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Newsleader Sauk Rapids-Rice
Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 Volume 2, Issue 31 Est. 2015
Town Crier Franny Fest set for Aug. 19-21
Franny Fest, the St. Francis Xavier Parish Fall Festival, will be held Friday-Sunday, Aug. 19-21 on the parish grounds. Highlights include a Teen Night for grades 7-12 from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday; a 10K, 5K, 1K walk and run, food, refreshments, kids’ games, silent auction, a 4 p.m. Mass followed by live music by Walter’s Wheelhouse and Tres on Saturday; and 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass, bake and plant sales, Belgian waffle breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon and a raffle drawing on Sunday. For more information, visit stfrancissartell. org.
Markets provide variety of great food
Items currently available at both Sartell Farmers’ Market sites include: corn, meat, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, breads and much more. Come meet your local farmers and find the great food available to you in Central Minnesota. Open from 3-6:30 p.m. every Monday, Market Monday is located at Riverside Plaza, 101 Seventh St. N., in front of Hardware Hank, and from 3-6 p.m. every Thursday at Centracare Plaza, 1900 Centracare Circle, St Cloud.
Duck, goose seasons approaching this fall
According to the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota’s regular waterfowl season will open on Saturday, Sept. 24. Duck season will again be open for 60 days in the north, central and south zones. Canada goose hunters will see some changes compared to last year. There is no August Canada goose management action in Minnesota. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Aug. 12 criers.
Citizens confront council about crime problem by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
About 15 residents who dubbed themselves the Second Avenue North Neighborhood Group con- Beise fronted the Sauk Rapids City Council on Aug. 8 about what they termed a “crime spree.” Because of the fear of retaliation and being targeted, members of the group asked they not be identified in the following story. The Newsleader respects that concern and will identify speakers in this story with an initial and number.
The problem
Speaking on behalf of the group, speaker A-1 summarized the situation as a rash
of thefts, break-ins, burglaries and other sundry crimes. At first A-1 said she thought the break-ins were isolated incidents, but after talking with neighbors up and down the avenue from Anytime Fitness to the apartments at the far north end of the avenue, she came to realize there was a more serious problem. Fifteen concerned residents attended the meeting, but the group is probably three times that size, according to A-1. “We have a whole lot of people who are concerned because these people are not afraid to steal. And it’s got to be more than one, it’s got to be a group,” A-1 said, describing the crimes. A-1 continued to describe various businesses and families along Second Avenue who had been victimized. She described one theft in which the thieves broke the small win-
photo by Dave DeMars
Citizens and members of the self-named Second Avenue North Neighborhood Group listen intently to the discussion of what can be done to try and stem the number of break-ins in their neighborhood at the Aug. 8 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting. dow in the service entrance of a garage that was near the fire station and was well lit. Once the thieves broke the small window and unlocked the service door, they helped themselves to bicycles stored
in the garage. “You would think when there is that much light, there wouldn’t be so much violence,” she said. “We – there’s not one, but several of us – Crime • page 5
to have in your downtown,” Schultz said. “It’s something we’ve been working on for years to bring a nice multifamily project there.” Schultz described the building as upscale, focusing on the higher end of the rental market. The building will have a below-ground parking garage on the river side of the building and a rooftop patio. The project has already gone through the Sauk Rapids Planning Commission and is slated to go before the council at the Aug. 22 meeting, Schultz said. In a phone conversation
with Tim Torborg of Torborg Builders, he explained part of what motivated his company to undertake the project was the desire on the part of the city to have that kind of project in the downtown area. “It kind of fit with what we typically kind of look for which is to build high-end rental housing,” Torborg said. “And proximity to good jobs is also a reason we look at it as a good location.” Torborg Builders has been involved in creating other projects in Sauk Rapids, but what makes this one unique Torborg • page 4
New apartment building slated for downtown area by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
Torborg Builders of St. Cloud has applied for site-plan approval to begin construction on a new five-story apartment building in the downtown Sauk Rapids area. The site chosen is currently owned by the Sauk Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority and is located on Benton Drive near the new bridge leading into Sauk Rapids across from the present Sauk Rapids Walgreens Store. The site has been owned by the city since the building
of the new bridge, and the city has been trying to market the property for several years, said Todd Schultz, community development director. The Torborgs will both build and be involved in the operation and management of the building when the project is completed. “The comprehensive plan we adopted just before the bridge project commenced really identified bringing residential in and around the downtown to help support the commercial retail businesses down there and to create that vibrant atmosphere you like
Eckhoff’s resume includes working in Antarctica
Habitat for Humanity seeks team members
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Postal Patron
by Mollie Rushmeyer news@thenewsleaders.com
contributed photo
Sauk Rapids Public Works Director Peter Eckhoff takes a break to smile for a picture on a warm day in Antarctica in 1989-1990 near his snow-equipped vehicle while working for McMurdo Station.
Most Minnesotans have probably complained about the length and temperatures of our winters, but if you once lived at the U.S. McMurdo Station for science research in Antarctica like Sauk Rapids Public Works Director Peter Eckhoff, Minnesota winters may not seem so bad. Before Eckhoff became a city employee — budgeting, maintaining, and repairing roadways
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and buildings, as well as managing public works staff — he spent from late 1989 to early 1991 at the southern tip of Ross Island, part of the New Zealand-claimed territory of Antarctica. As Eckhoff recalled what it was like living in Antarctica, he began with saying, “The winter is brutal.” He described winter’s arrival in Antarctica as marked with shorter and shorter days until eventually the sun never comes Eckhoff • page 3
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Friday, Aug. 12, 2016
People
The following participants won tickets to this year’s Bluegrass Festival: Donna Balaski (Waite Park); Dustin Betsinger (St. Joseph); Lisa Boe (Sartell); Doreen Bohm (Sartell);
Lorri Carlson (St. Joseph); Sandra Cordie (Sartell); Rita Dingman (St. Joseph); Suzanne Glazos (Sartell); Vince Goering (Rice); Linda Harambasic (Sauk Rapids); Ellen
If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-251-9451 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes.
Police called the mother and arranged a time for when she would be available at her residence. Upon arrival, officers found mother and child, both well. The mother stated she had full legal and physical custody of the child. She stated the complainant contacts her but is very hostile, so she ignores his texts. No further action was taken.
