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Newsleader Sauk Rapids-Rice
CSB commencement ceremony Town Crier bittersweet for Sauk Rapids grad Friday, May 20, 2016 Volume 2, Issue 20 Est. 2015
Lions Club seeks host families
Each year, the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program introduces young people to life in other cultures by helping them travel abroad, usually for two to six weeks during the summer months; they live with a family in another country/culture, meet other students from around the world and learn about the bonds we share and the differences we respect in each other no matter where we live. For more information, go to thenewsleaders.com and click on May 20 Criers.
Strides for Stroke supports community awareness
St. Cloud Hospital Stroke Center is joining other cities across Minnesota to increase community awareness and stomp out strokes at the Minnesota Stroke Association Strides for Stroke on Saturday, May 21 at CentraCare Health Plaza. Arrive at 9 a.m. for check-in and a chance to visit a Gold Cross Ambulance, get a stroke risk screening and learn about other community resources. For more information, go to thenewsleaders.com and click on May 20 Criers.
Ribbon cutting set May 25 at VA
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the remodeling of Building 49, part of the Community Living Center, is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. The event will be held in the first-floor dayroom in Building 49. For more information, go to thenewsleaders.com and click on May 20 Criers.
by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com
Jaclyn Dinndorf’s first choice for college wasn’t the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, but she was convinced by her mother, a St. Ben’s professor, to give the private school a second look. Fast forward four years and the Sauk Rapids native found herself surrounded by friends and family on campus just before the 101st annual commencement ceremony May 7. “I chose St. Ben’s because of the community aspect and how we really do feel like a family,” Dinndorf said near the south entrance of the campus along College Avenue S. Dinndorf posed for photos along with other graduating seniors before making their way to the Clemens Field House on the campus of St. Ben’s for the commencement ceremony. “I’m so excited,” Dinndorf said
in her cap and gown. “I don’t really have a set plan but mostly (to) find a full-time job.” She said she would spend the first few hours right after graduation hanging out with her roommates. Dinndorf graduated with a major in communications and a minor in psychology. “I decided on those because I really enjoy people,” Dinndorf said. “And I love learning about how people interact.” Her father, Roger, her mother, Georgia, and her older sister, Jennifer, were also in a celebratory mood and playfully took pictures before the commencement ceremony. “It’s a little bittersweet,” Roger said. “It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago. It seemed like we just moved her here, but that was four years ago and it went by like a shot.” Alyssa Mastromonaco, the youngest woman to be deputy chief of staff CSB • page 3
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Schultz Soft Water
photo by Frank Lee
Roger Dinndorf and his older daughter Jennifer (forefront) take a photo of Jaclyn in her cap and gown before the Sauk Rapids native and family attend the commencement ceremony at the College of St. Benedict on May 7.
Rice woman files for District 15B House seat by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
For the first time in 20 years, Karla Scapanski will not be tending a home garden this summer. She’ll be too Scapanski busy campaigning. Friends and supporters of Scapanski of rural Rice will host a campaign kick-off for her DFL
effort to unseat Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker) for House District 15B in the Nov. 8 election. Newberger is now serving his second term. The chicken-dinner fundraiser and kick-off will take place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at “Mr. Jim’s” bar and restaurant, 840 Hwy. 23 in Foley. Those who plan to attend should make reservations by calling 320-2371068. “In District 15B there are 20 townships, four school boards and special summer events
all the way from Royalton to Becker,” said Scapanski in an interview with the Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader. “I’ll be very busy, and I’ll be knocking on 3,000 doors.” Scapanski said she decided to file for the House seat because there are so many issues she cares about passionately through her long-time experiences: education, children’s social development, the Sherco coal plant in Becker, the condition of roads and bridges, the extension of the Northstar commuter rail to St.
Cloud and possibly Rice. “I would like most to be part of the House Education Committee,” she said. “We’ve got to start educating and helping children early enough so they don’t end up in more and more prisons.” Her passion is not surprising. Scapanski is a day-care operator; she has worked at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility (prison); she subs for teachers in Rice, Royalton, Foley and Becker; she has worked with troubled kids; House • page 4
‘Up the Hill’ project marches forward by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
Training, Solutions coordinates substitute program
Resource Training & Solutions in St. Cloud has announced it has coordinated a two-day program on June 6 and 7 to prepare individuals to apply to become limited short-call substitute teachers under the Minnesota limited, short-call substitute program. A four-year bachelor’s degree is required to qualify. Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 24. For more information, go to thenewsleaders.com and click on May 20 Criers.
Postal Patron
photo by Dave DeMars
Miles of creeks and streams populate various parts of Sauk Rapids, eventually making their way to the Mississippi River. The County 4 ditch is one of these streams. During dry times it drys up, and the odor is terrible, said James Zepelin, a resident who lives near it.
