St. Joseph Newsleader - April 21, 2017 by The Newsleaders

Reaching EVERYbody!

See pages 5-7 for our

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid St. Joseph Newsleader St. Joseph, MN 56374 Permit No. 21 ECRWSS Postal Customer

Newsleader St. Joseph

Friday, April 21, 2017 Volume 29, Issue 16 Est. 1989

Town Crier

Community center open house set April 25

An open house to show plans for the St. Joseph Community Center will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E. A short presentation by Architect, HMA-Murray Mack will be at 6 p.m. Display boards will illustrate the concept plans and residents will have an opportunity to comment.

Kennedy info night set Monday, April 24

Kennedy Community School will host an information night Monday, April 24 at the school, 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph. From 6-7:15 p.m, students entering kindergarten will be able to ride a bus, explore classrooms, meet teachers and learn to use the cafeteria line while getting a healthy snack. From 7:30-8:30, new enrollees grades first-eighth may tour the school, meet the principal and staff, ask questions and enroll. For more information, visit isd742.org/Kennedy or call 320-363-7791.

by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com

The YMCA Gators swim team was recently recognized for its accomplishments on April 10 at the YMCA in St. Cloud. Gator swimmer Emily Hammond, 11, daughter of Laura and Randy Hammond, St. Cloud, attends Kennedy Community School. Hammond placed fifth in the 200 breaststroke, 14th in the 100 butterfly, seventh in the 400-freestyle relay and eighth in the 200-medley relay at the YMCA State Meet Feb. 19 at the University of Minnesota campus. Thirty-one Gators competed at the meet. “It’s fun to hang out with my Gator friends, and I feel proud when I do well at swim meets,” Hammond said. “I tell my friends at school that it’s hard work, but I enjoy meets because I get to hang out with my friends on the

Newsleader names bunny winners

Bunny winners in the Newsleader Easter bunny giveaway include the following: Local Blend: Westin Crue, St. Joseph; Central Minnesota Credit Union: Roberta Anderson, St. Joseph; Cold Spring Country Store: Russ Voight, Cold Spring; Once Upon A Child: Shelby Marthaler, New Munich; St. Joseph McDonald’s: Riley Deters, Sartell; Sisters & Co.: Emma Blenkush, St. Joseph; and St. Joseph Meat Market: Debbie Emery, St. Joseph.

Postal Patron

team.” Mary Morris, 12, and Gabriella Morris, 10, daughters of Mary Kay and George Morris, St. Cloud, attend All Saints Academy. Mary broke her wrist mid-season and was unable to do much competing. However, she was able to compete at the Minnesota USA regional meet March 3-5 in Minnetonka. Twenty-five Gators competed at that meet, which qualified swimmers for the Minnesota USA State meet. Mary placed in the top eight in 50 breaststroke, 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly and 200 freestyle relay and in the top 16 in the 50 freestyle, 100-individual medley, 200-individual medley and 100 freestyle. Gabriella Morris placed first in the 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly and 400-freestyle relay, third in the 50 freestyle and the 200-medley relay at the YMCA state meet in February.

contributed photo

YMCA Gators swimmer Emily Hammond, a Kennedy Community School student, competes in the 100 breaststroke at the Minnesota USA long course regional meet in Austin, Minn. last year. Gabriella competed in the 100 butterfly, 50 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 100-individual medley, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke and both the 200-freestyle relay and the 200-medley relay. She

placed in the top eight in the 100 backstroke (fourth), 50 butterfly (fifth) and 50 backstroke (eighth) at the USA state meet in March in Rochester. She competed with 10 other Gators. Gators • page 2

‘International Festival’ set for April 23 by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

Eighteen countries and cultures will be represented when the “International Community Festival” takes place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. The public is invited to attend the event to experience vicariously the extraordinary range of

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 84 to raise funds for campouts, will be held 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at the American Legion Post 328, 101 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph.

Taste of St. Cloud, an annual fundraiser sponsored by the Franciscan Community Volunteers, a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, will be held from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, May 1 at the Territory Golf Course/Coyote Moon Grille in St. Cloud. The event features an array of cuisines from local restaurants as well as live entertainment and a silent auction. Visit fcvonline.org or fslf.org to purchase tickets. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on April 21 Criers.

YMCA Gators swim team honored at ceremony

Boy Scouts to hold spaghetti dinner

Taste of St. Cloud set May 1

Earth Day Supplement!

Resource Conservation

contributed graphic

Joint planning board approves two variances by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com

Variances for a cement-powder storage silo and a residential accessory building were both approved by the St. Joseph City/ Township Joint Planning Board at its April 11 meeting. One property is owned by Knife River Corp.; the other property is the homestead of Randon and Tracy Eiynck. On the Knife River property, located at 8552 Ridgewood Road, a height variance was requested for a cement-powder storage silo. Present zoning allows for a 45foot silo height. Knife River is requesting approval of a 68.5-foot silo. Another silo is currently located on the property, and the

new silo is proposed to be placed near the old silo for additional storage. The applicants said additional storage is needed for several reasons. The St. Joseph plant is in a central location for 18 readymix concrete plants owned by Knife River and would provide for easier distribution of powder to other locations; An additional silo would help prevent disruptions in the supply of cement powder when market forces create shortages. The site would buffer against reliance on thirdparty distributors of the powder who may have difficulty with delivery during peak production periods such as spring, summer and fall. Further, the larger 68Board • page 10

diversity of people living in and near the Sartell area. Organizers of the festival have a mission: “Join us as we learn about the many cultures that make up the Sartell community.” At the church lobby, there will be booths featuring cultural artifacts and information from each country, including people wearing traditional cultural clothing. There will also be foods from each nation to

sample. The countries to be represented (and the Americans who are from those countries) are Brazil, Columbia, Ethiopia, Germany, Haiti, India, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Scotland, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan and Vietnam. Celebration Lutheran Church is located at 1500 Pinecone Road N.

photo by Dave DeMars

Ron Klinker of Knife River Corp. answers a question relative to the building of a 68-foot-cement-powder storage silo on the operations site in St. Joseph Township during the public hearing held April 11 by the Joint Planning Board.

www.thenewsleaders.com

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

contributed photo

YMCA Gators swimmer Gabriella Morris, an All Saints Academy student, competes in the 100 breaststroke at the Minnesota USA long course regional meet in Austin, Minn. last year.

Gators from front page “I enjoy swimming for the Gators because it’s easy to make great friendships with other swimmers and coaches,” Gabriella said. “ We have a lot of fun. Swimming is really fun. Once I get in the water there are no limits.” Claire Westling, 11, and Isabelle Westling, 8, daughters of Sue and Craig Westling, Sartell, also competed for the Gators. Claire placed first in the 100-individual medley, 50 breaststroke, 400-free relay and third in the 50 backstroke and 200-medley relay at the YMCA state meet in February. At the USA state meet in March, she competed in the 200-individual medley, 50 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 100-individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 50 butterfly and the 200-freestyle relay and 200-medley relay. She placed in the top 16 in the

100 breaststroke. At the YMCA regional meet March 25-26 in Iowa City, Iowa, she competed in the 100 backstroke (first), 50 backstroke (second), 100-individual medley (second), 100 breaststroke (second), 50 breaststroke (second), 100 backstroke (first), 50 butterfly (seventh), 100 freestyle (10th). “We have fun together inside and outside the pool,” said Claire, a fifth-grader at Sartell Middle School. “Swimming is a fun sport and you can make goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them. I intend to continue swimming into my highschool years.” Isabelle, a third-grader at Oak Ridge Elementary School, placed first in the 25 backstroke, 50 freestyle and 25 breaststroke. She placed second in the 200-freestyle relay and eighth in the 100-freestyle relay at the YMCA state meet in February. At the Minnesota USA regional meet that qualified swimmers for the Minnesota USA state meet, she

placed first in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 100-individual medley, 50 breaststroke, 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. She placed 14th in the 100 breaststroke. Isabelle won the high points award at the USA regional meet among girls ages 8 and under. The Minnesota USA state meet does not have an age group for children eight and under, but she did compete with a relay team in the 200-freestyle relay and 200-medley relay with the next age group up, the 9– to 10 year-old age group. At the YMCA regional meet in March, she competed and took first place in all of her events except one. Isabelle took first place in the 50 backstroke, 100-individual medley, 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke, 25 backstroke and 50 butterfly. She took third in the 25 breaststroke. “Swimming is a super fun sport and really, really fun,” Isabelle said. “I recommend swimming as a sport to all my friends. I absolutely plan to swim on my