July 19 2:23 p.m. Arrest. Eighth Avenue N. Officers observed a warranted suspect at the aforementioned address. A traffic stop was initiated, and the suspect was arrested. He admitted to being in possession of marijuana and a glass pipe, both of which were taken and placed into evidence. He was transported to the Benton County Jail for further processing.
July 21 5:06 p.m. Civil. Industrial Blvd. Police spoke with a complainant who stated her nephew refused to return a car that had previously been loaned to him. Authorities advised the complainant the matter would have to be resolved in civil court. 6:10 p.m. Verbal warning. Second Avenue S. While on routine patrol, police observed a vehicle that failed to stop for a red light traffic signal. The driver was pulled over, stating the light was yellow when he had entered the intersection. He was given a verbal warning and released without any further action.
July 20 7:44 p.m. Welfare check. Summit Avenue N. A male complainant called authorities after the mother of his child was not allowing him to have contact with his daughter. He was concerned for her welfare.
Blotter
July 22 10:08 a.m. Assist. 10th Avenue
Howe (Sartell); Nadine Martin (Sartell); Lisa Meyer (St. Joseph); Jonathan Kohan (St. Joseph); Gary Stommes (Sauk Rapids) and Michael Svensson (Sartell).
N.E. Officers were requested to help in the arrest of a warranted individual. Upon arrival, police arrested the man. After searching his car, they found a plethora of hypodermic needles. He admitted to using both heroin and meth. He was first taken to St. Cloud Hospital to be evaluated. After being released from the emergency room, he was transported to the Benton County Jail. July 23 9:25 p.m. Suspicious activity. A female complainant called authorities after her ex-brother-in-law had been harassing her with bizarre text messages. She considers him a dangerous threat. Officers checked the area where the complainant stated the male was but were unable to make contact. 10:14 p.m. Noise complaint. 18th Street N.W. Officers were advised to look into a noise complaint. Upon arrival, they discovered it was a resident’s television. Authorities spoke with the tenant and advised him of the complaint. No further action was taken.
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The St. Cloud YMCA Gator Swim Team season ended with the Minnesota Regional Championships in Austin, Minn. July 2224. Pictured from left to right: Simon, Stephen and Micah Davis with their medals from the Minnesota Regional Championships in Austin. Cash Walz also represented the team. Together they brought home 10 medals which were awarded for placing in the top eight of their events.
Gator swim team brings home medals The Summer USA Club swim season ended Aug. 7 with the Senior State meet (for swimmers 15 and older) in Rochester, Minn. The previous weekend was the Age Group State meet (for swimmers ages 8-14) also in Rochester, which allowed local swimmers to compete against the top swimmers in the state. Sauk Rapids swimmers included the following: Valeria Flores Bonilla, Stephen, Simon and Micah Davis, Dominic Kremer, Ethan and Arica Moriak, Cris Villagra, Cash Walz, Lydia and Hayden Zabinksi who competed with the St. Cloud YMCA Gator Swim Team, kept very busy leading up to the State Meets, competing in more than 20 different meets. Some of the
meets were fun intrasquad meets while others were highlevel meets for swimmers attempting to achieve time cuts for the Olympic Time Trials. Micah Davis qualified to compete in eight events (seven is the max you can compete in, though) at the State Meet in the age 10 and under category July 29-31 in Rochester. He finished in the top 16 for six of his seven events, medaling with a second-place finish in the 100 fly, sixth place in the 100 back, seventh place in the 50 fly. As a whole, the St. Cloud YMCA Gator Swim Team had a wonderful finish at the state finals between both the Age Group State and the Senior State with 20 top-16 finishes, 11 of which were top eight.
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Food Production II Food Production I Food Service Associates For more information and to apply online, please visit http://employment.csbsju.edu. Women, individuals of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Saint John’s University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Hunstiger, Konietzko tops in Tuesday primary by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sauk Rapids city-council member Kurt Hunstiger and new challenger Guy Konietzko will face off for Sauk Rapids mayor in the Nov. 8 general election. In the Aug. 9 primary election, Sauk Rapids voters chose those two from a field of three to have their names on the general-election ballot.
Eckhoff from front page up. Minnesota’s summer solstice, June 21 – the longest day of the year – is the shortest day in Antarctica. Winter is dark and windy with temps reaching 20 to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. During the summers, as in Minnesota, days get longer. The winter solstice, our shortest day of the year, is the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day. The sun stays up 24 hours a day. “I remember setting a softball-sized black volcanic rock on a large chunk of ice,” Eckhoff said, “After a couple of days the sun’s heat, 24 hours a day, had sunk the rock in the piece of ice about two feet.” So, what made Eckhoff decide to make the harrowing 35-hour journey from the Midwest of the United States to the barren, ice-covered bottom of the world? When he graduated in 1987 from Moorhead State University, he said the job market was
Sixth District
Judge
Speedy Delivery, then landed a job with the City of St. Cloud in the street department. He worked there for 12 years. In 2005, he became the assistant director and eventually the Sauk Rapids public works director. While an adventure, Eckhoff said of his time in Antarctica: “I think winter in Antarctica ruined winter for me today. Many weekend plans have been cancelled because of forecasted snow.” Though winter may not be his favorite, Eckhoff has chosen to keep central Minnesota his home, saying, “Sauk Rapids has been good to me. Some days are hectic, but I really can’t complain.”
The other contender, current Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson, was eliminated as he received the least amount of
votes. The vote totals were 487 for Hunstiger, 324 for Konietzko and 193 for Gunderson.
