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Newsleader St. Joseph
Friday, May 19, 2017 Volume 29, Issue 20 Est. 1989
Town Crier Day of Action set June 15
Join United Way for a community Day of Action. Make a difference in our community by taking action on Thursday, June 15 at Lake George Municipal Complex. Projects include: Canvas for a cause, 50th Anniversary logistics, storm-drain stenciling and more. To register, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or visit unitedwayhelps.org.
Catholic Charities seeks mobile food shelf help
Catholic Charities Emergency Services is looking for volunteers to help with its mobile food shelf. Intake workers are needed every second Thursday of the month from 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and every fourth Thursday of the month from 9:45 a.m.3 p.m. Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that advances the charitable and social mission of the Diocese of St. Cloud. For more information, contact Kris Roberts, Catholic Charities volunteer coordinator, at 320-229-4590.
‘Jacob’s work is not done yet’ by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
“Jacob loved St. Joe,” said Jerry Wetterling. “He went to school on this property of the old Kennedy Elementary here and had so many of his closest friends from here. We can think of no better way to honor him and all that he stood for. Patty and I are so grateful and will do whatever we can to help make this happen.” Thus begins a journey for the city of St. Joseph as it begins the search for resources in order to build the St. Joseph Community Center for the town and to dedicate a part of that building, the Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center, to honor a child who was snatched from their midst. According to his father, Jacob was quite an athlete who loved all sports – football, basketball, hockey – just about any sport one can play or name. But Jacob was more than an athlete. He loved the arts as well. He played trombone and was a very good artist. “This rec center has lots of opportunities in all ways,” Wetterling said. “Jacob was a good
Volunteer at WACOSA
WACOSA is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways. Volunteers will assist in projects to enhance the quality of the environment for the benefit of clients such as painting, landscaping, gardens, patio design and care. Volunteers are also needed to assist with vehicle checks and care to insure safe and comfortable transportation for staff members and clients. For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on May 19 Criers.
contributed photo
This is a depiction of what the new St. Joseph Community Center will look like. In the center of the picture is a white ball symbolizing the lantern that will burn 24/7 in memory of Jacob Wetterling. athlete, but more importantly he was a good ons Club and any organization that wants to sport.” partner with us – we will be working together Jane Conrad, field representative from the to fundraise – to raise $6 million to make this East Area Labor Council of AFL-CIO, took the project a reality.” microphone to kick off what is hoped will be Conrad added that throughout the years a successful fund drive to build the commu- Jacob became like her own child, and she nity center. was sure many others felt that way as well – “Minnesota AFL-CIO along with all its that Jacob should become the symbol for all Jacob • page 11 affiliates, the St. Joe Lions Club, St. Cloud Li-
Chief Klein stresses safety by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Help escort patients at the VA on June 9
The St. Cloud VA is looking for volunteers to assist with an upcoming event at their facility. The event is scheduled for Friday, June 9 from 9:30 a.m.-noon, for a performance from Re-Creation, a patriotically themed musical performance of show tunes. Approximately 20 volunteers are needed to escort patients from the Community Living Centers to the auditorium. For more information, contact Kim S., manager of volunteer services, at 320-251-7203 ext. 210.
Postal Patron
photo by Cori Hilsgen
As graduation parties, summer weddings and other celebrations take place, St. Joseph Police Chief Joel Klein reminds people to be smart and be responsible.
In Minnesota, residents tend to spend more time outside gathering and celebrating memorable occasions when the weather is nice. Many of those occasions include drinking adult alcoholic beverages. St. Joseph Police Chief Joel Klein said behavior with alcohol is always a concern, and he would like to remind people to behave responsibly when they drink. Klein said his department’s first main concern is public
safety and safety of individuals. “Obviously, we have a job to do and we have zero tolerance on alcoholic issues,” Klein said. “When we deal with issues, most likely someone will receive a citation or get arrested.” He said he understands being young, but his department advises responsibility. “If you are not upsetting your neighbors or doing things to draw attention to yourself, then nobody is going to bother you,” Klein said. “It’s when you are doing things to hurt others, damaging other people’s property, disrupting the neighbor-
hood with noise and things like that, you are going to get our attention and we are going to have to deal with it.” He said many of the calls the department receives in the evening are alcohol-related. If they receive a call for vandalism, noisy gatherings, medicals, fights or more, they generally know there will be alcohol involved. Klein said incidents increase more in spring because people are out more, due to better weather conditions. They want to go places and see other peoSafety • page 3
Dog-park fundraiser at Bad Habit May 20 by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
A fundraiser for a dog park, to be located in Millstream Park will take place from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Bad Habit Brewing Co. in St. Joseph. Matt Killam, a member of the St. Joseph City Council and liaison for the St. Joseph Park Board, said the city council approved an area in Millstream Park, which is more than one acre, for a dog park. The dog park will be lo-
cated in the southwest corner of the Millstream Park, south of the softball fields. He said the majority of the cost of the park is for fencing, estimated to cost $15,000. The St. Joseph Park Board has donated $10,000 toward the park, leaving $5,000 that needs to be raised before the park can be built. Killam, who has a dog, is working with local residents Mary Munden and Mary Bruno to try to raise the remaining $5,000. He said they Dog • page 10
contributed photo
This photo shows dogs enjoying outdoor space at a dog park. A fundraiser to help raise the still-needed $2,800 for a dog park to be located in Millstream Park will take place from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Bad Habit Brewing Co. in St. Joseph.
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017
photos by Cori Hilsgen
At left: Some of this year’s Dollars for Scholars award recipients include (left to right) Sarah Schroden, Josh Maricle-Roberts, Cole Pfannenstein, Ali Ophoven, Taylor Nydeen, Clare Pfannenstein and Kaylie Lawwell. This year’s award ceremony was held May 10 at Sentry Bank in St. Joseph. At right: Some of this year’s Dollars for Scholars award recipients include (left to right) Shannon Osendorf, Michael Maleska, Katie Ringhand, Rilee O’Hara and Mackenzie Huesers.
Dollars for Scholars awards 24 scholarships by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars chapter awarded 24 scholarships of $250 each to recipients who were recognized at the May 10 award ceremony held at the Sentry Bank in St. Joseph. The awards were presented by Dollars for Scholars board members Margaret Evens, president; and Stephanie Hazen, vice president/secretary. The funds, which total $6,000 for the scholarships, were raised through contributions from area businesses, individual contributions and through an annual phone-a-thon during which volunteers call local residents requesting donations. “It never ceases to amaze me in regards to what great young people/students we have in our community,” said Doug Danielson, Dollars for Scholars treasurer, who has been a member since 1996. Dollars for Scholars is a national nonprofit foundation that
includes local chapters that help area students by raising funds for scholarships and more. The St. Joseph chapter was established in 1996. More than $140,000 in scholarships have been awarded to help area students. Danielson said eligibility for the scholarships requires undergraduate students be living, working or active in the St. Joseph area. This year’s Dollars for Scholars recipients include the following individuals who plan to continue their education at a college or university: Justin Barg, son of Janelle and Jeff Barg. He is a 2015 graduate from Apollo High School and currently attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, studying criminology. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Newsleader. Emily Boysen, daughter of Teri and Gene Boysen. She is a 2015 graduate from Apollo High School and currently attends Augustana College studying nursing. Scholarship sponsor: St. Jo-
seph Lions. Marisa Gaetz, daughter of Rose and Rick Gaetz. She is a 2016 graduate of St. John’s Preparatory School and is currently attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, studying mathematics. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Jaycees. Madeline Haeg, daughter of Kelly and Tim Haeg. She will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Morris to study animal sciences. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon. Thomas Hawkins, son of Erin and Andy Hawkins. He will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend St. John’s University to study psychology. Scholarship sponsor: Michael Contardo, DDS/Laser Dentistry. Mackenzie Huesers, daughter of Tamera and Pat Huesers. She will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend Winona State University to study elementary education. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for
Scholars phone-a-thon. Kaitlyn Johnson, daughter of Ann and Lee Johnson. She will graduate from Holdingford High School and plans to attend Minnesota State University-Moorhead to study physical therapy. Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Thomas Newton/Centracare Clinic. Kaylie Lawwell, daughter of Melissa and Christen Lawwell. She will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend St. Cloud State University. She is undecided as to what she will study. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Firefighters. Michael Maleska, son of Jackie and Jim Maleska. He will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to study biology. Scholarship sponsor: Sunset Manufacturing. Joshua Maricle-Roberts, son of Kris and Steve Maricle-Roberts. He will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend Concordia College-Moorhead to study general education. Scholarship sponsor: Midcontinent Communications. Peter Nelson, son of Leah and Kevin Nelson. He will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend Bemidji State University. He is undecided as to what he will study. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Lions. Taylor Nydeen, daughter of Pam and Lance Nydeen. She will graduate from St. John’s Preparatory School and plans to attend the College of St. Benedict to study nutrition. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Lions. Rilee O’Hara, daughter of Shelley and Kelly O’Hara. She will graduate from ROCORI High School and plans to attend Winona State University to study nursing. Scholarship sponsor: Mike Hazen Memorial, founder.