high-school team.” The Gators Club swim team is a year-round team for athletes, ages 6-18, and Masters swimmers (18 and older.) The team competes at both YMCA-sanctioned meets and USA-sanctioned meets. Those include small dual meets, midsized invitational meets and large meets in which participation requires meeting a time standard. Both types of meets have a section/regional meet and a state meet. Jennifer Davis, Gators team meet director, planning committee secretary and avid fan, said most of the Minnesota YMCA teams compete only at YMCA meets, but the Gators team also competes at USA-sanctioned meets. Davis and her husband, Jon, live in Sauk Rapids. All of their children participate in swimming. Stephen, 14 and Simon, 12, will swim for the Sauk Rapids Storm team. Micah, 9, and Miriam, 6, compete with the Gators. Micah was the Minnesota USA state champ for 100 butterfly. “I’m simply a passionate mom who has seen how powerful this team has been in helping develop positive character traits in my children, so for me to give back to the team when I have time, is very easy,” Davis said. At the ceremony, Gators head swim coach Evan Shanley recognized the state champs and other swimmers. He said the swimmers have done so well by focusing on the two traits of attendance: hard work and being goal driven. The Gators team travels all around the state and sometimes beyond. The number of participants varies from 50-80, depending upon high-school swim seasons. When high-school teams be-

gin their seasons, the Gators lose students. Swimmers who want more swimming time return after their high-school season ends. Team participants come from St. Joseph, Sartell, Becker, Foley, Foreston, Kimball, Milaca, Paynesville, St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. Davis said a major difference between club swimming and high-school swimming is club participants, once they are beyond the very early group, are proficient in all four strokes and adept at all the events that are available for them to compete in. Club participants might have their preferred stroke or event, but the coaches make sure they are proficient in all of them. The Gators club swimmers compete in two main seasons, fall/winter and spring/summer. The fall/winter season runs from September through March, and the spring/summer season runs from April through July. Swimmers can also choose to swim only half of one of those seasons. Families can join for one or both seasons as it fits into their schedules. Swimmers practice at both the St. Cloud YMCA and the Foley High School. A new YMCA facility is scheduled to open in May before Memorial Day in St. Cloud. There will be an open house from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. “This means our team will soon be swimming in a brandnew, full eight-lane pool with nice starting blocks and even a timing system, allowing us the ability to host small two- and three-team meets in our pool,” Davis said. “If you love swimming and want to improve your confidence in the water, we are a great group to check out. We offer a free week trial for those unsure and who just want to test the water.”

SAINT JOHN’S PREP Summer Program Day Camps

• Leadership • Spanish • Art and Nature www.sjprep.net/camps

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

People Ten St. John’s Prep students were among more than 1,700 local area seventh- to 12th-grade students from across Minnesota who participated in St. Cloud State University’s 50th annual Mathematics Contest, a one-day statewide competition held April 6 on the SCSU campus. The second-place team was the junior team made up of Tony Zhou, Zander Haws and Toto Chen; and third-place teams were the senior team made up of Jim Song, Hobart Chen, Leo Fang and Risa Fines and the sophomore team made up of Steve Wang, Christine Xu and Tina Chen. District 742 Local Education and Activities Foundation recently announced the awarding of $37,470 during its spring Academic and Activities Funds grant cycle. Each year, LEAF awards supplemental funding to academic, activities, arts and athletic programming. Teachers, coaches and advisers submit grant applications for special projects twice during the academic year. In addition, LEAF makes ticket sales grants to programs from the Night of the Stars Variety Show each spring. This year’s local grants include the following: Activities

Fund Grants: $1,000 Apollo/ Tech/Cathedral Robotics Competition and Registration, $1,000 Apollo High School Boys Soccer Uniform and $500 Apollo Trap-Shooting Team Range Fees; Academic Fund Grants: $264 Kennedy Band Trip to MMEA Middle Level Festival and $3,662 Elementary/Middle School second and sixth graders to SJU Outdoor Field Trips; Night of the Stars Ticket Sales Grants: $1,530 Apollo High School and $666 Kennedy; and 2016-17 Grants of 4-1-2017: Apollo Activities Golf Tourney Returns to Programs. About LEAF The District 742 Local Education and Activities Foundation was founded in 1993 as a fully independent, non-profit organization for the purpose of promoting and enhancing school-based, extra-curricular activities and academic opportunities in District 742 Public Schools. LEAF’s endowment fund provides supplemental funding for academic, activities, arts and athletic programming in the district’s schools. Since 1996 LEAF has been able to contribute more than $1.4 million to projects in District 742. Check out the LEAF Grant History at www.leaf742.org.

Two local landscape companies merge Randy Schmitz, owner and founder of Scenic Specialties Landscape Co., and Ben Stockinger, owner and founder of Stockinger LawnScape Solutions, recently merged operations creating “Scenic Specialties Landscape Professionals.” Scenic Specialties Landscape Professionals will be a unique landscaping experience offering year-round services. Clients will be able to contract services ranging from design, installation, lawn and landscape maintenance to snow removal. Scenic Specialties has been in business for more than 20 years and is a leading force in the landscape industry, offering award-winning landscape installations across central Minnesota. Stockinger LawnScape Solutions has been in business for more than 10 years with expertise focused on lawn-care services, snow removal and hardscape installation or, as Stockinger likes to put it, “all things block and paver.” “I was looking to expand my

business by offering more services and better processes and this business merger happened to be the perfect complement to that,” Stockinger said. With Stockinger as owner of the freshly named Scenic Specialties Landscape Professionals, the company will continue to focus on great customer service, creative designs and upholding the high integrity both companies have built their successes on “I loved building Scenic Specialties from the ground up, but as the company grew, my time became more and more divided. I want to get back to what I love best: creating, designing and helping clients solve their landscaping needs. This merger will allow the opportunity to bring more services and resources to all of our clients,” Schmitz said. New and loyal customers to both businesses can find Scenic Specialties Landscape Professionals headquarters at the original 14acre showplace, located at 31101 CR 133, St. Joseph.

Second Harvest Heartland recognizes CentraCare Health as 2017 Hunger Hero CentraCare Health is a 2017 recipient of Second Harvest Heartland’s annual Hunger Hero awards for making a compassionate and transformational impact on ending hunger. CentraCare Health received the “Innovation” Hunger Hero Award for a new program that addresses both hunger and healthcare needs. The CentraCare Family Health Center partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to pilot a new and innovative program called FOODRx, which tests the health and financial impacts of providing tailored food prescriptions to low-income patients with diabetes. FOODRx provides food boxes that support healthy eating and the treatment to patients dealing with diabetes or heart disease.

The boxes contain nutrient-rich foods that can be quickly prepared for delicious and healthy meals. One participant, a 53-year-old woman, started using FOODRx in September with a blood glucose level of 11.4. She expresses appreciation for being part of the program and that she uses everything in the box. Since starting the FOODRx program, her blood glucose level has dropped by 2.4 points. Another participant, a 64-year-old man, saw a great improvement in his blood glucose level since starting the FOODRx program, dropping from 10.4 to 6.3. “It’s exciting to be a part of this program and to see the progress of some of the enrolled patients,” said Paul Schoenberg, di-

rector of the CentraCare Family Health Center. “As a registered nurse, I am aware of the importance of good nutrition. Even so, I was surprised by some of the positive results.” CentraCare Health is one of six award-winning organizations that each represent a critical component to Second Harvest Heartland’s mission of ending hunger through community partnerships: financial, innovation, retail-food rescue, volunteering, awareness and food distribution. Other 2017 winners include Bank of America, Coborn’s Inc., General Mills, Walmart and Taste of the NFL. To read more about the Second Harvest Heartland Hunger Heroes Awards, visit http://www.2harvest.org/hungerheroes.

If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should call the St. Joseph Police Department at 363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes. This information is submitted by the St. Joseph Police Department.

marijuana and a marijuana pipe. Items were taken for evidence. The driver was issued a citation for possession of small amount and possession of drug paraphernalia.

need of medical attention. Gold Cross Ambulance and St. Joseph Rescue were dispatched and he was subsequently transported to St. Cloud Hospital.