Incumbent Rep. Tom Emmer handily won challenges by two other candidates for his U.S. Sixth District seat. He won 13,548 votes. Challengers AJ Kern and Patrick Munro garnered 5,217 votes and 958 votes respectively. DFL contender David Snyder won the DFL primary against challengers Judy Evelyn Adams, 3,553 votes; and Bob Helland, 1,589 votes.
pretty tough for graduates. He found employment at a Fargo pawn/gun shop for awhile. Then he tried his hand at selling copiers and fax machines at an office equipment store. Fax machines had just come on the market, so selling them proved to be a challenge. Eckhoff recalls customers asking, “Why would I want to spend money on a fax machine?” Later, of course, they became an office staple. So, when a friend was hired with ITT Antarctic Services Inc. as a heavy equipment operator, Eckhoff decided to give them a call. ITT is a third-party company contracted by the U.S. National Science Foundation to take care of the hiring and technical aspects for McMurdo Station Antarctica. And McMurdo Station is a logistic hub for much of the scientific research done on the continent. When Eckhoff contacted ITT, they offered him a job as a welder’s helper contingent on him passing a physical examination. Thus began the drawnout process of physical and dental exams to ensure he was
fit for the job. Once approved, he went through orientation in Denver, after which he flew to New Zealand where the company outfitted him with coldweather gear. Then Eckhoff went on to what he calls the worst leg of the journey – from Christchurch, New Zealand to McMurdo Station. The Air National Guard piloted the plane with no heat so all passengers were required to wear full winter gear and ear plugs. “We then would fly for four hours, or roughly half the journey to McMurdo, and then radio the landing field at McMurdo to get a weather report,” he said. “If it was too windy, or poor visibility, or conditions didn’t warrant a safe landing, the (pilot) would turn the flight around and fly back to Christchurch. A whole day of flying and not getting anywhere.” But eventually he did get there. The first year, he worked as a welder’s helper, scrapping and sorting metal to recycle back to the United States. Then a winter-over job became
available, and they asked if he would be interested, but they required him to take a psychiatric exam due to the isolation and extreme temperatures brought on with the winter months in Antarctica. Up to that point, Eckhoff experienced the summer population swell typical at McMurdo Station, around 1,200 people. Scientists from all over the world came to conduct experiments during the summer season, along with various workers to keep the station functional. Summer in Antarctica starts in late November, early December and ends in late March. Then everyone leaves except for a select few, like Eckhoff that year. Just a small crew of about 75 people stayed on with Eckhoff during the winter season to keep everything operational. After surviving the winter in McMurdo, he did additional traveling in New Zealand and Fiji, but then he made his way back to Minnesota where he met his future wife, Jane, in St. Cloud and began looking for employment in the area. He worked at Fingerhut,
Hunstiger
Konietzko
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Sauk Rapids-Rice voters also helped determine the primary race for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice District 6. Natalie Hudson garnered 173,255 votes, Michelle L. MacDonald 54,720 votes and Craig Foss 38,876. That means MacDonald and Hudson will face off in the Nov. 8 election.––––_
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Friday, Aug. 12, 2016
Citizens Police Academy accepting applications by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
The police departments of Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Joseph, St. Cloud and Waite Park are accepting applications for the 2016 Class of the Metro Citizens Police Academy. The academy is an eightweek course offered to citizens and members of local civic and governmental or-
Torborg from front page is its location in the downtown area, Torborg said. “This is more designed for a downtown area with the underground parking and additional height, or the additional floor on top of the building to have a little higher density,” Torborg said. The complex would house 57 units with a mix of studio apartments, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Prices are estimated to run about $625 per month for studios, $850 for one-bedroom, and $950 to $1,000 for two-bedroom units. The Mississippi River is an attraction for at least part of the year. During the winter months, it would be easily
ganizations. Participants of the Citizen’s Police Academy are given the chance to experience first-hand many areas of police training. The classes offered closely parallel the training curriculum that police officer candidate’s experience. It’s imperative participants understand the Citizen’s Police Academy is solely informative and in no way trains or promotes citizens to act in a law-enforce-
ment capacity. In light of recent events involving law enforcement nationwide, local departments are seeking a diverse group of applicants who have questions specific to police procedures involving use and application of force, law-enforcement training and arrest procedures. Applicants critical of law-enforcement response to incidents and skeptical of current law-en-
viewable but foliage would block out the view during the summer months, Torborg said. Another concern is train noise, but Torborg is confident that use of the right construction materials would reduce the noise to a minimum. What makes this set of apartments so unique and unusual is the fact they are located in the downtown area, Schultz noted. “That sets this project apart from all apartments in the St. Cloud-Central Minnesota area. I can’t think of anything that’s quite like this,” Schultz said. “It’s a large-market-range project in a downtown environment. That makes it a little bit unique right there.” The fact the Torborgs are building the project is also a little unique, Schultz said, because they not only build the structures, but they continue
to own and manage the buildings they build. Most builders sell the complexes to investors and companies that take over the management. Torborgs haven’t done that in the past and because of that, they tend to put more quality in at the front end of the building project, Schultz said. It’s expected because of its location and the clientele targeted, the new apartments will fill up fairly quickly. Typically many of the apartments are rented even before the project is finished, Schultz said. Young people don’t have the same American dream as older generations did. Maybe they will eventually gravitate back to the normal dream, but they aren’t as anxious to get into a home as earlier generations. They tend to stay in apartments longer than in the past.
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forcement practices are encouraged to apply. Classes begin the first Thursday after Labor Day, Sept. 8, and run Thursdays for eight weeks to Oct. 27. Classes will be held from 6-10 p.m. at various departments and locations throughout the academy. Participants who complete the training courses are presented a certification of completion from a chief of police at the last training
session. An applicant must be 21 years of age, must not have a criminal record and a records-clearance check will be completed prior to acceptance into the program. The applicant must live within the city limits of the police departments through which they are applying. Applications can be found online of most departments or obtained from the departments themselves.
contributed photo
Pictured is an example of what the new 57-unit apartment complex might look like when finished. Torborg Builders is slated to address the project, which will house an underground garage and a rooftop observation area and patio, at the Aug. 22 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting. “They are filling up almost as quickly as they can construct them,” Schultz said. “I think folks are a little bit nervous from the Great Reces-
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sion, a little bit nervous about putting their necks on the line in taking a loan out on something. And a little bit of it is cultural as well.”