Alisha Ophoven, daughter of Tracy and Curt Ophoven. She is a 2017 home-school graduate and plans to attend North Dakota State University to study pharmacy. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon. Shannon Osendorf, daughter of Rose and Bruce Osendorf. She is a 2014 graduate of Cathedral High School and is currently attending St. Cloud State University, studying elementary education. Scholarship sponsor: Boulder Ridge Apartments/Mark Lambert. Jackson Pelzer, son of Gail and Jack Pelzer. He is a 2015 graduate from Apollo High School and currently attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, studying biomedical engineering. Scholarship sponsor: Pam’s Auto. Clare Pfannenstein, daughter of Joan and Pat Pfannenstein. She is a 2015 graduate of Holdingford High School and is currently attending the College of St. Benedict studying alternative and complementary medicine. Scholarship sponsor: Sentry Bank. Cole Pfannenstein, son of Joan and Pat Pfannenstein. He will graduate from St. John’s Preparatory School and plans to attend St. John’s University to study general health and medicine. Scholarship sponsor: Iver Linneman/St. Joseph American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Kathryn Ringhand, daughter of Shirley and Mark Ringhand. She is a 2016 graduate from Sartell High School and currently attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, studying business. Scholarship sponsor: Steve Schirber. Aiden Schiltz, son of Susan and Evan Schiltz. He will graduate from Apollo High School
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017 and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout to study engineering technologies. Scholarship sponsor: Pam’s Auto. Adam Schleicher, son of Amy and Gary Schleicher. He is a 2016 graduate from Apollo High School and is currently attending St. Cloud State University, studying general health and medicine. Scholarship sponsor: Styles, Cotton and Milbert, DDS. Sarah Schroden, daughter of Deanna and Randy Schroden. She will graduate from the St. Cloud Christian School and plans to attend Crown College to study elementary education. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon. Meghan Wick, daughter of Barb and Dale Wick. She is a 2014 graduate from Cathedral High School and currently attends the University of Mary, studying rehabilitation and therapy. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon. Kelsey Winter, daughter of Sue and Sean Winter. She is a 2016 graduate of Apollo High School and currently attends the University of North Dakota, studying nursing. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon. For more information or to make a donation, visit the stjosepharea.dollarsforscholars.org website.
If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or TriCounty Crime Stoppers at 320255-1301, 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 a crime. This information is submitted by the Sartell Police Department. Feb. 24 6:04 p.m. Juvenile. 1300 Jade Road. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the St. Joseph police office was called for a juvenile problem. When an officer arrived, the student was calm but then the situation became escalated. The officer did have to restrain him for several minutes holding his arms and straddling him on the floor until he calmed down and staff took over. The juvenile was taken home. Feb. 25 12:34 a.m. Underage intoxi-
Safety from front page ple. In winter it’s colder and people stay home more. Klein’s staff is usually increased in spring and fall, especially on weekends because that’s when they see increased activity. There are also special patrols out for Toward Zero Deaths, a program to monitor impaired driving, distracted driving, seatbelt compliance, speed control and more. Those patrols are out all year. According to the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths website, the approach is based on the belief even one traffic-related death on our roads is unacceptable. Created in 2003, Minnesota TZD is the state’s cornerstone traffic-safety program, which employs an interdisciplinary approach to reducing traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on Minnesota roads. St. Joseph and other agencies in Stearns County participate in TZD and have extra patrols who cover for it. Klein said party-goers might think the police department is just trying to ruin people’s fun, but it’s more about keeping everyone safe. “Always be responsible, al-
Blotter
cation. 37 College Ave S. While on duty, an officer was dispatched to an underage-consumption complaint in Mary Hall on St. Ben’s campus. St. Ben’s security advised they were out with an underage intoxicated male. The officer responded and spoke with the male. The man had blood-shot watery eyes, dilated pupils and a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. He was 19 years old and he admitted to consuming alcohol. He provided a preliminary blood test of .177. The officer provided the man a diversion card and explained the process. The officer spoke with a friend of the man’s who agreed to come and take responsibility of him. Feb. 26 1:02 a.m. Public urination. 109 Minnesota St. W. While on patrol, an officer saw a male standing up against the outside of Sal’s Bar in the corner urinating. The officer stopped him and identified him. Issued citation for public urina-
ways have somebody that can look after you,” Klein said. “If you choose to indulge in a beverage that can cloud your judgment, please have somebody who can be responsible for you, and make sure you are not hurting yourself or others.” He gave an example of a recently intoxicated person who was on his way to a party at 3 p.m. Since the person was very intoxicated, Klein stepped in and told the person to stop drinking. The person was legally of age to be drinking, and Klein said he was booed by other party-goers at first, but then some of the party-goers who were not impaired stepped up and offered to take care of him. Klein advised them to make sure they helped the intoxicated person get home safely and that he was placed on his side while resting so he would not aspirate. “I’m trying to save his life,” Klein said. “Whether anything would have happened or not, I don’t know, but based on our training and experience, we know things can happen. It’s preventable, so it’s frustrating (when) these preventable things happen.” He advises to have a safety net always with someone you can trust. “I’m not saying don’t have a good time and enjoy yourself,” he said. “I’m saying just be re-
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sponsible and think about what you are doing.” Klein said he would rather prevent an incident from happening. If someone says they can’t drive home, officers will help figure out a way to get them home. He said the colleges were very helpful this year and helped fund extra patrols during times of increased celebration. “Safety is number one and we have to enforce laws,” Klein said. He said they issued tickets for things like underage possession and consumption, urinating in public and open container in public, but because they had enough staff working the events, it wasn’t chaotic. He said a lot of people from other colleges often come to the events and create problems. Visitors to the area also
People Jordan Lindboe of St. Joseph was recently inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Ridgewater College-Willmar. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year
Feb. 27 12:19 a.m. Suspicious activity. 1180 Elm Street E. An officer was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the McDonald’s parking lot. Caller said he could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle and a male was standing outside of the vehicle. The officer checked the parking lot and surrounding area with negative contact. Feb. 28 8:21 p.m. Harassment. 300 Minnesota St. E. Complainant called and stated she met a male on a dating site and after a couple of texts and chats, he had become harassing. Only had a phone number and no name. An officer advised her to block or ignore the number. Also advised she could change hers. She just requested the officer call and tell him to knock it off. The officer left a message.
colleges that recognizes students for their academic achievements, as well as leadership, service and scholarship. Full-time students must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 to qualify.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000
(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)
St. Joseph • 320-363-1116
tion.
create many of the incidents that occur during the summer months. Klein said as graduation parties begin, summer weddings take place and other fun summer events occur, be mindful, bring your tent, bring your sleeping bag, find a room and sleep it off. Just be smart. “There are a ton of good people out there,” Klein said. “St. (Joseph) residents, the college students are great, but there are always going to be people (who) take it over the top and then that’s when we end up dealing with stuff. We would be happy if everything was just status quo and we didn’t have to do these things. Our job is dealing with public safety. People want to feel safe. They want to feel they don’t have to worry about something happening to them in their town or where they are at.”
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
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 Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. 15 E. Minnesota St., Ste. 107 WoW! (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 p.m. St. Joseph • 320-433-4326 610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph 320-363-4232 www.rlcstjoe.org PUBLISHING St. Joseph Catholic Church Von Meyer Publishing Masses: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. 32 1st Ave. NW Saturday 5 p.m. St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 Sunday 8 & 10 a.m. St. Joseph • 320-363-7505 TRUCKING www.churchstjoseph.org Brenny Transportation, Inc. YOUR INDUSTRY Global Transportation Service Your Business St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 Address City • Phone • Website www.brennytransportation.com
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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.