The CSAH 3 or “Up the Hill” improvement project has been in the planning stages for some time, but the Sauk Rapids City Council received some good news at its May 9 meeting. Benton County Engineer Chris Byrd and Ron Bray, project manager from WSB & Associates Inc., made a presentation to the council as to what progress had been made on the project. The project aims to improve mobility and safety along the Second Street roadway from Third Avenue to join the Hwy. 10 construction completed last year. This will also improve
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access to the Industrial Park, provide for pedestrian and bicycle travel, and provide better access to Hwy. 10 while at the same time improving pavement surface and drainage along the roadway. Plans call for a widening of Second Street from Third Avenue to Hwy. 10. Roundabouts will be placed at Sixth Avenue and Summit Avenue. Estimated cost of construction including the legal and engineering fees as of Feb. 8 was about $6.9 million. Benton County would shoulder the greater cost burden of $5.75 million while the city would pay slightly more than $1.15 million. Hill • page 5
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People
Rice council approves gas franchise by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
contributed photo
Letter carriers (left to right) Terry Schwanke, Laverne Justin, Mary Popp and John Fromelt show off some of the food they collected along their Rice/Royalton routes during the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Adriana Harris of Sauk Rapids, currently attending Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, received a TPI Hospitality Scholarship from the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation. She is among 35 students who received scholarships from the HMEF. The scholarships were provided through the generosity of Minnesota hospitality operators and were presented May 9 at the Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn, White Bear Lake. Colby Kaschmitter of Sauk Rapids, son of Brenda and Brian Kaschmitter, graduated with a diploma in global-positioning system/geographic-information systems technology for agriculture at Ridgewater College, Willmar. He was also named to the fall
semester dean’s list and received a Kirk Skaurud Memorial Scholarship. He also received the second-place ag-equipment sales, first-place crops-specialist team and first-place crops-specialist individual awards at the agriculture department’s annual awards banquet. Heather Garrison of Rice, daughter of Bev Farlow and Greg Garrison, earned fourth place on the soils-specialist team for state competition at the agriculture department’s annual award banquet at Ridgewater College, Willmar. Students received awards for their participation in state and national Post-secondary Agriculture Students contests. The state PAS contests were held in February in Marshall; the national contests were held in March in Kansas City, Mo.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Mark Osendorf of Xcel Energy was on hand May 2 when the Rice City Council took up the gas franchise agreement which had been expired since 2012. Osendorf apologized for the situation, explaining that non -renewal was the result of retirements and staff problems. Xcel has about 400 franchise agreements across the state and agreements are standardized as much as possible. There were some small changes in the Rice agreement, but the council was unanimous in its approval. Council member Chris Scheel raised a question regarding the charging of fees by the city for providing the gas franchise service. Osendorf explained Scheel’s concern was mostly because of a group that was advocating for more transparency when cities enacted or raised fees to consumers. Currently, no action is required and, according to Osendorf, the legislature is not going to do anything with the requests by the lobbying group to enact notification legislation. The franchise agreement was approved unanimously and council authorized publication of the ordinance governing the franchise.
If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-251-9451 or Tri-County 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 crimes. April 1 10:38 p.m. Disturbance/noise complaint. Summit Avenue S. An officer responded to a report of a car hitting the gas in a parking lot and two people yelling at each other. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the driver, who stated he had backed up too far and was over the cement barrier. He was then able to get the vehicle out without needing to call for a tow. April 2 4:30 am. Disturbance. Nine-
School district presentation
Principal Christina Bemboom, representing Rice Elementary School, and Superintendent Dan Bittman, representing the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District, gave a two-part presentation to the council relative to happenings in the district. Bemboom summarized the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, which is designed to “ensure learning is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant.” It’s a professional-development model to help teachers better use best practices, state standards, PATH program (Prepared, Accepting, Trustworthy, Helpful) and technology teachers already incorporate into learning activities. The baccalaureate program seeks to develop students in 10 areas that include teaching inquiry and research skills, teaching reasoning skills, language skills, some values such as fairness and honesty, openmindedness and caring for others and the environment. In his opening remarks, Bittman thanked the council, in particular Mayor Dale Rogholt, for support in securing a grant of $618,000 for the district. The money is to be used in “alternative-type programming.” Bittman then turned atten-
Blotter
and-a-half Street N. Police responded to someone playing loud music in his garage. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the man, who stated he was trying to learn how to play his music on his phone in his vehicle. He stated he was sorry and would keep it down. 10:30 a.m. Abandoned vehicle. Third Avenue S. An abandoned vehicle was reported parked the wrong way for more than a month without moving. No contact information was found for the registered owner. The vehicle was gone the following day. 5:59 p.m. Traffic/driving complaint. Benton Drive N./CSAH 29. A possibly impaired driver was reported weaving in traffic and tailgating. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle. 11:36 p.m. Police proactive visit. First Street S. On a routine patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle that was stationary and
tion to the results of the facilities study recently completed in the district. While not yet formally presented to the Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board (that will occur on June 2) the results indicate the study group will recommend some major building projects be undertaken in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. The study group, comprised of 75–100 community members, made some general recommendations the district needs to address. Cost to implement the recommendations was not part of the study, and Bittman said he needed to figure the costs for addressing the recommendations, which were based on several factors, including the fact there are now 800-plus additional students in the district than there were six years ago. Bittman cited state demographer findings that showed the district will grow by 17.3 percent in the next five to 10 years. Birthrates in the Sauk Rapids community are estimated to inrease by 35 percent, far above the state average of 4 percent. Those findings point to a need for improvement in facilities and the establishment of new schools. Bittman acknowledged Rice is already hard-pressed to find space for early-childhood Council • back page
occupied for an extended period of time. The officer asked if everything was all right and the owner responded she was waiting for someone else. April 3 1:50 a.m. Verbal warning. Benton Drive N./Benton Oaks Drive. 2:03 p.m. Criminal damage to property. Bob Cross Park. A man noticed the doors to a park shed had been damaged. Officers observed two sheds with damage in the area. The damage was photographed for evidence. 5:04 p.m. Fires. Police responded to a report of burning leaves in a fire pit. A neighbor feared the burning would get out of control. An officer spoke with the homeowner, who stated they were burning leaves but done for the evening. 7:31 p.m. Citation. Benton Drive N./Fourth Street N.