Feb. 4 10:37 p.m. DUI. 725 CR 75. While on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle with a headlight out turning left on CR 75 off Second Avenue NW. After the vehicle was stopped, the officer walked up and explained to the male driver why he stopped him. While explaining, the officer could smell a strong odor of marijuana. The driver was identified. The officer ended up having the male driver exit his vehicle and walk over to the front of the squad car. He was told the officer could smell marijuana. The man admitted he had a dugout in the center console that had a little marijuana; he admitted the dugout was his. The officer conducted a vehicle search and located a clear dugout in the center console. Inside of the dugout was a small amount of suspected

Blotter

Feb. 5 8:22 p.m. No insurance. 809 Dale St. E. While on routine patrol, an officer observed a suspect`s vehicle traveling west on Dale Street E. The officer knew the suspect from numerous prior contacts to have a revoked driver`s license. The officer turned around behind the vehicle and observed the vehicle pull into 809 Dale St. E., which is driver’s dad’s residence. As the officer approached, the suspect exited from the driver’s seat. The officer asked why he was driving and he stated he was bringing his car to his dad’s to put it into storage. Suspect did not have proof of insurance. He was arrested and transported to jail for a book-andrelease due to numerous priors. Feb. 6 12:22 p.m. Medical. 107 Fifth Ave. NW. An officer was requested to check the welfare of a man who was not answering his door for Meals on Wheels. The officer used the lockbox to get inside the residence and found the man on the floor in desperate

Feb. 7 8:07 a.m. Tinted windows. Minnesota Street W/Third Avenue NE. While at Minnesota Street W. and Second Avenue NW, an officer saw a vehicle that had window tint that appeared too dark. The driver was stopped and identified. The officer checked the tint and it was at 2-percent light transmission. Citation for window tint was issued. Previous contact with the driver who said at that time he knew it was too dark, had received other citations, but liked the look of the dark tint. Feb. 8 7:11 a.m. Suspicious activity. 147 Division St. An officer assisted Waite Park Police Department with an alarm at the UNBank. It came in as ceiling and general burglary. Waite Park officer spoke with an employee at Subway who said he heard a noise and used a ladder to check above the ceiling. Subway adjoins the UNBank. Checked interior of business; no signs of forced entry.

Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc.

Newsstands Casey’s General Store Coborn’s

Holiday Kay’s Kitchen

Local Blend St. Joseph Meat Market St. Joseph Newsleader Office SuperAmerica

www.thenewsleaders.com

Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon

Editor Dennis Dalman

Operations Assistant Rajahna Schneekloth

Operations Director Tara Wiese

Assignment Editor Carolyn Bertsch

Delivery Bruce Probach

Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 320-363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.

P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone: (320) 363-7741 • Fax: (320) 363-4195 • E-mail: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Our View Please be sure to give input for city’s comprehensive plan Residents of St. Joseph should be sure to speak up about what they would like to see in the city’s next 10-year comprehensive plan. Too many people daydream or grumble about what they want or do not want in their city, but they never express their thoughts unless it’s to family and close-knit friends. Time to share your views. There is a survey available on the St. Joseph City website that asks questions about the city, with plenty of places to add comments about the questions or about anything else, for that matter. For those who do not have computer access, they can still give input by calling 320-363-7201 or by writing St. Joseph City Planner Therese Haffner, P.O. Box 668, St. Joseph, Minn. 56374. Why is input so important? It’s because the St. Joseph City Council and city staff genuinely want to know what’s on the minds of residents: what do they like best about the city, what do they like least, what things should be strengthened, what things should go by the wayside, what kinds of amenities are desired, what should a community center house? The survey has scores of categories that will trigger responses. For example, under “What do you love about St. Joseph,” among the categories are these: diverse community, restaurants, outdoor recreation, arts community, education, friendly people, shopping, atmosphere/character and so forth. There are also open-ended questions, such as, “If you could change one thing about St. Joseph, what would it be?” A city without a comprehensive plan is like a ship without a rudder. And a comprehensive plan without widespread resident input is like a ship without sails. That is why St. Joseph residents should not only take the survey but attend special meetings or public meetings about the plan whenever they are announced. The more input, the better the plan. St. Joseph has taken giant strides in the past decade or two, making it a very exciting place to live in and to visit. Among the dynamic strengths are its vibrant downtown scene with a stimulating mixture of shops, restaurants, arts, music, apartments, a historical society, the walking proximity of a great college and – right across main street – the historic fieldstone church. It’s a wonderful blend of old and new, of tradition and innovation. Other big pluses in the city are its relatively new Kennedy Community School, park improvements and the new Government Center, which is a triumph. For those who have not visited it yet, please take the time to do so. It’s an excellent building comprised of functional-flexible space, flooded with light. St. Joseph’s last comprehensive plan was drafted in 2008. A successful new one will build upon the successes of the past and make the city even better year by year, but that can only happen with lots of citizen activism and citizen input. Start by filling out the survey on the city website. Go to cityofstjoseph.com. Then click on “Read on . . .” right under where its says Comprehensive Plan Update and Pedestrian Bridge Study.” Then click on “Project Website” in about the middle of the page. Those who want to fill out a paper copy of the survey can get a copy at the Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E.

The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Opinion Cruel fiends flourish on Internet Once again, we have a terrifying example of how the Internet can be used for unspeakable ends. In this case, it’s the fiend in Cleveland, Ohio who, angry with his girlfriend, decided to take out his anger on a total stranger – a 74-year-old man walking on the sidewalk. The killer walked up to the elderly man and told him he was about to die because of his (the shooter’s) girlfriend. Then he shot dead the poor guy. Then he recorded the killing on his cell phone and posted it on Facebook. Even before he killed the man, he indulged in a sick selfie by pointing the cell phone at his face and telling one and all how he intended to kill a bunch of people. Apparently, through some warped rationale, his random murders would somehow be a kind of revenge to “get back” at his girlfriend. That is just the latest despicable outrage that just might not have been committed were it not for the Internet. Many deranged people, including terrorists, commit crimes of violence as attentiongetting ploys. There was a time, not too long ago, when a person would kill somebody he hated because of motives like jealousy or greed – not to bask in publicity. The Internet made possible these “show-off” crimes by sick people who think they might as well not just commit their senseless murders – but publicize them, as well. Bite the dust in fame. What a way to go. With the advent of the Internet, all of a sudden anybody could be famous for “15 minutes,” if not longer, as pop artist Andy Warhol predicted. Mentally unbalanced people, sadly living in the well of their own loneliness, began to connect via Internet with others suffer-

Dennis Dalman Editor ing similar imbalances, delusions and mindsets. Suddenly, they were no longer isolated individuals. They’d become a group, a mutual-admiration sub-society, an extended family. They suddenly had a reason-for-being. They had buddies; they had fans; they had a legion of enablers. At long last, these festering ingrown toenails had found empowerment. And we all know what happened: • Timothy McVeigh and his conspiring buddy used the Internet to connect before their atrocious bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. • Terrorist attacks on 9/11 and other atrocities worldwide were made possible largely through instant electronic communications (cell phones, Internet and more). Terrorism, as we know it, would be almost impossible without the Internet. One example: ISIS recruitment of vulnerable wannabe jihadists. • The Russians attempted (or succeeded, depending on the investigative outcome) to undermine the last American presidential election. The Cold War of the 1950s has become, in a very real way, the Cyber War of this century, with cyber disruptions and thefts from various countries. It’s even possible sinister cyber subversion and trickery could cause a launching of nuclear missiles. • Vicious libels have been made against many good people through distortions and lies posted on the Internet. Some people commit suicide because of

sleaze posted against them, including cyber-bullying or compromising photos or altered photos. How many parents have come home to see their precious teenagers dead by suicide because of relentless Internet bullying or slanders? • Fake news is rampant on the Internet where posters are not held accountable for their bogus claims. There are now employees in shadow agencies who work all day to make up fake news stories to post in an effort to sway gullible people. The Internet browsers are told never to trust any mainstream media reports, and like lockstep lemmings they step right in line and keep believing the fake-news tidbits the illegitimate fake-newsters post on sites. The more outrageous the “news,” the more the gullible long to believe it. It’s really just a variation on the fake news splashed across the front of the trashy tabloids in the check-out lines (Haggard Hillary punches Bill, spends night in jail!). That’s the kind of lunacy people laugh at, but some of those same people parrot the sensational “news” to friends – other gullible people. The Internet made possible not only a proliferation of fake news and horrific postings but a world in which nothing whatsoever can be totally trusted, where everything is in doubt, where even the most outrageous assertions are at least entertained if not believed. Skepticism is a good trait, mostly, but not to the dangerous degree promulgated by Internet grotesqueries. Like the invention of the atomic bomb, the invention of the Internet (I should say the evil uses of that innovation) just might precipitate – some terrible day – the death of us all. We must fight back against its rampant distortions.