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Our View Despicable lunch shaming must cease now and forever It’s called “lunch shaming,” and it’s one of the cruelest, most outrageous forms of punishment ever visited upon children. And what’s disgusting is it’s happening in schools across America. The vile practice has to be stopped and stopped now. It shouldn’t take a panel of researchers and months if not years of study to determine if lunch shaming is good or bad. Anybody with even a smidgen of kindness will know lunch shaming is wrong, it’s despicable and no child should have to endure even one example of it. Here is how lunch shaming “works.” When a student doesn’t have enough money for a lunch, cafeteria servers take away the child’s tray of food, toss it in the garbage and hand him or her a paper bag containing a cheese sandwich and a small carton of milk. Some schools take away the tray of food and give the student nothing in return. These poor kids feel singled out, humiliated, all the while attracting the stares of others as they go hungry. They feel like instant outcasts. One Colorado school’s cafeteria worker was fired for personally paying for a first-grader’s hot lunch. A Pennsylvania lunch server quit after being forced to take food away from a student who was $25 in debt on food payments. Some students must do school chores, such as mopping the cafeteria floor or cleaning lunch tables in front of their peers, to “work off” their lunch debt. Some students in some districts have the words “I Need Lunch Money” stamped on their arms. It’s enough to make one’s skin crawl, enough to break one’s heart, enough to make one erupt in outrage. Here in central Minnesota, cafeteria workers, we are told, are much more discreet in handling the problem, but – still – kids who cannot afford tray lunches must still feel a sense of shame, as if they are not worthy of “real” food. Yes, there is a problem. About 75 percent of U.S. school districts have students with unpaid lunch debt, in one case a debt of nearly $5 million. So, obviously the problem is real. But the solution to that problem is not to snatch away a tray of food from a student. The solution is not to humiliate a student, to force outcast status upon him or her. That is the kind of inexcusable, despicable behavior that should never, ever be allowed to happen. Why is it happening. There’s no doubt some parents are just plain lax about putting money into their children’s school-lunch accounts. Many more parents, however, are struggling to make ends meet, and many do not know they can apply for free or reducedprice lunches. To New Mexico’s credit, that state recently banned all forms of lunch shaming. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico recently introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress called the Anti-Lunch Shaming Act. Every representative, every senator, every American should support that bill and insist it’s approved, the sooner the better. The school-debt problem must be remedied, but humiliating poor and hungry students must not – absolutely not! – be part of that remedy. Please tell legislators to give full support for the Anti-Lunch Shaming Act.
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.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017
Opinion Sight of monarchs makes me happy, sad Every time I see a monarch butterfly flutter past, I get a rush of happy nostalgia. But the nostalgia quickly turns into sadness for two reasons – sadness for my favorite brother, Michael, who died in his sleep 13 years ago; and sadness that monarchs might become extinct some day. In our grade-school years, Michael and I loved monarch butterflies so much we read books and articles about them every chance we got. One day, we decided to start a “Monarch Farm.” First we obtained three of those huge glass pickle jars. Then we walked down to the Red Fox woods about a half mile from our south St. Cloud home. There, we found hundreds of milkweeds growing just about everywhere. We looked under the milkweed leaves for little tiny white dots – the dots being the eggs that were laid by monarchs. Then we gathered a whole bunch of the egg leaves, along with extra leaves and stems. We put them in a grocery bag and brought them home to put them in the big jars with air holes punched in the jar lids. Then we waited and waited. Impatiently waited . . . Even though we’d seen the monarch metamorphosis in books and movies, nothing prepared us for the sheer wonder of what we were about to see, up close, personal. One day, I heard Michael shout from his bedroom: “Hey, come here and look! One of ‘em hatched!” And sure enough. There it was – a little teeny tiny caterpillar, squirming on the leaf, his head going side to side rapidly, chewing, chewing, chewing. That tiny greenish critter ate so fast we could almost see it grow before our very eyes. It went through many visual changes until finally, about a week
Dennis Dalman Editor later, it had morphed into a plump caterpillar with yellow, white and black stripes. The next stage was the eeriest thing we’d ever seen. We watched, our mouths gaping wide open, as the caterpillar attached itself upside down to one of the leaves, and then it began to twist and wiggle as its skin began to split open, and finally after more frantic contortions, the skin fell off and what remained looked like a jiggling wiggling blob of snot. The next stage was one of the most beautiful things we’d ever seen. We watched in hushed awe as that icky-looking snot blob quite quickly morphed into a waxy jadegreen chrysalis with a few gleaming gold dots on it. And, finally, days later, in the last stage, we held our breaths every time we’d check on the jars. The jade-green chrysalis turned purplish, and we could discern the monarch colors within. At last, a wimpy-looking monarch emerged and moved its wings to fill them with body fluid as the wings got bigger, more vividly colorful, more beautiful. Michael and I sat there breathless, proud of our monarch-nurturing. Then, alas, it was time to say goodbye. We opened the bedroom window and let that first monarch flutter away, up into the blue sky. In the coming days, five or six of “our” monarchs emerged to fly away, heading south for their
long migration. In the coming late summers, we “raised” more monarchs in our “Monarch Farm.” And every year we watched that metamorphosis, hour after hour, the process was just as strange, amazing and beautiful as the first time we witnessed it. Every child should have the chance to see that process in person. Which brings me back to my second monarch sadness: Will there even be any monarchs left to amaze future kids? In just three decades, the monarch population has declined by 90 percent. Why? The use of pesticides and croplands and developments that doom milkweed plants so essential for monarchs’ survival. Also, milkweed are often purposely eradicated from fields, lots and yards as noxious weeds. It’s a shame they have the word “weed” in their name; better to say milkplant. What can we do? • Don’t use pesticides in your yard. • Help save grasslands by joining organizations that promote grassland-protection. • Support the Highway Habitat Corridor program, which encourages planting of milkweed and nectar plants along the monarchs’ migratory flyways and in their breeding grounds along key Midwest and Texas corridors. • Plant milkweed in yard or garden. • Create a monarch habitat. To find out more about those tips, visit the excellent website of the National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org. Then type in “Monarchs.” Also, consider becoming a member of the NWF. It’s a wonderful organization – and not just for the beloved monarchs. We can all help save the monarch from extinction if we make our minds up to act now.
Letter to the editor:
Resident protests water shut-off policy Jeffrey Williams, St. Joseph
The City of St. Joseph has been disconnecting citizens’ water unconstitutionally without due process, using City Ordinance 401.12 to do so. This ordinance states the city can “discontinue service of any or all customers of the water system without notice.” I’m defending St. Joseph’s citizens’ rights to due process. U.S. Constitutional Amendment 5 states “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. . . ” Amendment 14 states similarly. Due process for this is laid out by MN Statute 325E.021, which states “A public utility as defined by section 216B.02, a municipality . . . shall, if that utility adopts a policy of imposing a
charge or fee upon delinquent residential and farm accounts, provide that each billing shall clearly state the terms and conditions of any penalty . . .” The city has not disclosed any possibility of disconnection on water bills in the past. City Administrator Judy Weyrens oversees and directs all day-to-day operations of the city and, in my opinion, has violated the city’s Code of Conduct in Ordinance 209. Weyrens’ misconduct is shown in her four-page denial letter to my family and copied to all city-council members in response to our one-page refund-request letter. Her letter is constructed with defamatory statements about my family; evidence of her withholding bills and disconnection letters; manipulation of my family’s
words; and the manipulation of the MN Statute 325E.021 to be in her favor. To my knowledge, the statute 325E.021 hasn’t been discussed with the city’s attorney. Weyrens’ unethical and defamatory denial letter should have only been a couple of sentences, not four pages. In my opinion, she is getting “personal gain” of being valued as the city administrator by increasing the city’s water budget through reconnection fees. She is doing this because the city council has implied an increase in the water budget is needed, even after their recent water-rate hikes. Speak at the city-council meetings and request the hearing on Weyrens in accordance with Ordinance 209 and demand the city follow the laws.
