Hey everyone…we’re going streaking…but, keep your clothes on, fans…I’m talking about our Loons since, in the technical sense, two straight wins makes it a streak. But, dad jokes aside, it’s encouraging to see the Black and Blue shake off their short lull to take six points from their victorious efforts in Charlotte and back home against Sporting Kansas City. As for this weekend, the boys will hit the road looking to continue their hot streak in Hotlanta. Of course, I’m talking about Atlanta United, so let’s do exactly that, shall we?
| Run of Form
Minnesota United FC (5-2-2)
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As I touched on just a few sentences ago, the Loons have done their part in making that home loss against Houston a few weeks back feel like a distant memory. With two wins in hand and six points in the standings, the boys find themselves sitting a little prettier in the Western Conference in the number four spot. In recent history, MNUFC has been able to rise to the occasion when going on the road, but not every away matchday is built the same, and Atlanta will present its own set of obstacles to contend with.More on that shortly.
Atlanta United FC (3-3-3)
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The other United’s last outing, a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire, won’t go down as one of their sharper performances. While Atlanta was able to at least take a point from the match, they won’t be thrilled with the final result considering they didn’t allow Chicago a single shot on-target . And, Atlanta’s record at the moment isn’t a true representation of the talent on their roster, because they are flush with it. However, the Five Stripes’ attack just doesn’t seem to be on the same page at the moment, and while they’ve played well defensively this season, they’re still thin on the backline, as multiple defenders have been on the shelf with injuries. With the Loons having a fair amount of depth on the roster, Atlanta’s lack thereof could be something our forwards can exploit.
| Keys to the Game
Maybe it isn’t exactly common knowledge to Loons fans since Atlanta hails from the Eastern Conference, but Mercedes-Benz Stadium is far from “friendly confines” for the visitors. Atlanta’s fanbase shows up and gets loud enough to blow the roof off the place. Speaking of roofs, it’s another x-factor that the Black and Blue rarely have to deal with, if ever. The thing about roofs is they hold all that noise coming from their crowd inside, and while the boys have shown that they can be road warriors and spoil the opposition’s night, they’ll have to overcome a hostile environment to do so this Saturday.
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Mo’ Giorgos, Mo’ Problems?
About a month ago, Giorgos Giakoumakis was in top form. While it was, and still is, way too early to be handing out awards yet, the Atlanta United striker was having his name tossed around as an early front-runner for the Golden Boot. But, a bone bruise in his right knee would put a hitch in his giddyup, both literally and figuratively, which kept him sidelined for the better part of April. Last weekend against Chicago, Giakoumakis made his return to the pitch and was able to put in 66 minutes with the starting XI before being subbed off. After coming away from Chicago without any setbacks, I expect to see more of the Greek goal-scorer, who will be hunting for his first goal since before his injury. He may not be the only star Minnesota will have to contend with, but if the backline can avoid letting the striker get behind them, and if Dayne’s on his game, we can keep Giakoumakis at bay.
Against Sporting Kansas City, the attack was the story in the first half. As for the second half, while it was less pretty than the boys’ showing earlier in the evening, I would define it as a gritty, bend-don’t-break effort defensively…with maybe a little bit of luck mixed in too. But, against a loaded Atlanta attack, the midfield is likely to have their hands full trying to stop the likes of Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada in the middle of the pitch. While the Loons have shown how successful they can be when attacking with their wingbacks pressed up the field, the workrate that goes into that approach can be draining. Last week, Joseph Rosales and D.J. Taylor were all over the pitch, and worthy contributors to holding the advantage in the second half. Going into Atlanta, I do wonder how fresh their legs will be after grinding it out last week. Coach Ramsay has proven to be somewhat fearless in giving opportunities to young talent and versatile reserves in the Loons’ starting XI. Whatever strategy Ramsay plans to implement, the need for fresher legs may be something to consider if they want to keep up with Atlanta wingers Saba Lobjanidze and Tyler Wolff. If not, then it’s only a matter of time before they start looking for opportunities to find Almada and Giakoumakis in the middle. But, if Rosales and Taylor have their fitness intact for this Saturday, their presence will buoy the Loons’ chances from both a defensive and ball possession standpoint.
BREWSTER, Minn. — Lots of hugs were shared, tears were shed and utter shock was witnessed as a rural Minnesota family was surprised with the Best Christmas Ever early Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14.
More than two dozen people caravaned behind a Brewster Fire Truck to deliver gifts to Austin and Stephanie VandeKamp and their 6-year-old daughter, Callee, in Brewster, Minnesota, in Nobles County.
Friends and family join Best Christmas Ever committee members for a group photo before leaving the Brewster Fire Hall to deliver gifts to the Austin and Stephanie Vande Kamp family Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2025.
Julie Buntjer / The Globe
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“We just came to bring some joy to your life,” said Sue Hagen, one of the local coordinators for the nationwide nonprofit
Best Christmas Ever organization,
which surprises families who have experienced hard times. “Last year, with the loss of Jaelee, none of these gifts we’re bringing to you will ever replace her, but we just thought that your family deserved a little joy this Christmas.”
The Vande Kamps gave birth to their daughter, Jaelee, on Feb. 4, 2024. Shortly thereafter, Jaelee was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, TAPVR (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return). She spent her first eight months in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she had 10 surgeries and ultimately required continuous dialysis.