Letter to the editor:

Thank you for Fort Snelling support Jessica Kohen, St. Paul Public Relations Manager Minnesota Historical Society Dennis Dalman, thank you for the

wonderful editorial you wrote in the April 6 Sartell-St. Stephen and St. Joseph Newsleaders (“Pass bonding bill to fix Fort Snelling”). I think it’s more critical now than

ever for legislators to hear from their constituents about their desire to see a revitalized Historic Fort Snelling. Your paper is just the key to getting their ear. Thank you, again.

What’s the deal with real ID? Minnesota is currently facing a federal deadline. On Jan. 22, 2018, Minnesota is required by the Department of Homeland Security to meet more stringent driver’s license security measures. If no action is taken by that date, Minnesotans will no longer be able to use their drivers’ licenses to fly even domestic flights and will instead need a passport or other Transportation Security Administrationaccepted ID. So how have we gotten to this point, and what are the prospects for the last few months of the deadline? It all has to do with a federal law called the Real ID Act. The law was passed in 2005 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks to require the federal government accept state driver’s licenses and ID cards as valid identification for activities such as flying and entering federal buildings. With that, however, came additional requirements of the states. The new standards require specific information to be given by a person in order to receive a driver’s license, similar to what you need to get a passport. States would also be required to share their information with other states in a national database. These requirements have sparked concern from immigration and privacy groups alike. The new information needed to get a driver’s license or state ID includes proof of legal immigration status, which some states do not currently require. The national database requirement also would have information about Minnesota citizens shared with the federal government and with other state governments. So what is the situation with Minne-

Connor Kockler Guest Writer sota? Our state is one of the last places to be non-compliant with the legislation in part due to the above concerns. Part of that was a bipartisan law passed by the legislature in 2009 banning the Minnesota Department of Public Safety from doing anything on the subject of “real” ID compliance. More recently, this ban was lifted in 2016. However, now that the issue is up for debate, the Democrats and Republicans have different ideas about how to proceed. The Republican-controlled Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016 proposed a bill to make Minnesota “real” ID compliant and also included language that banned people living in the state illegally from obtaining a Minnesota driver’s license. The then DFL-controlled State Senate didn’t make mention of immigration status in its proposal, and neither version passed the opposing house of the legislature. After the Republicans gained control of the Minnesota Senate in the recent 2016 elections, they now had an easier time moving their proposal. After again passing a “real” ID compliance bill with immigration language in it, Gov. Mark Dayton and the DFL came out against the

requirements mandating legal residency. After even a version not including legalresidency language failed in the Senate due to privacy concerns, matters again came to a halt. Both sides can see the deadline coming, though, as the legislature must adjourn by May 22 until next year unless a special session is called so Dayton has now taken the position he will sign whatever proposal the legislature sends to him, even if it includes language on immigration status. So what can you do if the legislature doesn’t get anything passed by Jan. 22? Well, there is something you can do to protect yourself from inconvenience. You may have noticed at your last driver’slicense renewal that our state now offers what are called enhanced driver’s licenses and enhanced identification cards. These are “real” ID-compliant and can also be used to re-enter the United States from travel in Canada, Mexico and some areas in the Caribbean. They come at the additional cost of $15 more than your regular driver’s license. I would urge our state legislators to make an effort at consensus soon. It would be an unnecessary burden on the people of this state if our driver’s licenses are no longer valid as travel documents. We have had a long time to figure this issue out, and I hope we can have it done now rather than at the brink of the deadline. Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.

GREEN EARTH | PUBLIC ACTION

Friday, April 21, 2017

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

ccording to the Earth Day Network, the idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land.

THE BEGINNING

Born on April 22, 1970, Earth Day is designed to mark the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. © FOTOLIA

As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic

dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

EVERYONE GOT INVOLVED Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. “It was a gamble,” Gaylord recalled, “but it worked.” In 2000, as the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. With 5,000 environmental groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people, Earth Day 2000 combined the big-picture fervor of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of later years.

STILL GOING STRONG More than 45 years later, Earth Day Network notes the fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more manifest every day.

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

REEN GREEN EARTH EARTH | CHANGING YOUR YOUR HABITS HABITS GO GREEN | CHANGING FOOD

A taste of urban farming

Let’s Let’sTalk Talk Waste Waste

FARM-FRESH PRODUCE GROWN IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE: THE CITY

veryone loves fresh fruits and vegetables, but until recently, the only place to find farm-fresh produce was in the country.

Since most people live in more urbanized areas — and America continues to produce more city dwellers with each passing year — it's not easy to find that perfect, picked-off-the-vine produce where most people live. That's why urban farming is becoming so popular lately. It combines several Earth-friendly trends, including organic farming and the local produce movement, into one delicious idea that's catching on across America.

NEIGHBORHOOD FARMS

One way people are farming in cities is by creating neighborhood farms. Since urban land is so expensive and few individuals have the money to purchase their own land for farming, clubs, churches and neighborhood groups will often band together to create an urban garden. By working in a group farm, everyone shares the costs and workload of running a small farm, but they also get to share in the benefits.

PATIO GARDENING

Another option is growing fruits and vegetables right on your own patio. It doesn't take much space to grow a few pots of tomatoes or herbs just outside your window, making it both convenient and delicious. Nothing is fresher than vegetables that ripen near your own kitchen. Some plants can be visually attractive, too, which lets you create edible

rash. rash. Garbage. Garbage. Rubbish. Rubbish. These These are are thethe names names we we givegive to items to items thatthat we we have have littlelittle useuse or or value value for.for. Humans Humans produce produce a lota of lot it. ofAnd, it. And, thanks thanks FOOD CO-OPS Finally, there's another option citymodern dwellers toformodern to sanitation, sanitation, we we don’t don’t have have to live to live withwith it. it.

landscaping that looks as good as it tastes.

who don't have the time or interest to do their own gardening. It's called a garden co-op. With a cooperative produce arrangement, peolion tons of our ofyearly our yearly waste waste is food is food However, However, this also this makes also makes it easy it easylion tons ple who want locally grown, fresh foods will to ignore to ignore exactly exactly how how much much waste waste waste. waste. If that If food that food were were to be to combe compool together to buy in-season produce posted posted instead, instead, we would we would reduce reduce we produce we produce — and — in and turn, in turn, how how we we from local farmers. the amount of greenhouse of greenhouse gas at gas anat an harming are harming our home: our home: Earth. Earth. It’s It’s the amount Different groups operate inare differtimeistime to talk to trash. talk trash. amount amount equivalent equivalent to taking to taking 2 mil2 milent ways, but the basic principle the same: you pay a flat rate to • The• United The United States States generates generates a a lion cars lion off carsthe offroad. the road. receive fresh foods on a regular Not ofall our ofwaste our waste makes makes it to it to little little moremore thanthan 250 million 250 million tons tons of of • Not• all schedule. Everyone in your group a landfill. According According to National to National municipal municipal solidsolid waste waste everyevery year,year, a landfill. will get a share of the fruits and according according to the toUnited the United States States Geographic, Geographic, therethere are 5.25 are 5.25 trillion trillion vegetables that are purchased. pieces pieces of plastic of plastic debris debris in the in the Environmental Environmental Protection Protection Agency. Agency. Not only will this provide fresher ocean. • This averages averages out to out beto more be more ocean. foods than what you usually find in • This that four pounds pounds of trash of trash per day, per day, • This • This is notissurprising, not surprising, if youif you grocery stores, but it can alsothat four save you money because theper person. per person. consider consider that 85 that percent 85 percent of the of the produce is bought in bulk. • More • More thanthan 89 million 89 million tons tons of of world’s world’s plastic plastic is notisrecycled, not recycled, according according to the toOcean the Ocean Recovery Recovery this waste this waste is either is either recycled recycled or comor comAlliance. posted. posted. This This is equivalent is equivalent to a 34 to a 34 Alliance. percent percent recycling recycling rate. rate. • The• largest The largest ocean ocean garbage garbage site site inworld the world is known is known as the asGreat the Great • That • That might might seemseem like alike good a good in the Pacific Garbage Garbage PatchPatch — located — located off off start,start, untiluntil you hear you hear that the thatEPA the EPA Pacific estimates estimates that at that least at least 75 percent 75 percent of of the coast the coast of California of California — where — where plastic pieces pieces outnumber outnumber sea life sea life our waste our waste is recyclable. is recyclable. If this If were this wereplastic school, school, we would we would be failing. be failing. six tosix one. to one. If you If want you want to learn to learn more, more, visit:visit: • We •could We could do better, do better, as more as more www.saveonenergy.com/land-ofwww.saveonenergy.com/land-ofthanthan 87 percent 87 percent of Americans of Americans havehave access access to curbside to curbside recycling recycling pro- pro- waste. waste. The report The report breaks breaks downdown waste waste production production and landfill and landfill data data grams grams or drop-off or drop-off centers. centers. by state, as well as as well the asevolution the evolution of of • According • According to dosomething.org to dosomething.orgby state, — a global — a global movement movement for positive for positivelandfills landfills in the inUnited the United States States over over environmental environmental change change — 21.5 — 21.5 mil- milthe past the past century. century. PHOTO: ELENATHEWISE / YAYMICRO.COM

WASTE & RECYCLING SERVICES

Keep Up the Good Work With Recycling! HAPPY EARTH DAY! Proud to be a recycling collector!