Miracle League a great benefit for kids
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of reading an article in the Newsleaders about the Miracle League. It was very interesting, and I credit the reporter, Cori Hilsgen, and all of the people she interviewed for their great information about this special organization. I know of it well, and I would just like to share a little of my own experiences to tell everyone what a great service Miracle League does for deserving kids in our area. For those who don’t have as much background information, the Miracle League is a local organization that provides a fun baseball experience for those who would not always be able to participate in a regular baseball league. This is accomplished through special features such as a field that can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices, as well as each player having a volunteer “buddy” to assist them. Sometimes, kids with different or special needs don’t always have activities available for them like other children their age. The Miracle League helps to bridge this gap. These kids can have fun like all of their peers in a way in which they can use and enjoy their full abilities without the pressure and stigma that is often present when they are in school or at other extra-curriculars. It is a great experience as a volunteer as well. You are able to meet so many kids
Connor Kockler Guest Writer who never let a condition define them; they can play ball with just as much passion as anybody else. It’s really fun to get caught up in the game, the parents’ cheers and the big smiles all around. I have been able to help out as a buddy to my sister on many an occasion, and we’ve had many great memories throughout the last few seasons. I’ve also had the chance to work as an assistant coach. The rules are a bit different, and we only play for three innings, but that oldtime baseball feel is always there. The national anthem, the thrill of a great hit, the running (or wheeling) around the bases. Parents, coaches and buddies are there to help, but the participants make it their own show. The unfortunate thing, though, is many people are not even aware such a thing as the Miracle League exists. I hope this column and other articles can help spread the word and show people this great experience is here. Whether you know a
prospective player or are looking to donate or volunteer, every person can make a big impact. Volunteer coaches are always a big help. The success of the program is so apparent from all of the people I have met through my experiences with Miracle League. So many people putting in such an effort to help give these deserving kids a great experience they may not have been able to have before. So if you’re looking for a great way to help the community on the weekend, or you’re a student council member looking to expand your knowledge and experience, I encourage you to consider checking out the Miracle League. So often we can get caught up in the big picture and become discouraged. Here on the local level, the Miracle League and many good organizations in our cities and towns are doing special things for our local residents, but they need great people to help them do it. This can be our chance to do our part and make that difference the world needs. If we all work together to make a positive impact here at home, the results could be big. Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017
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photos by Carolyn Bertsch
At left: Francis Gomes of Sartell repaints his ice-cream truck from white to a bright pink and blue on April 22. On the hood of the truck is his son-in-law, Justin Ostrowski of Savage and in front of the truck from left to right is Christina Ostowski, Gomes’s daughter, also of Savage, and Francis Gomes. At right: Francis Gomes of Sartell carefully details the front grill of his ice-cream truck with bright pink paint.
Gomes brings ice cream, happiness to kids by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Neighborhood kids are so attuned to Francis Gomes’s icecream wagon, they seem to have a knack for knowing just when it will come rolling down the street, even before they hear its merry storybook songs like Pop Goes the Weasel. They grab some money and go running, leaping, skipping, bouncing curbside to buy delicious ice-cream treats in the warm days and even when it threatens to rain. “It’s the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had,” said Gomes, who decided in 2012 to start his icecream wagon business, which he calls “Fun Time Ice Cream.” “It’s the most fun because the kids are so excited and there is so much laughter. They so look
forward to it. I love to bring them happiness.” Gomes, a Sartell resident, recently repainted his ice-cream bus, which was originally a short school bus he completely remodeled. The vehicle is so Technicolor bright and lively looking it could be seen blocks away even by the sight-impaired, no problem. Gomes sells pre-packaged frozen ice-cream treats as well as some bagged snacks. In 2012, Gomes retired as manager at McDonald’s McStop in south St. Cloud, but after only a month he became bored and restless. “What can I do? What can I do?” he kept asking himself. He kept remembering all the neighborhood ice-cream trucks he would see when he lived in Maryland and North Carolina.
Maybe I could drive an icecream truck and bring excitement and fun to kids,” he pondered. He asked everyone, including his family – wife Shikha, daughters Justina and Christina and son Lawrence. They all thought it was a grand idea. And so it was. “When I see those kids, I keep thinking one of them could grow up to be a leader, a doctor, a scientist or even a president,” Gomes said. “It brings me such pleasure that I am able to bring some happiness into their lives.” Gomes travels the streets of St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Rockville, Cold Spring, St. Augusta and St. Cloud. He has many favorite memories of his many rounds through neighborhoods. One day, an older man and
woman were sitting on the porch of their home in Cold Spring. The woman was knitting; the man was in the yard. Suddenly, the man saw Gomes’s ice-cream vehicle. He looked back, calling to his wife, then waved his hands wildly to make sure Gomes would stop. Gomes stopped. The man and his wife scurried over to the truck, both of them smiling to beat the band. Then Gomes found out why. When they were in their teens, the couple met in front of an ice-cream van. And the man said he fell in love with that girl instantly, at first sight. Delighted, Gomes wanted to give them their icecream treat for free, but they wouldn’t hear of it. They paid up just as they did when they were teenagers in love. The man has nostalgic memories of ice-cream trucks coming through neighbor-
hoods, way back when, when a treat cost only a quarter. He told Gomes he’s so happy to see the tradition continuing in the greater St. Cloud area. Two years ago in Sauk Rapids, a man in his 50s ordered a treat. The man used to sell ice cream in Iowa for years. He now trains employees for Hardware Hank stores. Recently, on one of his stops, Gomes saw a little boy step up to the vehicle with his mother. The boy, wide-eyed with excitement, said, “Hey, mom, when I grow up I want to drive an ice-cream truck!” Gomes smiles with delight when he recalls that boy’s excitement. “That is why I love my job,” Gomes said. I bring so much happiness, and I will do this job as long as I can.”
SERENITY PLACE on 7th Assisted Living
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Lifeguards Catering/Banquet Servers
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SENIOR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is looking for volunteers (age 55 & better) to serve in our Senior Corps program by providing friendly, in-home visits to older adults throughout Stearns County. Volunteers receive a tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement and other benefits. Contact Katie Potvin at 651-310-9425 or Katie.Potvin@lssmn.org for more information.
We are now accepting reservations for: Senior Apartments • Care Suites • Assisted Living
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Contact Matt at 320-406-7650 for more information. 329 7th Ave SE • St. Joseph, MN 56374
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017
Women create 38 quilts while enjoying fellowship by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
The women who stitch quilts for the annual Church of St. Joseph Catholic Church July 4 celebration have created 38 quilts for this year’s July 4 quilt auction. They have created a queensized Minnesota Wild hockey quilt, men’s neck-tie quilt, 19 other queen-sized quilts and 17 baby quilts. Delrose Fischer, who has been the chairperson of the group for 21 years, came up with the Minnesota Wild quilt idea because the team was doing well when she started the quilt. “I thought it would be a good quilt to do,” Fischer said. Since it was Fischer’s idea, she got to choose the fabric, design and gather the needed materials. Fischer said she had Minnesota Wild collector’s cards printed on fabric pieces by Dave Thole from Shirts Illustrated. The fabric was then pieced and sewn together before the other women put the batting between and began stitching the two sides of the quilt together. The outer binding edge of the quilt was completed after the rest of the quilt was finished. The neck-tie quilt was pieced together by Lois Warnert. The group said they not only gather to make the quilts, but also because they enjoy the fellowship they share with each other while stitching.
Ione Jacobs drives from St. Cloud to stitch with the St. Joseph quilters. “This is the best group to work with,” Jacobs said. “We don’t need a therapy group; we just come here to discuss our problems.” The camaraderie of the group is evident as they stitch on large queen-sized quilts and baby quilts. After spending so many hours of time together, the women have developed mutual trust and friendship among themselves. “We have a lot of fun,” said Marilyn Brinkman of St. Joseph. “We have gotten to know each other over the years, and I miss the group in the summer.” Cathy Buchheit from Rockville recently rejoined the St. Joseph parish. She said she immediately joined the quilting group. It takes a lot of time and a lot of work to make all the quilts for the church auction. The quilters meet on Mondays from 7 a.m.1:30 p.m. at the church Heritage Hall Parish Center from August through November and then from January through March. Usually, Fischer and two other people come in at 7 a.m. to set up the quilts, and others join as soon as they are able to. If they are unable to finish a quilt on Monday, they will sometimes stay a little later, otherwise they come back on Tuesdays to finish the quilt. It takes many additional helping hands to do the other tasks involved with the quilting.