Stephanie didn’t get to hold Jaelee until she was 50 days old, and stayed with Jaelee for much of her hospitalization. When she did come home, Austin would go to the hospital to stay with their youngest daughter.
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They were finally able to bring Jaelee home on Sept. 23, 2024. Because she was dependent on respiratory support, someone had to be awake with her 24/7, so Stephanie got very little sleep, family friend Ashley Prins detailed in the nomination letter she sent to Best Christmas Ever.
People wait in line bearing gifts to deliver to the Austin and Stephanie Vande Kamp family Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2025, in rural Brewster.
Julie Buntjer / The Globe
Jaelee died unexpectedly on Dec. 9, 2024, while attending regular follow-up appointments in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jaelee’s death compounded the loss the family was still feeling from the sudden death of Stephanie’s dad from a heart attack on Easter morning 2022.
“The community just rallies around a family and they don’t even know who it will be,” Hagen said, noting that Bedford Industries, Sanford Worthington and District 518 were among employers who stepped up alongside community members to “help uplift a family.”
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Locally, the Best Christmas Ever program is sponsored by the Astrup Family Foundation, owner of Sterling Pharmacy stores, which provides $5,000 toward a life-changing gift for a local family who has fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. Business partners included Worthington Federal Savings Bank and Runnings who, along with Sterling Pharmacy, had giving trees set up at their businesses in recent weeks to accept gifts and monetary donations for the recipients.
The VandeKamps were nominated for the Best Christmas Ever program by family friend Ashley Prins.
“I would love to make this year a joyous season again for them in regards to holidays and I would love to see the three of them be able to get away on a vacation and enjoy their time together as they missed out on so much of that during this life struggle,” Prins wrote in her letter.
Stephanie, left, and Austin VandeKamp share a look as daughter, Callee, stands between them as they listen to Sue Hagen talk about the Best Christmas Ever program Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2025.
Julie Buntjer / The Globe
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In addition to a mound of neatly wrapped gifts — most of which were for Callee — the family was presented with a monetary gift of $7,403.07. The local Best Christmas Ever committee will work with the family on how the gift may be used.
“I don’t know what to say,” Austin said after accepting the money.
“Merry Christmas,” replied Chad Nixon, representing Worthington Federal Savings Bank.
Callee opened her largest box, which contained a child-sized recliner just for her, as well as two stuffed animals to match the chair. Stephanie and Austin received Minnesota Twins jerseys reflecting their favorite current Twins players.
Among the people on hand Sunday were last year’s recipients, the Adrian and Melissa Gonzalez family, of Worthington. The Gonzalezes lost their son, Emmitt, to cancer in September 2023.
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Hagen also presented the family with over $1,000 in gift cards to local businesses, and noted that donations are still coming in. The Best Christmas Ever committee will meet again with the Vande Kamps after Christmas, she said.
The VandeKamps were completely surprised by the gesture — after admitting a bit of fear as to why a fire truck with lights on and siren blaring pulled into their rural Brewster farmyard.
“I thought right away my barn was on fire, my lambs were running everywhere, then I saw a big wad of cars and I thought, ‘what’?” Austin said.
Julie Buntjer became editor of The Globe in July 2021, after working as a beat reporter at the Worthington newspaper since December 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture journalism from South Dakota State University.
So Minnesota: Lego King of Minneapolis builds Minnesota landmarks one brick at a time
Many kids will find Lego sets under the Christmas tree this holiday season, but the popular toy isn’t just for children.
Jeff Esler fell in love with Legos as a child, and that love affair has never ended.
“I am the Lego king of Minneapolis,” Esler said. “So my friends call me.”
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A decade ago, Esler immortalized Nye’s Polonaise Room in Legos and posted it on Facebook.
“That one, it kind of went really viral,” Esler said. “I think I got 100,000 shares.”
Esler’s fame grew after he went on to use toy bricks to build mini masterpieces of Minnesota landmarks.
“I did Matt’s, and then I did Gluek’s,” Elser said. “I did the Frank Lloyd Wright gas station in Cloquet. Then, probably the Split Rock Lighthouse. The Grain Belt sign.”
Each project costs from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. They take a ton of bricks and days to build. Esler has sold some models and given others away.
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“I do the landmarks, because they click with people,” Esler said.
Esler plans to keep building some of Minnesota’s most recognizable places one brick at a time.
Federal prosecutorsannounce indictments against two Philadelphia men they say submitted up to $3.5 million in fake and inflated bills to Minnesota Medicaid programs, WCCO-TV reports. “Minnesota has become a magnet for fraud, so much so that we have developed a fraud tourism industry,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said.
State Rep. Kristin Robbins alleges – without sharing a name or other evidence – that the Minnesota Department of Human Services paid state money to a Feeding Our Future defendant while they were awaiting trial, the Minnesota Reformer reports. Robbins, who chairs a legislative fraud oversight committee and is running for governor, says she has collected hundreds of whistleblower tips, but she has not shared them with the department’s inspector general.
The state has suspended or delayed payments to several social service providers as part of an effort to catch and prevent fraud, and now one of those providers says the crackdown had deadly consequences, KARE 11 reports. A service provider says a vulnerable adult client was found dead in his St. Paul apartment after the state froze payments that had been covering his care.
Rolling Stone writer Stephen Rodrick, who spent time with Melissa Hortman while covering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during the 2024 presidential campaign, writes about the life of the late Minnesota House Speaker in a 7,000-word profile based on interviews with dozens of family, friends and colleagues.