320-252-9608

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

GO GREEN | FOOD

A taste of urban farming FARM-FRESH PRODUCE GROWN IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE: THE CITY

veryone loves fresh fruits and vegetables, but until recently, the only place to find farm-fresh produce was in the country.

NEIGHBORHOOD FARMS

PATIO GARDENING

landscaping that looks as good as it tastes.

FOOD CO-OPS

Finally, there's another option for city dwellers who don't have the time or interest to do their own gardening. It's called a garden co-op. With a cooperative produce arrangement, people who want locally grown, fresh foods will pool together to buy in-season produce from local farmers. Different groups operate in different ways, but the basic principle is the same: you pay a flat rate to receive fresh foods on a regular schedule. Everyone in your group will get a share of the fruits and vegetables that are purchased. Not only will this provide fresher foods than what you usually find in grocery stores, but it can also save you money because the produce is bought in bulk.

PHOTO: ELENATHEWISE / YAYMICRO.COM

Voted St. Cloud’s Best Coffee Shop four years running!

Reliable Rolloff Inc. Recycled over 182,000 pounds in 2016!

Coffee drinks ~ Italian Soda Wine & Beer ~ Appetizers Lunches ~ Ice Cream and Malts Bakery ~ Desserts

www.reliable-rolloff.com 320-363-1194 SAVE OUR WETLANDS!

St. Joseph Rod & Gun Club Box 374 St. Joseph, MN 320-251-2881

stjoerodandgunclub.org The club meets the third Monday of the month

Used/Recycled Auto Parts

• Many Gluten and Dairy-Free Options • Local Dairy and Bakery, Organic Produce • A perfect atmosphere for business meetings and small groups. Open every day ~ Wi-fi always on LIVE music at 8 p.m. every weekend!

EART H DA Y IS BIRT OUR HDAY !

19 W. Minnesota St. • St. Joseph

www.thelocalblend.net 320-363-1011

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

photos by Steven Wright

Far left: Leslie Rich loses himself in the beauty of a signature Chapman guitar. Riff City is the first store in the United States to carry the U.K.-based series. Left: The acoustic guitar room at Riff City houses several brands, styles and colors with a “please touch” policy in effect. contributed photo

At right: Joe Leach broadcasts from “the cave” in the back of Riff City Guitar. Leach uses YouTube to help promote a variety of products and has close to 9,000 subscribers.

Music masters, Riff City continues to hit all the right notes by Steven Wright news@thenewsleaders.com

It takes a lot of risks, hard work and a little bit of luck to start a business. For Joe Leach, his online marketing and business background provided him the essential tools to find success in a very competitive retail market. When Leach opened Riff City Guitar and Music Co. in November 2012, he wasn’t entirely sure if the business was going to grow. “We built the store because we felt there was a need and we wanted to have a community presence here in St. (Joseph),” Leach said. “The store was an addition to a great online music store.” But it wasn’t always guitars, amplifiers and other musical instruments for the Melrose native. Leach’s entrepreneurial spirit initially led him to create Bliss

Direct Media in 2000. The direct-response marketing company is also based in St. Joseph and works to develop marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations. Because of a struggling economy and recession, Leach eyed a completely different business venture in 2009, launching Outlet Bait and Tackle. The online shop sells overstock fishing lures and supplies and has helped to strengthen Leach’s web marketing and business expertise. Later, his Internet savvy, coupled with a passion for music, inspired him to start the online music store that became Riff City Guitar.

‘Family’ business

Riff City has established a unique employee atmosphere, often unseen in the world of retail. When Leach decided to open his brick-and-mortar business in 2012, he reached out to his

good friend and long-time band mate Al Stumpf. The timing couldn’t have been better for the two. Stumpf was facing the possibility of downsizing at his current job and Leach needed someone with the same passion he shared for music to help run his new business. It was a stroke of luck and opportunity that brought these former bandmates and good friends together to form the foundation of Riff City. “When a customer gets their first guitar and I get to see their face light up – that’s very rewarding for me,” Stumpf said. The business continued to grow off the goal of making customers smile and keeping a strong team spirit at Riff City. Four years and a dozen employees later, and the guitar shop has an even stronger family feel. Leach’s daughter, Ellen, as well as his sons Sam, Will and nephew John are all lending a hand in what has become

a thriving family business. Ellen says working in the business has been a thrilling and rewarding experience. “I’m motivated to come to work in the morning because you’re not just working – you’re hanging out with your friends and family,” Leach said. “I’ve learned so much about music and about business.” Because of the close community of friends and family, there’s no “person in charge” at Riff City. In fact, Joe Leach feels everyone is equal at the store, even though team members wear multiple hats. “We don’t ever use the word manager or boss here,” Leach said. The “teamwork-friendly” work environment has helped to keep morale high and has served to maintain a very laidback, friendly shopping experience for customers. It’s serious business, but nobody takes anybody too seriously.

Satisfied musicians

It’s easy to judge the success of a retail store by its foot traffic, sales or expansions – all of which have been contributing factors to Riff City’s success since 2012, but the exceptional customer service and customer satisfaction have really struck a chord with the store’s patrons. In the digital age, people flock to the Internet to check on customer reviews to see how people really feel about a business. For Riff City, the tribe has spoken. Enjoying a 4.9-star rating on both Google and Facebook, there are certainly some very happy “Riff” customers. One such reviewer gushed, “This is the first time I have ever written a review for anything. Doesn’t get any better than these guys. Fantastic service, great people, lightning-fast shipping, and awesome selection. I can’t recommend them highly enough! Yup, they’re really that

Please come to St. John the Baptist Parish’s l Annua Spring Thursday, May 4 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

G $1/BA ! DAY

Friday, May 5 7 a.m.-11 a.m.

Men, women & children’s clothing, games and toys, collectibles, housewares & kitchen goods, lots of misc.

St. John the Baptist Parish Center, Collegeville Just west of St. John’s University Campus on Fruit Farm Road (watch for signs!)

Aﬀordable Senior Housing

One bedroom

Fifty-ﬁve & older

550

Apartments

Controlled entrance w/video surveillance Section 8 welcome • Pets allowed Includes: heat, electric, a/c, wi-ﬁ, etc.

Call Joyce at 320-252-0880 ext. 144!

Access online application at www.stcloudhra.com 101 Riverside Drive SE • St. Cloud

Friday, April 21, 2017 good.”

Competing with Amazon

In the early days of Riff City, there simply wasn’t enough data from online sales to predict buyer trends and make accurate projections. The store was developing a great customer base and increased store traffic, but it was still difficult to predict what products were the most attractive to customers on their website. “The next five years are going to be a crazy ride for retail,” Leach said. Roughly 70 percent of Riff City’s business comes from online sales, where competing against large online companies like Amazon, has inspired Leach to offer free shipping and competitive prices. But unlike some online music retailers, Riff City takes the time to inspect each guitar it sells, making sure when a guitar arrives on a customer’s doorstep, it’s ready to play. It’s this personal touch and superior customer service that keep musicians coming back to their hometown friends in St. Joseph, instead of browsing the digital shelves of Amazon or other big-box stores.

New Hope

For the first time publicly, Riff City announced last week to the Newsleaders they are planning to open a new location in New Hope. Set to open by July of this year, the new store will give the company exposure to hundreds of thousands of new customers. Leach hopes to offer a somewhat different, eclectic inventory compared to the St. Jo-

Facilities Supervisor/ Custodian Maintenance/Grounds Saint John’s Preparatory School is accepting applications for a Facilities Supervisor, Custodian/ Maintenance Grounds position. This position includes management of a third-party cleaning company, delegating/completing requests for custodial or light maintenance. Responsible for all aspects of snow removal, and mowing.