Several parishioners/quilters do the piecing of the quilts. Parishioners also work at St. John’s University for various dining events. They donate hours to the parish and Fischer receives payment for their volunteer hours. The money earned is used to purchase fabric and other supplies for the quilts. Fischer said the quilters get a hot meal every Monday when they quilt. Judy Meemken, who used to piece all the quilts, now helps out by setting up and cleaning up after the Monday meals. Meemken stopped piecing the quilts because it was getting harder for her to do as she was growing older. Pat Osbourn is a new cook for the quilters. She said she recently came back to the church last fall after taking a sabbatical for a few years. When she heard the group was looking for someone to cook meals for them, she decided she would be a good fit for the group. Fischer said they are always looking for new quilters to join their group, as well as people to help cook meals for the quilting group on Mondays, piece quilts together and work at St. John’s University. Since the group is aging, they are especially looking for younger volunteers who might enjoy spending time with the group. Until Christmas 2016, the oldest quilter was 94 years old. Now Josie Meyer is the oldest at 88. The parish has been auctioning quilts off since 1987. Last
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Church of St. Joseph Catholic Church quilters (left to right) Marilyn Brinkman, Barb Heltemes, Josie Meyer, Ellie Studer and Cathy Buchheit stitch on a baby quilt which will be auctioned off at this year’s July 4 church festival. The group is celebrating three decades of providing quilts for the church auction. year the quilt auction made $13,015. Last year’s featured theme quilts were made from photos of locally-owned tractors – one of Farmall tractors and one of John Deere tractors. Other quilts the group has done in the past include a Minnesota Twins quilt autographed by players, Minnesota Vikings quilt, an autographed Kirby Puckett quilt, dog quilt, golf quilt, old-barns quilt, peace quilt and more. Fischer said the quilt that raised the most money at the parish auction was the Minnesota Twins quilt which brought in $4,700. That year the church made $13,600 from the quilt
auction. The Kirby Puckett quilt was auctioned for $2,200. Some of the quilts have been on display since the end of April in the church Heritage Hall Parish Center for parishioners and others to view. Fischer changes the quilts displayed every two weeks through the end of June. Col. Frank Imholte from Black Diamond Auctions has been auctioning off the parish’s quilts for more than 20 years and will do the auctioning of this year’s quilts at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. For more information, visit the parish website churchstjoseph.org.
Friday, May 19, 2017
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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For decades, St. Joseph man makes a living by mushroom farming by Mollie Rushmeyer news@thenewsleaders.com
For an organism found in the most seemingly indiscriminate places in nature, one wouldn’t assume mushrooms to be particular when cultivated by human hands. But as Kevin Doyle can attest, mushroom-growing is indeed a delicate process and brings many health and environmental benefits with it. Doyle is a St. Joseph mushroom farmer and Minnesota Department of Health-certified mushroom expert. Doyle’s farm and mushroom distribution company, Forest Mushrooms Inc. near St. Joseph, has been around since 1985. Now three decades later, Doyle grows two kinds of exotic mushrooms, shiitake and oyster, and distributes more than 20 other varieties. With a five-day growing period, Doyle said 2,500 pounds per week of oyster mushrooms are harvested at his farm and 600 pounds of shiitake, both year-round. “There is no season,” Doyle said. “We’re out there every day picking.” And to make these fungi grow, Doyle must keep the barns at a constant 62 degrees Fahrenheit. His air system provides a complete air exchange every five to 10 minutes in order to keep the carbon-dioxide level of the air at the necessary 700 parts per million. Even with this much fresh air coming in, the mushroom barn must remain at 93-percent constant humidity to keep them growing. Visions of manure piles and mushrooms emerging from the ground may come to mind when thinking of mushroom farming. However, the pro-
cess is much cleaner than one might suppose. “We wash everything. Spray everything down every day,” Doyle said. “You could eat off this floor.” The mushrooms themselves grow from blocks of either sawdust or straw. The shiitake grow from blocks of sterilized hardwood sawdust in one area, the oyster from bagged pasteurized straw, sprouting from holes made in the bag in another area of the barn. They are kept in the temperature-controlled barn, on shelves. Both leave behind the waste blocks that are then used by gardeners and farmers as nutrients for their soil and mulch, much like wood chips. “There’s nothing to wash (on the mushrooms),” Doyle said. “You just pick them when they’re mature and they’re ready to cook and eat.” And after so many years, Doyle has a natural ability and a keen eye for good mushrooms and how to keep them growing right. He said his interest in growing things and plant life started as a child. “My parents wanted lots of children,” Doyle said. “But they didn’t have a lot of money, and we did not have a TV in our house. They (his parents) felt TV led to a generally slothful existence and wasn’t stimulating enough intellectually.” So he and his siblings spent most waking hours either reading or exploring the outdoors, which sparked his love of botany and the natural world around him. He said he spent much time identifying flowers and plants as a child, as well as reading plant taxonomy books. When Doyle attended college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, he
majored in natural sciences, emphasizing his course work in plant science. After college and a stint working with fast-growing woody energy crops for the University of Minnesota, he began researching the relatively new idea of acquiring food and fuel from organic wastes. A two-year study on the topic led Doyle to one of the best natural and cultivated waste-growers – mushrooms. He started an operation out of a basement in photo by Mollie Rushmeyer Ham Lake to produce Kevin Doyle of St. Joseph, owner of Forest Mushrooms Inc., explains the fungi for selling. intricacies of growing shiitake mushrooms from sawdust blocks in a tem“We started perature- and oxygen-controlled barn at his St. Joseph farm. small,” Doyle said. “Only sold to a few restau- chase dried mushrooms through But two of his greatest joys rants.” their website and have them as a business owner, Doyle said, have been the ability to donate Then an expanded opera- shipped to their homes. “We’re a one-stop mushroom back to organizations in the area tion became a dream come true and to provide for his employwhen Doyle found the current shop,” Doyle said. location for Forest Mushrooms The ever-changing market of ees. The company often donates Inc., a 240-acre farm with an ar- organic products like his mush- unique mushroom gift baskets tisan well on-site in St. Joseph, rooms keeps things interesting, for charity auctions to the St. John’s Prep School, Habitat for in 1985. Doyle said. He has since increased his “There are no two days Humanity and the St. Cloud School District, for example. market reach by not only selling alike,” he said. As for his employees, he said the mushrooms he grows but He said he’s proud of the also by distributing a large vari- product itself with its many he enjoys giving people a decent ety of fresh and dried wild mush- health benefits, which are job, with good benefits in uncerrooms he buys from harvesters touted by some to include the tain times. “It’s nice to provide for and sells to many wholesalers ability to lower blood pressure, throughout the Midwest. People aid in losing weight, contain nu- them,” Doyle said. “To give can even find his mushrooms in merous vitamins and minerals, back to those that make it sucLund’s and Byerly’s, Cashwise, and – in addition to health ben- cessful.” All in all, Doyle said, the Coborn’s, Whole Foods Markets efits – are an environmentally fungi life is a charmed life. and Cub Foods, as well as pur- conscious crop.
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017
All Saints Academy donates for heroes by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
All Saints Academy-St. Joseph campus students, faculty, staff and parents celebrated a Superhero Day April 28 to donate to the Nicolas P. Koenig H.E.R.O. Foundation, Tanner’s Team Foundation and the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. For a donation of $5, students and others could dress in superhero costumes. The day included a panel of speakers for the fourth- through sixth-grade students followed by activities for preschool- through sixth-grade students in the afternoon. Activities included superhero-themed things such as the Incredible Hulk super jump, superhero basketball shot, kryptonite relay, Wonder Woman bean-bag toss, Spiderman shell game, create-a-superhero shield and more. Students were able to choose activities that were held on each of the school’s levels and rotated every 20 minutes. At the end of the day, students gathered in the school gym to watch finalists for a hula-hooping contest, jump-roping (how many jumps per minute) contest and a cup-stacking contest. Two students from each grade (kindergarten-sixth) were selected prior to Friday to participate. The event was coordinated by preschool teacher Cheri Burg and fourthgrade teacher Theresa Fleege. Burg said their goal was to raise contributed photos
Top: John Bruns and his preschooler daughter, Havi Bruns, posed at the photo booth during Superhero Day at All Saints Academy. Left: Sixth-grader Taylar Shaefer participates in the hula hoop final competition during All Saints Academy’s Superhero Day held April 28.
