Becker County Energize's Karen Pifher and Essentia Health's Ryan Hill talk about the development of Becker County Energize and its goal to improve the health of the community. Karen says there are more than 40 active organizations partnering together and over 200 people involved in the various projects and committees. Each Tuesday on Hodge Podge through the next three months, those working with Becker County Energize will share about the work in communities throughout Becker County. The special series will air from 9:00 am to 9:15 am. 

Carrie Johnston with Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce talks about the Governor's latest executive order (20-48), which extends the Stay at Home Order until May 18th but also allows non-essential retail businesses to re-open May 4th with curbside service. Carrie offers some resources for local businesses to check out before Monday. 

Detroit Lakes City Administrator Kelcey Klemm and Detroit Lakes School Superintendent Doug Froke share information on local response in the City of Detroit Lakes and Detroit Lakes School District, respectively. The latest mass collection of masks last weekend at local fire departments resulted in over 400 donated masks in Becker County. Klemm requests continued donations of masks to be dropped off at the Becker County Courthouse Monday-Friday. He also says the newly formed volunteer network continues strong service to those who ask for help. Superintendent Doug Froke says while this week it was determined by the school district to go ahead with graduation for May 17th, the Minnesota Department of Education is providing extra scrutiny of the DL outdoor ceremony as it may be one of the first in the state during the pandemic. 

PartnerSHIP4 Health's Karen Nitzkorski and Jason McCoy talk about their continued work in the communities they serve. Karen says the Detroit Lakes Bike Rodeo usually held the last weekend of April was postponed. She also talks about the work with food pantries--Becker County receiving $12,000 from Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and school lunch support and also the upcoming Bike to School Day, now referred to as Bike to Anywhere in May. Jason updates listeners on Tobacco-21 and also the new QuitPartnerMN.com program available for those who want to quit smoking. 

"Spring is here!" says Tamarac's Kelly Blackledge. She talks about what we can expect to see in the wildlife world the next few weeks, i.e. start of the warbler and other bird migration, bears, post hibernating animals. Also, listen and see if you can guess the mystery bird sound. 

Grief Specialist Janna Kontz from Hospice of the Red River Valley discusses grieving during this COVID-19 pandemic when you can't attend a funeral or participate in rituals. 

Earth Week Hodge Podge Episodes wrap up with Pelican River Watershed District's Tera Guetter talking about the impacts climate change has had or will have on lakes: temperature increases, fish, algae and zooplankton growth, sediment erosion, increased storm activity bringing more pollutants, sediment, pesticides into lakes. She leaves us with steps we can take to help mitigate the effects.

Becker County AIS Coordinator Karl Koenig updates listeners on the program he oversees and this year it may look a little different due to the pandemic: AIS watercraft inspectors, public education and monitoring aquatic invasive species. Koenig says his focus also is turning provide more  AIS educational updates to Lake Service Providers.  

Marsha Watland, Becker County's Ag Inspector talks about a number of grants she's received for prohibited noxious weeds in 2020. She also explains the application of pesticides, when and how they are used. She also talks about inspecting  gravel pits...do you know how many Becker County has? 

On this special Earth Week Hodge Podge episode Part 1: Ryan Pesch from Manna Food Co-op talks about the heightened importance of food, its distribution and production during the pandemic and the co-op's plans to relocate to downtown Detroit Lakes by June.  Part 2: Erika Gilsdorf talks about the What Fuels You USA video series she produced with the help of West Central Climate Action's Polly and Mark Anderson. The Anderson's share about their organization's mission and how we can mitigate climate change.