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Crime from front page have heard gunshots at 2 or 2:30 in the morning. This isn’t safe for us, and I just want to know what you guys can do to help us because we need safety, security.” A-1 continued, saying she understood there were a limited number of officers on duty, and they respond as quickly as they can, but it isn’t soon enough when these breakins are happening. Seventeen places were broken into within a three-block radius during the month of July, she said. With these kinds of crimes occurring so frequently, she does not feel safe in letting her grandchildren play outside. Other parents there share the same concerns, she added. “I shouldn’t have to feel that way,” she said. “Two years ago, it wasn’t like this.” She presented the council with pictures of things that were stolen from her home and from other homes and businesses in the neighborhood. Another couple, B-2 and C-3, also spoke to the council. B-2 described how when leaving for work early in the morning, he saw a man on a bicycle speaking on a phone, presumably giving directions to another. “Those lights are on, we can’t go there,” B-2 quoted the man as saying. “I said, ‘What are you doing?”’ B-2 got no satisfactory answer and called the police, but the man was already gone by the time they arrived. “They are not scared of us,” B-2 said. “Like she (A-1) said, it’s more than we can take care of. They are getting more aggressive.” B-2 echoed A-1’s concern
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com about leaving his children in the house or letting them play in the yard. He went on to describe a time when his daughter came home early from a wedding reception and was in the house alone. A man walked down the side yard of his house as though looking for something, and it was only the barking of B-2’s dog that frightened the man away. “It’s getting to the point of being really ridiculous,” B-2 said. C-3 spoke and said in talking with neighbors, it seemed like every person she talked to had been victimized or knew someone who had been. The fact there were gunshots at 2:30 in the morning is very disturbing, she said. “Who are we supposed to call and what can we tell them?,” she asked the council. Another member of the audience, D-4, asked about the number of officers on duty at night. Most everyone in Neighborhood Watch programs are asleep at night, he said, so it (the Neighborhood Watch) is not effective at that time. If this is a group and they are not caught, they will grow more bold, he said. And soon the crime will be one of home invasion because it’s obvious this group of thieves is not afraid of being caught, he added. Near the end of the meeting another audience member said she had motion lights at her house and they had been stolen – not once, but three times. She hasn’t replaced them since the last time because it doesn’t seem to offer any security.
Searching for a solution
Police Chief Perry Beise empathized with the group and said it was unfortunate there were individuals who were looking to steal property but
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probably didn’t want to be confronted. It (property theft) seems to pick up during the summer. Most stuff is taken from unlocked garages and unlocked vehicles, he noted. Typically, the thieves leave locked doors alone in favor of easier targets. Beise complimented the group on banding together to help one another and the police. The Neighborhood Watch has been developed specifically for this kind of thing with neighbors watching out for neighbors and sharing that responsibility. The first police officers and security were simply night watchmen who were citizens and who watched out for the community, he said. “We can’t be everywhere, we can’t see everything,” Beise said. “We depend on the citizens to call us – to tell us when things happen – to be our eyes.” Council member Kurt Hunstiger spoke carefully, saying because it was the night before an election (he is a candidate), he would be judicious in his comments. He added the city is somewhat understaffed at the moment because of new personnel being in training, but he reminded the council in previous sessions dating back to the beginning of the year, he had pushed for a police reserve and for hiring more police officers. Council member Steve Heinen questioned Beise as to when the two people in training would be ready to go on full-time active status. Beise said he was not quite sure but estimated two or three more months. Beise spoke again, saying it might be possible to address the problem using some overtime hours, but that has its own constraints. Hunstiger immediately asked what those
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photo by Dave DeMars
Fearful of retaliation, citizen A-1 appeared before the Sauk Rapids City Council and said she no longer feels safe in her home because of a rash of break-ins on Second Avenue North. constraints might be. Beise explained at some point, it might not be possible to staff fully. Hunstiger said if security is the issue, the overtime should be used to get the job done. The council has relaxed the guidelines for use of overtime in some cases, so funding shouldn’t figure in the equation. Mayor Brad Gunderson interjected it was not simply a matter of funding but a matter of having personnel available to do some of the normal staffing. “How long can officers be asked to put in overtime before they are simply worn out?,” he asked.. Hunstiger questioned again, asking whether there was another retirement coming up in the near future, and if that was the case, the department would be understaffed again, he said. City Administrator Ross Olson thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and sharing concerns with the council. He wanted them to know the council was concerned with the problem as well as all the various facets
of safety service provided by the city. “The council is working on it and we do appreciate your comments and your telling us how this is affecting your life personally,” he said. C-3 challenged Olson, asking exactly how the council had been working on the crime problem on Second Avenue. Olson replied the council goes through a budgetary analysis, and the council has been looking at staffing levels for all departments including law enforcement. “I’m just looking at and wondering what kind of time frame are we looking at to try and get some help?” said C-3. “I feel waiting until November is not acceptable. Our oldest, who had a man walk right next to her, is 18 years old. And now she is scared in her own home.” C-3 went on saying her daughter is old enough to understand the situation, and she is still uneasy about taking her dog out for a walk. She went on to say she understood there was no magic fix for the problem, but there has to be Crime • page 7
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Our View Don’t let children get on terrifying thrill rides
Courts start busting voting restrictions
Parents everywhere might want to think twice before they let one or more of their children get on a “thrill” ride at amusement parks or other places. On Aug. 7, 10-year-old Caleb Schwab of Olathe, Kan., was killed while riding a water slide at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kan. It’s still not clear what happened, but Caleb’s neck was somehow broken. On the ride, a raft filled with three people plunges down a 169-foot-tall water slide – almost straight down. After that swift fall, with the raft moving at 65 mph, the water slide levels off, then shoots up to a tall height and then down again. The water slide is dubbed “Verruckt,” which is German for “Insane.” Aptly named. Caleb was the son of Kansas State Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife, Michele. The day after the terrible accident, they released this heart-wrenching statement: “Since the day he (Caleb) was born, he brought abundant joy to our family and all those he came in contact with. As we try to mend our home with him no longer with us, we are comforted knowing he believed in our savior Jesus, and they are forever together now. We will see him another day.” What was a 10-year-old boy doing on such a terrifying ride? The ride opened in 2014, and according to a report by USA Today, the water park’s co-owner took a ride on the slide and said this later: “I’m still recovering mentally. It’s like jumping off the Empire State Building. It’s the scariest thing I’ve done.” Those are words not only from an adult but from the park’s co-owner. Did it ever occur to park owners that such a frightening ride could traumatize children, even it did not put them in physical danger, which obviously it did? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 4.5 Americans have died every year on amusement-park rides from 1987-2000. Between the years 1994-2004, 22 Americans died gruesome deaths on roller-coaster rides alone due to mechanical failure or operator errors. Those death statistics do not even include the more than 1,204 injuries that occurred just in 2011 at 400 worldwide parks. Even some “less scary” rides have maimed or killed children. A trade association for amusement parks claims the chance of an injury happening while riding rides is one in 9 million. Be that as it may, almost 4,500 children under 18 are injured in amusement park rides each year, most often because of improper restraints or padding. That’s too many children; one is too many. Many children are naturally adventurous, ready to try anything that looks scary or thrilling. Most do not have an inkling of just how terrifying some of those thrill rides are, until they’re on them, when it’s too late to stop. Mental traumas can result. Most parents can be reasonably assured their children will be safe on close-to-the-ground amusement rides such as merry-go-rounds or kiddie cars and for older children possibly a Ferris wheel. (Then again, maybe not. On Aug. 8, a Ferris wheel seat upended in Greenville, Tenn., sending three girls falling nearly 45 feet to the ground. Miraculously, thankfully, they survived, though injured.) When it comes to giant roller coasters, water slides and other thrill-a-second rides, parents should not let children under 18 get on them, and amusement park owners should bar children from them, too. It’s surprising to think how many adults too scared to get on such thrill rides think nothing of letting their children get on them. It’s an awful way to become traumatized, to sustain injuries or to die. And such tragic outcomes can leave grieving parents in agony for the rest of their days.
