By Lori Ehde
It isn't a big check by today's standards, but Magnolia City Council members were pleased to receive a $1,000 grant at their last meeting.
According to Magnolia Mayor Fabian Deutsch, the council received the money through the Luverne Eagles Club.
Deutsch, also an Eagles Club member, applied for money through the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund and Child Abuse Project.
Qualified projects receiving Durante funding must include aspects to help mentally or physically handicapped children.
Magnolia was one of three entities statewide to receive a Durante grant. "I'm pretty proud," Deutsch said. "I think it's darn nice."
Deutsch said he initially hoped the money could purchase playground equipment at the Magnolia City Park, but he was disappointed to learn $1,000 wouldn't go far to cover costs for current equipment.
Instead, he said the money will be used to equip the city's slow-pitch softball diamond.
"We're going to try to organize a little league," Deutsch said.
There is no structured ball diamond there now, but Deutsch said it will be located where the ball fields used to be.
He also said he hopes to stretch the grant dollars by purchasing some used equipment, in addition to new.
The ball diamond and city park are located east of the former school, which is now occupied by Pinnacle Programs Inc.
The ball field equipment is part of city park improvements already under way. Last year, the city planted 1,200 young trees around the park perimeter.
Council members are also considering putting up a park shelter house. "We're just in the pricing stage, yet" Deutsch said.