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Fifth-graders place in top 10 in regional math contest by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com
Fifth-graders from Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools recently placed in the top 10 in a regional math competition at Sartell Middle School. In the Math Masters of Minnesota Challenge, 123 “mathletes” competed individually and as teams on eight sets of mathematical problems in last month’s competition. “The beauty of programs like this is they provide an opportunity for kids to not only participate in something they may have a passion for or an interest in, but it gives the kids a chance to shine,” said Deb Scherber, gifted specialist for Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. Math Masters is designed to promote excellence in criticalthinking skills and problem-solving abilities, as well as provide recognition to students for academic effort and achievement. “Kids recognize if they have a particular strength in an area they enjoy, they will work a lit-
CSB from front page of operations at the White House, was slated to deliver the commencement address. And Anna Cron, a senior political science and Latino/Latin American studies major from Eden Prairie, was the student commencement speaker, as selected by this year’s senior class, which included 424 women. “She’s moving on,” Roger said of his younger daughter. “It’s going to be hard, but it’s a great day for her. I just hope she finds something she really enjoys, to put the wonderful things she’s learned to use and find a lifestyle – a job, a career – that fulfills her and makes her happy.” Georgia Dinndorf-Hogenson is a member of St. Ben’s faculty in its nursing department, but she also graduated from the college. “I teach medical surgical trauma nursing to the junior and senior nursing students at St. Ben’s,” Georgia said.
tle harder, stretching themselves with it,” Scherber said. Math Masters began as a fifthgrade math competition program in 1989 with teams from 44 schools taking part. In 1995, the competition was expanded to include sixth-graders and this year there are about 5,500 fifthand sixth-graders registered to compete. “Math can be so much more than just problems on a page, especially when you start exploring different problem-solving strategies and ways to go about your thinking,” Scherber said. “That’s when math can become exciting.” The Pleasantview team placed fourth and the Mississippi Heights team placed seventh overall out of 27 teams. Top 10 finishers in the fact drill competition included Alison Andruschak, Owen Berg and Ethan Anderson. In the individual problem-solving competition, Alex Janorschke placed ninth. “I think it’s absolutely crucial everyone has a solid understanding of mathematical principles,”
Scherber said. The Mississippi Heights Elementary team, coached by Nicole Heberling, included Kaytlin Bittman, Jack Klein, Max Loesch, Taleigha Powell and Lily Rogholt. The Pleasantview Elementary team, coached by Justin Schiffler, included Anderson, Berg, AJ Burling, Janorschke and Kella Mrozek. The Rice Elementary team, coached by Ryan Koenigs, included Andruschak, Kaitlyn Kimman, Diego Nunez, Kody Reinert and Izak Tupa. Schools are encouraged to involve as many of their fifth- and sixth-grade students as possible in the use of the Math Masters packet of challenge-preparation materials. A team selection test is provided to assist coaches in choosing students to represent their schools. “If we can move kids beyond their understanding of computational math and really help open the door to more critical thinking about mathematical concepts, that, I think, offers potential for greater impact into other fields and careers,” Scherber said.
photo by Frank Lee
From left to right: Molly Minnerath, a theology major from Alexandria, Haley Ehleringer, a communications major from Randolph, and Alison Dudek, a nursing major from Omaha, Neb., hold up a sign while being photographed as part of the graduating class of 2016 of the College of St. Benedict before attending the commencement ceremony on May 7.
Georgia said Jaclyn had wanted to attend a college or university out of state, but Jaclyn was swayed to study at St. Ben’s in part because of the cost savings it would afford the family. “She looked at San Diego State and five other universities across
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contributed photos
Above: Students from Rice Elementary work together to compete at the regional Math Masters of Minnesota Challenge April 23 at Sartell Middle School. Below: Fifth-grade students from Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in the regional Math Masters of Minnesota Challenge April 23 at Sartell Middle School include the following: (front row, left to right) Lily Rogholt, Kaytlin Bittman, Alison Andruschak and Kaitlyn Kimman; (middle row) Kella Mrozek, Diego Nunez, Kody Reinert, Ethan Anderson and AJ Burling; and (back row) Taleigha Powell, Izak Tupa, Owen Berg, Jack Klein, Max Loesch and Alex Janorschke.
New scam targets Xcel Energy customers Tri-County Crime Stoppers warns of a new scam becoming prevalent in the area. Callers claiming to be from Xcel Energy have been contacting Xcel customers to state they owe money on their bills. Their techniques include asking the customers to purchase gift cards to pay said bills. These callers use threats such as power being turned off
if the customer does not provide sensitive information. If you suspect you are being contacted by a scammer by phone, hang up and contact Xcel’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-895-4999 or the Business Solutions Center at 1-800481-4700. The information you provide will be used to aid in a possible criminal investigation.
the nation,” Georgia said. “But she chose St. Ben’s because of the morals and the feel when she came to visit the campus – the smiles, the greetings. It’s just a different feel when you are walking around on campus.”
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Friday, May 20, 2016 photo by Dennis Dalman
At left: Callie Holden of Sauk Rapids examines a succulents planter at Fairway Gardens in rural Sauk Rapids. With her are her husband, Brian Wickens and daughter Maggie.