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.
Opinion
A counter assault against restrictive voting rights is – thankfully – busting down barriers erected in sly attempts to make voting difficult if not impossible for many Americans. These victories are long overdue. Recently, a federal appeals court struck down a garden variety of voting restrictions in North Carolina, the court declaring the voting laws “disproportionately affected African Americans.” Earlier, another court ruling in Texas shot down that state’s voter I.D. law. It’s notable many of the judges on these courts were appointed by Republicans; thus, it cannot be claimed these appeals courts have been ruling simply because of biases by Democrats. Those courts are ruling against voting restrictions because it’s so blatantly obvious, to good Democrats and Republicans alike, that those laws were enacted to make the voting process – the foundation of our democracy – difficult to the point of discouragement for blacks, other minorities, students, elderly people and people in poverty. In the case of North Carolina, the threejudge panel for the Fourth Circuit concluded there is “an inextricable link between race and politics in North Carolina” and lawmakers in that state intentionally imposed restrictions to make it more difficult for blacks to vote. The judges wrote: “The new provisions target African Americans with almost surgical precision. They (the new voting laws) constitute inapt remedies for the problems . . . and, in fact, impose cures for problems that did not exist.” That’s the crux of it right there: problems that did not exist. Since 2012, these onerous laws have been passed in 15 states, always with the same ridiculous, feeble excuse – that there is seri-
Letter to the editor
Dennis Dalman Editor ous voting fraud. Studies here, there and everywhere have proven voting fraud is so rare as to be virtually unknown. It is, in fact, the problem that does not exist. The phantom problem. The big lie, the big excuse, to put the squeeze on somebody else’s voting rights. The scoundrels ought to be ashamed of themselves, but of course they’re not. The floodgates to this undemocratic behavior were opened by the U.S. Supreme Court in one of its two really dumb decisions (the other being “Citizens United”). In 2013, the High Court struck down part of the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act. The provision that was stricken required states to get federal permission before changing any voting procedures. Lest we forget, in the Jim Crow South, all kinds of voting laws were in effect for decades to keep black men and women from voting: a poll tax, a literacy test, restrictive voting hours – to name just three. Then, finally, along came the great 1965 Voting Rights Act. In 2013, immediately after the Court’s unfortunate ruling, efforts to restrict voting began at once. Even earlier than that, right after the last presidential election, law-making grinches at state levels went into a frenzy of cooking up ways to restrict voting rights. Many Americans thought then and now, “Well, so what? What’s so bad about making a
Friday, Aug. 12, 2016
voter have an ID?” But make no mistake, these sneaky restrictions go far beyond photo IDs. In the case of North Carolina, for example, same-day voting was eliminated, early voting was reduced and out-of-precinct voting was also hampered. In Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which generally rules in favor of conservative causes, stated the Texas voting law was not intended to discriminate but had that effect on minority voters, leaving as many as 60,000 potential voters out of the loop in this fall’s presidential election. That was unintended? Say what? Could you repeat that? That’s like saying Donald Trump is not a sexist, that he only keeps spouting crude sexist remarks, but he doesn’t really mean them. The outcome, it certainly seems, is proof of the intention. But I suppose we shouldn’t quibble with the Texas court’s decision; at least it ruled for justice. There are still 20 states that have passed voting restrictions that will be in place for the first time as the Nov. 8 presidential election rolls around. For a full list, go to www.brennancenter.org. Wouldn’t it be a triumph for Democracy if courts in all of those 20 states struck down voting restrictions once and for all? In the meantime, we should express our outrage by demanding every prospective voter in this country is able to vote without having to encounter obstacles so shamefully placed in their way. Denying access to the voting process by making that process difficult is just about the most villainous un-American stunt anyone could pull. Let’s make the scoundrels feel some shame. Voting against them would be a good start.
Reker family earns widespread support Georgia Deher, St. Cloud On Nov. 3, five years ago, I read a terrific article called “Reker recounts daughters’ murders.” It said, “Throughout the years, Reker has channeled her grief into helping others. She is on the board of Tri-County Crime Stoppers, and she’s been a leader for years for the local chapter of ‘Parents of Murdered Children.’”
In 2008, Rita Reker and family went to St. Paul to back state and local authorities in a new effort to crack 52 cold cases by turning to prison and jail inmates to help solve the mysteries and by using a deck of cards with victims’ faces on them to help generate the tips. Susan and Mary Reker, ages 12 and 15, are the “2 of hearts” on playing cards highlighting unsolved homicide, missing person and
unidentified-remains cases. Rita’s expertise on contacting vinelink, parole boards and parole procedures helped me personally. Many in the area know of her amazing lifelong accomplishments. Can other readers comment on a positive experience? I’m glad to see the support for Rita Reker and of her raising awareness once again.
