Have a good scarecrow idea?The Minnesota Veterans Home is sponsoring their 7th annual Scarecrow Festival.Last year 35 individuals or groups created scarecrows for the display. This year they want you to participate.There are no specific themes to follow, so let your imagination be your guide.According to Shirley Connor, the recreation coordinator of the Minnesota Veterans Home, "This is a great opportunity for your group to perform a service project, and to make many people smile."I know that the residents of the Veterans Home are not the only ones that enjoy the scarecrow display. My granddaughter, Brett, thinks the display is put up just for her to enjoy.Veterans Home residents are involved in the process by judging the entries and awarding small prizes in different categories.If you want to participate in the contest, you must fill out a registration form and return it to the Vets Home by Sept. 26.All entries will be judged Monday, Oct. 6. All winners will be notified.Minnesota’s good life, 30 years laterThis month marks the 30th anniversary of "The Good Life in Minnesota" cover on Time magazine.Then Gov. Wendell Anderson was pictured hoisting up a Northern, which one of his aides caught.Inside, the story told the nation how Minnesota was the state that "worked," citing everything from health care to education to social programs.According to a poll conducted by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, most Minnesotans think this is still a pretty good place to live, but how have we changed in the last 30 years?Population:1973: 3.8 million2003: 4.9 millionPopulation rank:1973: 19th2003: 21stAverage income:1973: $8,8192003: $29, 800Rank in average income:1973: 18th2003: 10thPercentage of non-white population:1973: 2%2003: 11%Average life expectancy:1973: 732003: 78State/local taxes as % of income:1973: 15%2003: 13%Crimes per 100,000 population:1973: 2,1082003: 3,598Women in the workforce:1973: 581,9172003: 1,275,413Ranking on high school graduation attainment:1973: 1st2003: 2ndNumber of farms:1973: 117,0002003: 79,000Population of Eagan:1973: 10,3982003: 64,300The sources for these numbers were the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Services and St. Paul City Directories. Seatbelt use is up, unfortunately, so are traffic deathsA recent nationwide survey reported that the use of seatbelts is up to 79 percent, 4 percentage points higher than the year before.The survey found that sport utility vehicles and van users have the highest use rate, 83 percent, while pickup truck drivers had the lowest at 69 percent.Geographically, the west had the highest use at 84 percent, followed by the south at 80 percent.The Midwest had 75 percent use while the Northeast had 74 percent.When the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration started conducting the tests in 1983, the country’s seat belt use rate that year was 14 percent.The head of the NHTSA estimated the increase use of seat belts will save 1000 lives, and prevent 16,000 injuries this year.He also estimated healthcare savings of $3.2 billion.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com