$1,000, but she is hoping to reach $2,000. She said Superhero Day has been recognized since 1995 as a day to celebrate the “superhero” within children who have been diagnosed with cancer. “We decided to piggyback on the hospital’s day and recognize the need for childhood cancer research,” Berg said. “It fits perfectly with our core values of care deeply, share generously, speak kindly and serve willingly. We also asked the All Saints Academy students to find superhero qualities within themselves.” Berg said they chose the organizations because of how they help children. Shannon Koenig shared her story with students in fourth through sixth grade. Shannon and her husband started the Nicholas P. Koenig H.E.R.O. Foundation in memory of their son. Nicholas was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia, meaning his pulmonary valve did not develop properly, and his heart was incapable of keeping blood flowing through his body. Before Nicholas was one month old, he received openheart surgery. Nicholas later was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After many medical procedures, including bone marrow/stem cell transplants, he died when he was 4 years old. The Koenig family wanted a way to honor their son, Nicholas, while making an impact in the lives of those affected by pediatric cancer. As a result, they created the Nicholas P. Koenig H.E.R.O. Foundation. H.E.R.O stands for Help and Encouragement on Rough Oceans. Tanner’s Team Foundation is
an organization that was recommended to All Saints Academy by one of its speakers. The foundation was created to help families with children who are fighting a life-threatening illness or serious injury. Tanner Fuls was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a form of pre-leukemia, and died when he was 11 years old. The organization works to help families in central Minnesota who have children with life-threatening illnesses. The University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital is a world-recognized facility that is a leader in childhood cancer research. Many people participated in wearing costumes for Superhero Day. Augie Rodriguez, the manager of the St. Cloud Rox baseball team, 12 students from Cathedral High School and parents volunteered for the event. “The whole day was a lot of fun,” said sixth-grader Jackson Phillip. “I liked the speakers and the activities and learned some things about cancer that I wasn’t aware of. My favorite was cheering on my classmates during the competitions.” “I liked the competitions because they were challenging,” said second-grader Peyton Phillip. Sixth-grader Taylar Schaefer was a hula-hoop champion. She said she especially liked the final competitions and how everyone was cheering her on. Schaefer also thought the speakers were interesting and could relate to them because her grandma had cancer. “I liked watching the final round of the competitions,” said kindergartener Zac Shaefer.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining/Meals on Wheels is hiring Part-Time positions at Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud! Join our team with these flexible part-time day positions Monday-Friday. (NO weekends) Assist. Food Coordinator/Sub Cook
Position assists Food Coordinator in preparation & service of noon meal. 1 yr. cooking experience required. (Quantity cooking experience helpful.) Routine ability to handle 35-50 lbs. Hours: 8-11a.m. (AFC); Sub Cook as needed.
Sub Food Transporter-Float-On Call
Deliver meals from Whitney to serving site in Foley. Includes loading/ unloading carriers and placement at the serving site. Clean driving record and personal vehicle required with large cargo space. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. as needed.
Sub Site Coordinator
Position coordinates Dining & Meals on Wheels services at Whitney. Duties include site management, outreach, record keeping and volunteer supervision. Routine ability to handle 35-50 lbs. 2 yrs. related experience required. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. as needed.
Apply online at: www.ccstcloud.org Or send resume to Carol at: clundquist@ccstcloud.org
320-229-4585
EOE/AA/Minority/Women/Vet/Disability
Friday, May 19, 2017
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Childhood traumas can lead to early death by Dennis Dalman editorial@thenewsleaders.com
A boy or girl who experiences four or more traumas in childhood will likely die at least 20 years earlier than their healthier peers. Besides dying earlier, such people generally suffer from adverse behaviors during their lives such as alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, depression, failed relationships, suicidal tendencies and trouble with the law, to name just some. And those are just some of the multiple bad outcomes of childhood traumas that can lead to an early death. An awareness about the link between childhood traumas and tragedies later in life is what informs the work of the St. Cloud Area Child Response Initiative – CRI for short. In just the past two years, 400 children in the greater St. Cloud area have been helped through CRI, with about 176 of them referred for many kinds of help or treatment to providers that are usually members of the CRI network. That network includes the police departments of St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud and Waite Park; first-responders; child-protection teams; trauma-informed advocates; and the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership, among other agencies. The first referrals are usually made by the police departments whose officers are the most likely to be first at the scene when crises, such as domestic disturbances, occur. Then, CRI can become actively involved in intervention, more referrals and safety support for children and their families. The support can include all kinds of services, often interconnected ones: education, support groups, court services, forms of treatment and follow-up work. Paige McConkey is a mental-health practitioner and trauma-informed advocate who is in charge of CRI, along with assistant Stacie Hoeschen. Both work through the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center. CRI was
created about four years ago as an offshoot of the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership, which helps children and families traumatized by domestic violence. McConkey said CRI has helped children as young as 6 months old and up to 18 years old who were traumatized by a wide variety of bad circumstances. Almost half of the cases were due to unhealthy domestic upsets. There were also instances of physical or sexual assaults, neglect, maltreatment, loss of a parent or sibling, children present during a suicide attempt, the killing of a pet or, in one case, being attacked by a dog. Most often, McConkey noted, the children feel frightened or anxious because of what happened to them or what they have seen. Early intervention equals early protection is one of the mottoes of CRI. When there is a crisis, police officers and child-protection teams make sure the children are placed in safe places. Within 24 to 48 hours, the CRI will get the gears in motion to get the children (and families) help through the network. McConkey said he is happy any traumatized child can be seen by a mental health provider within two weeks of the reported trauma. Such relatively early appointments are exceptions to the rule because there is such a great need for mental-health services that longer waits for non-CRI cases sometimes cannot be avoided. What makes CRI effective, McConkey said, is the cooperation from so many agencies, such as mental-health providers. He also has high praise for the police departments. “Law enforcement is always there for us,” he said. “It’s a huge help, and so are the first-responders.” McConkey also praised others: social workers, schools, public health, child protection and Stearns County in general. Such tight, expert collaboration is what makes CRI and its vital work possible. For 10 years, McConkey was a chaplain for the St.
Cloud Police Department. The rapport established was helpful in setting up the trusting communications between CRI, law enforcement and the other agencies, he noted.
Origins
Some years ago, members of the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership were attending a conference in San Diego when they heard a speaker from Greensboro, N.C., talk about how a child-response initiative in Greensboro had brought such good results. Back home in St. Cloud, the members, inspired by what they’d heard, shared the concept with others at the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center. When they heard the plan, law enforcement agencies expressed immediate support, as did other entities, and the CRI soon began its work.
ACEs
CRI undertakes its work with a keen awareness of ACEs. ACEs stands for “Adverse Childhood Experiences,” a term coined by a study undertaken from 199597 by the Kaiser Permanente Group in Southern California. The study involved questionnaires filled out by more than 17,000 members of a health-maintenance organization regarding their childhood experiences (good and bad) and their subsequent health factors as adults. The study was launched after a doctor at a Kaiser Permanente obesity clinic in San Diego discovered an alarming number of patients who were greatly overweight had experienced childhood sexual abuse. The ACEs study then began with two massive waves of data collected. The results established a link between early traumas and later adverse behavior-and-health outcomes. The study’s respondents gave personal input about the following categories of traumas in their childhood years: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mother treated vio-
contributed photo
Paige McConkey and Stacie Hoeschen are trauma-informed advocates and co-directors of the St. Cloud Area Child Response Initiative. lently, household substance abuse, household mental illness, parental separation or divorce, incarcerated household member. The study revealed an alarming number of people had experienced at least one childhood trauma, with physical and sexual abuse the most common (28 percent and 21 percent, respectively). Almost 40 percent reported having suffered two or more kinds of trauma. The study further found early traumas can cause social, emotional and cognitive impairments. They, in turn, can lead to health-risky behaviors, which can cause social problems, disabilities and disease. Early death can be the tragic consequence. Some of the behaviors and
conditions leading to early death can be one or more of the following: drug and/ or alcohol abuse, poor diet and lack of exercise, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, financial stress, sleep problems, doing poorly in school, lack of ambition, developing a-social or anti-social responses and inability to develop or maintain good relationships with others. The Kaiser Permanente study had an enormous influence on similar, subsequent studies worldwide. And the studies’ results led to the formation of many childhood-trauma intervention and support systems such as the St. Cloud Area Child Response Initiative.