No thugs, no drugs, no guns, no gangs It was many decades ago when I decided (as a 17-year-old) to join a drum-and-bugle corps out of Rochester, N.Y. It was called the “Grey Knights.” I had been to several drum-corps contests and fell in love with the concept of their presentations. If you are not familiar with the overview of these performances, the parameters call for delivering a 12-minute montage of marching and music over an area the size of a football turf. Back then, the program called for a color guard of any size, to carry the Stars and Stripes as part of its marching-and-music agenda and make a color presentation and a two-minute marching-suspended-concert arrangement as part of the show. I had tried out as a tenor drummer but was not good enough to qualify. So I ended up in the color guard. Frankly, we were not a very good drum corps. We didn’t hold a candle to the Hawthorne NJ Caballeros, or NY Skyliners, or any of the Pennsylvania corps – Musketeers, Buccaneers and more. But, we had one thing going for us. Lefty, our color-guard captain had come up with an idea (I think he was the culprit). Anyway, as part of our color presentation, we would march toward where most of the audience was located (50-yard line), playing God Bless America; drape our 12 or so colorguard flags over the American flag; then pirouette out; drop to one knee; and present a replica of the “raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.” At that point, my friend, Joe Pep, would blow Taps. We would then return to our marching-and-music mode playing the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Again, I repeat, we were not the best
Paul Ritzenthaler Guest Writer corps. But, back then, there were a ton of World War II and Korean War veterans who came to those shows. And, when we finished our show, I got hugged by so many guys with tears in their eyes, it was unbelievable. Please understand, our group was judged against those other corps. But, the judges, for fear of retaliation, didn’t dare give us a bad score. We rarely won, but we finished ahead of many other corps we shouldn’t have. It has created for me a life-long love of drum-corps shows. And, so it was that on July 16, my daughter and I traveled to TCF Bank Stadium to see a drum corps contest – certainly not the first since my drum-corps days. On the negative side, some things have changed. The Stars and Stripes are no longer required. However, on the positive side, there has been one huge change. Most of all the nowactive corps are a part of an organization known as “DCI,” which stands for Drum Corp Intl. DCI is a constructive commission that coordinates the activities of some 50 or so units. But, here’s the catch: These corps have young men and women as the core of their corp. In fact, they can only belong to their appropriate outfits until they are 21 years of age. Then, done! So, you say, a band is a band is a band.
Not true. Their musical repertoire includes classical renditions, operatic presentations and even musical scores they have written themselves. In fact, one of the outfits (from Indiana) went on to stage their compositions in theaters like the Orpheum. My daughter Krista, who joined me on my recent trip to the contest, was first introduced to a piece of musical magic that came from an outfit in California. They delivered a favorite of hers (Phantom of the Opera) and made her a permanent fan. Before I disappear, I have but two things to add to my ramblings. There are some 50 (or so) groups of DCI components that spend an entire summer providing a wonderful show. That equates to some 5,000 young people under the age of 21 that represent what, I would hope, we are all delighted to see: No drugs, no thugs, no gangs, no guns – just 5,000 kids who commit their entire summer to working, entertaining and making a lot of moms and dads very proud. Of course, they are not alone. I have the honor of announcing at summer ball games for American Legion-sponsored teams. There are also a few thousand kids (across the country) who I tip my hat to. No drugs, no thugs, no gangs, no guns. I guess there is hope for our American youth. Paul Ritzenthaler has spent most of his life working in broadcasting before retiring, but still keeps himself busy by announcing baseball games at the Municipal Athletic Center in St. Cloud, golfing and trying to keep up with his two dogs Dani, a Sheltie, and Tucker, a Shi-Tzu, at his home in Sauk Rapids.
Friday, Aug. 12, 2016
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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, Aug. 12 Brat sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions, 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, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Saturday, Aug. 13 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Brat sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Central Minnesota Chapter of the Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 17 Second Ave. N., Waite Park. Corn-on-the-Cob Feed, 4-9 p.m, St. James Parish, 25042 C.R. 2, Cold Spring. Sunday, Aug. 14 Summer Breakfast, sponsored by the Cold Spring Knights of Columbus, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 501 Main St. 320685-3280. Monday, Aug. 15 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 320-529-9000. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. St. Joseph Fare for All, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. 800-582-4291. fareforall.org. 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. MinADOPTION 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. 1-800-283-0205 (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 PAID IN ADVANCE! 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) 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. Minnesota Based. Call 507-421-3680. (MCN) TRUCK DRIVERS. CDL-A Company Drivers and Owner Operators. Great pay
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Tuesday, Aug. 16 The West St. Cloud Republican Women Meeting, 6 p.m., Anton’s, 2001 Frontage Road, Waite Park. 715-456-7774. St. Cloud Area Genealogists meeting, 7 p.m., Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. stearns-museum.org. Thursday, Aug. 18 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. 55+ Driver-improvement program (four-hour refresher course), noon-4 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 90 Riverside Drive SE. St. Cloud. 1-888-234-1294. mnsafetycenter.org. Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. Gators Open House, sponsored by the St. Cloud YMCA Swim Team, 5 p.m., Wilson Park, 625 Riverside Drive NE., St. Cloud. Rice Lions Club, 8 p.m., Lions Building, Westside Park, 101 4th St. NW. Friday, Aug. 19 Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. 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. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320-3394533. stcloudsingles.net.
Crime from page 5 something better. “What are we supposed to tell our kids?” she asked. “That the city council is talking about it and working on it? Give ‘em a month, give ‘em a year?” Gunderson interjected that despite the fact the council would like to get officers in the field sooner, they still have to undergo training and that takes time. We simply can’t put them out on their own any faster, he said. Discussion turned to trying to find police officers who were already trained, but Beise said the available pool of officers simply doesn’t exist. Where once the department received 150 applications for a job, they now receive only 30, and the department is in competition with other city police departments. Gunderson asked whether use of cameras in the area might be useful. Beise said that might be a partial answer, but more effective is for homeowners to make sure they lock up tight and keep
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The aftermath
Meeting briefly with members of the group outside council chambers after the meeting, group members expressed hope, fear and dis-satisfaction. They asked they not be identified and expressed fear they might be targeted further and
in more violent ways. One member, A-1, said the crime problems in the area had been ongoing for a year or more. Another said he had lived in the area for 14 years and had felt safe, but he no longer felt that way. “It’s more like inner city than small town,” he said. Another man said he had lived on Second Avenue for 24 years and it was only in the last five years he felt so uneasy that he began to lock doors and windows. Still another individual wondered whether the source of the problem might not be open enrollment at the schools. People come from everywhere and we don’t know them, she said. B-1 echoed that theme, saying a nice school was built and he didn’t mind paying the taxes, but he did not like the idea of supporting surrounding communities with their poor schools. That’s unfair, he said. Before the group disbanded, C-3 said she and her husband were so fearful they are going to get conceal-and-carry permits to protect themselves and their family. She said she would use force if she or her family felt threatened by an intruder in their home.