Succulents popular at Fairview, area greenhouses by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Succulents are hot on the minds of eager spring planters, according to owners of area greenhouses. Succulent plants are those that have parts that are fleshy and thickened, allowing them to hold and store water in arid climates and soil conditions. The most typical ones most people would know are cacti, jade plants, aloe vera and hens-and-chicks. Most succulents have an almost strange, alien, exotic beauty with waxy colors that
House from front page and she is currently just a few courses away from earning her associate degree in child development. Scapanski, 49, and her husband, Steve, own and operate a dairy farm of about 100 cows a mile north of Mayhew Lake Road. They have four children: Abby, 21, who is studying to be an animal dietician in Fargo; Katelyn, 18, studying in Duluth to be a naturalist; Anna, 16, a junior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High
include purple, lime green, red-oranges and yellows. Their textures and patterns are also stunning and in some cases resemble reptilian scales from some primitive species. Aileen Gebhardt of Sauk Rapids, who works at Fairview Gardens greenhouse near Sauk Rapids, said people seem to be favoring succulents partly because they are so tolerant of heat and periods of drought. They can be planted in ground beds, but many people have begun to plant them in various kinds of containers, sometimes a combination of containers, such as three ceramic pots of
varying sizes that can be displayed together, such as on a deck. Succulents also do well inside a house or apartment, by a sunny window. Another reason for the popularity of succulents is many people, such as apartment dwellers, do not have any room for any kind of garden or flower bed. Succulents look attractive on an apartment balcony and require minimal care. “Oh, yes, succulents are really big this year,” said JoAnn Fleischhacker of Albany, who works at Thomsens Garden Center, northwest of St. Joseph. Fleischhacker has been
a retail buyer for Thomsens for 18 years, and so far this year succulents have become so popular the greenhouse has in stock all kinds of new and exotic kinds of them. “They’re great for container gardening,” she said. “They can be used as a form of miniature gardening, in smaller pots outside or inside as house plants.” Both Gebhardt and Fleischhacker said supertunias have become very popular because of their variety of stunning colors – everything from black to white and just about any color in between. Supertunias
are smaller forms of regular petunias, with prolific masses of blooms all over the rather compact plants, which “trail” down over the edges of planting containers, such as on deck railings. As in every early spring, Gebhardt has been greeting many eager beavers who come to the greenhouse, champing at the bit to start their planting. She has to keep reminding them, however, not to plant too early. It’s too cool to plant most vegetables, and many annual flowers cannot tolerate overnight cold if it gets down in the 30s. It’s best to wait
School; and Anthony, 12, a student at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Scapanski began pondering an entry into the world of politics several years ago when there were efforts to unionize in-home day-care operations in Minnesota. As a 15-year daycare operator herself, Scapanski was at first not sure about unionization, but she made a point to find out what was happening. It wasn’t long before she became disgusted by lobbyists from out of state in the “Right to Work” movement, backed by “big money,” who came to Minnesota to denigrate unionization
efforts with what Scapanski considered distortions and outright lies. “We’ve lost almost 4,000 daycare businesses in just the last few years,” she said. “We need to have some form of statewide organization to help us, and I don’t care if it’s called a union or what else it’s called. We must strengthen ourselves through some kind of collective bargaining.” Scapanski’s campaign themes include the value of education, the need to strengthen small businesses (including farms), the sanctity of life, improving infrastructure and “launching our children into good-paying jobs.”
in 1985. She then earned a degree in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University. She worked in the planning unit of the St. Cloud prison where she kept wondering how in the world do people end up in prison? A die-hard idealist, Scapanski was determined to make the world a better place and help diminish suffering, the kind of suffering she saw happen at the prison. Later, she worked at Bar None, a residential treatment facility for troubled kids between St. Francis and Anoka. “Some of those kids were unwanted and ended up being cycled from place to place,” she said. While working at Bar None, she also spent time working with students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District’s before- and af-
ter-school programs. Scapanski believes her experiences working with and nurturing children have constantly kindled her passion to change the world. “I’m getting people together,” she said. “I’m doing this campaign with no money so far. We’ve got to start investing more in kids. This campaign will take a lot of my time, but I know when you have a passion to change things, you make the time.” Scapanski has no patience for chronic complainers. “I’m sick of hearing complainers,” she said. “By complaining all the time, they just become part of the problem. I want to make a difference, and I will go through all the hoops to do that.”
Background
Scapanski (nee Knesse) grew up in St. Stephen and graduated from Sartell High School
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photos by Dennis Dalman
Left: Sartell friends Helen Gehrts (left) and Luby Hollenhorst enjoy the beauty of red daisies at Fairview Gardens greenhouse in rural Sauk Rapids. Right: Sloan Quinn of Darwin puts the finishing touches on her fairy garden recently at Fairview Gardens in Sauk Rapids. She made her fairy garden along with her mother, Regan, at the greenhouse and grandmother, Deni Lorenz of St. Cloud, who is Regan’s mother, Sloan’s grandmother. It was a special day for all three because it was Deni’s 68th birthday. or shady planting areas or the kinds of containers they would like if planning to do container plantings. Many people new to planting decide to do just a few pots filled with flowers, grasses or accent green plants. A typical planting container, for example, could include a tall spike plant, a geranium and white alyssum. Such a combo planting will give height (the spike plant), color and volume (the red geranium) and contrast (the
white alyssum). Other perennially popular choices at area greenhouses are hanging baskets, begonias, wave petunias and perennials like hostas, tall grasses, cornflowers, astilbes and sedum (a succulent). Newcomers to planting should not hesitate to ask greenhouse employees lots of questions. A few tips to keep in mind: • Annuals are plants or flowers that grow for just
“Up the Hill” project with the contingency Benton County approve the awarding of the bid and all Minnesota Department of Transportation requirements be met.
investigate to see what might be done about the situation. Zepelin thanked the council and seemed satisfied with the response.
until mid-May to plant most flowers and probably until the end of May to start putting in a vegetable garden, although some cool weather crops can be planted as seeds, such as peas and carrots. Some customers, especially new ones, are filled with questions about gardening and flower planting. The staff members at both Thomsens and Fairview are eager to help them make their selections once they discover what customers have as far as sunny
Hill from front page Bids for construction companies willing to do the work were opened on May 9 with three of the four bidding below the estimated cost. The apparent low bid went to Landwehr with a $5.77 million bid. With the low bid, Byrd indicated there would be new divisions of costs with the county paying slightly more than $4.74 million and the city paying less than $1.1 million. With new figures in hand, the construction is slated to begin May 31 with intermediate completion in early September. The final course of the reconstruction should be done in October 2016 or May 2017. With the new information in hand, the motion was made and approved to fund the new
A public concern
one growing season. • Perennials are those that grow year after year in the same place, such as hostas along the foundations of a house. • Use well-drained soil or commercial potting soil when planting in containers as all plants and flowers cannot thrive if soil is waterlogged. Planting containers must contain a hole or two for water to drain out of. • If using hanging baskets, be sure to check them every
day to see if the soil is moist. They can dry out extremely fast in warm weather. Water them until the water is pouring out of their bottoms. • It’s a good idea to use a water-soluble fertilizer once a week on plants and flowers. Otherwise, scritch into the soil those time-release fertilizer beads. • Always read carefully the directions that come with plants, flowers and gardening supplies and then follow those directions carefully.