Applications accepted on-line at:

http://employmentosb.csbsju.edu

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com seph location and knows there’s plenty to be excited about. “The new store is going to have a very profound effect on our current store,” Leach said. With close to 950,000 people living within 10 miles of the proposed New Hope location, there will certainly be an influx of new traffic to both the brickand-mortar location and the online store. Leslie Rich, a talented musician and guitar expert from Minneapolis, who was brought on to work at Riff City about a year ago, will run the new location. Rich, who is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, emigrated to Minneapolis in 2004 and has had a strong relationship with the Minneapolis music scene, playing alongside his band, Rocket Soul Choir. Rich wants to maintain the same inviting atmosphere at the New Hope store that has made the St. Joseph location a big success. “We’re so open and friendly, we’re not guitar snobs or brand snobs,” Rich said. “We’re just into having a good time with our customers so they enjoy being in the store and they feel our employees are looking after them.” There’s plenty to look forward to at Riff City and with so many projects on the horizon, Leach still maintains a level-headed, carefree attitude about his thriving business. “I’m always on vacation and I’m always working at the same time,” he said. For more information on Riff City Guitars and to view its complete inventory, visit riffcityguitar.com.

Miracle League bowling set for April 23 by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com

The annual Miracle League of Central Minnesota bowling event will take place from noon-3 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Great River Bowl in Sartell. The event is a kick-off event for the league’s baseball season so players can register for the upcoming season. Kim Notsch, a member of the Miracle League Board and parent of a player, said The Miracle League is unique in many aspects of the game. Here are a few: • The game is played on a specialized baseball field designed without the barriers of a traditional baseball field. The entire field is made of a rubber material to cushion falls and prevent injuries. The field is completely flat, allowing for walkers, wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges to participate in the game. Entrances and exits, as well as the dugouts, are wide enough to accommodate walker and wheelchair access. • A Miracle League baseball game is played with the assistance of a “buddy.” Each player has a volunteer buddy, either

FREELANCERS SOUGHT

THE NEWSLEADERS seeks freelance writers and photographers to cover town-specific events/meetings/personalities. Freelancers are paid per story/photo. If interested, please email a resume and a few writing/photo samples to news@thenewsleaders.com.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000

(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)

St. Joseph • 320-363-1116

BEAUTY Mary Kay Cosmetics Joyce Barnes St. Joseph • 320-251-8989 CHIROPRACTOR Dr. Jerry Wetterling College Ave. • 320-363-4573 jlwchiro.com CHURCHES Resurrection Lutheran, ELCA

Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. WoW! (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 p.m.

610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph 320-363-4232 www.rlcstjoe.org

DENTISTRY Drs. Styles, Cotton & Milbert 1514 E. Minnesota St. St. Joseph • 320-363-7729 Laser Dentistry 26 2nd Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-4468 ELECTRICAL HI-TEC Electric • St. Joseph Residential • Commercial Remodeling • General Services 320-363-8808 • 320-980-0514 EYECARE Russell Eyecare & Associates 15 E. Minnesota St., Ste. 107 St. Joseph • 320-433-4326

Masses: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 8 & 10 a.m.

PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741

YOUR INDUSTRY Your Business Address City • Phone • Website

TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com

St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph • 320-363-7505 www.churchstjoseph.org

Call the St. Joseph Newsleader at 320-363-7741

if you would like your business included. Check out the online Business Directory at thenewsleaders.com which hyperlinks to each business’ website.

one the player chooses themselves or one the league provides on a weekly basis. (The league seeks volunteers from various groups around the area.) The buddies are asked to support the player while he/she is playing the game, as much or as little as the player needs it. Some buddies help the players bat and push them around the bases while other buddies simply stand back during the at-bat and run with the players around the bases, offering words of encouragement, and help build excitement as the players round the bases. Buddies also help players in the outfield by stopping ground balls, picking balls up for players who may not be able to get the ball off the ground and more. The buddies also help ensure the safety of the players throughout the game. They stand with the players during the National Anthem, which is played at the beginning of the game, stand with the players when the lineup is called, and when the players shake hands at the end of each game. Buddies also help coach the teams, serve as pitchers, catchers, umpires and announcers. • Every player on the team

bats each inning, base runners are safe, every player scores each inning and each player and team wins every game. There are usually three innings to each game, lasting about one hour. If three innings are completed and there is still time remaining, there may be a fourth inning added to the game. There are about 100 players each season. Notsch said each year the league recruits a few more players and would love to see even more. She said many families and organizations are still not aware a league such as the Miracle League exists and it’s her desire to help bring awareness to this league and the positive impact it can have on youth in the area. Recommended ages of league players range from 5–21 but there are a few players with the league who are younger, if parents feel the child is appropriate to play, and a few players are older, particularly those who have been playing from the beginning and were in the recommended age range during league start-up. The league is for both males and females. Bowling • back page

SERENITY VILLAGE Assisted Living in Avon ING OPEN ! SOON

PART-TIME

LPN POSITION AVAILABLE

Duties include: Provide nursing services in accordance with the residents’ written care plans and communicate any pertinent resident information to appropriate personnel. Communicate to supervising RN, physician and family of changes in residents’ conditions and/or needs. Oversee the administering of medications and treatments as ordered by the physician and nursing staff. Maintain records of residents’ medications, treatments and conditions. Provide support, assistance, direction and supervision to the HHA as needed. Medication and medical supply ordering and monitoring. Receive and process telephone, faxed or written orders. Responsible for complete and accurate follow-up, admission, weekly and discharge charting. On-call and other duties as assigned. Requirements: Successful completion of a practical nursing education program approved by the State Board of Nursing. Current LPN licensure in the State of Minnesota. CPR certification. Must be able and willing to assume responsibility for client care and safety.

If interested please call Karen Hennessy at (320) 260-7316 or send resume to karen@serenityavon.com

VOTED BEST SOUP IN TOWN!

VOTED BEST SANDWICH IN TOWN!

VOTED BEST QUICK LUNCH IN TOWN!

SUBS • POCKETS • GYROS • SCHWARMA

SINCE 1981!

Oldest Sandwich Shop in Area Over 8 Million Served Multi-Winner ‘Best Sandwich’ Weekly Folk Music Concerts Cribbage Capital of Minnesota

50% OFF Any Sandwich

With purchase of sandwich of equal or greater value Expires 05/18/17

Downtown St. Joseph • 25th Ave So, St. Cloud

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

10 LEGAL NOTICES

CITY OF ST. JOSEPH PUBLIC HEARING OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT The St. Joseph City Council shall mony will be limited to five minutes. conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m. Written testimony can be mailed to Monday, May 1, 2017 at the St. Jo- the City Administrator, 75 Callaway seph Government Center. The pur- St. E., St. Joseph, Minn. 56374. pose of the hearing is to consider the issuance of an outdoor special event Judy Weyrens on June 3, 2017 for the American Administrator Burger Bar. All persons wishing to be heard will be heard and oral testi- Publish: April 21, 2017 CITY OF ST. JOSEPH PUBLIC HEARING OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT The St. Joseph City Council shall mony will be limited to five minutes. conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m. Written testimony can be mailed to Monday, May 1, 2017 at the St. Jo- the City Administrator, 75 Callaway seph Government Center. The pur- St. E., St. Joseph, Minn. 56374. pose of the hearing is to consider the issuance of an outdoor special Judy Weyrens event on June 24, 2017 for Sal’s Bar Administrator and Grill. All persons wishing to be heard will be heard and oral testi- Publish: April 21, 2017

Notice of Treatment of Curlyleaf Pondweed (2017) Attention Big Watab Lake property owners: The Big Watab Lake Association has contracted to treat Curlyleaf Pondweed, an aquatic invasive species in Big Watab Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has granted to Big Watab Lake Association a waiver of the requirement that the association obtain the signatures of approval of owners of lakeshore property. Instead, the Big Watab Lake Association will notify property owners of the treatment through alternate forms. This public notice is one form that the Big Watab Lake Association is using to notify property owners. The proposed date for treatment: Between May 1, 2017 and May 15, 2017. The target species for the treatment: Curlyleaf pondweed. The method of control or product being used: EPA and MDA Registered Aquatic Herbicide. How landowners may request that control not occur adjacent to their property: If you desire the treatment of curlyleaf pondweed not occur adjacent to your property, please notify Big Watab Lake Association at the following address and email address: Big Watab Lake Association, P.O. Box 494, St. Joseph, MN 56374. bigwatablakeassociation@aol.com. AUTOMOBILES/MOTORCYCLES WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1979. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920371-0494 (MCN)

FINANCIAL Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888606-6673 (MCN)

ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (Void in IL & IN) (MCN)

STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866-871-1626 (MCN)

A childless married couple seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom & devoted dad. Financial security. Expenses paid. Call Holly & Tiger. 1-800-790-5260 (ask for Adam). (MCN)

