering it throughout the summer, and residents can just come down and pick the fresh herbs," she explained.

Stephany worked with the City of Appleton to develop a citywide policy for parklets, adding that the grant funds were instrumental given the funding constraints organizations like hers face.

Darren Wasniewski, senior associate state director for community outreach, AARP Wisconsin, noted the funds are designated for immediate actions to improve quality and accessibility for residents of all ages and abilities, with projects to be completed by December 15. He said these projects often spark community interest in similar initiatives to meet local needs.

As Wasniewski put it, "Not all of our grantees need to go on and change city policy, but it's always great when they can be used as that catalyst to have these public discussions about, 'Is there something that we can change to make the community livable for all?'"

Some of this year's AARP-funded projects include handicap accessibility improvements to public spaces, home repairs for seniors, digital access and literacy expansion, and housing alternatives. The full list of 2025 grant recipients is on AARP's website.

As Minnesotans process this weekend's shooting attacks on lawmakers, they are surrounded by talking points about turning down the political temperature and people well-versed in humanities said it cannot be half-hearted.

Renewed calls for voters to listen to each other and pull back on hateful comments are often met with skepticism in today's politics.

Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center, said in the course of American history, there are many instances when it has failed to govern with logic and reason, and now is one of those times. He stressed the role voters play should be grounded in healthy curiosity when debating the issues.

"Really being curious, wanting to work in conversation and wanting to know more about the other person," Lindsey recommended. "Not just responding with the idea of winning the argument."

He explained people need to be humble in such situations and not think they have all the answers. Voters aligned with either major party might argue it is unfair to take that road if they assume the other side will not. Lindsey agreed people cannot compromise their principles with major policy decisions and if the final outcome is not what they hoped for, nonviolent dissent will always be an option, like peaceful protests.

Minnesota is seeing more diversity, with notable population gains from India, Mexico and Somalia. Lindsey encouraged residents to learn more about the New Americans and their backgrounds, instead of making assumptions. He emphasized not being genuinely curious about a new neighbor is a missed opportunity.

"When we fail to see and value and appreciate our neighbors, then it doesn't really matter about our law, it doesn't really matter the words within the Constitution," Lindsey contended. "That's really the essence of our democracy."

As for hateful comments, Lindsey advised all voters and leaders need to call out messages viewed as inciting violence. He added it cannot just be politicians who need to police each other on the issue, urging leaders from all facets of society to speak up when they see rhetoric that clearly crosses the line.


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