Other business
Sauk Rapids resident James Zepelin expressed his concern about “the County 4 ditch,” that flows near his property. In the past there have been discussions as to what could be done with the ditch to abate the odor it gives off, particularly in the summer. Zepelin’s property is in the Benton Drive Addition. The council referred the issue to Peter Eckhoff, the public works director, who said the situation was caused by the lack of flow if there’s not enough rain to keep the water moving. This is especially prevalent during times of drought and low water during the summer. Eckhoff said he would
In other consent-agenda items, the council approved granting a temporary on-sale liquor license for the sale of 3.2 beer to the Benton County Agricultural Society; approved staff and council member attendance at the EDAM summer Conference; approved a change order to the 2015 Benton Drive Improvement Project; approved a reduction in Villages of Creekside fees; approved a minor revision to the Verizon lease on fire hall allowing a screening fence, approved grading and right-ofway for the Second Street project; and authorized change of electrical drawings relative to CSAH 3.
photo by Dave DeMars
Sauk Rapids resident James Zepelin brought the issue of stagnant water and creeks that don’t flow well during the hot summer months to the attention of the council. Council instructed the public-works director to look into the issue.
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Our View
Newsleader apologizes; Scarbro drops column A column by guest-writer Ron Scarbro published in the May 6 St. Joseph Newsleader and Sauk RapidsRice Newsleader brought anger and even outrage from some readers. The column did not appear in the Sartell Newsleader. We at the Newsleaders admit those responses are justified. Scarbro, a former Sartell resident, moved several years ago to Georgia. For more than 10 years he has been a guest columnist for the Newsleader newspapers. Often, he writes political columns from a rightof-center perspective, just as editor-columnist Dennis Dalman writes ones usually from a left-of-center point of view. Both columnists have long received plenty of flak from readers for their opinions. Scarbro often uses acidic satire, exaggerations and metaphors in his columns, as does Dalman and many other columnists coast-to-coast. In the column that caused angry responses, Scarbro compared presidential candidates Sanders, Clinton and Trump to pest-control businesses and then wrote satirically about how each pest-control business would handle illegal immigration. When Newsleader Editor Dennis Dalman first read the submission, his reaction was he didn’t at all agree with its points. His other simultaneous reaction was that words like “vermin and pests” are inflammatory and even hateful, but since Scarbro seemed to be directing those terms at dangerous undocumented border-crossers like murderers, rapists and drug-cartel dealers, such words did not seem too extreme. Once the column was published and readers expressed their disgust, Dalman re-read Scarbro’s column in the mind-frame of a reader who had never read Scarbro’s satirical writings before. The readers were right. Scarbro’s column does not sufficiently spell out that he was referring only to dangerous and violent criminals. The vitriolic words at least seem to be aimed categorically at all undocumented immigrants, even if that is not what Scarbro meant. We are confident Scarbro did not intend to tar all immigrants with the same brush. However, that doesn’t change its effect upon readers. Dalman regrets giving the go-ahead to publish that column, and he, the newspaper owner and the staff would like to apologize to anybody and everybody who was offended, hurt or outraged by it. This newspaper has long championed the cause of law-abiding, hard-working immigrants, even undocumented ones, who are trying so hard to improve their lot in life, and we also strongly favor an immigration-reform bill that will allow undocumented workers to emerge from the shadows and begin a process that could someday lead to citizenship. We have given Scarbro the opportunity to specify more clearly exactly what he meant to express in his column – that is, which immigrants he was castigating. We expect Scarbro to clarify his intent and/or to apologize for what comes across – intentionally or not – as hateful stereotyping. After being contacted by the Newsleader via email last week, Scarbro wrote back that he did not mean to cause any ill will, that he apologizes and that he will no longer write columns for the newspapers.
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, May 20, 2016
Opinion We ditched Mickey-Mantle Dickie
Every early summer, my thoughts often turn to watermelon, the St. Cloud Municipal Swimming Pool, the St. Cloud Library, the cabins at Beaver Lake near Luxemburg, Barden Park, marbles and baseball cards. Those things more or less define, at least in memory, my happy summers in the 1950s. We kids would gorge on watermelon, spitting seeds all over the lawn; we loved to spend afternoons at the swimming pool until our eyes were devil-red, our skin wrinkly; we died and went to heaven when we got to stay a week every June with our good neighbors the Fahnhorsts in the cabins by Beaver Lake; we’d spend Sundays playing Cowboys and Indians in Barden Park, a block from our house; we loved to go to the library to get arm-loads of books; we’d spend mornings playing marbles in the alley as the sun rose ever higher and the soothing sounds of mourning doves around us; and we loved to sit on the lawn to trade baseball cards with neighbor buddies. Using our stashes of nickels and dimes, we’d buy stacks of baseball cards at Hackert’s Grocery. As we unwrapped the card packets, we’d stuff the wafers of gum into our mouths and chew like sugar fiends until we were gopher-cheeked and drooling. The other day, while sitting on my deck, I heard two teenaged girls walking by on the street complaining about a friend. “Let’s ditch her,” one said to the other. “If she comes over, let’s just pretend we’re not home.” I was surprised to hear that expression – “ditch her.” I thought it was obsolete among kids these days. Then I
Dennis Dalman Editor smiled because it instantly unlocked a distant summer day – the day of Dickie and the Mickey Mantle card. On a summer day in 1958, brother Michael and I were sitting in our backyard looking through our big box of baseball cards. Just then neighbor Dickie ran across the lawn so excited he kept stuttering, stumbling over his words. “I-I-I got ‘im!” he said wild-eyed, chewing a big wad of gum. “I got ‘im!” “Got who?” we asked. “Mickey Mantle! I just got baseball cards at Hackert’s,” he said, pulling a card out of his shirt pocket. “Look! It’s a Mickey Mantle.” I grabbed the card. Sure as shoot, it was a Mickey Mantle baseball card, still a bit dusty with sugar powder and smelling of the bubble-gum piece that came with it. I cringed with instant envy, then turned green with slow-burn jealousy. In the 1950s, any kid would have gladly toiled a whole summer doing rotten house chores with no allowance if he could only get a Mickey Mantle. Getting a Mickey then, so rare, was akin to winning a $10,000 scratch-off ticket now. I handed the card back to Dickie as I desperately feigned an attitude of “So what? Who cares?” “I’ll be right back,” he said, still giddy. “I gotta go show the Townsend twins. When I come back, we’ll trade cards, OK?”