FOR SALE “HAIL SALE”, 2017 H&H Enclosed Cargo trailers,SAVE $$$! “www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld. com” for inventory & prices. Fuel trailer close-out prices: 500 & 990 ga. 4-Place snowmobile trailers, Scissor-Lift trailers $3,375.00. DUMP trailers 6 models. New Cargos coming 515-972-4554 (MCN)

AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN)

HEALTH & MEDICAL LIVING WITH KNEE OR BACK PAIN? Medicare recipients may qualify to receive a pain relieving brace at little or no cost. Call now! 844668-4578 (MCN)

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 (MCN)

Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-800-263-4059 Promo Code CDC201625 (MCN)

EDUCATION Spring into 2017 & FINISH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TODAY! Work at your own pace. Nationally accredited. Call for FREE BROCHURE.1-904-381-1935 www.fcahighschool.org (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance! Mailing Brochures at Home! Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! www.homebucks. us (MCN)

DIGITAL HEARING AIDS - Now offering a 45Day Risk Free Offer! FREE BATTERIES for Life! Call to start your free trial! 855-982-0724 (MCN) MISCELLANEOUS Spectrum Triple Play: TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500! 1-800-919-3588 (MCN) Exede satellite internet. Affordable, high speed

Board from front page foot silo is now the standard throughout the concrete industry. Since the site already has one silo, establishing another silo would not create a new use or function, the applicant maintained, adding use of the property is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. All setbacks would be met on the site, which is more than 22 acres in size. The property is in an industrial zone. There was some question raised as to whether the silo, if it should collapse, would be entirely contained on the property. Ron Klinker of Knife River said on three sides a collapse would be entirely on Knife River

property. On the remaining side, about a quarter of the silo would fall on property owned by the railroad. The location of the silo and delivery of cement powder by rail necessitates the silo being located near the railway for ease of access and offloading. Furthermore, Klinker commented he was unaware of a powder silo ever having suffered a collapse. After closing the public hearing, the board considered the findings of fact and finding no substantial concern or legal reason to object to granting the variance, the board approved it. The second request for variance was on the homestead property of Randon and Tracy Eiynck, located at 31897 Cedar Ridge Road. In this case, the property referred to is more than eight acres in size, but only 18,248

Friday, April 21, 2017 square feet (less than one-half an acre) is suitable for development. At issue are wetland restrictions that make it necessary to place any building closer to the road than ordinarily allowed by code. The Eiyncks sought a variance so they might place an accessory building on the property. There is only one practical location to place the building which would be used solely for residential purposes, such as storage of tools and equipment. The building would be constructed with similar-type materials to match the primary structure. During much of the year, the building would be obscured by foliage and would not be visible from the street. After closing the public hearing and after due consideration, the board approved the variance.

Community Calendar Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders. com. Friday, April 21 Prince’s Life and Legacy, Minnesota Historical Society display, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and April 22, noon-5 p.m. April 23. Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church fellowship hall, 610 CR 2. St. Joseph Area Historical Society, open 4-7 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn. org. Sing Into Spring, presented by the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, 6:30 p.m., Newman Center, 396 First Ave. S., St. Cloud. broadband satellite internet anywhere in the U.S. Order now and save $100. Plans start at $39.99/ month. Call 1-800-712-9365 (MCN) DISH TV – BEST DEAL EVER! Only $39.99/ mo. Plus $14.99/mo Internet (where avail.) FREE Streaming. FREE Install (up to 6 rooms.) FREE HD-DVR. Call 1-800-390-3140 (MCN) A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-442-5148 (MCN) ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-800-640-8195 (MCN) Switch to DIRECTV. Lock in 2-Year Price Guarantee ($50/month) w/AT&T Wireless. Over 145 Channels PLUS Popular Movie Networks for Three Months, No Cost! Call 1-800-203-4378 (MCN) SWITCH TO DIRECTV. From $50/Month, includes FREE Genie HD/DVR # 3 months HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a $50 Gift Card. Call 877-894-5275 (MCN) Change the way you watch TV- Get rid of cable and get DIRECTV! You may also qualify to receive $100 VISA gift card when you sign up today Limited time Only. CALL NOW! 844-359-1203 (MCN) PERSONALS MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 800-357-4970 (MCN)

St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320339-4533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, April 22 St. Cloud VA Career Fair, 9 a.m.-noon, Rasmussen College, 226 Park Ave. S., St. Cloud. 320-2521670, ext. 6571 or ext. 7276. Craft Vendor Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Centennial Shopping Center, 2018 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Drugs and Their Impact on the Community, 4:30 p.m., Shepherd of the Pines Church, 1950 125th St. NW, Rice. Japan Night: Night Parade of 100 Demons, 5:30 p.m., Atwood Memorial Center, St. Cloud State University. Sunday, April 23 Coming to Grips with Suffering series, 10:30 a.m., Northland Bible Baptist Church, 3686 CR 8 SE, St. Cloud. 320-252-5677. Joe Town Table, 11:30 a.m.1 p.m., American Legion, 101 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. centralmncw@gmail.com. Monday, April 24 Lunch and cards, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach, noon-2 p.m., The Rusty Nail, 4 CR 2 S., St. Stephen. St. Joseph Food Shelf, open 1-3 p.m., Old City Hall, between Minnesota and Cedar Street on First Avenue NW, St. Joseph. Blood donation for American Red Cross, 1:30-7:30 p.m., St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, 24588 CR 7, St. Cloud. St. Joseph Park Board, 6 p.m., Lake Wobegon Trail Center, 605 First Ave. N.E., St. Joseph. District 742 School Information Night, students entering Kindergarten 6-7:15 p.m., entering first through eighth grades 7:30-8:30 p.m., Kennedy Community School, 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph. St. Joseph Township Board, 8 p.m., St. Joseph Township Hall, 935 College Ave. S. Tuesday, April 25 National Alliance on Mental Health, 7-8:30 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. 320-259-7101.

Her Story, Her Song, presented by St. Cloud State University Women’s Choir, Cantabile Girls’ Choir and faculty, 7:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 CR 137, St. Cloud. Thursday, April 27 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Coffee with a Cop, 9-11 a.m., Rock Creek Coffeehouse, 214 Second Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-4935699. Older Adults and Scams: Protect Yourself and Your Money, 10 a.m., Chapel, Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. St. Joseph Food Shelf, open 1-3 p.m., Old City Hall, between Minnesota and Cedar Street on First Avenue NW, St. Joseph. West Side Story, 7 p.m. tonight and April 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. April 29, Sartell High School Theater. Friday, April 28 Stearns County “Open Courthouse,” 12:30-4:30 p.m., Stearns County Court House, 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud. Spring Bling Jewelry and Accessories Sale, 4-7 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 29, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 219 Second St. N., Sartell. 320-252-1363. Saturday, April 29 Rose Education Day, sponsored by UMN Extension Master Gardeners of Stearns County, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Sartell Lions Spring Clean-Up, 8 a.m.-noon, Sartell Middle School Parking Lot. 320-250-6697. Spring Carnival for Children, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 306 Norway Drive, Foley. Cold Spring Maennerchor spring concert, 7 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 501 Main St., Cold Spring. www.csmaennerchor.com, 320-2371727. Sunday, April 30 Benefit breakfast for C.A.R.E., sponsored by the Duelm Knights of Columbus, 8:30 a.m.-noon., St. Lawrence Parish Hall, Duelm. A Mosaic of Gifts, presented by Great River Chorale, Apollo High School and Tech High School, 4 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 CR 137, St. Cloud.

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

Wood to read/perform at First United Methodist Church by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com

Local author and musician Douglas Wood will read his latest book in the Old Turtle series Wood and perform a free concert with the Wild Spirit Band from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 21 at First United Methodist Church, located at 1107 Pinecone Road S. in Sartell. Wood’s book Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart, illustrated by Greg Ruth, is being published this month by Scholastic Press. Wood said the book is gorgeous because the illustrations literally glow. He said the book is for all ages and tackles some of the timeless and important questions human beings face in life such as: • Why are we here? • How do we find happiness? • What is family? • How do we deal with evil and even death? Wood said the First United Methodist Church graciously offered to host his first official reading and signing event for Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart in central Minnesota. Wood’s Old Turtle series includes Old Turtle, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth and

now Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart. He said it’s gratifying to know Old Turtle has touched so many hearts around the world for several generations. The books were never really meant to be childrens’ books, although each one is a picture book. The series of books is cross-generational for people of all ages. Each book builds upon the previous one and each has its own illustrator. Wood said some readers prefer the original, some like Broken Truth even better. He plans to see where the new latest book in the series will fall. “This one might be the last, which would make it a trilogy,” Wood said. “But who knows? Maybe Old Turtle will start whispering in my ear again.” An added attraction will be the concert by his Wild Spirit Band, which Wood said does not often perform in the St. Cloud area. Besides Wood, the band includes guitarist Steve Borgstrom and bassist Bryan Wood, Doug’s son. The group plays music about the great outdoors from Appalachian bluegrass to Mississippi Blues, from Chuck Berry to Earl Scruggs. They perform three-part vocal harmonies and play the banjo, mandolin, six- and 12-string guitars and bass. The event also marks the publication of Wood’s new

Spread your wings...