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everything secure and to call police when they see something amiss. Beise maintained the department was relatively well staffed and had the ability to respond. Gunderson asked if more patrols in the area might be a good idea. Beise said that could be done. Members of the neighborhood group restated their concerns, saying they pay taxes and deserve better. Was the council really asking them to wait until November for police protection?, they asked. Council members and administrators as well as Beise offered to attend neighborhood meetings to help organize Neighborhood Watches and do what they could to make the Second Avenue North neighborhood a more secure area, but neighbors were asked to shoulder much of the responsibility to safeguard themselves.
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Friday, Aug. 12, 2016
Wiese promoted to Newsleaders’ operations director by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
When she was 15, Tara Wiese just knew she wanted to work on a newspaper, and 20 years later she’s not only working on a newspaper, but she was recently named operations director for the Newsleaders. Wiese, a Sauk Rapids resident and mother of two girls, joined the Newsleaders staff as a graphics designer in 2010. Since that time, she has steadily and painstakingly learned all of the operations at the St. Joseph-based Von Meyer Publishing Inc., which was founded in 1989 and publishes the St. Joseph Newsleader, the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader and the Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader. In six years, Wiese has designed countless ads, helped do the layout preparation work for printing the newspapers, did some proofreading, some photography, helped with delivery of the papers, and wrote some stories and a few columns, among many other daily tasks. “I absolutely love my job,” Wiese said. “I’m a behind-thescenes employee, and it’s been fun learning so many aspects of the newspaper industry.” Her promotion to operations director puts her in supervision over the Newsleaders’ entire production area as second-in-command to company’s founder/owner/publisher Janelle Von Pinnon. The daughter of Michael and Jayne Wiese of Sauk Rapids, Wiese attended schools in Sauk Rapids and graduated from its high school in 1999. She credits her father with inspiring and encouraging her lifelong love of art and design. Until his retirement in 2000,
Michael Wiese was a long-time teacher at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, and his daughter, in her independent studies pursuit, took many courses from him: graphics, advanced graphics, architecture, photography and multimedia. Michael has spent the past 16 years working full-time for Ron’s Cabinets. Wiese is convinced her skills were transferred genetically from her father. Growing up, she was never happier than when she had pencils, crayons or paintbrushes in her hand, and a piece of paper or canvas in front of her. She was so talented in art, in eighth grade she won a drawing contest sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Space Science Student Involvement Program. Her winning entry was of a view of a space walker and planet as seen through the window of the space station. As a young girl, she also won numerous free meals at Happy Chef restaurants because she excelled at their coloring contests. For 10 years, off and on, Wiese helped her father with his summer construction job when he wasn’t teaching. She was also an exchange student in Germany for a time where one day, on a sudden whim, she did something that stunned her friends and family. Attached to a giant bungee cord, she leaped off the top of a 432-foot crane next to a medieval church tower in Erfurt, Germany. After high school, Wiese earned an advertising associate’s degree in 2004 from St. Cloud Technical College. Two years later, she graduated from Rasmussen Business College with an associate’s degree in business management and a
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT ...
minor in office administration. All of her studies and degrees, including her lifelong love of art and design, were tailor-made for her years of work at the Newsleaders. Other jobs before being hired by the Newsleaders include employment with the Fergus Falls Daily Journal and as communications assistant at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. Besides her first love, artand-design, Wiese’s hobbies include turkey hunting, spending time with her daughters, her parents and her two older siblings and enjoying special family get-togethers, often up north. Wiese’s two daughters are Krystene, 15; and Kayla, 6.
contributed photo
Tara Wiese, recently promoted as operations director of the Newsleader newspapers, holds daughter Kayla. At left is Wiese’s older daughter, Krystene.
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THE HORSENECKS – CANOTE BROTHERS – PERT’ N THE TRAVELING MCCOURYS – CLAY HESS BA plus The Revelers, Hogslop Stringband, Monroe Crossing, Bob & Lynn
August 11 22016 -‐‑-‐‑BROTHERS El l R Rancho ancho añana Pushing Chain, S1-‐‑14, arah M ae & The Boys, HM and P’icked Bluegras August 1-‐‑ 4, 016 irkeland E M añana THE H ORSENECKS – C1ANOTE –Mañana P ERT NEAR SAND Aug. 11-14, 2016 -BEl Rancho Richmond MN, 30 Minutes W of St Cloud (I-‐‑94 Exit #153 at Avon, 9 mi S on County 9)
N, 330 0 K MMinutes inutes WWest of St of Cloud (I-‐‑94 E xit 153 t Avon, 9 amily mi S9 on ounty 9) No M Long Richmond Time GMone, ing W ilkie’s ream, H#alvorson F Richmond, Minnesota, St.DCloud (I-94 Exit a#153 at Avon, miCB S and, on County 9) an’s plus The Revelers, Hogslop Stringband, Monroe Crossing, Bob & Lynn Dixon, Poor Be Bsoys, Pushing hain, Sarah ae & The Birkeland Picked Bluegrass, ick Kimme THE TRAVELING BAND s M s NDightly Beautiful MCain Stage Shaded SMCCOURYS eating Area 3-5 HCLAY Hand ours oHESS f Concerts Danc THE HORSENECKS CANOTE BROTHERS PERT’ NEAR SANDSTONE Long T ime G one, K ing W ilkie’s D ream, H alvorson F amily B and, N o M an’s S tringband, s Plenty of Campground Jam Sessions Mso Children’s Activities s Over 20 Workshops