He ran off. “He thinks he’s so hot,” I scoffed. “Yeah, what cruddy luck he got a Mickey Mantle and we never get one,” Michael said. “Well, I got a Roger Maris and two Hank Aarons,” I bragged. “If you ask me, that’s just as good – even better – than one Mickey Mantle.” “Yeah, now just watch, Dickie’s gonna go around bragging all day,” Michael said. “I know. That’s why we should ditch ‘im.” “Yeah, let’s!” he agreed, grinning. “Let’s ditch ‘im.” For two days, we ditched Dickie. He’d pop over, and brother Johnny, per our orders, would tell him Michael and Denny aren’t home. From our upper bedroom windows, we’d watch Dickie leave our front steps and go home. “Serves ‘im right,” I said. “I bet he already put that stupid card in a frame.” We caved in and let Dickie be our friend again; we un-ditched him. We tried to wheedle the Mickey card off of him with card-trade offers and candy money. No go. A couple years later, Michael and I got to go see the New York Yankees play in Minneapolis. There in front of our eyes was our hero, Mickey Mantle, playing ball, as if his baseball card had come to life. We couldn’t wait to get home to brag to Dickie we saw the real Mickey Mantle. When we did, he dismissed our gloating bragging with, “Yeah, well, there’s lots of other players better than him, y’know.” Michael and I moped all the way back home. We felt as if we’d just been ditched.
Goodbye from Ron Scarbro to the Newsleaders Ron Scarbro, St. Simons Island, Ga.
For the past 10 years, it has been my good pleasure to submit and have columns published in your newspaper. It has been fun. Throughout the years, I have developed a constituency throughout the Newsleaders service area. I know because I regularly hear from people I don’t even know. I am certain the Newsleader publisher has published columns she had to hold her nose to do. That’s one of my
Ron Scarbro Guest Writer favorite things about her. She has shown courage. It’s not now nor has it ever been my idea to harm the Newsleaders. I always wanted the best for the paper and for the publisher and her staff. Because I want the best for the Newsleaders,
I have decided to stop sending columns for publishing. Perhaps when the smoke settles, I may be able to generate some words that will be worthy of printing but for now, I am going to stay quiet. My not sending columns in no way ends my warm feelings for the Newsleaders and its staff. I hope we can continue to be friends and someday down the road if the time is right, I may send along some thoughts. My wife and I send our best wishes for the Newsleaders’ continued success.
Letter to the editor
White privilege is real, not a myth, and prevalent
Julie Theis, Sauk Rapids Sauk Rapids Newsleaders, your white privilege is showing and it’s embarrassing. White privilege is not a crutch the lazy created in place of “hard work.” It’s an issue deeply embedded in the framework of society. Very simply put, it’s the benefit of being part of the majority. White privilege is often misconstrued to mean white people are immune to struggle or people of color are excluded from success but it is much more nuanced than that. Being white means not having to speak for an entire race or culture, like expecting Muslims to condemn terrorism in every conversation with non-Muslims or presidential candidates campaigning for
the “black vote.” It means being able to move into a home without worry of devaluing of an entire neighborhood just because of skin color. It means having access to better public schools by not being denied housing in the first place. Yes, it means white people are less likely to be jailed for crimes committed. Statistically, whites are more likely to sell and consume drugs yet blacks are more likely to be jailed for similar nonviolent drug offenses. White privilege is the difference between the push for treatment in the current opioid epidemic (white people’s drug) and the mandatory prison sentences for the crack-cocaine epidemic that predominantly affected blacks and Hispanics in the 80s. People of color are more likely
to be issued and jailed for traffic tickets and consequently put in a never-ending cycle of profiteering by local government. White privilege is the epitome of Donald Trump’s campaign to make America great again, presumably when white men were the best, when Blacks couldn’t vote, when interracial couples could be jailed, when Native Americans were molested and abused in boarding schools, and when a whole group of people could be put into camps because they were suspicious. It allows a white man to write an asinine article about a topic he clearly has no idea about with a tone of superiority. The ability to deny white privilege IS a privilege. Being aware is not synonymous with guilt.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Minnesota WorkForce Center warns of phone, email scams by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com
Emails and calls claiming to be from the Minnesota WorkForce Center or minnesotaworks.net may in fact be scams in disguise. The targets are job seekers and the scammers’ goal is to obtain
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 20 Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. N.W. Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Appraising Your Valuables. Mark Moran appraises antiques. 3-6 p.m., Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 Fifth Ave. N., Waite Park. 320253-9359. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320-3394533. stcloudsingles.net. Greg Jorgensen musical performance, 9-11 p.m., Pioneer Place, 22 Fifth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Saturday, May 21 Plant Sale and Garden Fair, sponsored by University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners of Stearns County, 8:10-11 a.m., RiverAU TO M O B I L E S / M OTO RC Y C L E S WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1980. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN) ADOPTION *ADOPTION:* At-Home-Mom, Adoring Financially Secure Family, Outdoor Adventures, travel awaits 1st baby. *Expenses paid* 1-800-243-1658 (MCN) Birthmothers, Planning an Adoption? Unique Adoptions can help. We have an excellent Adoption program. Choose from open or closed, select adoptive family. Financial Assistance. Ask about 4-day recovery packages. Call 24/7 to speak to an adoption specialist. 1-888-637-8200 (Void in IL) (MCN) 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 (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800283-0205 (MCN) 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) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED Experienced CDL-A TRUCK DRIVERS. Great pay and benefits. Driver friendly. All miles paid. Upper Midwest Region. Family run for over 75 years. Home when needed. Nice equipment. WWW.MCFGTL.COM Call now 507-437-9905 (MCN)
bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers and Social Security numbers or other similar personal information. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development would like to spread awareness that the Minnesota WorkForce Center will never truly ask for this
information in a phone call or an email. Certain other red flags can let you know whether you have been targeted by a scam or have the real deal. Legitimate employers do not ask for money in exchange for an interview or a job offer, so if this happens to you, it’s a
scam. Representatives from the Minnesota WorkForce Center do not offer employment on behalf of another employer nor do they ask for sensitive personal information in exchange for employment. The Minnesota DEED advises to contact the Federal
Community Calendar
side Park Shelter, 1800 Killian Blvd S.E., St. Cloud. Brinkman’s Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, 1st Street and 2nd Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. N.W. The Old Glory Run, sponsored by DAV of Minnesota, 10 a.m., Colt’s Academy, 124 First Ave. S.E., St. Joseph. theoldgloryrun.com. Little Free Library Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Minnehaha Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis. littlefreelibrary.org/festival. Community Meal, 11:30 a.m.12:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell.
Sunday, May 22 Registration deadline for Learn to use Google Docs; laptops will be available for use. Class from 5:306:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 Fifth Ave. N., Waite Park. 320-253-9359. Spring Fling and silent auction, Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N, Sartell. 320-2550488. Perfume River Nights Book Release Party, featuring Minnesota auOWNER OPERATORS wanted. Paid all miles. No touch freight. Many operating discounts. Family run business for 75 years. Many bonuses and good home time. Direct deposit paid weekly. Call 800-533-0564 ext.205 (MCN) HELP WANTED: OTR DRIVERS. Ewy Trucking seeking Owner/Operators & Company Drivers. Valid Class A CDL. Home on weekends if desired. Pulling hopper bottoms across the US. Based in Racine, MN. Call 507-421-3680. (MCN) MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. No Experience Required. Start Immediately! www.centralmailing. net (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance! Mailing Brochures at Home! Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! www.MyHomeIncomeNow55.com (MCN) FARM RELATED Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 1-866309-1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com (MCN) FINANCIAL CASH NOW For Owner Financed Trust Deeds & Mortgages!!! Professional Service, Fast Closing. Call Michael Jay: 310276-5044 (MCN) 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-
thor Michael P. Maurer, 3-5 p.m., College of St. Benedict (Gorecki Center), 37 College Ave. S., St. Joseph. All proceeds benefit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.www.michaelpmaurer.com.
Monday, May 23 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., Moose Lodge, 1300 Third St. N., Waite Park. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., St. Cloud Library, 1300 W. St. Germain Street. 320-529-9000. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. Sauk Rapids City Council, 6 p.m., council chambers, Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-258-5300. ci.sauk-rapids. mn.us. Tinville Lions Club, 7 p.m., Rollie’s Rednecks and Longnecks Bar, 940 35th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, 7 p.m., American Legion, 101 W Minnesota St., St. Joseph. Tuesday, May 24 Veteran’s Recognition Program, 871-1626 (MCN) FOR SALE Trailer Sale! $100.00 REBATE on H&H “Skidloader Trailers” sold in May. 83”X14’ 14,000 Dump trailer $175 month or $6499.00; New 6’X12’ V-nose ramp cargo $2,799.00; New 18’ Skidloader trailers$3,699.00; New 2015 H&H 7’X16’ V-nose ramp door $4,499.00515-972-4554 www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com for inventory & prices! (MCN) HEALTH & MEDICAL CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-389-0695. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com (MCN) VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 60 tabs, $99 includes FREE SHIPPING. 1-888-8360780 or metromeds.online (MCN) Viagra!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00! Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-888403-7751 (MCN) Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! Save up to 93%! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and FREE Shipping. 1-800-263-4059. (MCN) Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-604-2613 (MCN) ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 FREE Shipping! 100 Percent Guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-800-795-9687 (MCN) LIVING WITH KNEE OR BACK PAIN?
9-10 a.m., St. Cloud Hospital (Hoppe Auditorium), 1406 Sixth Ave. N. Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 2405 First St. N., St. Cloud. Sauk Rapids Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., VFW, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. e-clubhouse.org/sites/ saukrapidslionsmn. Wednesday, May 25 Senior Document Shred and Drug Take-Back Days, sponsored by Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sartell Police Department, 310 Second St. S. Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Community Living Center Building 49, 2 p.m., St. Cloud VA Medical Center (first floor dayroom, Building 49), 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. Thursday, May 26 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Sauk Rapids Chamber Meeting, advance registration required, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-2512940. Senior Document Shred and Drug Take-Back Days, sponsored by Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, 3-6 p.m., Sartell Police Department, 310 Second St. S.
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Trade Commission to file a complaint if you suspect your information has been compromised. The MinnesotaWorks. net help desk is also available at 651-259-7500 or the outstate number 1-800-345-2537 to answer questions. Remember to stay safe while on the job search.