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Dog from front page have raised at least $2,200 so far. “The dog park will be a great place for people and dogs to meet and interact with each other,” Killam said. The group is accepting donations from individuals at four St. Joseph locations which include the Bad Habit Brewing Co., The Middy, Minnesota Street Market Food and Art Co-op and St. Joseph Veterinary Clinic. People can sign their name on a card that will be displayed at each of those businesses. Killam said they are also accepting donations from businesses/service organizations and have three separate levels of giving that include bronze ($250), silver ($500) and gold ($1,000). “The park board has been working on the dog park
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project for (more than) three years, and when it’s completed it will serve a great desire in the community,” said John Anderson, park board chair. “A sweet dog park, (is) the one thing missing from our awesome little town,” Bruno said. “Now it will be perfect for us and the pups.” The St. Joseph Lions Club will serve hot dogs and brats at the event. A dollar per pint served will go toward the dogpark cause. A silent auction will be held at 4 p.m. and all funds raised from the auction will go toward the dog park. The Tri-County Humane Society will have animals available on the Bad Habit Brewing Co. patio for adoption. Killam said attendees are also welcome to bring their dogs, on a leash, to gather on the patio. He said the park board is close to its goal and hopes to have enough funding to start building this summer.
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Friday, May 19, 2017
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, May 19 St. Cloud Flower and Plant Sale, 8:30-11 a.m., Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Art History, 1-2 p.m., Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. St. Joseph Area Historical Society, open 4-7 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn. org. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320339-4533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, May 20 Appliance/Electronic collection, 8 a.m.-noon, Government Center parking lot, 75 Callaway St. E., St. Joseph. Limit combination of two appliances/electronics per household. Residents must show ID. All-in-One Event, to benefit the American Cancer Society, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Benton County Fair Sports Arena, 1410 Third Ave. S., Sauk Rapids. ence Required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.WorkingOpp.com (MCN) $1280 WEEKLY Mailing Letters From Home! FT/PT No Experience Necessary. Call Now! 888-831-8466 (MCN) Seed Corn $175 a Unit Mycogen seed corn 2K395b – 94 day Mycogen seed corn 2V357a – 93 day Triple Stax round-up ready in Proboxes. Financing available if needed. Swenson Partnership 38318 228th Street Wessington Springs, SD 57382 Phone: 605-354-2127 or 605-216-7287 (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 888-606-6673 (MCN) STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866-871-1626 (MCN) Reduce your total credit card payments by up to 30% to 50%! Call Consolidated Credit NOW! 844-764-1891 (MCN) Buying a home and need a mortgage? Or, have a home and want to lower your monthly fees and refinance? Getting a mortgage is quicker and easier than ever. Call now! 855715-4721 (MCN) FOR SALE Trailer Sale! 2017 6’X12’cargo V-nose ramp LEDs radials $2,775.00; 2017 7’X16’ cargo V-nose ramp dr. LEDs radials $4,199.00; 4-Place snowmobile trailer; Scissor lift trailer; 8 styles of DUMP trailers. www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com for prices & info. 515-972-4554 (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! 844-668-4578 (MCN)
Old Glory Run 5K, 10 a.m., Colt’s Academy, 124 First Ave. SE, St. Joseph. www.theoldgloryrun. com Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Plant sale, by UMN Extension Master Gardeners of Stearns County, 8:30-11 a.m., Riverside Park Shelter, 1800 Kilian Blvd. SE. 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. 90th Anniversary Celebration, Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1620 Lindbergh Drive S., Little Falls. 320-616-5421, lindbergh@mnhs.org. Granite City Renegades Home Opener, 5-7 p.m., Clemens Stadium, St. John’s University. Sunday, May 21 Spring Fling, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N., Sartell. Monday, May 22 Lunch and cards, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach and The Rusty Nail, 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, 25 First Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. St. Joseph Park Board, 6 p.m., Millstream Park Shelter, 101 Fifth Ave. N.W, St. Joseph.
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Tuesday, May 23 National Alliance on Mental Health, 7-8:30 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. 320-259-7101.
Thursday, May 25 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. St. Joseph Food Shelf, open 1-3 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Sauk Rapids Chamber, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-251-2940. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. Friday, May 26 St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Ilicil Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320267-7717. Saturday, May 27 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Walk & Roll Parade, sponsored by Kiwanis, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Lake George, 1101 Seventh St. S., St. Cloud. Sunday, May 28 Joe Town Table, 11:30 a.m.1 p.m., American Legion, 101 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. centralmncw@gmail.com. can be hazardous to you and your family’s health! Get rid of it now! Call our experts and get a quote today! 855-398-7133(MCN) SAVE THOUSANDS ON SURPRISE COSTLY HOME REPAIRS!! With Nations Home Warranty we pay 100% of covered Home repairs! CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE TODAY!! 888-925-8106 (MCN) Get the perfect yard without lifting a finger! Everything you need from lawn care, soil analysis, weed control, pest control, and more! Call Now 855-675-5704 (MCN) MISCELLANEOUS 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) Lower that Cell Phone Bill. Get 2 lines of unlimited data for $100/mo. with AutoPay--taxes & fees included. Video Streaming & Mobile Hotspot included. Limited offer/ Restrictions Apply. Call Today and Save. 855549-9399 (MCN) Paying too much for car insurance? Not sure? Want better coverage? Call now for a free quote and learn more today! 855-4177382 (MCN) Moving out of state? Best Interstate Moving and Storage offers a FREE Quote and A Price Plus Promise. Call 855-428-6241 Now! (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) WANTED TO BUY Want to purchase minerals and other oil/ gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557, Denver CO 80201(MCN)
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 19, 2017 LEGAL NOTICES CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME STATE OF MINNESOTA Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes, the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies: 1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Mrs. Goodcookies. 2. The stated address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2106 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN 56301. 3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above assumed name including any corporations that
may be conducting this business: Patty Munsinger-Scott and John M. Scott, 2106 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN 56301. 4. I certify I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify I understand by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. Dated: April 26, 2017 Filed: May 1, 2017 /s/ Patty Munsinger-Scott Publish: May 19 & 26, 2017
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED ASSESSMENT 2017 CBD ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that the council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2017 at the St. Joseph Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E. to consider, and possibly adopt, the proposed assessment for the 2017 CBD Alley Improvements which affect the following areas: the east/west and north/south alleys between Minnesota Street and Birch Street and College Avenue N. and First Ave. NW by bituminous surfacing, storm water and sewer improvements. Adoption by the council of the proposed assessment may occur at the hearing. The area listed above is proposed to be assessed. The proposed assessment is proposed to be payable in equal annual installments extending over a period of 10 years, the first of the installments to be payable on or before the first Monday in January 2018, and will bear interest at a rate of 6.0 percent per annum from the date of the adoption of the assessment resolution. To the first installment shall be added interest on the entire assessment from the date of the assessment resolution until Dec. 31, 2017. To each subsequent installment when due shall be added interest for one year on all unpaid installments. You may at any time prior to certification of the assessment to the county auditor, pay the entire assessment on such property, with interest accrued to the date of payment, to the City of St. Joseph. No interest shall be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days from the adoption of this assessment. You may at any time thereafter, pay to the City of St. Joseph the entire amount of the assessment remaining unpaid, with interest accrued to Dec. 31 of the year in which such payment is made. Such payment must be made before Nov. 15 or interest will be charged through Dec. 31 of the succeeding year. If you decide not to prepay the assessment before the date given above, the rate of interest will apply at 6.0 percent per year. You have the right to partially prepay the assessment with any balance being certified to the County Auditor
for collection under the terms described above. The proposed assessment roll is on file for public inspection at the City Administrator’s office. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $361,200. Written or oral objections will be considered at the meeting. No appeal to district court may be taken as to the amount of an assessment unless a written objection signed by the affected property owners is filed with the administrator prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. The council may upon such notice consider any objection to the amount of a proposed individual assessment at an adjourned meeting upon such further notice to the affected property owners as it deems advisable. Under Minn. Stat. §§ 435.193 to 435.195 and City Ordinance No. 308, the council may, at its discretion, defer the payment of this special assessment for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older or retired by virtue of a permanent and total disability for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. When deferment of the special assessment has been granted and is terminated for any reason provided in that law and Ordinance (Resolution), all amounts accumulated plus applicable interest become due. Any assessed property owner meeting the requirements of this law and Ordinance No. 308, may, within 30 days of the confirmation of the assessment, apply to the city clerk for the prescribed form for such deferral of payment of this special assessment on his/her property. An owner may appeal an assessment to district court pursuant to Minn. Stat. §429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the mayor or administrator of the city within 30 days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the district court within 10 days after service upon the Mayor or Administrator. Judy Weyrens Administrator Publish: May 19, 2017