...because the journey matters

Our continuing-care campus provides full-service, affordable lifestyle options from independent and assisted living to long-term care with short-stay rehabilitation. Conveniently located steps away from shopping, restaurants, and public transportation while nestled in a quiet Waite Park neighborhood.

Sterling Park Healthcare Center

142 First St. N. Waite Park, MN 56387

Park Garden Apartments

114 First St. N. Waite Park, MN 56387

Sterling Park Commons

35 First Ave. N. Waite Park, MN 56387

www.sterlingparkseniorliving.com

Why wait?

Make it a fresh start in 2017!

Schedule a tour today!

(320) 252-7224

Robin Hadley at Robin.Hadley@twsl.com

Your friends and neighbors are here!

memoir for adults, Deep Woods, Wild Waters, which is the story of his life in the outdoors and his experiences as a wilderness canoe guide. The book is published by University of Minnesota Press. Wood, who is an author, artist, musician, naturalist and wilderness guide is the creator of 35 books for children and adults, with more than 2.5 million copies in print. Besides Old Turtle, Wood’s other award-winning books include Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth and his Can’t Do series. Wood has performed and read his books at the White House, at the Lincoln Center in New York City and many more places. Wood is a recipient of the American Booksellers Book of the Year – ABBY Award, the International Reading Association Book of the Year, the Christopher Medal, Parent’s Choice Award, Barnes and Noble Star of the North, Storytelling World Award, Midwest Publishers Association Book of the Year, Smithsonian Notable Book Award, Minnesota Book Award, Minnesota State Arts Board Grant for Prose and CMAB McKnight Established Artist Award. When discussing his success, Wood said success is a relative thing. “Many folks are more ‘successful’ than I, particularly financially,” Wood

said. “We live in a beautiful old cabin in the woods, as Kathy (his wife) and I both grew up dreaming of doing someday. We are fortunate to have another cabin on the Canadian border. I have made a career of spending time out-of-doors and writing books and music about it, again just as I dreamed of. We have two great kids who got to grow up in this fine community. And now, we have two wonderful grandchildren. The career as an author is something I am proud of, because it’s not easy to do. And this new book, Deep Woods, Wild Waters speaks to some of those difficulties. Thirty-five books

ING OPEN ! SOON

SERENITY VILLAGE ASSISTED LIVING in AVON POSITIONS AVAILABLE

HOME HEALTH AIDE All positions available Full- and/or Part-time

including every other weekend/holiday Duties include: daily personal care, grooming, dressing, light meal prep, medication administration and light to moderate housekeeping. If interested please call Karen Hennessy at (320) 260-7316 or send resume to karen@serenityavon.com

so far, and hopefully some more to come.” As a songwriter and musician, Wood performs on a 12-string guitar, banjo and mandolin, performing his original “Earth Songs” with his Wild Spirit Band. The band recently took first runner-up in the Minnesota Bluegrass Band Championship – “Race for a Place.” His Deep Woods, Deep Waters compact disc has sold more than 100,000 copies. Wood also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. He lives with his family in a log cabin by the Mississippi River.

HELP WANTED Class A CDL Route Delivery Driver • 4 day work week • NO WEEKENDS • Excellent benefit package • Safety incentive • Attendance bonus •Uniform provided • Cell phone allowance • 3 raises in the first year

Apply at: www.farner-bocken.com Pre-employment physical and drug screen required.

EOE

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, April 21, 2017

contributed photo

Players and buddies participate in a Miracle League of Central Minnesota baseball game at the Miracle Field in Whitney Park in St. Cloud. The annual Miracle League of Central Minnesota bowling event will take place from noon-3 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Great River Bowl in Sartell. Advanced registration for bowling is required.

Bowling from page 9 “My son will be starting his eighth season of buddy baseball,” Notsch said. “As soon as he sees the Minnesota Twins start their season, he knows his baseball league is right around the corner. From the end of March when we start talking baseball and until the day it arrives, and again as the end of summer draws near and we prepare for school, he asks every day if his Miracle League Draft letter has come in the mail. Seeing the sheer joy on his face when he sees what team he was drafted to each season are the days we live for. This league has done so much for his confidence and has really taught him how to be a good team player and a respectful spectator at a sporting event. We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful thing in our community for our kiddo. He has told me he always feels welcomed and cheered on as he plays and that makes him ‘feel great and like the best baseball player.’” Some comments from others about their experiences with the league include the following: “I love to watch and help with the games and with ear-to-ear grins,” said Angela Miller, Waite Park, volunteer buddy and league supporter. “It’s clear the athletes love it too.” “It’s great to see all the interaction between coaches, buddies, the players and the spectators,” said Cathy Pundsack, Avon, league supporter. “It’s also great to see high-school students in the area helping out.” “The Miracle League has provided my daughter with a great way to be involved in a sporting event that is fun for her and something she enjoys very much each and every game,” said Shawn Kockler, Sauk Rapids, volunteer coach and parent of a player. “It is the highlight of my week,” said Susan Sipe, Big Lake, league supporter. “It is a special place where all participants are included and celebrated. At no other sporting event will you find people cheering just as enthusiastically for the other team as they do for their own.” Notsch said Buddies are an essential and very appreciated part of this game. Each season, the volunteer Buddies include many companies, work groups or

organizations such as baseball/ softball and football teams from various high schools in the area, Sauk Rapids Fire Department volunteers, Coborn’s staff and St. Cloud SWAT Team and Drug Task Force members. The league welcomes more volunteers every season. “I really encourage the community to come out for a game and cheer these kids on,” Notsch said. “It’s such a heartwarming experience, and I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t been so appreciative for this opportunity these kids have with this league.” Games are played at the Miracle Field located at Whitney Park in St. Cloud. Spring games are played at 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays, May 14–June 25, and at 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays, May 16–June 20. A fall league starts in late August and runs through September. Notsch said the league is mostly self-funded. The organization is a 503(c)(3) and welcomes any donations to help with league costs. Donations are tax-deductible. Players and parents usually host a hot-dog fundraiser in early June, and several Lions clubs in the area also make donations to help keep the program going. This year the league has also been fortunate to be named the beneficiary of the Brenny Transportation/DeZurik 5k Fun Run/ Walk that will be held on April 29. Players pay $50 per season to play one night or $80 to play both nights in a season. That money pays for jerseys, year-end trophies and field upkeep and city utilities. “Our wish is to some day be able to lower the cost of participation with the support of community donations,” Notsch said. If anyone wants to donate for a player, donations can be mailed to Miracle League of Central Minnesota, P.O. Box 1935, St. Cloud, Minn. 56302. Families who wish to participate in the bowling event are asked to sign up for a designated time, prior to the event. To participate in the event, email miracleleagueofcentralmn@gmail. com. For more information about the league, visit the website at miracleleaguecentralmn.com.

re e he r a We r you! fo

Delivery Pizza & Grill

14 College Ave. N. 320-557-0500 St. Joseph

www.slicedoncollegeave.com Tuesdays

5% Back to Kennedy School

Take and Bakes Available on Mediumsized Pizzas!

Wednesdays

5% Back to All Saints Academy

Opening Soon! GARDENVIEW AT ST. JOSEPH Assisted Living 329 7th Ave SE St. Joseph, MN 56374

We are now hiring for the following positions: • RN Home Care Director (full-time) • Home Care Aides (day, evening & night shifts) • Cook (full-time) • Dietary Aides (part-time) Benefits include: vacation, sick leave, health insurance, retirement and dental

GARDENVIEW

Please email your resumes to: brian.voigt@hilltophealthcc.com Or call Brian at 320-764-1527

AT ST. JOSEPH

SOIL

Mississippi Topsoil Minnesota-Grown Organic Soils

SPLENDOR SPLENDOR at the Country Store!

• Planting • Potting • Premium Compost • Composted Manure

D : NIC ERTIFIEERS GA OR D BY C GROW SE IC U N GA OR

Check out our other fertilizers, weed & feed, crabgrass & fertilizer!

COLD SPRING COUNTRY STORE 300 Main Street • Cold Spring

320-685-8651

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. • Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. • Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.