Rice Lions Club, 8 p.m., Lions Building, Westside Park, 101 Fourth St. NW. Friday, May 27 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2 Saturday, May 28 Brinkman’s Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, 1st Street and 2nd Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Bike, Trike, Wagon Walk & Roll Parade, sponsored by Kiwanis, 1011:30 a.m., Lake George, 1101 Seventh St. S., St. Cloud. Decorate your ride on your own or at the park; decorations will be provided. Monday, May 30
Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday.org. ADT Security protects your home & family from “what if” scenarios. Fire, flood, burglary or carbon monoxide, ADT provides 24/7 security. Don’t wait! Call Now! 1-888-607-9294 (MCN) GET HELP NOW! One Button Senior Medical Alert. Falls, Fires & Emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection. Only $14.99/mo. Call NOW 1-888-840-7541 (MCN) Life Alert. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800-306-1404 (MCN) DISH TV 190 channels plus Highspeed Internet Only $49.94/mo! Ask about a 3 year price guarantee & get Netflix included for 1 year! Call Today 1-800390-3140 (MCN) SAVE on internet and TV bundles! Order the best exclusive cable and satellite deals in your area! If eligible, get up to $300 in Visa Gift Cards. CALL NOW! 1-800-925-0146 (MCN) FAST Internet! HughesNet Satellite Internet. High-Speed. Avail Anywhere. Speeds to 15 mbps. Starting at $59.99/ mo. Call for Limited Time Price - 1-800715-1644 (MCN) Exede High Speed Internet. Plans from $39/mo. Blazing Fast Broadband in areas cable can’t reach. Great for business or home. We Install Fast. 1-888-8008236 (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)
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Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 20, 2016
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
The second annual Bark for Life event took place the morning of May 7. The event is part of the American Relay for Life and celebrates the human-animal bond and companionship that pets have with their owners who undergo cancer treatments. Roughly 100 walkers registered for the event which took place at Pinecone Central Park in Sartell. In addition to the walk there were other activities available including face-painting, a “smooch-a-pooch” booth, a dog-training demonstration and multiple vendors on site.
People, dogs, cat take part in Bark for Life by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Beautiful weather, beautiful people, beautiful dogs and even a beautiful cat named Mr. Nickles – who could ask for anything more? The second annual Bark for Life walk, this year at Sartell’s Dog Park May 7, was a great success, raising just about $7,000 for the American Cancer Society – $1,000 more than last year’s walk in St. Cloud’s Wilson Park. About 100 people and dogs attended the event in Sartell’s Pinecone Central Park, where the dog park is located. Mr.
Nickles the cat also seemed to enjoy all the fun and commotion. He is owned by Grant Pulliam of St. Cloud, who emceed the Bark for Life in Sartell. “It was such a good day,” said Jessica Ostendorf of Albany, who organized the event. “I’m so pleased with it hitting numbers that big for such a new event. I think it’s going to keep growing and growing.” Ostendorf works for the Minnesota School of Business as a veterinary technician and is the events chair for Bark for Life of St. Cloud. She is one of many students at the school who volunteers their time for events
such as Bark for Life. “Every person is affected one way or another by someone having cancer,” she said. “And, not to forget, dogs and other pets can and do get cancer, too.” Ostendorf said all the money raised stays in the local area, as does all money raised in other events sponsored by the American Cancer Society, such as Relay for Life. People in the greater St. Cloud area have earned the right to give themselves a pat on the back because the average raised for Bark for Life events in other parts of the nation, including those in big cities, is only be-
tween $1,500 and $2,000, Ostendorf noted. And in just two years, the two Bark for Life events in the St. Cloud area have raised a total of $13,000. Last year, the greater St. Cloud area was honored with the All-American Relay Award for its successful fundraising efforts, with more than $100,000 raised for the American Cancer Society. The event is appropriate, she said, not only because pets can get cancer, too, but because pets have been known to bring great comfort and affection to people suffering from cancer. When the American Cancer
Society asked Ostendorf if she would like to chair the Bark for Life event two years ago, she just could not say no because the causes of cancer and of pets are close to her heart. “It’s been so much fun to meet so many wonderful, interesting people dedicated to fighting cancer,” she said. “And the money raised helps so much with needs of cancer patients such as transportation and even with wigs. The Bark for Life is a great barrier-breaker for people and pets to get together. It’s another reminder we’ve all been touched in some way by cancer.”
Council
expensive facility to own and operate.” Bittman said. “It will require $8 to $9 million in the next five to 10 years in deferred maintenance-type projects – things such as roofs, heating and cooling (and more).” Also of great concern is security of buildings, particularly in Pleasantview since it is an “open pod” school designed in the 1970s with few interior walls and doors. After getting rough estimates on cost, the study group thought it might be better to completely replace Pleasantview school rather than repair it.
ment with the city building inspector, approved the large gathering permit for the farmers’ market site and heard from Ken Nodo on the improvements made to the city park. In the wake of the resignation of the city clerk, council also scheduled interviews for a new clerk for May 3. Consideration of installing a sound system was put on hold. Cost of the system was estimated to be $5,600, and there were other more pressing concerns demanding attention. In the final action of the night, the council authorized spending $3,000 with Multiple Concepts to repair and improve the men’s bathroom in the city hall.
from page 2
photo by Dave DeMars
Superintendent Dan Bittman (left) looks on as Christina Bemboom, Rice Elementary School principal, makes her portion of their joint presentation on the state of Sauk Rapids-Rice schools at the May 2 Rice City Council meeting.
learning activities in Rice. That is a priority in the recommendations. Other areas of Rice’s specific concerns included facility improvement – for examples, updates in mechanical systems such as heating and air conditioning, creating more multi-purpose spaces and upgrading playground equipment. Other general recommendations included building a new elementary school on a site near the present Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, (the district already owns the land), and significantly improving Pleasantview Elementary School. “Pleasantview is our most
Other actions
In other actions, the council approved a three-year agree-
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