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Jacob from front page children. “This community center is going to help heal this community, bring people together, and provide a safe space for our children, the community and a safe space where people can come and thrive,” Conrad said. St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens then took the microphone and expressed how thrilling it was to get started on the community center. A fund has been set up at Sentry Bank in St. Joseph to accept donations toward building the center. More contact information is available on the St. Joseph City website. “It’s a $12-million facility, and the council is willing to spend $6 million, and we need to raise an additional $6 million,” Weyrens said. St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz reflected on how long the community center has been talked about in the town, and how, in the last three years, the push has gotten stronger. “We put footprints to it,” Schultz said. “We are at a stage now where we can move forward, literally. “I welcome and look forward to working with the Wetterlings and any other group – all groups – to get this goal as part of our community,” Schultz said. Schultz went on to briefly describe some of the depictions of the buildings on the projection screen. The project would be built in two phases. The first would be the Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center, which would
photo by Dave DeMars
Jerry Wetterling (right) looks on as Mayor Rick Schultz points to the eternal lantern that will burn atop the Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center. “Everybody was asked to keep a light on for Jacob. This building will have a lantern that will be lit 24/7,” said Judy Weyrens, city administrator. include the gymnasium areas. Meanwhile, the second phase would be planned for remodeling the existing Kennedy building and would include media, game room and other youth services. The building would take about a year to be completed, be about 22,000 square feet in size and contain three gymnasiums with a raised walking track above and around the gyms. In addition to the gym space, the re-modeled area will have game rooms, quiet areas and places for seniors to meet, play cards, read or take part in hobby-type activities. “Not every kid wants to go into the gymnasium and throw the ball around,” Schultz said. “There are those kids that play with computers, gaming and other kinds of activities that aren’t gym-centered.” A member of the audience asked Jerry Wetterling what Jacob might have thought about
the construction of a center such as this. The question seemed to catch Wetterling unprepared. “Ahhhh,” he said struggling for words. “That’s a real difficult question – but it’s a good question. Jacob is more than just thought at this point. Jacob’s a spirit and very alive. That spirit’s alive and touching everybody in here and has touched and will continue touching. We’ve said a lot – but his work’s not done yet.” When another member of the audience asked how important the center would be for the city, Wetterling quickly offered to answer the question. “I’ve lived here for 40 years and at first it was ‘we’ve got to get something for the kids to do’ and meanwhile other communities were building things for their youth. We all will be reaping the benefits of this wonderful building as well,” Wetterling said.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
12
Friday, May 19, 2017
At-risk boys thrive in leadership academy by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
After a steady week of class work and lots of challenging-butfun physical activities, the boys have earned a break and are proud to put on their blue shirts and ties, and graduate. The 20 boys are participants/ graduates of the St. Cloud Youth Leadership Academy. The most recent SCYLA graduation ceremony took place this past summer at the St. Cloud Police Department when each of the boys, ages 13-16, received a participation plaque and another plaque inscribed with name, camp nickname and laudatory comments about their character traits. In addition, each boy received a medallion engraved with three words: Respect, Trust, Responsibility. Those three words and – most importantly what they mean – comprise the three pillars of the SCYLA program. The boys must ask themselves and follow through on this question: “Am I doing the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason?” Each boy was congratulated by St. Cloud Police Chief William Blair Anderson, as well as the other 10 police officers who taught the 2016 program. Proud parents applauded with gusto as the 20 graduates were honored. The academy consists of a kind of boot-camp retreat on the grounds of Camp Ripley near Little Falls. The week-long camp consists of classes and activities – everything from learning dinner-table etiquette to job-interviewing skills, from marching and running to wall-climbing and an obstacle course. During the camp, tight teamwork pervades every activity, mental and physical. Although it’s very rigorous, with no time for goofing off, participants have a fun time despite the grueling physical challenges of some of the activities. The academy was designed for at-risk boys in their young teenage years, not “bad” boys but rather those who’ve made one or more unfortunate decisions that might have set them on a course toward further trouble. The candidates for the academy are referred through various agencies and schools in the St. Cloud School District. Modeled after a similar youth academy in Michigan, Anderson brought the concept with him when he was hired as St. Cloud
police chief four years ago. Previously, Anderson had set up a similar academy he led for about nine years when he worked in the Twin Cities. The idea behind the academy is to build and support relationships with at-risk youth and to mentor them during a period of time. After graduation from the week-long camp, the boys and their law-enforcement teachers/ activities guides stay in touch on a regular basis, such as at quarterly field trips, recreational gatherings or community-service volunteer projects. Another way the program remains ongoing is some of the graduates are asked to help at subsequent camps, giving the new recruits encouragement and boosting their morale if it should sag from time to time. The boy graduates also communicate on a regular basis at their schools with their school-resource officers, most of whom are the camp teachers, along with Anderson, a sergeant and a Minneapolis officer. The latter two have been involved in the academy ever since Anderson started it 13 years ago. “I’m happy and proud of the academy,” Anderson told the Newsleader in an interview. “It will continue. It’s a good program that benefits the kids and the officers.” Anderson and others have been working hard to implement a similar academy for girls and hope to have one ready for this summer. It would be ideal, Anderson said, if there were enough personnel and funding to expand the academy for more children, but – for now, anyway – the maximum number for each weeklong camp is limited to about 20. And that’s because in order to do close teamwork and smallgroup team projects, the number of participants has to be limited, otherwise it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do the intensive one-on-one communications and team work throughout the rigorous week. And it’s that kind of personalized working together that gets good long-term results, Anderson noted. “The program needs that kind of personal touch,” he said. How is the academy funded? “I find the money for it,” Anderson said, a decisive determination in his voice. “The parents don’t have to pay for anything, and that’s the way we want it
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Anderson Johnson to be.” Anderson has talked up the program to many organizations, businesses and individuals. After they hear his passionate spiel, they are always receptive. Two dozen business sponsors have been very generous. Anderson said donors fully understand kids are the resources of the future and keeping them out of the criminal justice system must be a top societal priority. “This (the academy) does help keep kids out of the criminal justice system,” he said. “It’s a program of true mentoring.” It costs taxpayers anywhere from $60,000 to $75,000 if a “kid” grows up to become enmeshed in the criminal justice system. Anderson is a firm believer that funding programs in schools, such as music and sports, is a wise investment because it’s well documented those kinds of programs set children on the right paths. Cutting those programs because of budget constraints is a big mistake in Anderson’s mind. Children, Anderson said, can see right through the hypocrisy of adults talking about “children as the resource of the future” and then cutting funds for school programs and nonschool programs that help children develop in healthy ways.
contributed photos
Clockwise from top left: Members of the St. Cloud Area Youth Leadership Academy gather at the St. Cloud Police Department for their graduation ceremony; SCYLA members march down the street at their leadership camp site near Little Falls; recruits do pushups before boarding a bus to go to leadership camp; and boys climb a wooden ladder as part of an obstacle course at leadership camp. “These kids in the academy are not ‘bad’ kids,” he said. “But, like all of us at that age, they came to a fork in the road and made a decision that started them on the wrong trajectory. That trajectory can be changed.” One of the officers working with the children at camp last summer was St. Joseph Police Officer Matt Johnson, who serves as the school-resource officer for Kennedy Community School in St. Joseph. Johnson described to the Newsleader how he worked with the kids in small groups of from three
to five students. Among their activities were paintball, a rappelling tower and an obstacle course of about two dozen tough obstacles to overcome. At end of day, Johnson participated in small mentoring groups with the children. “The camp was fun. It was exciting,” Johnson said. “The kids were very respectful, and I think it was very beneficial for them to be there. A lot of them said they want to return to help. At that camp, there were five mentors who had been students in the program from previous camps.”