plus The Revelers, Hogslop Stringband, Monroe Crossing, Bob & Lynn Dixon, Poor Benny, Pushing Chain, s& SSThe s Instrumen Beautiful M ain Stage haded Seating Area ss S3huttle 5 H f Concerts s Nightly Dances s ATime W elcome & Safe E Campground wMae ith howers Beach ours Toransportation Sarah Birkeland& Boys, Hand Picked Bluegrass, Dick Kimmel & Co, Long Gone, s s s Over 2 0 W orkshops P lenty o f C ampground J am S essions 3 0 Merchant & Children’s Activities King Wilkie’s Dream, Halvorson Family Band, No Man’s Stringband, More TBA THE TRAVELING M CCOURYS – CLAY HESS BAND T HE TStage RAVELING M CCTOURYS – CsLAY HESS AND s SArea s K huttle ransportation A W elcome & SB afe Environment Campground with Showers & Beach Beautiful Main • Shaded Seating • 35 Hours of Concerts • Nightly Dances Instrument Showcases TChildren’s HE HActivities ORSENECKS – CANOTE BROTHERS – P• ERT ’ N• EAR S ANDSTONE • Over 20 Workshops • Plenty of Campground Jam Sessions 30 Merchant & Food Booths Campground Tplus HE TH ORSENECKS – CSANOTE BMThu-‐‑ ROTHERS –& Safe PBERT ’ NEAR SANDSTONE he R evelers, H ogslop tringband, onroe Crossing, ob & Lynn Dixon, P oor Benny, Broch un Camping P ackage (– per p erson) with Showers & Beach • Shuttle Transportation • ASWelcome Environment • Kids are Free! Come f or t he D ay – C amp f or t he W eekend C all f or plus T he R evelers, H ogslop S tringband, M onroe C rossing, B ob & L ynn D ixon, P oor B enny, Pushing Chain, Sarah Mae & The Birkeland Boys, Hand Picked Bluegrass, Dick Kimmel & Co, Admission Thu hru Sae un p lus nimproved camping Tluegrass, hu, Fri, & SKat nights, 95 Gate, $8 Pushing Chain, Starah M &D Tream, he Bu irkeland Boys, FH and PB icked D immel & o, $ T Long T ime Gone, King Wilkie’s Halvorson amily and, BN o Man’s Sick tringband, M Core BA
Come for the Day – Camp for the Weekend – Call
Join our team!
Von Meyer Publishing seeks a full-time, experienced advertising sales representative for three local, weekly newspapers and one website serving the greater St. Cloud region. A successful candidate will be: a self-starter, highly motivated and excited to be on the bleeding edge of print and digital advertising.
Thu-‐‑Sun Camping Package (per –person) Come –unimproved Camp for theof FCamily Weekend Call for Brochure Long Tfor ime Gthe one, KDay ing Wilkie’s Dream, H alvorson Band, No Man’s Stringband, More TBA s SS s& sp Beautiful Main Stage haded Seating Area s 35 cH ours Single N Dances IG nstrument Admission Thu thru un plus amping Toncerts hu, D Fri, at nights, $95 ate, $85 AShowcases dv, $75 Memb ay T Sightly ickets (per erson)
Thursday-Sunday Camping (per person): unimproved camping through s Package slenty sJ am s 0 Beautiful Main Stage Shaded Seating Area 35 Ho ours of Concerts NSunday ightly Dplus ances Instrument S& howcases Children’s Activities Over 20 Workshops PAdmission f CThursday ampground Sessions 3 Merchant FThursday, ood Booths Admission oAne dsay, nver o c2amping, $s20 Thu of $85 STAdvanced, un Gate, $Member 30 F&ri r s0 SMat Gate, 25 Aooths dv (any day Saturday nights $95 Gate, ay ickets (J$75 per pessions erson) sFriday sSingle so 3 Children’s ctivities O 0 Workshops T Pransportation lenty oD Cr ampground am S erchant & $ Fs ood B s Shuttle s A W Campground with Showers & B& each elcome SAdvanced afe Environment Kids Are Free! Admission one day, no Schowers amping, $each 20 person): Ts hu oAdmission r STun Gate, 30 no or Sat G& ate, $25 dv (any 20 Member Ad sF ri s dKay) Shuttle ransportation A W elcome Safe Environment ids A$re Free! Campground with & B(per Single-Day Tickets one $ day, camping, $20 Thursday orASunday Gate, Come for $30 the Doray – CGate, amp or the eekend – Call (any for Friday Saturday $25 f Advanced (anyW day) $20 Member Advanced day)Brochure Come for the Day –Thu-‐‑Sun Camp for tPhe Weekend Camping ackage (per person) – Call for Brochure
800-‐‑ 6335-‐‑ 3037 www.MinnesotaBlueg 800-‐‑ 635-‐‑ 037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org 800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Admission Thu thru Sun plus unimproved camping Thu, Fri, &( per Sat pnerson) ights, $95 G ate, $85 Adv, $75 Member Adv Thu-‐‑Sun Camping Package
Presented bbyy the tThe M innesota &D ay Old-‐‑Time M Association and mof$ade ossible Admission hu thru Sun plus uB nimproved camping Thu, Fri, &made usic Spat npossible ights, $in 95 Gate, $85 Adv, 75 Mp ember Adv in part by the Single Tickets (and per erson) Presented Minnesota Bluegrass &luegrass Old-Time Music part by the voters Minnesota through Presented y the MState innesota Bluegrass &Support O ld-‐‑Time MAssociation usic Aari ssociation and made possible in $cultural p art b y the vfund. oters of dMay) innesota Admission one day, no Arts camping, $20 TO hu or Sun Gate, $30 r Sat $25 A dv day) 20 ember A dv (any ab Minnesota Board grant, toF legislative appropriation from the arts and heritage Minnesota State Arts BOperating oard perating SDthanks upport go(rant, tate, hanks to a( lany egislative aMppropriation from the ar Single ay Tickets per pG erson)
Qualifications include: 3-5 years in advertising sales, extensive experience in the greater St. Cloud region and previous experience selling digital advertising.
Minnesota State Arts Board Operating upport hanks to a Glegislative appropriation from the arts and cultural herita Admission one day, no camping, $20 TShu or Sun gGrant, ate, $t30 Fri or Sat ate, $25 Adv (any day) $20 M ember Adv (any day)
800-‐‑635-‐‑3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org 8M00-‐‑ 635-‐‑ 3037 M usic www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org through a Presented by the innesota Bluegrass & Old-‐‑Time Association and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota
Resumes and cover letters can be addressed to Tara Wiese, production manager, at advertising@thenewsleaders.com. For any questions, call 320-363-7741.
Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a l egislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-‐‑Time Music Association and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.